DrumFighter Nano

Project Code, CAD Files, and Build Guide

DrumFighter Nano - A palm-sized MIDI drum controller using arcade push-buttons in a 4x4 grid.

Design started:

  • April 2020

Build completed:

  • May 2020

Goals of this project:

    • Create an ultra-portable MIDI drum and sample pad.

    • Design something that could be built cheaply and quickly, or as a beginner project.

Shopping list used for this build:

Note: In total, parts cost approximately $70 USD for this project (without modifications), as built in 2020.

Microcontroller:

https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html

  • 1 x Teensy 2.0

Arcade Buttons:

https://paradisearcadeshop.com/home/controls/buttons/sanwa/357-sanwa-obsf-series

    • 12 x Sanwa OBSF-24 White

    • 2 x Sanwa OBSF-24 Red

    • 2 x Sanwa OBSF-24 Blue

Wiring:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010T5Y6PU

  • 1 x Spool 22 AWG Gauge Solid Hook-Up Wire

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XB1R2NK

  • 16 x 1N4148 Switching Diodes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PJYNTKS

  • 1 x Mini USB 5-pin Male to USB Type B 2.0 Female Extension Panel Mount Jack

Filament:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DN35CXQ

  • 1 x Spool PLA Filament 1.75mm - White

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DN35CXQ

  • 1 x Spool PLA Filament 1.75mm - Gray

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DN35CXQ

  • 1 x Spool PLA Filament 1.75mm - Black

Miscellaneous:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WRC6SDV

  • 16 x Wood Screws (M4 x 25mm)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PXNTT7K

  • 4 x Black Rubber Feet

Liability Disclaimer:

All information in this guide is provided "as is", with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

By following this guide, you agree to be responsible for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information given, or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Build Guide:

Wiring Instructions:

Rows:

  • Cut wire into 4 lengths long enough to connect the bottom lugs of 4 buttons together into 4 rows.

  • Strip shielding from the wire completely.

  • Solder the wires to the bottom button lugs of each button in 4 rows.

  • Cut and solder an 8cm long wire link from the end of each row (top to bottom) to pins 4, 5, 6, and 7 on the Teensy.

Columns:

  • Solder a 1N4148 diode to the top lug of each button, with the stripe facing away from the button lug.

  • Bend the diode wire opposite the button into a small hoop to allow it to hold your wire for soldering later.

  • Cut wire into 4 lengths long enough to connect each diode together into 4 columns of 4 buttons each.

  • Solder the wires to the diodes in each of the 4 columns.

  • Cut and solder an 8cm long wire link from the end of each column (left to right) to pins 0, 1, 2 and 3 on the Teensy.

Final Assembly:

Once everything is wired:

  • Use a small bead of hot glue to ensure that the column and row wires will stay separate where they cross.

  • Screw the USB panel mount in place and connect it to the Teensy.

  • Zip the rest of the screws in, and you're done.