Hi,
Actually, there are at least 2 solutions…
The first one is something built around a 2 poles switch :
The idea was to build a beaterless foot trigger like described in this (very) old article :
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/diydrumpad.htm
You can then add a 2 poles switch inside this pedal and help to a basic circuitry, it is possible to get a kind of non variable hihat controller (switch) combined to a velocity sensitive foot trigger (piezo, …).
Here’s a diagram describing the circuitry :
‘Closed’, ‘Opened’ sockets are linked to 2 of your PM-16 inputs.
You need 1 more input for the piezo inside the pedal.
The hihat pad is linked to the ‘Pad’ socket (not directly to the module).
Here are some ‘vintage’ pictures of my first hihat controller 🙂
The 2nd solution… (a bit better, IMHO)
You can use the circuitry of an analog joystick to build a hihat controller.
A basic analog joystick is usually made of 2 pots and some buttons.
If you remove one of this pot and replace it by something like http://www.toontrack.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=35474 (or anything that is or include a hihat controller made of a variable resistor), you’ll have the needed hardware part of the solution.
Of course, the DIY project of your choice must be adapted in order to use a variable resistor that matches the pot removed from the joystick.
You will have to calibrate this modified joystick later, and the calibration process may not work if you just have 1 pot in your customized “joystick”. That’s why you shouldn’t remove the second pot or the buttons from the original joystick circuitry.
Once the hardware part is ready, you need a software that is capable to translate the joystick informations to MIDI.
My old freeware may do the job. You can download it http://edrum.for.free.fr/edp/InstallEDP12.exe.
Best regards.
www.eareckon.com
