I have a silent kick drum pedal (model PDL-HH191), one of those you can find on Amazon, and I’m pretty sure it’s velocity sensitive. However, my cheap tabletop drum module doesn’t support velocity on its kick input, so I decided to build a simple MIDI module using an Arduino Pro Micro.
The problem is, I’m a total beginner when it comes to electronics, and I don’t know how to properly read the signal coming from the PDL-HH191 pedal through its TS jack. I asked ChatGPT for advice, and it suggested using some resistors and even a zener diode, but I was never able to get a usable signal. In the Serial Monitor, all I saw was a wavy signal going up and down—nothing consistent when pressing the pedal.
So I’m posting here hoping someone can help. Any suggestions?
All I want is for the Arduino Pro Micro to properly interpret the signal from the pedal—so when I hit it hard, it sends a strong signal, and when I hit it softly, it sends a weak signal. Then I’ll convert that to a MIDI note with corresponding velocity. I already have a female TS jack, a breadboard, jumper wires, etc. The only thing I’m missing is the knowledge.
Thanks in advance!
MORE INFO:
One of the few videos about this pedal in youtube ( /watch?v=18HdirlvZAg ) had this comment:
"Yup! It's not a footswitch. After receiving my pedals, I took one apart. It has a strip-type force-sensitive variable resistance element. The relaxed pressure resistance is ~100k ohms. Full foot pressure is ~10 ohms. The element is in parallel with a 1M ohm resistor."
so maybe that info could help
That sounds like an interesting project that could be a lot of fun! However, please keep in mind that we are not a free design or code-writing service. We’re more than happy to help with your design or code, but we need you to make an initial attempt. Please design and write your code, then post it along with an explanation of what’s not working properly. There is also a for hire section if you want to pay for it.
Start by posting annotated schematics of what you have and want to modify.
There isn't much information available online, so your knowledge about what the PDL-HH191 does and is for is important.
ChatGPT will be of no help as it only has access to the same data we do.
The best advice I can give is to look at other uses of MIDI. I did a very brute force search and think that maybe this might help.
Library - MIDIcontroller - just search in IDE Library Manager
Sample sketch MIDIdrum.
I know very little about this but I wonder if these comments are indicative of a possible resolution for your problem since you mentioned force-sensitive variable resistance element
This example sets up a velocity sensitive input using a force-sensitive
resistor (FSR) or a Piezo transducer. Only the wiring differs.
AN FSR SHOULD BE WIRED LIKE SO:
3.3v-----(FSR)-----
)---Analog Pin
GND------///-----/
10k
THE PIEZO IS DIFFERENT AND MUST BE WIRED CORRECTLY TO WORK AND PREVENT DAMAGE!
-
The black wire of the Piezo, the anode of a diode and
one side of a 10k resistor should all be connected to ground.
-
The cathode of A SECOND diode should be connected to the voltage.
-
The red wire of the Piezo should be connected to a 470 ohm resistor.
-
The remaining ends of BOTH resistors and BOTH diodes should be connected
to the same analog pin on the microcontroller.
*See PiezoSchematic.jpg for a diagram.
What an odd way to share the link
correct link
And if you just post that link you get a video window to click on.
However, he lost a lot of street cred for me with the blue/turquoise crocks!
Can you give a time point he said that in please?
I suspect that being mainly a musician he doesn't know the difference between series and parallel.
He did not say it in the video Mike.
It is one of the 83 comments by viewers below the video.
Its the third one down.
Thanks @JohnLincoln, I thought I didn't here him say this.
