MA - Let drumsticks vibrate realistic

Offizieller Titel Deutsch

Official Titel English

Task Description / Aufgabenstellung

The Institute for Mechatronics in Mechanics specializes in research on vibrotactile actuators, which are resonating devices that oscillate within the vibrotactile frequency range. In collaboration with the Ligeti Zentrum, the issue of missing tactile feedback for drummers was identified as a significant challenge. While electronic drum sets (E-drums) and Bop Pads are popular among drummers for practice and performance due to their versatility and noise control, many musicians express dissatisfaction with the tactile experience compared to acoustic drums.

This project aims to address this issue by investigating the vibrational behavior of drumsticks across a drum set enhancing the tactile realism of E-drums. By bridging the tactile gap between acoustic and electronic drums, this project aims to improve the usability and satisfaction of E-drums, offering drummers a more authentic playing experience.

Detailed measurements and analysis of drumstick vibrations should be conducted during interaction with the different drum surfaces of a complete drum set. The study should account for variations in strike intensity to capture the dynamic range of vibrations. The measurement setup must be designed to enable accurate detection of the subtle vibrational patterns of the drumstick.

A selection for suitable vibrotactile actuators should be performed, focusing on their ability to replicate the tactile sensations of acoustic drumming. The integration of these actuators into the drumsticks must ensure both accuracy and low latency to deliver a realistic tactile experience.

The effectiveness of the system should be validated through a user study involving drummers. Participants will evaluate the tactile feedback provided by different actuators, offering insights into their user satisfaction.

To enhance user experience, the system should include adjustable settings for vibration amplitude and equalizer , allowing the drummer to personalize the tactile feedback to suit their preferences and playing style.

Significant features of individual drums within a drumset will be identified to enable precise training and analysis. This process involves understanding the unique vibrational and acoustic characteristics of each drum. Deep Learning algorithms will be used to create a more realistic haptic experience tailored to the drummer. This includes tracking the drumset to determine which drum is being played and applying the vibrational pattern accordingly.

To capture the exact behaviour of the drummer’s hand during interaction with the drumsticks, impedance measurements will be conducted. This data will provide insights into the physical dynamics of drumming including f.ex. grip strength, motion patterns and applied forces.

Reference person: @Ali El Nwegy and @Juliana Lüer

Zeitplanung:

Checklist

• Introduction / tour in M4

• Urheberrechtsvereinbarung signed: https://www.tuhh.de/t3resources/sls/pdf/ZPA/Formulare_oeffentlich/Rechte_an_Abschlussarbeiten.pdf

• if applicable: signed confidential agreement

• official registration

Helpful links:

• Thesis Work / Studentische Arbeiten 

• Criteria for the evaluation of Bachelor's and Master's theses, handout version

• Laborordnung

• Spotlights / Kurzvorträge

• Templates (Latex, ppt etc.)

Document Upload Final Thesis / Dokumentenabgabe Abschlussdokument

File of final presentation / Dokumentenabgabe Abschlusspräsentation

Link for further files / Link für weitere Dokumente