Hack - Keytar Footpedal

Adding an effects pedal to your Keytar Invention Launchpad!

Introduction

Electronic instruments are amazing because they let musicians change the way their music sounds. One way they do this is by using special pedals on the floor called effects pedals. Musicians can stomp or tap these pedals to make their instrument sound different — like playing higher or lower notes, creating feedback or echoes, or even recording and repeating a part they just played (that’s called looping).

You can add an effects pedal to your Keytar using the Makey MAX Backpack! The Makey MAX Backpack has more inputs with which to connect your alligator clips, allowing for more keytar keys and other musical controls. The Makey Makey Keytar App allows you to map inputs in different ways for modifying sounds or recording a simple loop.

Tools and Materials

This hack requires some basic craft tools and supplies for you to be successful! You can find most of them at home or in a desk drawer. We do list a few materials that are available through the Makey Makey store in some of our other kits!

Prepare the cardboard template

Use the printable Effects Pedal Template to trace and cut out the effects pedal shape on cardboard. Glue or tape the template to the cardboard to make it easier to cut and fold.

Tip: Use a hole punch to cut out the small holes

If you do not have paper large enough to print the template as a single sheet, print on multiple and tape them together!

Fold the cardboard template

Fold the keytar pedal template and secure the tabs with metal fasteners. Note: If you don’t have metal fasteners/brads, you can use tape.

Pro Tip:

Creasing and pressing a fold a number of times with cardboard will make it more bendable and hold its shape during assembly.

Stick the foil to the cardboard

Using the template to reference foil size and placement, cut three pieces of foil and stick them to the cardboard with glue or tape. If using tape, make sure to tape the foil along the edges and not cover up the center of the pieces.

Add Conductive Tape and Rubber Band

Cut two pieces of conductive tape. Feed each piece through the slots on the back of the template and stick them down to each of the pieces of foil on the base.

Wrap the rubber band around the pedal base. It will sit in the notches and wrap around the bottom.

Connect the Makey MAX Backpack

Slide the Makey MAX Backpack on top of the Makey Makey. Make sure the pins are all aligned and that you have a solid connection

The Makey MAX Backpack is sold separately in the Makey Makey Backpack Bundle . You can learn more about the backpack here as well as detailed instructions for assembling the backpack with a Makey Makey here .

Wire up the Effects Pedal

Connect the two conductive tape strips to two long alligator clips. On the Makey MAX Backpack, connect one alligator clip to EARTH and the other to the D touchpad.

Connect to the Keytar App

Make sure your Makey Makey is plugged into your device and navigate to makeymakey.com/keytar .

Play some notes on your keytar while pressing the effects pedal. D modifies how the tones of the instrument sound. Experiment! Which sound mod works best with the effects pedal? Try connecting to the other letters to see what feels right!

Troubleshooting Tips

A different key is being pressed? Check your wiring at the Makey MAX Backpack. You have clipped to the wrong touchpad!

Still the wong key! Be sure that the Makey MAX backpack is fully aligned to the pins on the back of the Makey Makey, if they are offset the wrong key may be getting pressed.

Nothing is being pressed! Make sure the foil pads in your effects pedal are touching when pressed and completing the circuit between EARTH and the D key.

Show us how YOU hacked or modified your Invention Launchpad creation! Tag #MakeyMakeyLaunchpad and join our global community of inventors.

hack: keytar effects pedal