The 'Hexapad'

The Hexapad will be the main percussive controller for the Sonic Washing Machine. The initial reason for constructing something 'homemade' was to reduce the risk of expensive equipment being stolen. However, the design has led to something quite revolutionary as it no longer compares to the traditional design of an electronic drumpad.

Electronic drumkits such as Roland V-Drums use a separate pad for each component (e.g. snare, toms, kick), they isolate individual sounds and try to prevent 'crosstalk'. The Heaxapad is different because it encourages blending sounds together, creating hybrids. It can even be played like a primitive mixer.


Construction process

• 11 transducer mics are embedded into cylindrical indents in the surface of the face.
• Holes are drilled to allow the mics to be connected to phono sockets on the rear.
• The mics are secured with a strong glue before a sheet of adhesive foam is added for protection. Then the shotblast rubber is fused with the foam to give the required bounce.
• Finally the sides are added, creating a shell to give it increased depth.

I'm very pleased with the result. It completely changes my way of playing and will be a huge asset to the instrument.