6 String Drum Machine.endl (17.7 KB)
a guitar-to-drum-machine effect. Each of the 6 open strings triggers a different synthesized drum sound (808 kick, snare, hi-hats, clap, rim). Hits are recorded into a quantized loop, so you can build up a beat string by string, then switch modes and noodle over it.
How It Works
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Tap the footswitch to enter record mode (LED turns red)
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Pluck open strings — each one triggers a different drum
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Hits are captured into a looping pattern with the metronome as your guide
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Tap again to exit record mode (LED turns green)
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Play guitar normally over your drum loop — noodle, solo, jam!
String → Drum Mapping
| String | Drum Sound |
|---|---|
| E2 (low E) | 808 Kick + Sub bass drone |
| A2 | Snare |
| D3 | Closed Hi-hat (chokes open hat) |
| G3 | Open Hi-hat |
| B3 | Clap |
| E4 (high E) | Rimshot |
Controls
| Knob | Function |
|---|---|
| Left | BPM (80 – 180) |
| Middle | Loop length (1 / 2 / 4 / 8 / 16 bars) |
| Right | Quantize grid |
Quantize knob detail:
| Position | Grid |
|---|---|
 Full left |
Free (unquantized) |
| ~25% | 32nd notes |
| ~50% (default) | 16th notes |
| ~75% | 8th notes |
Full right  |
Quarter notes |
Quantize is non-destructive — your raw timing is always preserved. The knob adjusts playback timing in real-time, so you can tighten or loosen the groove on the fly.
| Footswitch | Function |
|---|---|
| Tap | Toggle record mode |
| Hold | Clear pattern & reset |
LED Guide
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
 Red (flashing) |
Recording — plucks trigger + record drums |
 Green (flashing) |
Playing — loop active, guitar passes through |
 Dim white |
Empty — no pattern recorded |
LED flashes on the beat so you can see the tempo.
Playing Tips
Staccato is key! The detector works best with short, muted plucks. Let your fretting hand mute the string immediately after plucking — you’ll get the cleanest, most reliable triggers.
One string at a time. Mute the other strings while you pluck. If two strings ring at once, the detector may get confused about which one you played.
Build your beat in layers. Record the kick pattern first (low E), then overdub the snare (A), then hi-hats (D/G). Each pass adds to the loop without erasing what’s already there.
Palm mute between hits. Rest your picking hand lightly on the strings to kill any ringing. This helps the detector re-arm quickly for the next hit.
Standard tuning only. The detection is calibrated for E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4. Alternate tunings may cause mis-triggers.
