mockband/README.md

# Mock Band

Microcontroller Firmware to emulate guitar and drum kit controllers from the 
Wii version of the Rock Band games.

This is based on the foundational work done by Nicholas Angle on the
[Wii Guitar Controller](https://github.com/NianZo/WiiGuitarController)
([text article](https://www.niangames.com/articles/reverse-engineering-rockband-guitar-controllers)).
All I did was speed up the loop code to detect drum pad strikes,
which are very quick!


# Parts Needed

* A [Sparkfun Pro Micro](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12640)
* A physical controller


## Sample controllers

I used the following:

* [MiniCaster](https://www.printables.com/model/479046-minicaster-mini-clone-heromidi-controller) 
  by Vlad the Inhaler:
  it comes with full build instructions.

* [Cheap children's drum toy](https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Sboet-Practice-Headphone-Christmas/dp/B0CHJMYCH9/),
  each pad is a momentary switch.


# Wiring

![see standard.hh for pin connections](wii-rb-std.png)


## Drum Kit

On the drum kit,

* Orange: kick pedal
* Solo Buttons: cymbals
* Red Solo: high hat
* Tilt: 2x kick

I think. I haven't been able to test this yet,
but the Clone Hero wiki leads me to believe this is how it works.

You can hook up a wammy bar for the drum kit,
and it will be sent the same way as the guitar.
I don't know why anyone would want this,
but I'm not going to tell you how to live your life.


# Bugs / Not Yet Implemented

I'm tracking things I need to do in the
[forgejo issues](https://git.woozle.org/neale/mockband/issues).

There's a rumor that one day forgejo/gitea will join the fediverse.
Until that happens,
just
[email me](mailto:neale@woozle.org),
and I'll open an issue.