Hybrid Hand Drum

Casper Preisler; Daniel Overholt

Hybrid Hand Drum

Abstract:

This paper presents a hybrid frame drum that entangles acoustic and digital elements, merging the expressive depth of traditional percussion with the expanded possibilities of digital sound processing. Designed with four key principles - portability, hybridity, simplicity and low latency - the instrument allows for a fluid interplay between physical and real-time digital augmentation. Equipped with piezoelectric sensors, an FSR, and a DSP algorithm the drum extends its sonic landscape while preserving its acoustic presence. The design maintains an organic relationship between physical interaction and digital processing, and the three potentiometers provide intuitive yet flexible control, maintaining a balance between minimalism and expressivity. The bela platform ensures very low latency (7.55 ± 0.13 ms), making it highly responsive for live performance. User evaluation highlights its potential for expressive control and seamless hybrid performance while suggesting ergonomic and functional refinements. Future enhancements, such as feedback control and DSP presets, could deepen the entanglement between performer, instrument, and sound. This research explores the intersection of acoustic and digital sound, contributing to the design of hybrid instruments that blur the boundaries between physical resonance and electronic transformation, expanding possibilities for musical interaction.