Cut the Parts

• 1). Use a jigsaw to cut an 8-inch circle from the sheet of plywood. Sand the edges until they are smooth.
  
  
• 2). Draw two 8-inch circles on the foam pad, the aluminum and the vinyl, and cut them out. Use metal snips to cut the aluminum. Cut a 2-by-2-inch square from the leftover aluminum, and drill 1/4-inch holes in the center.
  
  
• 3). Cut two 14-inch circles from the fabric.
  
  
• 4). Drill a 1/2-inch hole halfway between the center and the edge of a plywood circle. Make a hole in one of the foam circles. This should line up with the hole in the plywood circle.
  
  

Assemble the Parts

• 1). Use hot glue to attach the flat metal side of the piezo to the center of the metal circle. Wait for the glue to dry.
  
  
• 2). Place the foam circle with a hole on top of the piezeo, and push the wires through the hole. Place the plywood circle on the foam circle, and push the piezo wires through the hole. Spread hot glue between the foam and the plywood, and press them together.
  
  
• 3). Unscrew the nut on the RCA jack, and remove the washer and collar connector. Solder the red, live wire to the connector. Push the jack through the hole of an aluminum square, and reassemble the RCA jack. Solder the black, ground wire to the pin connector on the jack.
  
  
• 4). Place the second foam circle on top of the metal circle. Place the pad assembly, foam side down, on the center of a fabric circle. Bring the fabric up around the sides and staple it to the plywood. Trim the excess fabric.
  
  
• 5). Place the vinyl over the plywood circle and the jack. Mark the location of the jack on the vinyl. Make a hole on the vinyl to fit the jack. Spread hot glue on the plywood part of the pad assembly. Place the vinyl flat on the glue and make the surface smooth.
  
  
• 6). Learn to use a MIDI with your electronic drums. "Managing MIDI Basics" by David Trubitt shows musicians how to make music with this machine (see Resources below).