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Daf & Tabla Percussion Demo

Transform your Launchpad Mini MK3 into a traditional Persian daf or Indian tabla!

Overview

This demo turns the Launchpad's 8x8 grid into an interactive percussion soundboard featuring:

  • Tabla strokes: Na, Tin, Te, Ge, Ka, Dha (traditional Indian hand drum)
  • Daf strokes: Dum, Tak, Ka, Roll (traditional Persian frame drum)
  • Multiple layouts: Optimized configurations for different playing styles
  • Pattern recording: Record and playback your rhythms
  • Visual feedback: Color-coded pads (red=bass, blue=treble, etc.)

Quick Start

1. Run the setup script

./setup_daf_tabla.sh

This creates the directory structure and placeholder sound files to get you started immediately.

2. Run the demo

# Basic layout (4x4 daf + 4x4 tabla)
python demos/daf_tabla.py

# Full tabla layout
python demos/daf_tabla.py --layout TABLA_FULL

# Full daf layout
python demos/daf_tabla.py --layout DAF_FULL

3. Play!

  • Press the pads to trigger percussion sounds
  • Top-right corner button: Start/stop recording
  • Record your rhythm, then it will auto-playback

Installation

Prerequisites

  • Launchpad Mini MK3 connected via USB
  • Python 3.7+
  • Required packages (from requirements.txt):
    • lpminimk3
    • simpleaudio
    • pyyaml
    • numpy

Setup Sound Files

Option 1: Quick test with placeholders

./setup_daf_tabla.sh

Option 2: Use real percussion samples

See the detailed guide: sounds/DAF_TABLA_SOUNDS.md

Free sample sources:

  • Freesound.org (search: "tabla" or "daf")
  • 99sounds.org
  • YouTube Audio Library

Place files in:

sounds/
├── tabla/
│   ├── na.wav      # Open rim stroke
│   ├── tin.wav     # Closed rim stroke
│   ├── te.wav      # Middle stroke
│   ├── ge.wav      # Bass open
│   ├── ka.wav      # Bass slap
│   └── dha.wav     # Combined stroke
└── daf/
    ├── dum.wav     # Bass center
    ├── tak.wav     # Treble rim
    └── roll.wav    # Finger roll

Layouts

DAF_TABLA (Default)

Balanced layout with both instruments:

Top Half:
  Left 4 columns  → Bass strokes (tabla/daf)
  Right 4 columns → Treble strokes

Bottom Half:
  Left 4 columns  → Daf bass (Dum)
  Right 4 columns → Daf treble (Tak)

TABLA_FULL

Complete tabla layout:

Top rows:    Na (left) | Tin (center) | Te (right)
Middle rows: Ge (left) | Ka (center)  | Dha (right)
Bottom rows: Rolls

DAF_FULL

Complete daf layout:

Top:          Bass (Dum)
Upper middle: Treble (Tak)
Lower middle: Slaps (Ka)
Bottom:       Rolls

Features

Pattern Recording

  1. Press the top-right corner button (8,0) to start recording
  2. Play your rhythm on the pads
  3. Press the corner button again to stop
  4. Your pattern automatically plays back!

The corner button shows your recording status:

  • Blue: Ready to record
  • Red: Currently recording
  • Green: Recording saved, ready to playback

Color Coding

Pads are color-coded by stroke type:

  • Red tones: Bass/low sounds (Dum, Ge)
  • Blue tones: Treble/high sounds (Na, Tin, Tak)
  • Orange/Yellow: Daf strokes
  • Purple: Combined strokes (Dha)
  • Green: Rolls and special effects

Web Interface

Run with the web UI for visual monitoring:

python main_web.py

Then open http://localhost:5001 and load the daf_tabla configuration.

Usage Examples

Basic Tabla Rhythm (Teental)

python demos/daf_tabla.py --layout TABLA_FULL

Play this pattern (16 beat cycle):

Dha Dhin Dhin Dha | Dha Dhin Dhin Dha |
Dha Tin Tin Ta    | Ta Dhin Dhin Dha

Daf Rhythm (6/8 Persian)

python demos/daf_tabla.py --layout DAF_FULL

Play:

Dum Tak Ka Tak Dum Tak

Freestyle Jam

python demos/daf_tabla.py

Use the default balanced layout to mix both instruments!

Traditional Strokes

Tabla Strokes

Right Hand (Dayan - treble drum):

  • Na/Ta: Open resonant stroke on the edge
  • Tin: Closed stroke, dampened with fingertips
  • Te/Ti: Stroke on the center area
  • Tun: Bass stroke on the center

Left Hand (Bayan - bass drum):

  • Ge/Ga: Open bass, palm lifted for resonance
  • Ke: High-pitched stroke, palm pressed
  • Ka: Sharp slap with palm

Combined:

  • Dha: Na + Ge played simultaneously
  • Dhin: Tin + Ge played simultaneously

Daf Strokes

  • Dum/Doom: Deep bass stroke in center with fingertips
  • Tak: Sharp high stroke on rim/edge
  • Ka: Slap stroke
  • Roll: Rapid finger roll around the rim
  • Sak: Muted stroke

Configuration

Edit configs/daf_tabla.yaml to:

  • Change layouts
  • Adjust colors
  • Map different sound files
  • Add new stroke types
  • Create custom rhythm patterns

Example:

file_char_and_locations:
  N: "./sounds/tabla/na.wav"
  T: "./sounds/tabla/tin.wav"
  # Add your own samples...

file_colors:
  N: [100, 150, 255]  # Light blue
  T: [50, 100, 200]   # Medium blue

Troubleshooting

"No Launchpad detected"

  • Check USB connection
  • Ensure no other app is using the Launchpad
  • Try unplugging and reconnecting

"File not found" errors

  • Run ./setup_daf_tabla.sh to create directories
  • Check that sound files exist in sounds/tabla/ and sounds/daf/
  • Verify file names match the config (case-sensitive!)

No sound playing

  • Test sound files in a media player first
  • Ensure files are WAV format (16-bit, 44.1kHz)
  • Check volume levels in your OS

Sounds are distorted

  • Normalize audio files (see DAF_TABLA_SOUNDS.md)
  • Reduce volume in audio editor
  • Use 16-bit or 24-bit WAV files

Advanced Usage

Use with Main App

# Console mode
python main.py
# Load daf_tabla config when prompted

# Web mode
python main_web.py
# Open http://localhost:5001
# Use config editor to load configs/daf_tabla.yaml

Custom Layouts

Create your own layout in configs/daf_tabla.yaml:

models:
  MY_CUSTOM:
    layout: |
      xxxxxxxxx
      NNNNNNNNx
      TTTTTTTTx
      # ... 9x9 grid

Each character maps to a sound file or synthesized note.

Integration with Other Configs

Mix percussion with melodic instruments by combining configurations!

Resources

Learn More

Contributing

Found a great rhythm pattern? Created a custom layout?

Feel free to share your configurations and sound packs!

License

Part of the BabySynth project. See main project license.

Happy drumming! 🥁🎵

For questions or issues, see the main BabySynth documentation.