We were commissioned to design and manufacture a set of radio DMX–controlled LED drumsticks for a Corps of Drums at a school in London.

The brief called for a visually striking and technically reliable solution that would allow a group of drummers to perform with synchronised lighting effects. Each drumstick needed to be individually controllable while remaining simple, robust, and easy to use in a school environment.

Key requirements included:

• Wireless radio DMX control

• Individual DMX addressing per drumstick

• Battery power with USB-C charging

• Simple single-button operation

The Solution

We designed a custom electronic system combining radio DMX control, integrated LED lighting, and a dedicated battery management solution to ensure safe charging and reliable operation.

The hardware was paired with custom firmware adapted from previous projects and refined for this application. A magnetic sensor system was introduced, allowing DMX addresses to be changed — or drumsticks to be unsynced — using a magnet, removing the need for additional buttons or menus.

The Result

The finished drumsticks are compact, durable, and fully wireless, with each unit individually addressable over radio DMX. They deliver precise, synchronised lighting effects while remaining easy to operate and maintain.

We’re proud of the final outcome and look forward to seeing the drumsticks used in performances at the school and beyond.