VR Drum Simulator - Unity OpenXR

Achievements

• Submitted the VR Drum Simulator concept to the Bright Ideas Competition 2025/26 at Kingston University.
• Reached the final, pitching to industry and academic judges.
• Awarded the £250 Runner‑Up Prize in the Computer Science category.
• Strong judge feedback encouraged continued development beyond university.
• Awarded both Winner and Ambitious Value Award at Kingston University's ECE Showcase Week 2026
• Awarded Ideathon Entertainment Winner at JatHub x UCL School of Management Event

Learning Outcomes

• Created a realistic VR drumming simulation prototype focused on accurate drums behaviour.
• Integrated key PSVR2 features: adaptive triggers, dynamic haptics, and recentre functionality.
• Built an advanced FMOD audio system supporting multiple parameters for realism.
• Learned modular VR instrument design and physical interaction systems.
• Collaborated with audio specialists to produce a professional‑grade drum sample library.

Professional Sound Collaboration

• Worked with the Kingston University Music Department to record a full acoustic drum kit.
• The recording dataset includes:
  • All drums and cymbals
  • A full range of hit intensities with multiple sample variations to avoid repetition
  • Dedicated Hi‑Hat states: open, semi‑open, closed, pedal‑chick
• This resulted in a rich, extensive sound library.

FMOD Integration

• Designed a responsive FMOD system with:
  • 3-Zone detection per drum/cymbal
  • Four Hit hardness levels
  • With Four Variations
  • Hi‑Hat openness tied to trigger pressure
  • Cymbal choking for instant sound cutoff
• Haptic features include:
  • Hand‑accurate vibration panning
  • Hit‑intensity‑matched feedback
  • Stick‑click collisions triggering audio + tactile response

PSVR2 Hardware Features

• Adaptive trigger mapping enables intuitive controls
• Clear Force stopping player at semi-open state
• Velocity‑based hit hardness
• Intensity‑matched vibration feedback
• Recentre functionality

Prototype Interaction Features

• Precise zone detection for realistic strike recognition
• Dynamic hardness system
• Five-state Hi‑Hat (including “chick” close)
• Cymbal choking via grab interaction
• Stick‑click audio and haptics
• Use of external pedal for bass drum input

Technical Architecture

Base Instrument Class

• Handles zone detection
• Hit hardness logic
• FMOD parameter dispatch

Extended Classes (Cymbals & Hi‑Hat)

• Add choking behaviour
• Support open/close transitions
• Map openness to trigger pressure

Drum models are split into components for fine VR manipulation.

Tweaking position, height and rotation.

Interaction Modes

Stick Mode

• Full drumming interaction
• Suitable for stick tricks and performance

Controller Mode

• Move and rotate drums and stands
• Hide/show kit components
• Adjust environment and audio settings

Customisation & Environment Systems

• Drum kit presets: Full, Standard, Jazz (auto‑switches to Custom on edit)
• Three environmental presets affecting skybox, lighting, and fog
• Performance camera angles
• In‑app music player with:
  • Song browsing
  • Drumless track playback
  • Individual volume sliders for each sound category

Future VR Drumming Platform – Elevator Pitch

A VR Multiplayer Drums simulator, where players can play drums, practice songs, learn drum beats and compete against other players in drum battles. The user can decide their environments and set up the drum kit as they want, by grabbing the stands and adjusting them. Play solo and practice songs, or compete against other people in a series of drum performances, gain score and climb the Elo rankings.

Core Features:

• Realistic multi‑zone, dynamic‑hardness drum interactions
• Haptic feedback
• Mixed reality mode
• Uploadable songs and drum tabs
• Competitive matchmaking & rankings

Shift focus on creating project for the Meta Quest 3, and porting it to PCVR and PSVR2 later

Recognition

• Awarded the £250 Runner‑Up Prize in the Bright Ideas Competition 2025/26.
• Judges praised the identified market gap, clear roadmap, and strong prototype proving technical feasibility.