Noob - DIY Rythm Coach?

[returntrue]

Hey gang - I'm new to the drumming and the forum.

I've just started taking drum lessons (paradiddle, paradiddle...rinse and repeat) and am interested in trying to DIY an A to E snare conversion for silent practice in my apartment.

I would like the final product to:

• Have the feel of an acoustic
• Play silently (including the rim?)
• Have a built in metronome
• Have some Rhythm Coach like features
• Be at least somewhat expandable (add a few pieces when I'm ready to tackle playing on a kit)

The list above is somewhat negotiable, but the main rub here is that is that the RMP-5 is available for around $200, which from what I have found is less that I could build one for! So why not go with the RMP-5?

• I would like to play on a 13"- 14" surface that approximates the feel of an acoustic snare
• I may end up with something of greater quality, versatility, and expandability (or I may just mangle a hapless snare)
• It sounds like more fun to DIY!

So what do you think? I am wrongheaded to want to DIY when a pretty appealing solution is available so cheaply? Mine doesn’t have to be less expensive, only justified

So:

• The big one: any recommendations on modules? Something with triggering, metronome and coach features? Maybe an older model or some sort of hack/conversion?
  
• Acoustic triggers? Are the ones that ride on the rim (Roland, ddDrums) serviceable or should I only be looking at the custom cross-bar/piezo type? - I see some good info has been posted on the acoustic trigger question already: http://www.vdrums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39822

Thanks!
Richard

[seanwhitley2000]

The roland td-3 has metronome and some sort of rhythm coach features, and costs about £150. I just do the crossbar/piezo triggers and they work reasonable enough, and thats with a very cheap and nasty module with no trigger fine tuning options. My DIY triggers cost about £3 each and thats with the wood i used and the foam, piezos and 1/4" jacks....

[returntrue]

Thanks

Hey Sean - thanks for the info and the photos!

Can anyone comment on the potential quality of a DIY drum with a piezo setup compared to something like a Roland mesh pad?

Is it possible to match the level of quality and reliability (triggering, sensitivity, accuracy) of contemporary 'big name' offerings, or are there compromises to be accepted when going the DIY route?

Thanks,
Richard

[seanwhitley2000]

From what ive heard DIY can be just as good if done well. Ive never used proper vdrums, or even used a roland module. Ive got one of the really cheepo dd502/millenium mps-100 modules, and my diy mesh drums are superior in feel and triggering to the plasticy pads that came with it. And my DIY drums are really half assedly made, very bad soldering, the triggers arent even properly centred and the wood and cross bars aren't even cut straight! And they work better! Im gonna get a roland td-3 when i get my DIY kit finished and sell my millenium mps-100 kit.

[returntrue]

Hey Sean - again I appreciate the info.

So are you going to replace the module only and stick with the DIY trigger/pads or are you going for a factory kit all the way around?

Do you find the accuracy and playability of the DIY trigger/pads suitable to your needs?

I think the DIY kits I've seen posted here are very cool looking and it sounds like fun project. However, as a beginning drummer I find that I am sufficiently challenged by my complete lack of talent and am therefore disinclined to make things any more difficult by selecting equipment that is best left to those with more polished chops

Thanks,
Richard

[ettsn]

You can buy the RM-2 module separately and simply build a 13-14" DIY drum for it.

[ettsn]

This:

http://www.roland.com/products/en/RM-2/index.html

[seanwhitley2000]

Im gonna sell my whole factory hit and replace it with DIY. I havent finished it yet so i cant comment on if its perfectly as i expected but the individual drums i have made are pretty good. Im sure once i get a better module they'll work even better. Im working on the rack at the moment as im a bit short on money to finish getting the wood and mesh for the other 3 drums i need to make

[returntrue]

Im sure once i get a better module they'll work even better

seanwhitley2000 - What modules are you looking at? I have seen the TD-3 going on ebay for around $200.

You can buy the RM-2 module separately and simply build a 13-14" DIY drum for it.

ettsn - Thanks for the tip! I'm whatching a few of these on ebay now.

[seanwhitley2000]

Either a td-3 or a alesis dm-5. Im more swaying to the td-3 for its coachy features and dual zone drums. Cheapest ive found the td-3 for is £150. The alesis is about £180 i think