Bakerboy's build begins...

[bakerboy]

How's that for alliteration!

I've gotten everything in from various sources and I'll be starting the acoustic-to-electric conversion hopefully this weekend. I'll be converting an older 5-pc Pearl Masters Custom kit and a newly purchased Zildjian ZBT pack of cymbals.

Here are some pics of the pieces laid out in my living room:

Shell triggers courtesy of UFODrums - thanks Mitch!!


Zildjian ZBT cymbal pack - 20" ride, 18" crash, 16" crash, 14" hats


Cymbal triggers, cymbal edge protection, and 1/4" wires - thanks Jman!!


Mesh heads from UFODrums - thanks again, Mitch! - 12", 13", 14", 16", 22"


Double-sided tape and clear vinyl, pre-cut for the cymbal sizes - thanks Jman!


Also not pictured is an Alesis Trigger IO box and a M-Audio 2496 PCI sound card that I still need to install in my ShuttlePC. I'll be trigger Addictive Drums through the Alesis box going into my PC. It's a ShuttlePC with a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (Conroe chipset, 1333MHz FSB), 4GB RAM, 500GB SATA driver, WinXP Pro SP2.

I'm still up in the air over the hi-hat controller, though. That's the last piece of the build I haven't come to a conclusion on. I'm toying between having my friend help me build a DIY slide controller box, or just getting a Hart Epedal II. Obviously the difference in price is pretty big, but I'd like to get feedback on the DIY route to decide if it's worth spending any money on parts or if I should just go with the Epedal II. I definitely want a responsive, accurate hi-hat controller.

I'll update this thread with my progress. This forum is great!!

[SuperPuss]

Awesome stuff Bakerboy.
I shall be following your progress here for sure.

[grog]

Yeah, thanks for sharing with photos. Just looking at trigger brackets is always helpful.

https://www.myspace.com/rubberuniverse

[Gastric]

What's the channel/bar you're using? Verticle shelving channel? I'd like to find something rigid and sturdy yet less expensive than $0.19/inch aluminum c-channel.

[bakerboy]

What's the channel/bar you're using? Verticle shelving channel? I'd like to find something rigid and sturdy yet less expensive than $0.19/inch aluminum c-channel.

I'm not sure, actually. I bought these from Mitch at UFODrums.com. He calls them eBridge triggers. He could tell you more specifics, perhaps, if you email him - [email protected]

[drummer4life]

Can't wait to see the finished build. It's always exciting to see others
projects as they progress along the way... good luck bakerboy. Post some
pics when completed....

D4L

[bakerboy]

Can't wait to see the finished build. It's always exciting to see others
projects as they progress along the way... good luck bakerboy. Post some
pics when completed....

D4L

Thanks, yeah I'm very excited about getting this going. I'll be taking a lot of pictures along the way to document everything, too.

[Oldblindjim]

What's the channel/bar you're using? Verticle shelving channel? I'd like to find something rigid and sturdy yet less expensive than $0.19/inch aluminum c-channel.

It looks like the channel we use to mount electrical conduit. Called Strut Channels.


Here's an supplier I was looking into for the same thing.

Grainger

Here's the Nut spring for the channel. Just get a fender washer and a flat head screw and there's the starting platform for the pizeo.

5YE10

Bakerboy, Send more Pics as you go along.

OBJim

[freddarl82]

For anyone desiring to use Grainger, just a reminder that they have retail outlets (actual bricks-and-mortar stores) in most medium to large size cities, so that might save you some on shipping.

The channel depicted looks a little pricey, and 10 feet is probably more than you need unless you're doing a monster-set. I think it's tough to beat the shelf-mounting channel found at Lowe's - about $5-6 for a 48" length - enough to do at least 4 drums. Also, the pre-stamped holes for mounting hardware are perfect for your piezo mount. Here's one of my toms:

[JamSolo]

Speaking of hi-hat controller, I have some related questions that are a little confusing to me.
What is the purpose of using "acoustic" cymbals (Zildjian, Sabian, etc.) for triggering the electronic part?
Won't the metal cymbal override/drown out the electronic sound?
Or do they actually enhance it?
Wouldn't electronic cymbals be better, quieter, cheaper than acoustic cymbals? (I only ask, as I've never done this kind of project before, either)

[Gastric]

Yes, not trying to hijack this thread. But the main "problem" with the raw aluminum c-channel is 1) cost which for me is about $9 for 48" at Ace Hardware (HD never has any in stock) 2) measuring, drilling, filing all the friggin' screw holes.

Just always looking for a cheaper and faster solution! And this was the first thread I've seen using pre-slotted channel.

[JamSolo]

Highest compliments should have been prior to my previous post, Bakerboy! Looks like you have most everything acquired, can't wait to see how it turns out!

[bakerboy]

Speaking of hi-hat controller, I have some related questions that are a little confusing to me.
What is the purpose of using "acoustic" cymbals (Zildjian, Sabian, etc.) for triggering the electronic part?
Won't the metal cymbal override/drown out the electronic sound?
Or do they actually enhance it?
Wouldn't electronic cymbals be better, quieter, cheaper than acoustic cymbals? (I only ask, as I've never done this kind of project before, either)

Well, I'm basically turning acoustic cymbals into trigger electronic ones. But they'll still retain the look of acoustic cymbals.

Jman has designed and sells conversion kits for various cymbal sizes. It consists of Killer Red (I think) double-sided tape that covers the entire bottom of the cymbal, and then you apply a layer of clear vinyl sheet material (right Jman? correct me if that's not what it is). That effectively deadens the sound from underneath. So you still have the stick response of a real cymbal, the look of a real cymbal, but the sound is substantially deadened because of that vinyl sheet covering the underside of the cymbal. Jman includes custom, pre-wired trigger box units that you drill into your cymbal from underneath also. If you look at his profile and visit his website link, there are videos showing the look, acoustic noise, and triggering capability/sensitivity of his cymbal triggers. Honestly his videos sold me. 'Cause I want to have the look of normal cymbals when I play a gig, but still keep everything triggered.

Hope that clears it up some.

[ghostman]

It looks like the channel we use to mount electrical conduit. Called Strut Channels.


Here's an supplier I was looking into for the same thing.

Grainger

Nice to see someone else finally on the Strut train! But I built my drum cage / rack out of SuperStrut. I was looking for the mounts I used for the pad connection to the strut, but didn't see it in the latest catalog.. I guess I'll have to post pictures.

[JamSolo]

THANKS, Bakerboy, NOW I understand!LOL

I didn't realize that the acoustic cymbals are "padded/muffled", so you've just convinced me into acoustic cymbals, as I also prefer the "realistic" appearance of acoustics!