OK big edit here: My original post was written rather quickly and rather poorly too I hope this one is better
I'd like to reproduce the capabilities found in the yamaha TP-100 pad (dual rim switch trigger, sensitivity adjustment and the controller knob) on a Mesh head pad
I have never seen the inner workings of a TP-100 before so I decided to take a look, I hope that this is informative for others too, I found it very interesting to see how yamaha do what they do..
For starters lets take a look at the unique parts of the pad that I'd like to replicate

Here is the Rim triggers exposed. They appear to be ribbon switch triggers, two pieces of thin metal that contact each other to complete the circuit. They are covered by a plastic/resin, it appears as if both the top and bottom metal pieces are embeded in this resin. I think this is how they stay seperated however I then have no idea how they could connect with each hit. I have always found that these pads trigger VERY well on the rims so I am keen to work out how they do this. Does anyone have much experience with Ribbon switch triggering? I believe some people use it here for cymbal chokes and I was hoping they could shed some light on how the yamah does it.

heres a close up of the rim trigger interface, you can see the bottom layer is lighter and the top layer is darker...Unlike piezo's switch triggers do not generate their own voltage so I'm assuming it comes down the ground (middle) wire? if you look at the 3 wires the left is for the main trigger, the middle appears to connect to the lower layer to provide voltage and the right is for the secondary trigger... this is my understanding anyway can anyone confirm this?

heres how the rim trigger connects to the board (connects to CN2 on the circuit board)
Ok now onto the circuit board..

So thats the top view.. on the left is the control knob which seems to just be a potentiometer of some kind. The middle wheel is the sensitivity adjustment. CN 2 connects to the rim triggers and CN1 connects to the piezo in the center portion of the pad

Thats the bottom, the numbers correspond to the top view.

Theres another bottom veiw, I used photoshop to layer over what the components are, just so its easier to get an understanding of what corresponds to what, I know I lost track when I was constantly flipping the circuit board over...
That concludes the quick tour of the inner workings of the TP-100..
I do not come from an electrical engineering background so I would like some help (if you would be so kind to give it). I'd eventially like to understand what each stage of the circuit does and create a diagram for it, that I can use as a blueprint to (attempt to) build my own version of this circuit.
The resistors have the following markings on them which I assume are for indentification, is anyone able to indentify the resistors by the colour banding?
R1 = (L-R)brown/black/red/grey
R2 = Brown/black/orange/grey
R3 = Brown/black/orange/grey
R4 = Brown/black/yellow/grey
R5 = Red/purple/orange/grey
I never fully inderstood how yamaha could get three signals AND a controller knob despite only using TRS jacks, but I think I understand now..This is my theory.. Its probably be wrong, I'd love to be corrected...
To me it appears as if the main piezo signal, after being controlled by the Sensitivity adjustment and going through R1 and R2, goes to one side of the jack (I couldn't work out pos/neg position sorry
) The controller knob and rim 1 and rim 2 all go through the other side, however I think they are all different voltages and the module is capable of picking this up.
it appears as though from one of the rim switches goes straight from CN2 to the jack. The other passes through R3 first and then to the jack. The Control knob +/- pass through R4 and R5 before going to the jack.
So I believe the module is programmed to pick up 4 different voltages or voltage ranges - Rim 1 Rim 2 Control + and Control -.
The layout of CN2, what pins correspond to where etc why its setup the way it is, is out of my knowlege so anyone who could shed light on this subject would be much appreciated..
So theres a bunch of information, and my musings about what I think is happening. I have asked a few questions throughout if anyone could answer any of them it would be much appreciated.
thanks V-drums, you guys seem to know how to DIY so I hope someone her is willing to help me
Aj
I'd like to reproduce the capabilities found in the yamaha TP-100 pad (dual rim switch trigger, sensitivity adjustment and the controller knob) on a Mesh head pad
I have never seen the inner workings of a TP-100 before so I decided to take a look, I hope that this is informative for others too, I found it very interesting to see how yamaha do what they do..
For starters lets take a look at the unique parts of the pad that I'd like to replicate

Here is the Rim triggers exposed. They appear to be ribbon switch triggers, two pieces of thin metal that contact each other to complete the circuit. They are covered by a plastic/resin, it appears as if both the top and bottom metal pieces are embeded in this resin. I think this is how they stay seperated however I then have no idea how they could connect with each hit. I have always found that these pads trigger VERY well on the rims so I am keen to work out how they do this. Does anyone have much experience with Ribbon switch triggering? I believe some people use it here for cymbal chokes and I was hoping they could shed some light on how the yamah does it.

heres a close up of the rim trigger interface, you can see the bottom layer is lighter and the top layer is darker...Unlike piezo's switch triggers do not generate their own voltage so I'm assuming it comes down the ground (middle) wire? if you look at the 3 wires the left is for the main trigger, the middle appears to connect to the lower layer to provide voltage and the right is for the secondary trigger... this is my understanding anyway can anyone confirm this?

heres how the rim trigger connects to the board (connects to CN2 on the circuit board)
Ok now onto the circuit board..

So thats the top view.. on the left is the control knob which seems to just be a potentiometer of some kind. The middle wheel is the sensitivity adjustment. CN 2 connects to the rim triggers and CN1 connects to the piezo in the center portion of the pad

Thats the bottom, the numbers correspond to the top view.

Theres another bottom veiw, I used photoshop to layer over what the components are, just so its easier to get an understanding of what corresponds to what, I know I lost track when I was constantly flipping the circuit board over...
That concludes the quick tour of the inner workings of the TP-100..
I do not come from an electrical engineering background so I would like some help (if you would be so kind to give it). I'd eventially like to understand what each stage of the circuit does and create a diagram for it, that I can use as a blueprint to (attempt to) build my own version of this circuit.
The resistors have the following markings on them which I assume are for indentification, is anyone able to indentify the resistors by the colour banding?
R1 = (L-R)brown/black/red/grey
R2 = Brown/black/orange/grey
R3 = Brown/black/orange/grey
R4 = Brown/black/yellow/grey
R5 = Red/purple/orange/grey
I never fully inderstood how yamaha could get three signals AND a controller knob despite only using TRS jacks, but I think I understand now..This is my theory.. Its probably be wrong, I'd love to be corrected...
To me it appears as if the main piezo signal, after being controlled by the Sensitivity adjustment and going through R1 and R2, goes to one side of the jack (I couldn't work out pos/neg position sorry

it appears as though from one of the rim switches goes straight from CN2 to the jack. The other passes through R3 first and then to the jack. The Control knob +/- pass through R4 and R5 before going to the jack.
So I believe the module is programmed to pick up 4 different voltages or voltage ranges - Rim 1 Rim 2 Control + and Control -.
The layout of CN2, what pins correspond to where etc why its setup the way it is, is out of my knowlege so anyone who could shed light on this subject would be much appreciated..
So theres a bunch of information, and my musings about what I think is happening. I have asked a few questions throughout if anyone could answer any of them it would be much appreciated.
thanks V-drums, you guys seem to know how to DIY so I hope someone her is willing to help me
Aj
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