Realistic Hi-hat response : Piezo configuration for an A to E drum

[kimouette]

I'm currently trying to figure out how to set up the piezo elements on an acoustic hi hat in order to get the the most realistic response.

Here is my current setting :

- Acoustic Tama Imperial Star Hi-hat
- MegaDrum Board (32 inputs) : that replaces the drum module
- Steim Junxion application : to convert the USB signal into MIDI

I know most of you guys are using drum modules but in my case the only difference is that I wont be needing any Jack plug or any box to stock all the wires.

So here are my questions :

- What type(s) of piezo should I be using?
- How many of them will I need?
- Where should I put them?
- Is there any way I can configure the whole thing so that the hi-hat pedal does not become useless?
- Any way I can mute the cymbals and still get enough vibration for the piezos?

And if any of you figured that out without spending a lot of money on the material, it would be even better!!

Thanks

Kim

[sarge201]

I guess the first thing we need to know is what kind of triggers does the mega use? piezo/piezo piezo/switch switch/switch?

IMO if you want the best triggering 3 zone hat do a search for some of Jmans posts. He be the King of the A to E hat.

[JmanWord]

Yeah, as Sarge is hinting at this DIY edrum stuff is very much dependent on the drum module. Trigger designs that work flawlessly with Roland modules might drive you nuts with a Yamaha, Alesis, DDrum module, etc. If anyone on this forum has done the DIY module you mention they could prolly give you some specific advice. But this is a hands on job.... without having the module and designing specifically for and with the module.... it would be a crap shoot. And even with the module in hand, some are more ideal than others.... Us Roland guys are pretty fortunate with the tweakability and playability of Rollie drum modules.

You may have more luck on the Megadrum forum, dunno.... We'll see if anyone chimes in here.

[JmanWord]

Actually I just saw this thread.... so you might want to contact the originator of the Megadrum design direct:

http://www.vdrums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34586

[kimouette]

Hi JmanWord, hi everyone!

First of all, Jman I wanna thank you for that thread you suggested me. I've been contacting the person who initiated that thread and also posted questions on the Megadrum forum, and I'm currently learning a bunch of things about the Megadrum module ! Really precious and usefull informations!

Now there's something I wanted to ask... I know that most of the people who built or converted their own drum are using the "ventilation holes" of their toms and snare to fix the "1/4" Stereo Panel-Mount Audio Jack".
And for the cymbals and hi hat, they build little boxes that need to be drilled directly into the cymbals.

My question might sound stupid... but is there any way to use a "piezo wire extension" and simply bring all these wires to a box that could contain all the stereo panels mount, so all in one single box?
Could that be a way to avoid drilling into the cymbals?

Oh and sorry for all the writing mistakes I might have done. I'm not too familiar with english technical words!! I hope you understand my question!

Kim

[daveybabes]

Hi JmanWord, hi everyone!

First of all, Jman I wanna thank you for that thread you suggested me. I've been contacting the person who initiated that thread and also posted questions on the Megadrum forum, and I'm currently learning a bunch of things about the Megadrum module ! Really precious and usefull informations!

Now there's something I wanted to ask... I know that most of the people who built or converted their own drum are using the "ventilation holes" of their toms and snare to fix the "1/4" Stereo Panel-Mount Audio Jack".
And for the cymbals and hi hat, they build little boxes that need to be drilled directly into the cymbals.

My question might sound stupid... but is there any way to use a "piezo wire extension" and simply bring all these wires to a box that could contain all the stereo panels mount, so all in one single box?
Could that be a way to avoid drilling into the cymbals?

Oh and sorry for about all the writing mistakes I might have done. I'm not too familiar with english technical words!! I hope you understand my question!

Kim

Hi, i hope you are fine ...

I dont use the vent hole, as the thread for the jack isn't long enough unless you live in USA where deep panel threaded jacks are available, can't find em here in the UK.

For the box i use very strong double sided foam tape from Mapins in the uk (used to hold on car number plates) i like to hide the bow piezo under the box and also the rim switch plate contacts go into the box making a tidy package.

But yes a Junction box could be used if you like and if you can secure the cable on the cymbal.

here's how i use my box ...

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk186/daveybabes/Various/012.jpg

Dave

[JmanWord]

This is an example of a cymbal conversion with no jack box:

http://www.vdrums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40239

[kimouette]

First I wanted to follow this diagram (see picture above), which uses a stereo jack panel on which each piezo has to be soldered.


But now I'm thinking that to avoid a mess, maybe I could use the stereo jack plug I just found (see picture above)

That plug would go directly in the megadrum module and at the other end, the three wires would be soldered to the piezo's wires...
Would that work if I want to use a head piezo and a rim piezo for each pad? I believe that two wires (so one of each pair of the piezo"s wires) would need to be soldered to a single wire (the "sleeve"), but is that possible?