DIY Cymbals and Compatible module

[Lazy-Bones]

Hey all,


I'm new here in the forum, and in the DIY E-Drum world.
I'm planning on making my own E-Drum set. after a few week of digging, reading and researching i have the BIG picture of what i'm going to do.
As for the snare and toms, i'll go with the cake pan design, on the bass drum i'll use a single piezo.
Now, the two "problematic" issues which, for my understanding, goes hand in hand, the module and cymbals, i'm not yet sure, and would really appreciate your help and guidance.

The Module
So, as i see it, i have two main competitors, 2Box Drumit Five, and Roland TD-20 (or TD-12)
I'm a bit tempted to go with the Roland(s) 'cause they allow more inputs.
(please free to share your thoughts about which should i use)

Few questions:
1. How many 3-zone cymbals can i connect to each one of those?
2. How can i do a DIY HH for the 2Box? i don't understand how it works..
3. I searched a lot (and still am) for a good design of 3-zone w/choke cymbal, but got lost. i cannot tell which will support which module.


Please excuse my english.

Many thanks for any help.

[hairmetal-81]

Welcome to the forum, Lazy-Bones!


1. You can connect three 3-zone cymbals to the 2box module. By default, this would be two crashes and one ride. Same as the Rolands, but these offer 2-zone crashes.

2. The 2box hihat uses an optical sensoring system, incorporating a magnet. It's not compatible with standard Yamaha or Roland controllers. The easiest way to do a 2box Hihat-DIY IMO, is ordering a 'Stealth' conversion kit from our very moderator, Jerry (JmanWord)!

3. I'll leave this one unanswered. There are a few 'DIY-Fearless-ones' around here - they'll know!


A quick remark about the number of inputs:

The 2box, as well as the TD-12, offer a standard configuration of four toms, and three cymbals!
Additionally, the TD-12 offers *one* additional dual-zone 'Aux 2 input', (you'd have to use 'Aux-1' as your fourth tom).

- The 2box offers 3-zone cymbals all around, in total you'll get 23 different zones, on 10 inputs or 'kit-pieces'.

- TD-12 offer 22 zones on 11 inputs / kit-pieces.

- TD-20 beats both: 28 zones on 15 inputs or kit-pieces as well.


Either way, you'll get plenty to hit!


HTH

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

I'll also add this to HM's post....

If you don't need/use or want rim sounds...2Box tom and snare inputs can be split for additional pad with a standard "Y" cable
http://www.rmcaudiodirect.com/HOSA-Y...-p/ypp-117.htm and adjusted with the same parameters & settings as the standard pads.

Although Roland inputs can be split also...they need a "special" splitter http://www.drumsplitters.com/ and have limited parameter settings. These can also be DIY'd. There should be a thread about this here somewhere in the DIY section.

Also...I found that, for me, 2Box style cymbals were much easier to DIY....even the HH in which I utilize a DIY version of JmanWord's control box (made from the 2Box HH pad itself integrated into mt DW remote) that HM mentioned....or Jerry also sells nice conversions for these also. http://stealthdrums.com/ That said..he also has conversion kits and "special splitters" for the Roland modules too.

[Lazy-Bones]

Hey,

Many thanks for the responses.

So, it seems that the 2Box is more "professional",or (how do i say it?!) gives you more options to play with, more flexible.. right?
I wonder which module is most chosen by the DIY community.....

As for the 2box HH controller, how does it connects? i cannot see any "HH controller" input on the module. can you please expand on that one?

Is that controller good for the 2Box? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZQBkX4SIJs , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UJcKxX7W50
this one, BTW, is awesome!

I saw Jerry's work. it's BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! i really like his work, very inspiring.
But at the moment i want do it myself, it is a DIY kit after all

[hairmetal-81]

So, it seems that the 2Box is more "professional",or (how do i say it?!) gives you more options to play with, more flexible.. right?

If I were to say 'Yes, the 2box is the more professional module' (...I didn't say that, but someone else will...), you would see burning spears (with vdrums-logos on them) came flying from the Roland-devotees!

Let's just agree on saying:
The 2box is less 'bells & whistles' (that term itself seems to be a bit pejorative).
It's more streamlined, more focused on actual sound-quality.

What would sit well with the module-hardware itself, would be some Roland-esque appointments, like:

- metal chassis / exterior
- external card-slot (you can use a cable-extender, it works! Still, it's a work-around)
- bigger knob
- IEC power socket (I reckon this is owed to the smaller module-footprint, compared to a TD-12 for example. ....this personal preference, I hate wall-warts with a passion!)

I wonder which module is most chosen by the DIY community.....

That would be - with 100% certainty - a Roland-one!
....perhaps a TD-12 or TD-20.

Because Roland were innovators of
a) the mesh-head, b) the center-cone trigger, and c) the full-size rubber-surfaced V-cymbals. That's three major components responsible for the fact that DIY could take off in the first place.

Some might argue there is also d) exaggerated prices on parts, and e) non-Roland baking-supplies - but that's an insider.... :-)

I saw Jerry's work. it's BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! i really like his work, very inspiring.
But at the moment i want do it myself, it is a DIY kit after all

You took the words out of my mouth - Jerry is a master!

Is that controller good for the 2Box? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZQBkX4SIJs , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UJcKxX7W50
this one, BTW, is awesome!

Maybe...

It looks a bit crude to my eyes.
Certainly not as professional and solid as the one's by Jerry, so much is for sure!

As for the 2box HH controller, how does it connects? i cannot see any "HH controller" input on the module. can you please expand on that one?

Before I miss the point by using a thousand, unclear words - I'd rather show you a picture:

(You can see the conversion-box with the white labels on it. Three plugs - the one that's labeled 'module' will connect exactly there! ...at the rear of your module!)







HTH

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

Hmmm...professional..well...time will only tell. Roland is of course the top of the food chain at the moment.....but a 2Box module is almost half the cost and can be loaded with real drum sample via inexpensive 3rd party software. Frankly.....It's all about what you want/need and what you budget allows.....and how much time you want to spend poerfecting your DIY design. All builds are not equal...even if you follow a specific build thread for reference.

I love to DIY....but even I have some of Jerrys's kits for reliability and ease of playing while I perfect my own builds. DIY can be frustrating at times and Jerry's kits are an option to give one a leg up to eliminate such roadblocks or delays. You still have to get your own cymbals and do all the installation....if you would rather DIY your own HH box...there are instructions in the DIY threads(here and at the 2Box forum) that will help...I built mine by disassembling the stock 2Box hat. That said....if it had been around at the time...I would have bought a box from Jerry.

[tivi]

I used regular stereo Y-cable for my TD-30 on AUX inputs and it works fine.

[airflamesred]

Megadrum - everyone should get one

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

I used regular stereo Y-cable for my TD-30 on AUX inputs and it works fine.

Then there is something wrong...unless you have the same instrument for both pads....because this is not the way Roland gear gear opperates. I too had a TD-30for a year (and TDW-20's for years before) and I assure you that the special splitters are needed for optimal splitting and to have 2 separate instruments.