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The most common frustration with edrums is the snare "hotspot". It makes no difference which module you're using, old or new, bottom or top end, almost everybody runs into this problem when using a mesh pad for a snare. It's causes can be just physical (the pad itself) or modular (settings, sample selection) or a combination of both. It can be maddingly tough to fix, so much so that some people have simply given up on edrums. As such, it's one of the most frequently asked questions here. The topic has been discussed at great length over the years and many people have figured out ways to eliminate the dreaded hotspot. What follows are various threads that provide the most information to enable you to get rid of the hotspot.
Start with this one:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/advance...ot-spots-again
Yes, it's long but, it's the most exhaustive look at hotspots so take some time to read through the entire thing (posts 31, 38, 43, 46, 54, 58, 77, 80, 84, 87, 94 and 107 provide the most immediate help). More importantly, if your hotspot is modular in nature, this thread has extensive settings you can try. Now, these settings for for the exp TD-10 module but, most of these settings will work on other modules. What's more, this thread has a great look at compression, another useful tool not only for hotspots but for other audio issues often encountered by edrummers.
More background on fixing it for the exp TD-10:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/advance...blem-td-10-exp
For a perspective on the differences in hardware brands on the hotspot:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/general...830-harts-pads
For a discussion on settings to eliminate the hotspot on a TD-9:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/advance...-a-pd-105-td-9
The TD-9 thread references a couple of mechanical things you can do to maybe, repeat, maybe, get rid of the hotspot. It also reinforces the first mechanical thing you check: the pad's cone. Worn out (or wearing out) cones and head tensioning are often the first culprit.
UPDATE ON THE TD-9:
http://www.vdrums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=532010
Lots of discussion, some ideas to try. Sensitivity reduction from 8 to 5 seems your best bet with Roland pads on a TD-9.
(Note: the above link no longer works since the migration to software. I can't find the thread via the friggin search engine so if anybody can figure out which one it is, please let us know.)
To summarize:
1) Check head tensioning on your pad. It needs to be tight. Some mesh pads are more susceptible to hot spots. Harts seem less than Pintech or Roland but that's just been in my experience. Don't let brands drive what you do here. If you have or like whatever mesh snare you have, stick with it. UPDATE: Member Tazed recomments the following: Pull the head off, then completely re-seated the head, then very, very carefully tensioned it and went tight, almost to the point where I thought 'I'm over doing this...'. Result. The tension lifted the head off the sensor quite a bit, and the hot spot was reduced to almost nothing.
2) Check the cone on your pad. Worn out cones cause hotspots. Roland, Hart and Pintech sell replacement foam.
3) Change the actual snare sample and see if that changes the hotspot dynamics or gets rid of it entirely.
4) If all the snare samples you like have a hotspot and you've eliminated the foam and head tensioning as the culprit, dive into settings on the module. Go to the first thread listed and see what settings listed there are on your module and start tweaking.
5) Live happily ever after!
UPDATE: Related link if you have a TD-20:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/advance...miter-expander
This deals with a preset Compressor setting on the TD-20. If you have an older module, there are no individual settings that will allow you to duplicate this. Try the preset and settings given in the above link and see if that helps. If not, plow thru all the info in the lead post on this Sticky.
www.myspace.com/rubberuniverse
www.myspace.com/rubberuniverse
Start with this one:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/advance...ot-spots-again
Yes, it's long but, it's the most exhaustive look at hotspots so take some time to read through the entire thing (posts 31, 38, 43, 46, 54, 58, 77, 80, 84, 87, 94 and 107 provide the most immediate help). More importantly, if your hotspot is modular in nature, this thread has extensive settings you can try. Now, these settings for for the exp TD-10 module but, most of these settings will work on other modules. What's more, this thread has a great look at compression, another useful tool not only for hotspots but for other audio issues often encountered by edrummers.
More background on fixing it for the exp TD-10:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/advance...blem-td-10-exp
For a perspective on the differences in hardware brands on the hotspot:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/general...830-harts-pads
For a discussion on settings to eliminate the hotspot on a TD-9:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/advance...-a-pd-105-td-9
The TD-9 thread references a couple of mechanical things you can do to maybe, repeat, maybe, get rid of the hotspot. It also reinforces the first mechanical thing you check: the pad's cone. Worn out (or wearing out) cones and head tensioning are often the first culprit.
UPDATE ON THE TD-9:
http://www.vdrums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=532010
Lots of discussion, some ideas to try. Sensitivity reduction from 8 to 5 seems your best bet with Roland pads on a TD-9.
(Note: the above link no longer works since the migration to software. I can't find the thread via the friggin search engine so if anybody can figure out which one it is, please let us know.)
To summarize:
1) Check head tensioning on your pad. It needs to be tight. Some mesh pads are more susceptible to hot spots. Harts seem less than Pintech or Roland but that's just been in my experience. Don't let brands drive what you do here. If you have or like whatever mesh snare you have, stick with it. UPDATE: Member Tazed recomments the following: Pull the head off, then completely re-seated the head, then very, very carefully tensioned it and went tight, almost to the point where I thought 'I'm over doing this...'. Result. The tension lifted the head off the sensor quite a bit, and the hot spot was reduced to almost nothing.
2) Check the cone on your pad. Worn out cones cause hotspots. Roland, Hart and Pintech sell replacement foam.
3) Change the actual snare sample and see if that changes the hotspot dynamics or gets rid of it entirely.
4) If all the snare samples you like have a hotspot and you've eliminated the foam and head tensioning as the culprit, dive into settings on the module. Go to the first thread listed and see what settings listed there are on your module and start tweaking.
5) Live happily ever after!
UPDATE: Related link if you have a TD-20:
https://www.vdrums.com/forum/advance...miter-expander
This deals with a preset Compressor setting on the TD-20. If you have an older module, there are no individual settings that will allow you to duplicate this. Try the preset and settings given in the above link and see if that helps. If not, plow thru all the info in the lead post on this Sticky.
www.myspace.com/rubberuniverse
www.myspace.com/rubberuniverse
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