ddrum4 system one vs Hart w/ TD-8?

[MeTTaLLoiD]

I still haven't decided what to do about upgrading sets.

After countless hours of edrum research on the net, I had to stop and compare the ddrum4 kit (ddrum pads w/ ddrum4 brain) to a Hart Custom AX or BX thru a TD-8 (I already own the TD-8). The TD-8 is still under the 30 day return policy at guitar ceter so, I can return it and get something else.

Word is that the ddrums sound much more acoustic, and better for live gigs than the roland, That's probably more of what I am looking for.

I definetly do like the high hat setup on the ddrum's. I dont like the real heads as much as the woven ones, but I think that can be upgraded.

If I get a hart, I would like to get the bx, but I dont think my td-8 has enough inputs for all of the pads/triggers. I would love to use a hart with a ddrum4 brain, but then the hart cymbals aren't compatible with the ddrum...

What is your preference on the ddrums versus the hart's?

Thanks again,

Joe

[Eric]

The BX easily fits on a TD8. That's what I use. You need to remember that all of the TD8's inputs are dual trigger. Also, the Roland modules are the most user friendly. They are also the only modules that use the cosm modeling and can pick up positional sensing.
I never had the chance to play anything from ddrum so I can't tell you anything about it. My question to everyone is why aren't the hart cymbals compatible with the ddrum module?

Also, the Hart's are awesome to play. I know that there is some bias here because it is what I use, but the feeling of them feels like your playing an acoustic kit. But then again, I've never played a ddrum kit.

Originally posted by MeTTaLLoiD:
If I get a hart, I would like to get the bx, but I dont think my td-8 has enough inputs for all of the pads/triggers.

but then the hart cymbals aren't compatible with the ddrum...

Thanks again,

Joe

[rudi-mint]

I also have a td-8 with hart pads. I have 4 toms, 2 of the hart plastic cymbals, 2 roland pd-9s I use them in the cymbal inputs. that way I can use the rim sounds on each one. I use the hart cymbals with a Y cord in the 1/2 and 11/12 inputs. I also have the hart wedge shaped hihats and ride, but I am thinking of upgrading to the hart Ecymals. This set works great with the td-8. I have never played the ddrums, I hear they sound good, but they have less inputs than the rolands.
Im sure puttenvr will give you some good info on the ddrums.

Kurt

[MeTTaLLoiD]

So to get all of the extra pads into the dual trigger inputs of the TD-8, what exactly do I need to do?

If there is crash 1, crash 2, splash, ride, and bell sounds, I need to know (specifically) how to fit all the pads into the input jacks.

Thank you.

[Eric]

Originally posted by MeTTaLLoiD:
So to get all of the extra pads into the dual trigger inputs of the TD-8, what exactly do I need to do?

If there is crash 1, crash 2, splash, ride, and bell sounds, I need to know (specifically) how to fit all the pads into the input jacks.

Thank you.

You'll need to talk to Brian at Hart Dynamics for that one. 800-769-5335

[BtnkBndt]

Seems I remember a thread about this. Search "maximizing inputs" and see what you come up with.

[rudi-mint]

OK here it is. If you get the bx kit you will run the bass drum in the 1/2 channel so with a Y cable (stereo male to 2 mono female)you can run one of the cymals or any pad and assign any sound you want to it. The snare is in 3, you have 2 sounds, pad and rim. 4,5,6,and 11 are toms. 11/12 are stereo inputs just like the 1/2, so with a Y cable you can run another cymbal or tom into that channel. 7 is the hihat, 8 is for the ride and you can have 2 sounds (bell and ride). 9 and 10 are for cymbals, if you have dual trigger pads (roland pd7 or pd9) you can have 2 sounds for each pad (rim/pad).
This is only one example of how to set it up. It become much clearer once you get the module in front of you. I have 12 pads hooked up to my td-8 with 16 different sounds.
For more on this go to the search function and type in "beat this setup" or something like that.

Hope this helps
Kurt

[puttenvr]

Originally posted by Eric:
You need to remember that all of the TD8's inputs are dual trigger.

Are they? Then why do the TD-8 tom pads not have a rim sensor? Only the pd-7/pd-9 have...

Originally posted by Eric:
Also, the Roland modules are the most user friendly.

That's correct. I still miss the green screens to scroll through but I don't want to exchange the sound and quality versus some functionality. In other words: better having a module which I like, than I great system which I don't like.

Originally posted by Eric:
They are also the only modules that use the cosm modeling and can pick up positional sensing.

Not correct. The ddrum4 has positional sensing on all inputs as well. And even pressure sensing on the first 4 inputs.

Originally posted by rudi-mint
I hear they sound good, but they have less inputs than the rolands.

Only one input less. I can live with that.

Dear MeTTaLLoiD,
I think they almost all pads will give a decent trigger signal on Roland or ddrum modules BUT for 100 percent pressure sensing, positional sensing and dynamics I have learned that ddrum pads work best with ddrum modules and Roland pads with Roland modules. Perhaps the Hart pads are a good option. I don't know. Unfortunately they can't be bought here in Europe. Just try before you buy. If you like the ddrum sounds over the Roland, then give it a try. I certainly would prefer a good module over having drum pads A or B.

BTW: you wrote that you don't like real headed pads but the Hart tom pads have real drumheads as well, don't they?

[jrcel]

Another system that did positional sensing was the Simmons SDX, released in 1987.

[Indra]

I been gettin ready to buy my kit too and was gonna go with a Roland brain but im thinkin of goin with the new DTExtreme module cause i guess they have it out already and it supposedly sounds pretty damn good... Im gonna go with Hart X wedge cymbals cause i was able to find some on a Alesis DMpro kit and they were awesome, especially the X crashes that give so u can play thru them like a normal cymbal. The Xhat also seemed to be a lot more realistic feeling then the round rubber pads used for some hats. Hart snare and 4 toms, Pintech kick cause its so cheap and people seem to like it and the Gibralter rack the Pin Tour Elite kit uses. The 1 thing im iffy on is i dont like the "shells" that the Hart toms use so i was thinking about the possibility of using pintech shells cause they seem to be pretty cool from the 1 i was able to find and see and then put the Roland 2 heads on the Pin shells to give them a solid feel when you hit them. The Alesis kit i played had 1 ply heads that seemed to be like stretching pantyhose over the shell and playing on it and i guess pin kits use 1 ply heads... The scary thing tho is what if i get 4 pintech toms put on the roland heads and they dont work... Pintech would really serve themselves well by going with 2ply stronger solid feeling heads. I would probably go straight pintech on toms if they did but since they insist on the soft feel heads the only way ill end up using them is if Roland heads worked on them but then trying it is a BIG risk... Either way thats my story and im stickin to it, until i change my mind which should be within the next 4 or 5 hours, by then ill probably want something completly different, again.

[Eric]

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY PUTTENVR
Not correct. The ddrum4 has positional sensing on all inputs as well. And even pressure sensing on the first 4 inputs.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Sorry Putt, I did not know that. Like I said earlier, I don't know much about the ddrum product.

_________________________________

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY PUTTENVR
BTW: you wrote that you don't like real headed pads but the Hart tom pads have real drumheads as well, don't they?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Acupad Classic has the real drum heads and the Acupad Series X has the Kontrol Screen.

[This message has been edited by Eric (edited January 07, 2001).]

[puttenvr]

Eric,

Nothing to sorry about. We are here to help and learn from eachother.


Jrcel,

yeah sniff ... that good old Simmons. Far ahead off all competitors. Sniff ...

[MPCman]

A friend of my boss owns a Simmons kit. They set it up on the second floor in the shop where I work so they could take pictures and sell it via the internet. Now it's been standing over there for about 1,5 years.

Why?
He got himself a ddrum4 system 1,5 years ago ;-)

[puttenvr]

Originally posted by MPCman:
Why?

Because the Simmons SDX system probably is far too expensive. It was when it came out, and it still is when I look at the people who ask money for a used SDX kit.

Second: many people still consider Simmons as being the company with the boring pioew pioew sounds.