Still trying to expand to 4 toms on a TD-6

[misterzero]

I ran a thread a while ago about trying to get the TD-6 expanded to 4 toms. Turns out I had the wrong type of splitter. BaRT and TNT mentioned that i need a stereo to dual mono type.

Well, I have one of those and it is still not working. Do I need an authentic Roland PCS-31 part?

Here's where thing seem to go wrong:

1. Steps 1 thru 3 seem fine for me ( pressing SHIFT/EDIT..etc..)
2. I strike the rim of tom 3 and make the setting to read TOM 4:H08.
3. I then unplug tom 3 from the module, and plug in the splitter with toms 3 and 4 plugged in on the other end.
4. now what?

I am embarrased to say this, but at this point I am at a loss. tom 3 and 4 appear to be acting the exact same way. Any changes to tom 3 changes tom 4 in teh exact same manner and to the same settings.

Please help....

[Drumzilla]

4 Toms

I used this info from the Roland site knowledge base to get mine working. In my case, I use two PD-6 pads for toms 3 & 4 and a PD-6 and a CY-6 for Tom 2 and AUX. FYI - most of the AUX sounds are cymbals. Hope this works for you too.

http://backstage.rolandus.com/knowledge_base/index.php?HD_ID=104186

Product: TD-6V TD-6

Inputs 5/6 (TOM2/AUX) and 7/8(TOM 3/4) can be "split" so that two pads can be connected to each of the inputs. For this feature to work properly, the trigger type settings for each of the inputs must be changed in the TD-6. In addition, the correct type of cable must be used. This cable is referred to as a "stereo insert cable" or "insertion cable."
For this example, we will connect two Roland PD-8 pads to input 5/6 [TOM2/AUX].

Use the following steps to configure the TD-6 correctly for this dual pad setup:

1. Using a stereo insert cable, connect the two ends of the "Y" to each of the PD-8 pads.

2. Connect the opposite single end of the cable to the 5/6 [TOM2/AUX].

3. On the TD-6, hold SHIFT and press EDIT.

4. Press the CURSOR right [>] button once.

5. Press ENTER.

6. Hold SHIFT and press CURSOR right [>] until "T2:R05" shows in the upper right hand corner of the display.

7. Press the + and - buttons to change the trigger type to "PD-8." ("AUX:H06" shows in the upper right hand corner of the display).

8. Press EXIT twice to return to the main (drum kit) menu.

For instructions on how to change the instrument of your newly added pad, refer to "Changing an Instrument Within A Kit" in this Knowledge Base.

[misterzero]

Thanks, Drumzilla, I'll give it a go and see. I'm sure I am doing something wrong, I just can't figure it out.

[misterzero]

Hey, does it matter that my cable is a stereo Male to two Mono female? Then I plug in the original cables that came with the kit to the mono female ends. I assume this is o.k.?

[ige87]

Should be ok, as long as the mono's connect 1 to the Tip and 1 to the ring. The splitter I made is like that.

[misterzero]

1 to the tip and 1 to the ring?????

[ige87]

Stereo = Tip, Ring, Shield. You need 2 separate circuits in that to get 2 separate pads to trigger. One between Tip and Shield, the other between Ring and Shield. I'm probably confusing more than I'm helping here aren't I?

[Swaledale]

ooops double post.... how did that happen?

[Swaledale]

So you are using your original stereo leads plugged into the mono female plugs to connect the pads?
I'm wondering if you might need mono leads to connect the pads to the mono plugs.... I'm trying to work out if this would be correct but can't quite get my head around the wiring......the ring connection from the pad will connect with the mono shield ... but that might not be an issue ... hmmm I presume the head trigger goes through the tip and the rim goes through the ring??? so it may not be relevant....can someone with more electronic knowledge confirm or refute any of this??

If you have any mono leads around then give it a try and see what happens... it won't do any harm

[ige87]

No, its fine Swaledale. My setup has a PD-85 with stereo cable and a PD-6 with mono cable (that you may recognise.....) through a splitter. If the ring signal goes to the ground, there is no circuit, so it will never get through. I've also tried plugging 2 PD-85s into the same splitter, both using stereo cables with no problems.

[misterzero]

do you think that maybe I need mono cable to connect to the pads? The Roland manual says that I need their pcs-31, which I am NOT using so it's hard to locate the problem.

The PCS-31 appears to be one stereo male on one end and 2 mono males on the other end. Maybe I need mono cables? That would make more sense. I think I'll just take this splitter back in and get the official PCS-31 Roland part.

Thank guys. Learning as I go....

[misterzero]

LOL. Thanks Ice, confusing me a little bit more. But the more information that I get the better. Thanks.

[misterzero]

Okay. This is increasingly frustrating. I have spent hours trying to get this to work to no avail. Which bites because this sounds like a pretty simple feat I still don't get the point behind making my rim of tom 3 become tom 4.

Anyway, I guess my next question is this: After I make my Tom 3 rim set to read Tom4, I unplug it and plug in the splitter with tom3 and my "new" tom attached. The problem, apparently, is my new pad supposed to read Tom 4? Because it doesn't. It reads tom3 just like my 'real' tom 3 . Therefore, I have two tom 3s.

How do I get my new tom to read Tom 4? If it is supposed to, which I assume is the case.

Anyone, please help before this whole kit ends up in my front yard in a hundred pieces.

[SiliconDrummer]

Sorry for the dumb question, but do you have a TD-6V (black plastic), or do you have a TD-6 (blue plastic) ?

-SD-

[TNT]

I still don't get the point behind making my rim of tom 3 become tom 4.

I still don't get why you still don't get this.

Anyway, I guess my next question is this: is my new pad supposed to read Tom 4?

Yes... it should change from Tom3:R07 to read Tom4:H08.

How do I get my new tom to read Tom 4?

See pages 21, 70 and 71 in the TD-6V manual, assuming you are using a TD-6V.

As stated before, while still in the default configuration, strike Tom 3's rim. Edit it to read Tom4:H08. THEN connect your new pad and splitter. Edit the new Tom4 to whatever pad type your using, I assume PD-8. Then assign the new sound you want that pad to make.

Anyone, please help before this whole kit ends up in my front yard in a hundred pieces.

Hey man, don't do that! I'll gladly send you the shipping cost and relieve you of your frustration!!