KD 120 sensitivity differences

[ee5]

I have two KD120 kick drum pads. One is mush more sensitive than the other is (It is louder for an equivalent strike of the pad). Is there a way to determine if one is faulty or a way to adjust one to equalize the sensitivity? What is the tolerance on these units?

[Stixx777]

How are they hooked into your brain?

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Ted H.
www.tocsinrocks.com

[Stixx777]

Almost forgot, what brain are you using?

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Ted H.
www.tocsinrocks.com

[ee5]

I am using a TD 10 Module. I want to hook the KD 120 pads in parallel (Mono splitter into the Kick input). I can observe the sensitivity difference by listening to each one independently and also by striking the pad and observing trigger indicator level of each pad for equivalent strikes.

Ron

[ufotofu]

At the risk of stating the obvious, have you checked the sensitivity and velocity curve settings for each pad? Or the levels on the internal mixer?

[ee5]

I am hooking these into the same input. So all that stuff is the same for both pads

Ron

[ufotofu]

I see (guess I thought you were trying to use a send/return cable.) How about the head tensions? Have you tried swapping out the cables?

[ee5]

The Cables are brand new but I will try another one. I did adjust the head tension twice. It did help a bit.

Ron

[Boingo]

I don't have the KD-120, but the KD-7 has a small screw which is used to adjust for just this sort of thing. Maybe they did the same for the KD-120. It puzzles me as to why they did not design this with an input for chaining these. They do this on the KD-7 also. Seems like a step backwards.

[Boingo]

Not needed: the chain input does the same thing electrically as using a 'y' cable, i.e. it's just an internal 'y' connection.

I'm aware of that Chris and realize it's just a convenience thing. I guess they figured they'd save a buck by making you buy the cable and eliminating the mix in jack. The lowly KD-7 gives you the cable, the mix in jack, an adjustment to tweak the output of the trigger and addresses all of this in the owner's manual that comes with it. Go figure.

Does the KD-120 have an output adjustment like the KD-7? That would probably fix this problem.

[ee5]

I don't believe there is any adjustment for the KD 120 pad. There is nothing external that I have seen and I have talked to Roland Tech support about this and they did not mention that capability.

Ron

[hetzer]

Re: Kd-120

I too have a KD120. I however am connecting it to my Yamaha DTXTREME IIS! I had to re-shape the "generic" KD input to be suitable as the Yam uses a rubber kickdrum like the Roland KD8. Unfortunately the Yam & Roland brains seem completely different so any setting I used will not help you. I have found that nearness to the centre "sweet spot" for beater strike, gives the best and loudest sound whatever else is true.
The Yam rubber kickdrum has a screwdriver adjustable output pot! As do all other Yamaha Toms & Snare pads. This seems completely absent from the meshhead, kick drums. Both my KD-120 and the KD-85 Roland Kickdrums have no output control!
My problem is getting to grips with the rebound of the KD-120 after the dead "no bounce" feeling of the Yamaha kickdrum!
Hetzer

[kevincool87]

Hey hetzer, nice to see you all the way here from the dtxperience forum!

As for the KD-120, One - not all the KD products will be manufactured to have exactly the same triggering sensitivity(although they would pretty much be expected to be so). Some may be more hotter in sense of sensitivity than others...
Two - yea it is kinda faulty.

I guess that if you have one of the likely-to-be-faulty KD pad under warranty then maybe you could get it replaced?

Just my .0005 cents.

Kev

[hetzer]

Re: Kd-120

Hey Kev!
Just joined. Owning one Roland entitles me I expect. Though it does not seem to entitle me a reply from Roland UK or the ability to enter my details in their warranty section. The form asks for a serial number which I see nowhere on my drum. Roland UK have ignored 2 emails asking for help on this matter!
Sorry ee5 this is not helping you with your problem. A talk with your supplier seems the next step!
Hetzer.

[JmanWord]

Not sure the history of these 2 KD-120's... assuming they are used since they are with a TD-10 module, You may want to remove the head and take a peek inside... some have had problems with inconsistent or low volume when they had wear on the foam cylinder. Generally if you have 2 of the exact same piezo, assuming the piezos are not damaged, the difference in sensitivity has much to do with the way the foam contacts the head... For instance: On a DIY trigger ... if you raise the foam higher so it is pressed harder against the head the result is a more sensitive drum... and the sensitivity will need to be lowered on the module setting. So there is a good chance that your less sensitive KD-120 .... the foam is not contacting the piezo as well as the other