TD-8/DM-5 combo-how to set it up?

[JimVII]

I am putting together a large set, much like the one on HART's homepage (www.hartdynamics.com). I will be using a TD-8 and a DM-5 for my modules. I will probably allocate the cymbals, effect, etc. to the DM-5.

My question is:
How can I get the TD-8 to handle all 6 toms, snare, and kick? I can plug the snare and kick in with no problem. Now I have 8 inputs to mess with, correct? I will need to use 6 of them for mesh headed toms. Can this be accomplished by just plugging them into the TD-8, and dialing in each pad individually as a tom sound? Would Y-cording work, therefore saving some inputs?
I seem to remember reading that only certain inputs on the TD-8 could be used for mesh headed toms.

I also wanted to know if you can "tune" the toms on the TD-8. I figure that each "preset" kit only has 4 toms allocated to it, so I would have to manually set a tom sound to the extra toms. I would want to be able to tune them up or down so they would be consistent with the preset toms. Is this possible?

Does this set up sound feasable? Is there a better large kit/2 module set up that someone would recommend?

-Jim

[rus]

I posed the "how-to-tune-an-extra-tom" question a long time ago, and while I've not tried it yet, I was told to make the first two pads "tom1" and tune the first a little higher. Pads 3, 4, and 5, can be "tom 2, 3, and 4", and the 6th pad can be "tom 4" tuned down a bit.

sounds like it would work.

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\oo/_ _\oo/

[This message has been edited by rus (edited February 07, 2001).]

[bwherry]

Originally posted by JimVII:
I am putting together a large set, much like the one on HART's homepage (www.hartdynamics.com). I will be using a TD-8 and a DM-5 for my modules. I will probably allocate the cymbals, effect, etc. to the DM-5.

Hey Jim,

I've done exactly this, but with even more
toms. A TD8 and DM5 are well up to the task.
Let me outline my drum/cymbal setup and what
drum/cymbal I've got plugged into which
module...

Drums are Hart Acupads. Cymbals are Hart
EcymbalX's.

7 toms -> TD8
Kick -> TD8
Snare -> TD8
HH and HH pedal -> TD8
2 crashes w/ choke -> TD8
Closed HH -> DM5
Ride -> DM5
2 splashes -> DM5
2 chinese -> DM5

Uhhh, I think that's everything. I have
the DM5's MIDI out connected to the TD8's
MIDI in and the L and R outputs from the DM5
Y'ed together and connected to the TD8's
Mix In.

I actually don't use any of the DM5's sounds
except for the closed hi hat. The rest
simply send MIDI signals to the TD8, which
will play the sounds I want it to. To
control what sounds are played in the TD8
from the DM5's MIDI signals you can change
what note the DM5 is sending for a particular
trigger, and you can change what sound is
played when the TD8 receives a particular
note. Pretty simple.

Can this be accomplished by just plugging them into the TD-8, and dialing in each pad individually as a tom sound?

Yup. The TD8's inputs are labeled as
toms, cymbals, etc., but you can dial in
any of them to work with a mesh head, an
Ecymbal, a PD7, whatever.

Would Y-cording work, therefore saving some inputs?

Y-cording will only work on the kick 1/2
input and the aux 1/2 input, as they're
each really two single trigger inputs using
one stereo jack.

I also wanted to know if you can "tune" the toms on the TD-8. I figure that each "preset" kit only has 4 toms allocated to it, so I would have to manually set a tom sound to the extra toms. I would want to be able to tune them up or down so they would be consistent with the preset toms. Is this possible?

Yup. You change other sounds to toms, tune
them all together, etc. You can even muffle
them differently if you want your floor toms
to ring a little longer, etc.

Does this set up sound feasable? Is there a better large kit/2 module set up that someone would recommend?

It's absolutely feasible, and the bang/buck
is VERY high. I got my DM5 used on eBay for
like $250, including shipping. There is
a tiny, tiny delay in doing the MIDI -> TD8
sounds method that I do, but since I only
use the DM5 for cymbals it's really not a big
deal. If you actually use some of the DM5's
sounds directly this is even less of a big
deal...

I'll take some pictures of my kit one of
these days and I'll make a little diagram
of the triggers/modules/sounds...

Hope this helps,

Brian

[JimVII]

Wow! Thank much for all the help!
It sound like I am on the right track, finally.

-Jim