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I mentioned in another thread a few weeks ago that I would be converting a set of Roto toms to electronics, as well as converting a beginner kit's floor tom and snare drum into an electronic bass and snare respectively.
So far, I've completed the bass drum. When I got the floor tom, I was under the impression it would have at least six lugs, but alas, it only had five. I had to make a "custom" bracing member from aluminum framing that would fit inside the curve of the tom. I mounted the piezo on packaged auto weather stripping and then stuck another piece to the top of the piezo. (All the while, using beatnik's page as an invaluable reference!) I was lucky enough to find 16" Triggerhead mesh heads (listed as "Evans" mesh heads) on musiciansfriend.com for 99 cents each, so I got six, just incase they break easy.
Now I had to find a way to have the bass beater hit the center of a 16" drum. Instead of spending $100+ on one of those convert-a-tom stands, I built one! (Hey, I doubt many people would care what something at the bottom of my kit looks like anyway.) I just used some scrap 2x4 my dad had laying around. I cut one to the curve of the drum and also cut out spaces for the lugs to "lock it in." I put this on top of a whole 2x4 piece to raise it about 5.5" inches in total. Into the bottom 2x4, I cut a notch and mounted two "T" brackets opposite each other (to form an "H") that I would be able to mount the bass pedals to. I took about 10" of 2x4 and mounted it length-wise to the back and put a little foot on the back end. In this cross piece, I cut another notch by one of the floor tom leg mounts to prevent forward-backward movement.
And there it was, I had myself a bass drum and a stand... and it worked! I hooked it up to my SPD-20 and it triggered! Velocity sensitive and all. Beautiful.
Step two now is locating a damned 6" mesh head. I finally broke down and emailed drumbalaya.com about their Pintech heads. Although rather expensive ($19 for 6" 8" and 10" and $33 for 14") they are the only place that has a 6" head other than triggerhead.com, who I am uncomfortable giving my credit card number to overseas and all (only via fax and phone, which sucks).
Eventually, I will have the other four triggered, which I'll probably hook up to a DM Pro or a TD-10 (shyeah, if I hit the lotto tonight...). I'm looking for a module with auxiliary sounds (ie- Simmons, congas, bongos, weird noises like the spooky patch on the TD-10), rather than a good acoustic drum sound.
Attached I have some pictures of the soon-to-be-electronic kit behind my acoustic kit, just like Neil Peart (as has been my dream for some time now). I'm using a set of my old Zildjians, as I don't really have the desire to use e-cymbals (yet). 3 crashes, ride, hats and a 22" Wuhan china.
I'll keep yous guys posted! Thanks for all the past advice!
So far, I've completed the bass drum. When I got the floor tom, I was under the impression it would have at least six lugs, but alas, it only had five. I had to make a "custom" bracing member from aluminum framing that would fit inside the curve of the tom. I mounted the piezo on packaged auto weather stripping and then stuck another piece to the top of the piezo. (All the while, using beatnik's page as an invaluable reference!) I was lucky enough to find 16" Triggerhead mesh heads (listed as "Evans" mesh heads) on musiciansfriend.com for 99 cents each, so I got six, just incase they break easy.
Now I had to find a way to have the bass beater hit the center of a 16" drum. Instead of spending $100+ on one of those convert-a-tom stands, I built one! (Hey, I doubt many people would care what something at the bottom of my kit looks like anyway.) I just used some scrap 2x4 my dad had laying around. I cut one to the curve of the drum and also cut out spaces for the lugs to "lock it in." I put this on top of a whole 2x4 piece to raise it about 5.5" inches in total. Into the bottom 2x4, I cut a notch and mounted two "T" brackets opposite each other (to form an "H") that I would be able to mount the bass pedals to. I took about 10" of 2x4 and mounted it length-wise to the back and put a little foot on the back end. In this cross piece, I cut another notch by one of the floor tom leg mounts to prevent forward-backward movement.
And there it was, I had myself a bass drum and a stand... and it worked! I hooked it up to my SPD-20 and it triggered! Velocity sensitive and all. Beautiful.
Step two now is locating a damned 6" mesh head. I finally broke down and emailed drumbalaya.com about their Pintech heads. Although rather expensive ($19 for 6" 8" and 10" and $33 for 14") they are the only place that has a 6" head other than triggerhead.com, who I am uncomfortable giving my credit card number to overseas and all (only via fax and phone, which sucks).
Eventually, I will have the other four triggered, which I'll probably hook up to a DM Pro or a TD-10 (shyeah, if I hit the lotto tonight...). I'm looking for a module with auxiliary sounds (ie- Simmons, congas, bongos, weird noises like the spooky patch on the TD-10), rather than a good acoustic drum sound.
Attached I have some pictures of the soon-to-be-electronic kit behind my acoustic kit, just like Neil Peart (as has been my dream for some time now). I'm using a set of my old Zildjians, as I don't really have the desire to use e-cymbals (yet). 3 crashes, ride, hats and a 22" Wuhan china.
I'll keep yous guys posted! Thanks for all the past advice!
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