A vs. E Cymbal Question

[Brian James]

Hello.

My name is Brian James. I've been an occasional contributor and frequent patron of this site for some months. I love being able to read everything from gig horror stories to equipment tips directly from other drummers. As such I commend the person whom initiated this site. Very cool!

I have a question that, after a bit of background, I'm hoping some of you may answer.

I have always detested electronic cymbals, though I'm an avid fan of the Roland TD-10 module (with the upgrade.) Please note I've never played the "upgrade" without the Roland foot pedal (which I hate.) I've just never been a fan of artificial cymbals because I've always considered cymbals to be the "true voice" of a drummer. There's just too many ways to strike a hi-hat, with an infinite variety of foot-pressures at any given time to achieve my anal-retentive sense of realism. Stewart Copeland is a prime example. It ain't just open or closed, or half-open... He makes that thing sing.

So I suppose question #1 is: have any of you been able to achieve that kind of subtle articulation with the V modules? I've tried the Roland H/H controler and I hate it. I understand the Hart H/H pedal has a different electronic resistance and thus has more foot travel between open & closed. It's the subtle articulations in between I'm interested in.

[RushMan]

Hi Brian,

I'm about to purchase a Hart Pro 6.4 kit and I have the same questions about the Hart HH pedal. I also share the same opinion that the Hi-Hat is the most difficult cymbal piece to simulate electronically and the ability to have an "almost real" hat will play a very important part on my buying decision.

Any feedback from Hart owners will be a great help to me too!!

[carcare]

Hi hat

I have owned a V-session kit.

I did a lot of tweeking on the sound module to get the hihat working for me.
I now own a Hart Pro 6,4, and the same there(lot of work on the sounds/soundmodule.

Yoy must remember that a electronic set and acoustic is two totaly diffrent musical instruments.
They bouth have they pros and cons.

Yesterday i did my first gig in years with an acoustic set, and i did not like the hihat and the cymbals on that set.
But that is just a mather of taste???? is it..

[RushMan]

Hi carcare,

How's the foot travel on the Hart HH comparing with the Roland one? Overall, are you more satisfied with the Hart than the Roland?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[carcare]

Foot travel

Originally posted by RushMan
Hi carcare,

How's the foot travel on the Hart HH comparing with the Roland one? Overall, are you more satisfied with the Hart than the Roland?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I like the Hart pedal better :

More adjustment on the pedal itself.
Tighter rebond.
Better build.
Less noise.

IMO

[RushMan]

Thanks for the reply but, how about the length of the foot travel comparing to the Roland? I know that the foot travel on the FD-7 is kind of short and that compromises a bit the "open, close and in-between" feel.

Thanks again for your reply.

[boose44]

Well, I haven't tried the Hart pedal, but I must admit to being very surprised with the Roland FD-7 when I play live with it.

I'm always anticipating problems with it, but when ever I play it...I end up not even thinking about it. This in combo with the CY-12H.

Bigger problem with the crashes..but that 's just me.

As always, your mileage may vary.

-bruce

[clymore]

I have yet to find a "V" setup that would produce a hi-hat sound where the hats are touching but no pressure where you get that rattling sound. Not closed but not open either.

I have played Roland, Yamaha and Hart sets.

Any suggestions/comments.

TC

[RushMan]

Hi C. Jude,

I just got my Hart Pro 6.4 (black finish) with TD-8 and I love it. My problem is that I still struggling to make the hi-hat to sound and behave the way I like. I saw you point out that you had to do a lot of tweaking to make it to work right. Do you mind telling your configuration??

Thanks!

[RushMan]

Oh well.. thanks anyway...

Anyone out there wants to share the TD-8 hi-hat configurations??

[skeelsd]

I'm afraid I won't be much help. Mine is relegated to a second (which I can live with) open most of the time. I'll often combine odd settings, i.e. 14" (pitch +30; decay +4) and wah pedal. Experimentation with pitch/decay settings may help some, but I'm afraid you've already discovered the inevitable. I also use an effects unit (mostly reverb for cymbals) that stretches the sound some, which helps alittle. I use the 14" and Jazz settings most often.

[RushMan]

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry about all these questions but I was used to play A's for so many time and I'm trying to adapt to electronics - specially the hi-hat.

In summary, the problem I'm having is: If I release the hh pedal EXACTLY at the same time that I hit the hh pad, the sound "cancels"... so, to achieve the "open-close" hh effect, I'm having to release the pedal just BEFORE I hit the pad.

Is there any solution to this or is it the normal behavior of any electronic hi-hat?