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Performing live with RT-10 triggers and TD module - electric/acoustic hybrid

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  • Performing live with RT-10 triggers and TD module - electric/acoustic hybrid

    Hi all,

    I'm new to this forum so I apologise if this subject has been discussed before. I stumbled across the forum and thought I would post as I am looking for some feedback from people who may have used a similar set up to me before.

    I have been performing live for about 10 years now, mainly weddings, private functions, pubs, clubs, the usual. A range of venue sizes also, from small 200 capacity venues to larger 1000+ and outdoor events.

    I used to use fully acoustic and mic'd drums for years, until about 3 or 4 years ago when I decided to buy a TD-9 - I bought it as a practice kit for home but I ended up using it live, and have done ever since. The ease and size of the set up, simple sound check and the great sound through the in ear monitors made it pretty much a no brainer at the time. I upgraded all the pads to improve the feel, and whilst the TD-9 sounds are not as good as more recent V-drums modules that I have heard, I found it sounded really good when EQ'd correctly. For quite some time I was happy with this set up, as were the rest of the band, however like a dog who lost his owner I have recently been pining after my acoustic kit. So, as a compromise, I purchased the following Roland acoustic triggers; RT-10S, RT-10k and 3 x RT-10T's to use with my Mapex Saturn iv acoustic kit. Having set the kit up briefly, I am genuinely shocked at how responsive they are once I updated the TD-9 module trigger type. No false triggering or anything and I'm really chuffed.
    So my plan at the moment is to gig with a close mic'd acoustic kit, with triggers on the kick and snare, and some pads mixed in there for effects. I haven't yet had a chance to have a really good play around through the front of house to see what will work best in regards to how much kick and snare sample to mix in with the live kit. Obviously with the TD-9 module only having one stereo output, I will have to mix the volume between the pads, the kick and snare triggers myself to send to the desk. I haven't yet had a chance to do this and my first gig with this set up is this weekend! To say I am slightly apprehensive would be an understatement as I have been using the electric kit for some time and I haven't had a chance to settle in with the new set up yet. Why did I want to go down this road? A combination of things really. No matter how good the V-drums pads are getting now, they are still IMO no match for the feel of a well tuned acoustic kit. The sounds are also very good, but they do result in a very 'over produced' overall sound to the band and have taken away some of that "raw" feeling I think you need. Using a hybrid kit will open up lots of new combinations and a much larger sound palette. We also play on quite a few large stages and the electric kit just never really looked the part (plus I cannot justify the amount of money required for a TD-30 which looks great aesthetically).

    Has anyone played live with a similar set up before? If so any tips or experiences you could throw my way would be much appreciated.


    Cheers all!

    Tommy

    Last edited by tommy89; 12-09-13, 08:01 AM.

  • #2
    Welcome to the forums! Shoulda posted this in the Foyer as your welcome intro. How about some pics of your set up? As for your concerns, no worries! You seem to have matters MORE than well in hand, and I'm happy to report, folks have been using hybrid kits for years with great success. Lots of top artists today do just that when playing live,,,,triggers on A kit shells, Neil Peart type setups, Tommy Lee, you name it...it's out there! You will have fun, have a great sound and push the pioneering envelope of using e kits live. Post some pics/vids in the showcase thread after your next gig. K ;-)
    Last edited by Kenster; 12-09-13, 05:42 PM.
    My bands: Alter Ego, Arcanum
    E Kit = Roland TDW-20s kit // Roland SPD-S// Pearl Demon Drives//
    A Kit = Tama Swingstar 5 pc (1981) w/roto toms (orig owner!) //Zildjians
    A Kit = Natal 6 pc with Paiste 2000 & Zildjian/MidiKNights/DrumSplitters

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    • #3
      Hi and welcome.

      I did around 60+ gigs with various versions of this hybrid 'e' kit if it helps.
      Shout if you have any questions.

      Mapex V Series Shells
      22x18 Bass Drum - 2Box triggered (normal but heavily dampened head with trigger
      12x9" Tom - 2Box triggered mesh head
      16x16" Floor Tom - 2Box triggered mesh head
      Jobeky Custom Built Eclectro Acoustic 14 x8" Phil Collins Replica Snare mesh head.

      CYMBALS
      Diril Raw Bell 20" Ride
      UFIP 19" Blast Crash
      UFIP 19" Supernova Crash
      UFIP 18" Supernova Crash
      UFIP 14" Bionic Hi-Hats
      UFIP 9" Class Splash Medium

      ELECTRONICS
      2Box DrumIt Five Module
      Roland SPuD-S

      You do not have permission to view this gallery.
      This gallery has 1 photos.

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      • #4
        "...Why did I want to go down this road? A combination of things really. No matter how good the V-drums pads are getting now, they are still IMO no match for the feel of a well tuned acoustic kit. The sounds are also very good, but they do result in a very 'over produced' overall sound to the band and have taken away some of that "raw" feeling I think you need."

        Glad to hear the triggers work as well as they do!!
        I've been thinking of doing the same since I recently switched back to an A kit after years of playing my full-size converted 9-piece Sonor e-kit. My E-conversion sounded excellent and played incredibly well and, of course, there were a few comments about the louder volume with the A's but those were short lived once the band realized how much fun I was having, and how much fun they were having with that "raw" feeling you speak of.

        I always try to get away from the processed sound with my TD-20x but you can only get so far. The feedback and response from a well tuned A-kit is something I can't get from the E's no matter how hard I try.

        Cheers,

        Comment


        • #5
          Thanks for the replies guys - I wasn't sure which section to put my first post in! It's really good to hear from others out there successfully using hybrid setups. You may have guessed from my spelling of "apologise", that I'm from England. In my local area, drummers on the whole don't seem to be very experimental. Lots of acoustic kits, lots of e kits, but very little inbetween. I'm looking forward to this weekend, I just wish I had more time to really play around with the sounds and combinations. Cuban, I like the set up you have there. You've done a good job of keeping the footprint of the kit to a minimum. I will take some pictures of my set up this weekend and upload them. I expect it will be similar to this - although I'lll be using a full gib rack myself, trying to keep the footprint to a minimum and also the convenience of being able to mount it all to the rack. Has anyone used this kind of set up with a TD module as opposed to the sample pads? How did you find it from an engineering point of view? We have our own engineer, but sometimes at joint gigs and such it might be someone else. Having to change the volume of each trigger on the TD-9 module itself is my only concern, with the engineer having no say over the volume of the individual components. I'm quite fussy when it comes to my live sound and I hate the thought of an engineer I have not worked with before having the electronic sounds to low or too high in the mix. How dominant do you like the electronic sound to be in the mix?

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