Drum trigger compatibility

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fluffy
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Drum trigger compatibility

Post by fluffy »

So, I have an Alesis ControlPad which is okay as a basic drum controller. It has external trigger/pedal inputs for kick, hat pedal, and two cymbals. I keep on looking at electronic drum kits but even the smallest ones (that aren't Yamaha DD pieces of crap) are too big for my studio room, so I keep thinking I'd like to extend the ControlPad into a larger kit setup. But of course the Internet doesn't have very good information about compatibility with other things.

Do cymbal triggers all use the same basic mechanism? Would any velocity-sensitive cymbal trigger work with this?

Same goes for kick triggers.

Also, the hat pedal is labeled as being "on/off" but all the decent hat pedals I can find have an analog output on them, rather than being a cheap momentary switch. Would the ControlPad get confused by this? Like, if it's just a resistor across the wires then wouldn't it see anything short of fully open as being pressed?

The cymbal triggers I can find are just the triggers, also. What other hardware do I need to put them on a cymbal stand?

And is this a stupid way to go? Should I just try to rearrange my studio to make an actual electric kit fit? (Or should I just switch back to a goddamn Yamaha DD-series like I used to have?)
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Re: Drum trigger compatibility

Post by ken »

You are limited by your controller as to what kinds of signals it will accept. If your trigger has multiple velocities, but your controller is only on/off it will only do that, if it does anything at all. I think you could buy a cheap kick and high hat triggers and start there. Whenever I look into getting nice kick and snare pads, it always seems so expensive I start looking at entire kits, which seem cheap in comparison. I like the Alesis kits which seem to be a good balance of price and features.
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fluffy
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Re: Drum trigger compatibility

Post by fluffy »

Right, all that makes sense, I was just wondering if anyone knew what the Alesis ControlPad would take. It's not very well-documented, but being Alesis I'd imagine it to be pretty comprehensive. But they suck at actually giving any useful information.

I also don't need a full-on kit or anything. I just want something I can hit to practice rhythms and to record things that sound a bit more natural than my usual mouse-painted rhythms.
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Re: Drum trigger compatibility

Post by Billy's Little Trip »

I can't help with your questions, fluf. I only know control pads are great studio tools.
But I have a question. I know you're a drummer, so wouldn't you prefer a full electric kit to keep you licks up? Or do you already have an acoustic kit set up in your studio?
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Re: Drum trigger compatibility

Post by fluffy »

Billy's Little Trip wrote:I know you're a drummer
Am not.
so wouldn't you prefer a full electric kit to keep you licks up? Or do you already have an acoustic kit set up in your studio?
I would, but I don't have a lot of space right now, and the electric kits I've tried haven't felt very good. Also by "studio" I mean "bedroom in a condo" so there's the whole issue of noise, too (so no acoustic kit).

Also I don't have licks. I have like three variations of one rhythm and the ability to awkwardly flail about and kinda-sorta do a clumsy fill.
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Re: Drum trigger compatibility

Post by Billy's Little Trip »

Yeah, I have the space and sound issue too. My old Roland electric kit is falling apart and getting antiquated, so it's not worth fixing up. The technology now is awesome! I played on a few and the new Roland TD-15K Drum Kit is amazing! It feels good to play and the sensitivity and pre programmed drums are very analog sounding. A bit pricey though. But in our situation, a good instrument to have for space and quiet.

And I've seen and heard you play, fluf. You're pretty good.
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Re: Drum trigger compatibility

Post by Rabid Garfunkel »

Albatross was downsizing his kit (a while back) and might still have some triggers, brains, &c. for sale... keep it in the family, as it were.
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Re: Drum trigger compatibility

Post by Albatross »

I did try to sell my kit months ago, when I had just gotten laid off and and was just about to move out of my house. But I didn't get a single offer, and then my moving plans fell through, so I'm keeping the kit. For now.

Besides, it's kind of getting long in the tooth as well - 8 years old now.
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