And the process begins - Accoustic to Electric

[Orange9mm]

Okay so I have recently acquired:

Alesis D4 Module ($112)

http://www.retrosynth.com/gear/d4/d4.jpg

plastic pintech cymbals ($44)

http://images.misupply.com/products/full/Pintech/plas.jpg

Remo Muff'ls for 5 pc set ($36)

http://www.pearldrum.com/pearlnews/tec9906g.jpg

Damn! Musicians Friend shipped me the cymbals and muff'ls in ONE day, even though I got standard UPS ground, someone must've hit a wrong button. Tomorrow I'm gonna pick up the electronic parts needed and show my process step by step. With this method, no drilling or bar mounting will be needed to be done to my existing kit. Cause I don't know about you, but I ain't drilling no new fangled holes in these babies. This is on target to be under $250, for a 5 pc and 4 cymbal e-setup. If I woulda built the module listed on midibox.org, i could probably do it for under $200, but didn't want to try it... yet.

[by-tor]

Cool! I like the picture of the d4 in the garden!!!

[Woody]

Nice, Orange!

Musician's Friend ships from KC, so that explains the short delilvery time to St. Louis. Unfortunately it means we have to pay sales tax. :(

What are you using for triggers?

W.

[Orange9mm]

The parts list is:

Radioshack
(x4) Piezo Transducer Catalog # 273-059 - $3.29
(x5) Inline Jack Catalog #: 274-340 - $3.99
(x5) Piezo Element 1500-3000Hz Catalog #: 273-073 - $1.99

Home Depot
Master Flow 24" X 36" Galvanized Steel Flat Sheet ($5.89)

The steel will mounted in the Muffl tray, under a layer of foam. A Piezo (273-073) will be mounted to the steel (cut to fit), and will be wired to the 1/4 TRS Jack, which will fit right out of my air vent holes. The cymbals have piezo (273-059) screwed on to them, and then later on I'm gonna go back and put one in the bell of the ride too. Haven't figured out what exactly to do with the hi-hat and pedal 100% yet.

Best of all, the parts will be about 52 dollars with tax. Oh i forgot, speaker wire. I'll need that too. The piezo will have speaker wire connecting it to the jack.

[Orange9mm]

Started about 30 minutes ago, finished doing the cymbals. I'm surprised at how easy this is, and how well it works. I suppose I'll have the whole set finished, and step by step process uploaded in about 1-2 hours.

[tcraw1010]

And I assume that you are taking pictures every step of the way - correct?

With mp3 audio examples to accompany - correct?


;)


TOM

[Orange9mm]

Yes, AND GEORGIA TECH BEAT UNC WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!. I'm taking ungodly amounts of photos, so its newbie friendly. I'm even doing a video of how to solder.

Edit: I'm now uploading the pics and typing up each thing step by step. I'm gonna do the post on the PEARL forum and post a link to it here, to save GN bandwith. I love my new toy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Orange9mm]

http://209.25.203.234/showthread.php?p=1846163727
there
you
goooooo

[input-output]

errrrrrrrr. issit juz me or does the link work for u guys??

[tcraw1010]

Not working. :(



TOM

[Orange9mm]

God. The pearl forum is dead... I guess thats why. God damn. Anyway, theres 35 pictures and its step by step.

[tcraw1010]

Why not start your own Blog at blogspot.com?

IT'S FREE !!!



TOM

[Matthew1996]

we need to see that post man, it is vital to the existance of our being!

[moosryan]

C'mon!!!!

[tcraw1010]

How is the "rattle" using the Remo Muff'ls ???

I read on electronicdrums.com that someone used that method, but that the residual buzz/rattle from the plastic rim "hoop" was really noticible (mostly when practicing in his home). Have you found this to be true?


TOM

[Orange9mm]

No. I have no rattle or buzz... at all. Also, the post works now. I could see how it'd rattle if your stuff didnt fit snug, or if you used the ring control type, but i used the sound control with thick solid foam. also my steel was 30 gauge so maybe that helped. I've already played on the set for probably 3 hours.

[tcraw1010]

Hmmm - very very interesting.
(And I have seen the post, by the way. Very well done).

I also wonder whether or not the "buzz" would occur with mesh heads as opposed to regular heads.

How have you found the trigger response to be? You mentioned that you can play dynamically (i.e. soft/hard). Have you found there to be any particular "hot spots" on the head (i.e. center vs. outer diameter)?



TOM

[Orange9mm]

(hot spots) -On the drum head, no. I can hit by the rim and it seems not to really be much different from hitting the direct center (of the toms). The snare I don't know yet. I assume if you change the sensitivity and gain settings, this could affect it.

The cymbals definately have hot spots, though. very large difference from hitting the edge of the ride to right above where I mounted the piezo. Therefore, the theory of using a 2 piezo cymbal would work VERY well I'm thinking (one in the middle, one in the bell). It'd work well because by striking the bell, even if the other piezo picked up a signal, it'd be extremely faint and the bell sound would be heard clearly.

I thought this was sketchy at first, but has proved me wrong.

Also it (the buzz) might have to do with the drum set he used the muffls on. This is my keller kit, so the shells are very thin, and the edges are sharp. Also I'm using Ambassador coated heads. I dunno. Maybe he doesn't know how to tension :D.

[tcraw1010]

Well, get a friend to videotape you playing - digitize it - and post the video clip so we can see/hear how they sound. :D



I know ... I know .... Demanding, ain't I ?? ;)



TOM

[Orange9mm]

Just for you, Tom, I'm going to bust out the video camera and record a video of me playing the set for a bit. Then once I get a midi cable, I'll post a recording of how the drums sound. That way, you can listen to the recording first, and then watch the video of me playing to witness how little sound is produced, even without mesh heads.

Also, in the video I am going to be wearing a bear-suit (like a mascot outfit) so no one sees what I look like. I got the bear suit at a pawn shop for 20 dollars.

[Orange9mm]

Well, get a friend to videotape you playing - digitize it - and post the video clip so we can see/hear how they sound. :D



I know ... I know .... Demanding, ain't I ?? ;)



TOM
Just for you, Tom, I'm going to bust out the video camera and record a video of me playing the set for a bit. Then once I get a midi cable, I'll post a recording of how the drums sound. That way, you can listen to the recording first, and then watch the video of me playing to witness how little sound is produced, even without mesh heads.

Also, in the video I am going to be wearing a bear-suit (like a mascot outfit) so no one sees what I look like. I got the bear suit at a pawn shop for 20 dollars.

Holy crap! you were thinking the SAME EXACT thing I was, and posted it seconds before me. thats crazy.

[tcraw1010]

The primary reason I would love to hear/see your creations in action is because, if they feel/sound as good as you say they do ... then your method seems to be a much more economical approach than the u-channel crossbar/bridge method. (Not to mention less drilling of additional holes into the shell).


TOM

[moosryan]

there's a lot of pix down man....but great job otherwise

[Orange9mm]

pics down? they all work, i just checked, cause i uploaded it all to the pearl forum.