Yet more Electronic Drum questions

[JLee]

I was wondering, could anyone tell me the EXACT piezo to get from Radio Shack that would be appropriate for a bridge type trigger. I have seen the installation photos from an e drum that would use a coffee can lid under the head, but I suspect this might be a different application.

I know that the piezo is to be fastened to the bridge using a hot glue gun, and then the leads from the piezo need to be soldered to those on the jack.

Also, should the piezo be "shelled" or left intact? And finally, does the piezo come with its own jack, or do I need to match one up that would be appropriate.

thanks in advance for your time.

Jon Lee

[drummerdan]

Jon,

I didn't notice your thread until today. I have used (very successfully) the Radio Shack #273-073 piezo. They run $1.99 each. I also used this same piezo for the shell mount for a dual trigger.

You must "shell" the piezo. It's pretty simple. Just take a utility knife and carefully pry the piezo from the shell. I mounted the piezo on a rubber washer that was then mounted on the bridge. I believe that this helps eliminate some of the vibration from shell impacts. That theory holds for my build.

Buy the Radio Shack Flush Mount Jack #274-312 to connect the piezo leads. This is a stereo jack so if you only have 1 trigger, just get the mono jack.

I hope this helps.

[JLee]

Drummerdan

It helps a lot, thanks. Just one question though - what would be the difference in use for the stereo jack vs. the mono jack. Is it because you can actually connect two piezos in a dual trigger drum to just one jack?

Otherwise, this totally clears everything up for me.

Thanks again.

[NOLADrummer]

The one most people use is RS part number 273-073. You do need to remove it from the plastic case, and it comes with no jack. It is indended to be used as a buzzer (as almost all peizo's are). Mount it to a hard surface, like the coffee can (an electric box cover works too), with the brass side down towards the can lid, and use foam on top to cantact the head.

on edit - oops, someone else answered while I typed, heheh

Good Luck

[drummerdan]

Drummerdan

Just one question though - what would be the difference in use for the stereo jack vs. the mono jack. Is it because you can actually connect two piezos in a dual trigger drum to just one jack?



Yep. That's the reason for the stereo jack. That way, you can have 2 triggers - one for the head sound and one for the rim. It works very well on the setup I have. Maybe you're already doing this on your kit, but I would use dual triggers on all drums, sans the kick. Many of the "brains" support dual triggers for the snare and toms.

When do you think you'll get your kit rolled out? I'm anxious to see it.

[JLee]

Drummerdan


I think I will go for a dual trigger snare, but I am not sure I see the reason for dual trigger toms. Am I missing something obvious - like does the piezo have a limited range as far as the vibrations it will pick up?

As far as the kit is concerned, should be drilling by this weekend, or early next week. From there, it is a matter of assembling the piezos, bridges and jacks and of course,
buying the brain, Pintech practice cymbals (which will be covered with a sheet of rubber and made into cymbal triggers), kick trigger, hi hat controller that I will need.

Thanks again for the input.

[tcraw1010]

T-A-K-E- P-I-C-T-U-R-E-S



Seeing the process is the most educational part.



TOM

[JLee]

Tom

I will take pictures from here on in. As it stands right now, I am about to drill the shells for hardware, and then jacks.

One other question along the way. I went to Radio Shack and picked up some piezos (273-073, as instructed) and some jacks (mono for the toms #274-252 and stereo for the snare #274-312B)

1) I am assuming that I need to mount a rubber washer on the bridge, using silicone rubber, and then mount the shelled piezo, then either buy or make the cones to be mounted onto the piezo, again using silicone rubber. Is this correct?

2) One the jacks there are two separate protrusions with holes, I am assuming these are where the leads from the piezo go. Is this correct?

3) On the stereo jack, there is only one extra protrusion, yet the stereo jack should accomodate two piezos, if I understand correctly. Is this correct and what goes to where?

Again, thanks in advance and I WILL take pictures.

Jon Lee

[HiString]

Jon,

If you have sussed out the jacks yet, post a pic of each and I'll try and answer you.

Cheers

[JLee]

Hi String

Thanks. I think I have it figured out (actually I didn't solve it on my own, but went to one of our tech guys at work). He says that the larger of the two terminals on the jack is for the the pos. (red) wire and the small one for the ground (black). In the case of the stereo jack, the grounds from both piezos will go to the small terminal, and there is a larger terminal for each.

Now I just have to figure out where on the dual zone snare I should put the shell-mounted piezo to reduce the possibility of false triggering.

[HiString]

I'm sure there were some pics posted a while back that showed the second piezo in a shell.

It may be an idea not to fit it until everything else is done, then temporarily fix it with gaff tape or some other method so that you can find the best position for it, once that is determined then attach it permanently.

:cool: