Alesis DM-5 and Roland PD-7 problem-HELP!!!!

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H2oskiphil

H2oskiphil

It needs more cowbell!
I recently bought a set of electronic drums (the Hart Prodigy/Alesis DM-5 combo that MF is selling). I wanted a dual trigger snare for rim shots and snare, so I picked up a used PD-7 dual-trigger pad. I'm trying like hell to figure out how to activate the rim shot trigger in the DM-5. I know that the output of the PD-7 is a 1/4" TRS, but how do I get the Alesis to recognize the 2nd trigger? I've tried a 1/4" TRS male to 2 RCA female (R/L channel) Y adapter, then (2) RCA male to mono 1/4" male to inputs 3 (preprogrammed snare) and 10 (my 1st open trigger input). The snare in channel 3 plays fine, but the DM-5 doesn't seem to see the input into channel 10 when I hit the rim of the pad. Any ideas? Am I making this harder than it needs to be? Will the Alesis recognize the different triggers if I run TRS cable to a single channel?

HELP!!!!
 
I used to have a DM-5, and the bottom line is that it only has mono ins.. It won't recognize the rim shot.. a PD-7 won't do much for you with a DM-5. I now have a Roland TD-8 module, and it works great with PD-5's 7's and 9's..
 
Split the TRS and go to two mono and go into tow seperate trigger inputs.
 
Saw the original question answered on the v-drum forum, but it's probably worth repeating again.

You can't split the inputs from a PD-7 as it's not a dual piezo like a Dauz or other type of drums and pads. The Roland PD-7s/9's and v-cymbals all use this type of trigger.

The FSR membrane strip is more of a switch than a trigger, and the signal from the piezo trigger must also be present in order for the rim shot to sound.

As Black Sabbath said, the DM-5 isn't capable of recognizing Peizo/FSR triggers. The only real solution when using the module is to use a dual Piezo trigger pad or drum (Like the Roland 80R/120R or Pintech, Hart's) and feed the two outputs to separate trigger inputs on the unit.

-bruce
 
Thanks for the input, everyone.

I'm going to take the PD-7 back to GC and see if they can get me a Hart. I'll also keep my eyes open for the 80R. Just out of curiosity-does the 80R have the single TRS (stereo) output? I'm wondering whether or not to take the splitter cables back to Rat Shack...

Kinda sucks, when you figure that the guy that sold me the Alesis also sold me the PD-7...I suppose that's kinda typical for GC...
 
In case you're still wondering, the 80R has a single TRS jack.

Good luck in returning your PD-7 pads!

-bruce
 
Continuing the GC horror story, I took the PD-7 back yesterday and got (what I thought was) a Pintech 102 dual trigger head. At least that's what the tag said. We took it right off the wall display, because the only other 102 they had was used with a head on it that looked like Taz had been playing it...

Anyhow, I got the head home, set it up, and got no rim signal. Checked my cables, etc. and everything was fine. Started looking at the plug on the inside of the Pintech (you can see it through the mesh...) and realized that it was a mono plug. Looked around at the inside of the head and couldn't see any wires coming off the rim. Grabbed the price tag-it said 102. Pulled the tag off the backing, and there was another tag below the top tag...that read 101...meaning I had gotten a single trigger head. Not a big deal, except that I live 3 hours from GC, and only go there when I'm in Chicago on business trips.

What a major pain in the ass. I called them today, and they told me to ship the 101 back to them and they'd send me the 102.

Does everyone have this problem with GC, or am I just dealing with a random moron?
 
Your answer...

While some people at music stores are okay, let's not forget that some get hired out of sheer luck and (occasionally) sexual favors for the store manager.

Sorry if that seems graphic, but it has to be true.

I'm sure we all could share some of these stories where random idiots sold us the wrong devices. I know I've had my share.

jimbo
 
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