Building E drums?

[reco]

Hey all,
I have been starting on the building of my new electronic drum kit.
Has anyone here done this?
I have found resorces online to build V-Drums style triggers and cymbals........
Just want some info or advice from drummers who have done this.......
Thanks in advance.
-Reco

 

[tmix]

I did it years ago.
You have to have a voltage to midi converter or a drum module that has trigger inputs (like a Alesis d4 or something).

Basically if you are good with your hands and don't mind things not looking "store bought" it can be done cheaply. It is hard to build pads with multiple zones without getting pretty fancy with materials. The trigger elements are basically 2 wire piezo tranducers you can pick up for $1.50 or so at Radio Shack.

My kit was solid pads which are extremely passe now days.
If I were to build them again I would use a cheap drum set and turn that into my triggers.

 

[reco]

well I found a site and parts for building v-drum style pads with mesh heads and dual zones.

You just get old toms and slice them in half the round way.
Then Build a basic bridge across the drum and then sandwich the piezo between the bridge and a small rubber cone and then place one on the edge of the drum........
But I guess I looking for other ideas too......
Thanks
-Reco

 

[probestyle]

I actually just finished putting together an e-drum kit. I built all the triggers from scratch and I am actually very happy with the results. Below is a link for a pic of my kit:

http://www.edrumming.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24

there are a few kits in that thread mine is the blue one.

WHile figuring out how to build the triggers and crossmembers and troubleshooting crosstalk etc.. I relied on the knowledge at www.vdrums.com and at www.edrumming.com

If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to ask I would be more than happy to help you any way I can. Just as long as you post pics when you are done.

 

[reco]

Sweet!!!!!

Your the first person to offer advice to me in a while.
I just got a Alesis DM5 yesterday and tested my cymbals out they work somewhat well ( need a rubber or foam surface for the top)
I used Pintech practice cymbals with piezos hot glued to the underside and covered with radioshack project boxes(Ill post a pick in a couple of days).........
What did you do for cymbals?
Hey do you know what the blue cone I am seeing on alot of diy mesh head v-drum type triggers is?
I read it was available from radio shack but I havent been able to find it... Other wise I could make it out of Foam rubber......
I am also working on mesh heads from old heads(the rings that is)cut out and regular window screen streched over the old.

I will check out the sites.
Thanks a mill.
-Reco

 

[Gidge]

i bought the raw piezo elements here.....

http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?han...oductid=267434&e_categoryid=66&e_pcodeid=6654

12-18 cents a piece depending on how many you buy.....

 

[probestyle]

the cones you see are most likely roland replacement cones which are available from musicians friend at like 4.95 a piece.

as far as cymbals I bought the HDI ecym II's I just didn't feel like purchasing the ribbon switches to add the choke functionality and I like the look and feel that I get from the harts.

 

[reco]

HMMMM..........
I tryed musiciansfriend for the cone but no luck.
the search continues........
Thanks for the tip on the piezos.
-Reco

 

[reco]

HMMMM..........
I tryed musiciansfriend for the cone but no luck.
the search continues........
Thanks for the tip on the piezos.
-Reco

 

[reco]

Ah HA!
I found my drums!
I just got a floor tom(16") tom(13") tom(12") for $60.00.......
Im gonna half them and make this configeration:
(left to right) 12"tom 12"tom 13"tom 16"tom 13"snare 16"kick.
I am almost done with my e-cymbals I got some sound off's and cut them for a striking surface I gonna find some rubber edging for the front of the cymbals. Ill post pics of them when Im done.
There config is: 8"HighHat 14"crash 16"crashride 18"Ride..........
Im gonna use those spring mounts for the cymbals to try to shock mount it a bit.
More later.
-Reco

 

[reco]

Update on my progress tonight

I have a few things done I'll post tonight.
-Reco

 

[reco]

Here we go!

The first done cymbal.
I kinda didnt do what I wanted but the thing works and kinda looks cool, Kinda a tuck-n-roll kinda thing.

 

[reco]

MORE!!!!!!

Back of the Cymbal!

 

[reco]

Crap big pics!

Sorry about the size for all my fellow dial-up users, I just made em a bit smaller.
A cymbal in progress.

 

[reco]

Here are the canidates!

These are in the process of being taken down to bare wood...
Then to be halved to make two identical drums, except the 16" will be cut like the tom will be 1/3 of it and the kick will be 2/3 of it.
More later!