Hey Shawn, I wanted to ask you also, is the Gen 16 Hi Hat worth it? Say Vs. the Stock or the VH-11? Is it significantly better?
Also, I noticed that the BOW sounds on my Alesis Hi-Hat is way more sensitive the strikes ON THE LOGO then the supposed-correct side, although I can only trigger the EDGE side on the opposite side, but I'd rather have consistent sounds (just bow) vs. the occasional edge so I'm playing on the logo. I've heard that's a defect, should I contact Alesis about it or just wait until I can get the Gen 16's? :-) One last question are they accoustically loud when you whack on them? Noise is a factor where I live...
Ok, so the Gen16s... I will first say that I wouldn't trade my hi-hat for anything. I really like the dynamics of the acoustic cymbal. I have used the stock hats, the stock hats with the GoEdrum controller and the VH-11 hat and controller as well. For me, the Gen16s won out because I got used to playing them. I forced myself to work with the settings until I had it sounding the way I wanted it. So it IS possible to get everything you want out of it.
The problem with the Gen16 pack is that the entire pack, which also includes the crash and ride, is pretty steep in price. And I don't use the other two cymbals (not yet anyway). But, if you buy just the hats, you still have to get the digital pickup and the cymbal processor to use them as intended. For me, it was just better to get the whole set. And I may eventually sit down with the other two cymbals and try to get something out of them.
With all of that said, I do LOVE my Gen16 hi-hat. Acoustically, it IS louder than the electronic hat. The crash and ride are even a bit louder. But none of them are near as loud as a fully acoustic cymbal or hat. Last week, I was having some buzzing in the pickup with our PA. Couldn't explain it or figure it out, so I unplugged and went full acoustic with the hat. No mic or anything, and it was still very audible from the crowd. To be honest, I only usually have it connected so that it will come out on our multi-track recordings that we mix down after the shows, but it does come through the PA with my drum mix for added sound. I connect the pickup into the processor, then out to my Aux in port on my Strike module. I've got a good mix worked out for the setup.
I would never turn anyone away from the Gen16s, but I just feel it is necessary to warn about them not being just plug and play in all situations.
As for the stock hat issue you mentioned, my original hat did the same thing. I actually use it with my practice kit (DM10 Studio that I transport my Strike module to). I have it turned around to the logo side for the same reason. But that is a defect, I was sent a replacement that did work. Since I switched to the Gen16 hat, though, I'm using the Strike hat as a splash. FYI, I had to do the same with my ride. I would occasionally get some double triggering on the edge that they wanted to pinpoint to a similar issue. So you may see that pop up. But both my replacements work great.
Hopefully that helps!!
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Shawn