Yamaha HH65 & Alesis Sample Pad Pro

[Druif]

Sorry for the necro-bump, but I'm looking for a compatible hi-hat controller for my Sample Pad Pro; did any of you have had any luck finding a compatible variable controller?

[Hellfire]

Sorry for the necro-bump, but I'm looking for a compatible hi-hat controller for my Sample Pad Pro; did any of you have had any luck finding a compatible variable controller?

Back when the sample pad pro came out, Alesis sold the RealHat Pedal. That was the Alesis standard for variable hi-hat control at that time. So, I'm going to guess you will find success with an Alesis RealHat Pedal. Alesis no longer makes/sell the RealHat Pedal so your best bet would be buying it used.

[Druif]

Back when the sample pad pro came out, Alesis sold the RealHat Pedal. That was the Alesis standard for variable hi-hat control at that time. So, I'm going to guess you will find success with an Alesis RealHat Pedal. Alesis no longer makes/sell the RealHat Pedal so your best bet would be buying it used.

You would think so, but this contradicts that:

Sample Pad/ Sample Pad Pro Users: The Realhat pedal is NOT compatible with the Sample Pad and Sample Pad Pro. Alesis says it should be, but I have had multiple returns from customers who could not get it to trigger properly with their Sample Pads. If you want to try to make it work, please do so at your own risk as I will not accept returns from Sample Pad owners.   

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126986251440

[Hellfire]

Back when the sample pad pro came out, Alesis sold the RealHat Pedal. That was the Alesis standard for variable hi-hat control at that time. So, I'm going to guess you will find success with an Alesis RealHat Pedal. Alesis no longer makes/sell the RealHat Pedal so your best bet would be buying it used.

You would think so, but this contradicts that:

Sample Pad/ Sample Pad Pro Users: The Realhat pedal is NOT compatible with the Sample Pad and Sample Pad Pro. Alesis says it should be, but I have had multiple returns from customers who could not get it to trigger properly with their Sample Pads. If you want to try to make it work, please do so at your own risk as I will not accept returns from Sample Pad owners.   

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126986251440

Something to keep in mind. The regular Sample Pad (I believe) has no Hi-hat pedal input. Also, I would bet that most people who tried to use a RealHat pedal with a SPP didn't set the unit for "continuous" control. And one other thing I would also point out about this post:

Thanks rhysT and you are correct.  I did post on the Alesis forum as well to increase my odds of getting some feedback.  I experimented with the Hat Closed, Mid and Open ranges and ultimately got it to respond to all three ranges.  However, this unit is inconsistent.
There is a dense foam pad that presses into the trigger that's on the very bottom of the pedal.  When I strike the cymbal with the pedal fully open, I can get it to show OPE after modifying the ranges.  But the ranges are so narrow that it becomes very hard to get to all three predictably.
Furthermore, after getting a full open strike, if I press the pedal a little bit, I get a CHK before I can get the pedal all the way down. 

I ordered a RealHat and should get it in a few days.  Hopefully, that will give me better results and I'll return the HyperHat.

Notice he stated he bought a RealHat pedal. He never posted again in this topic. I would bet that's because he got his new pedal to work. Again, I don't really know. I'm just guessing. It seems very odd to me that Alesis would produce a product that doesn't work with any known pedal. Good luck.

[Druif]

I've bought a second hand Yamaha HH65 that should arrive next week. I was planning to use a potentiometer to find out how I should mod the HH to have the correct resistance steps for the SPP.

The HH also uses a TRS-cable (stereo), and the SPP should work on a TS-cable (mono).

I'll know more next week and I'll make sure to log my results here!

[Hellfire]

I've bought a second hand Yamaha HH65 that should arrive next week. I was planning to use a potentiometer to find out how I should mod the HH to have the correct resistance steps for the SPP.

The HH also uses a TRS-cable (stereo), and the SPP should work on a TS-cable (mono).

I'll know more next week and I'll make sure to log my results here!

I doubt the Yamaha HH65 will work. Yamaha equipment is more proprietary than most brands and Yamaha stuff normally doesn't play well with non Yamaha stuff.

[Druif]

I doubt the Yamaha HH65 will work. Yamaha equipment is more proprietary than most brands and Yamaha stuff normally doesn't play well with non Yamaha stuff.

The HH65 has a stepped sensor and a PCB with resistors. Except for the TRS connector, it should identical to a DMHat v2 and easily modded to Alesis spec.

It was €35 used, so if it does not work I'll sell it for the same price again.

[Druif]

I've taken a B250k potentiometer and added 330k+47k = 377k parallel to it to create a 150k-ish pot. By turning the pot, I can trigger chk, closed, mid and open hihat sounds. 

[Hellfire]

I've taken a B250k potentiometer and added 330k+47k = 377k parallel to it to create a 150k-ish pot. By turning the pot, I can trigger chk, closed, mid and open hihat sounds. 

That's cool that will work. Are you going to be putting the potentiometer in the HH65 (or are you using a soft pot)? If you are, it would be neat to see how you go about that.

[Druif]

That's cool that will work. Are you going to be putting the potentiometer in the HH65 (or are you using a soft pot)? If you are, it would be neat to see how you go about that.

Well, the HH65 arrived today. I opened it up and cleaned it a bit with a soft brush. A couple of resistors, a small ceramic cap and a stereo jack output.

I then put a stereo male jack into it and measured what the HH65 does stock: no resistance change between tip and ground when pressing the rubber onto the sensor. But ... and here's where I got surprised: 150k between ring and ground!  When I pressed the rubber thingy onto the sensor the resistance dropped in three steps!

So ... I put a stereo splitter cable in the HH65, and used the right channel into the Sample Pad Pro ... and it just works: closed, mid and open hihat sounds, chicks and splashes! 

[Hellfire]

That's cool that will work. Are you going to be putting the potentiometer in the HH65 (or are you using a soft pot)? If you are, it would be neat to see how you go about that.

Well, the HH65 arrived today. I opened it up and cleaned it a bit with a soft brush. A couple of resistors, a small ceramic cap and a stereo jack output.

I then put a stereo male jack into it and measured what the HH65 does stock: no resistance change between tip and ground when pressing the rubber onto the sensor. But ... and here's where I got surprised: 150k between ring and ground!  When I pressed the rubber thingy onto the sensor the resistance dropped in three steps!

So ... I put a stereo splitter cable in the HH65, and used the right channel into the Sample Pad Pro ... and it just works: closed, mid and open hihat sounds, chicks and splashes! 

Awesome work Druif!

This info is so good that I thought it should be its own topic. So I split it off, hopefully making it easier to find when searching the subject. I'm starting to wonder if the Yamaha HH65 controller (with the splitter) would work this well with other Alesis drum modules that only have the three position hi-hat...

[Chaser]

The Yamaha HH65 and Alesis DMHat V2 Flex Sensors are in the same range...150kOHM..

I attached an old handwritten Pinout with the resistor ranges etc for converting the Yamaha HH65 to Tactical switches as the replacement sensor for the HH65 wasn't readily available then.

I would gamble the early DMHat V2 work just as well or better.
It came out the same time as the Nitro/Surge Modules and the Samplepads.
The Samplepads have an adjust range setting for the resistance all 3..Open ..Half....Closed..I never see this mentioned by anyone.
I had the Samplerack and at the time wasn't aware (nor anyone else) that the DMHat had the New version with the New senosor...I was under the impression the DMHat was only Open/Closed Switch.

The Sample Series (Samplepad/Samplerack) also do NOT have a Half Open Articulation/Sample/Voice listed in the Instrument List.

I did a write up..just haven't posted it as I have a lot going on and I wanted to double check/test the Realhat with the Nitro MAX and PRO which I did the other day....I'll post it shortly.

There are Flex Sensors available for both now

ALESIS DMHat V2 FLEX SENSOR

YAMAHA HH65 FLEX SENSOR

EDIT:
Added Links..attachment

[Hellfire]

Really good info Chaser! I did not expect this topic to get this nuanced. I'm going to need to do something with these topics somehow. [Yamaha HH65 & Alesis Sample Pad Pro - Alesis SAMPLE SERIES (SamplePad Pro - SampleRack) - HI HAT PEDAL]

The reason is the vast majority of people that are looking for "what Hi-hat controller should I use with my Sample Pad/Sample Rack for variable control" is just looking for an answer like this:

- Your best bet is to find a DMhat V2 (emphasis on the V2). As to why the DMhat V2 (and not the older V1) please refer to this topic: Alesis SAMPLE SERIES (SamplePad Pro - SampleRack) - HI HAT PEDAL


- If you can't find the DMhat V2, you can use a Yamaha HH65 with a stereo splitter and use a TS cable on just the right channel. For more info on this solution please see this topic: Yamaha HH65 & Alesis Sample Pad Pro

[Chaser]

The Hi Hat has probably always been the most difficult Topic for E-drumming...
Not knowing the DMHat  changing from the Switch Type and when surely didn't help..
The only issue that concerns me is with the ring being mentioned as with HH65...and a splitter to get all 3 steps.
The DMHat V2 is also TRS (on the DB Harness) and the Sample Series User Guides state to use a TS..
The DMHat V2 may have to be setup the same as the HH65 and the DMHat Pedal Alesis is/was refererring to is the Switch Type , although the User Guide states Select "SWITCH" if you are using a standard footswitch....to me a standard footswitch is the typical on/off button type like a guitar pedal switch etc....so I guess the only way to find out for sure is when a DMHat V2 is connected to an actual Samplepad Pro..or Samplerack..which was removed in it's entirety from the Alesis Data/Product base including Legacy..all info downloads etc etc..as if it never existed.



There were also 2 DMHat Pedals for the Switch Version..and 2 Versions for the Variable "TYPE".
The Realhat there were at least 2 Versions of the Original style.. 70k and 90k...

REALHAT 70K



REALHAT 90K



I have multiples of each and some have a 360K resistor between Tip and Ground and if there was a problem the pedal wouldn't function correctly.

The Old HH Explained Pdf  we had here showed a DM10 Realhat...not sure if it was a 70k or 90k.
I believe it is/was a 90K..based on the images I provided above






I don't have a SamplePad Pro...The only Alesis Multipad I have is the STRIKE Multipad.
I'll see if I can make some time and connect the DMHat V2 using TS..TRS..and also through a TRS to (2) TS Splitter cable and see what the results or behaviors are and document them..

EDIT:
Added Links


EDIT#2

After a Quick Test with STRIKE Multipad..and a TRS-TS Splitter

DMHat V2 Late Oval Style w Plastic Housing..1/8 jack 
TRS SPLIT - Tip = Pedal only works Fully Open or Closed (Gap in the Middle)....Ring= STEPS..

DMHat V2 Early Realhat Housing...1/4 jack
TRS SPLIT - Tip= Full Pedal Transition ALL Work...Ring- NO RESPONSE

Apparently the pedals are wired differently...

Additonal Testing is required...

[percaine]

I have the Yamaha HH65 and an Alesis Dm10 module. I think I'll give it a try, hopefully it'll work. Thanks for the post.

[Hellfire]

I have the Yamaha HH65 and an Alesis Dm10 module. I think I'll give it a try, hopefully it'll work. Thanks for the post.

Just keep in mind the Alesis DM10 module (meaning the original DM10) and the RealHat hi-hat controller pedal were made to work together as they were design and manufactured at the same time.

Something else to keep in mind, the original DM10 has settings to dial in a continuous hi-hat controller pedals. I was able to get a Roland FD-7 controller to work just fine after tweaking the module settings. The Sample Pad Pro & Sample Rack are a different story.

Let us know what you find out.