2025 - Is there an e-drum piezo trigger pedal yet ?

[boneill]

Hi,

I asked this question a few years ago and to my surprise there was no product out there that would simply trigger a sound through a piezo pedal that was specifically built for e-drum modules. You'd think Alesis would make one but they don't/won't. The best answer I got was a "stomp box" pedal not specifically made for e-drum kits. Currently I use an e-piano pedal with a piezo sensor installed and wired to my drum module. It works, but is far from a robust solution.

If anyone has some modern product suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. I find it easier to trigger the hi-hat closing sound with my left heel so I'm looking for a foot trigger to facilitate it. The repeating closing "tssh" sound comes comes up alot with Pink Floyd tunes.

Bervis

[Chaser]

Hi,

I asked this question a few years ago and to my surprise there was no product out there that would simply trigger a sound through a piezo pedal that was specifically built for e-drum modules. You'd think Alesis would make one but they don't/won't. The best answer I got was a "stomp box" pedal not specifically made for e-drum kits. Currently I use an e-piano pedal with a piezo sensor installed and wired to my drum module. It works, but is far from a robust solution.

If anyone has some modern product suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. I find it easier to trigger the hi-hat closing sound with my left heel so I'm looking for a foot trigger to facilitate it. The repeating closing "tssh" sound comes comes up alot with Pink Floyd tunes.

Bervis

MEINL Came out with one this year..2025..
It looks to be using a small plunger ..probably tapping a piezo/trigger box.
Plunger seems pretty short so probably going to be Acoustically loud and a lot of travel before it is actually engaged.

MEINL Foot Percussion Trigger Pedal - MPTP



The Old Yamaha KU100 (2013)...seems to be available again...originally for the older DTX Kits
It disappeared for awhile....New web page
It is Yamaha wiring and requires a TRS cable so you may have to re-wire it...
The entire pedal Housing is the Trigger Box and Pedal  top strikes a Piece of Foam/rubber.

YAMAHA KU100 Beaterless Silent Electronic Kick Pedal



You could get the same performance/results from modifying an Alesis Hi Hat pedal..

[Hellfire]

I posted about these back in October:

Meinl Percussion & Effects Trigger Pedals

I've been meaning to buy the Trigger pedal and try it out. I agree with Chaser about the "Acoustically loud and a lot of travel before it is actually engaged." To be honest, I'm not worried about it too much as it wouldn't be that difficult to mod slightly to fix this issue. Of course the Yamaha pedal is a little cheaper.

[boneill]

@Chaser - from the user manual:

 KU100 Kick Unit External dimensions: 98(W) ? 310(D) ? 115(H) mm (3-7/8" ? 12-3/16" ? 4-1/2") Weight: 1.3 kg (2 lbs., 14 oz.) Sensor System: Trigger sensor (piezo) ? 1 Output jack: Standard mono-audio jack

From the spec sheet it looks to use a standard 1/4 cable: see attached diagram !

[Chaser]

@Chaser - from the user manual:

 KU100 Kick Unit External dimensions: 98(W) ? 310(D) ? 115(H) mm (3-7/8" ? 12-3/16" ? 4-1/2") Weight: 1.3 kg (2 lbs., 14 oz.) Sensor System: Trigger sensor (piezo) ? 1 Output jack: Standard mono-audio jack

From the spec sheet it looks to use a standard 1/4 cable: see attached diagram !

The YAMAHA KU100...and HH40..are/were the Exact same Unit with Internal differences..1=Piezo (TS Jack)..1=Switch (TRS Jack)...
they even share the same Manual... and the same info...

They are both shipped with TRS Stereo cables...probably to reduce unnecessary Inventory.



OLD Web Page..Specs




NEW Web Page..Specs








EDIT:
Added Links..Images

[boneill]

[UPDATE]
-----------
I bought (and received) the Yamaha pedal. I does work with the Alesis module !
Issues though: the travel is long and it is rather loud when stomped. If you tap it down lightly it doesn't really register with the module, you have to give it a good pop, and then the mechanical noise of it becomes apparent. If you're playing loudly it won't be noticed, but it will in quieter scenarios. I'm iffy on it...

[Chaser]

[UPDATE]
-----------
I bought (and received) the Yamaha pedal. I does work with the Alesis module !
Issues though: the travel is long and it is rather loud when stomped. If you tap it down lightly it doesn't really register with the module, you have to give it a good pop, and then the mechanical noise of it becomes apparent. If you're playing loudly it won't be noticed, but it will in quieter scenarios. I'm iffy on it...

The Acoustic noise and travel issue was expected..as mentioned in another post above.
Acoustic Noise applies to Hollow plastic which is typically noisy and the distance traveled determines the strike velocity and dynamics..some pedals or Stomp Boxes may even have a resistor in them on the jack to prevent it being too sensitive and picking up cross talk or extremely sensitive to triggering ..adjust the Threshold and sensitivity.
Otherwise the only other option is modifying the pedal.
Piezo's and switches..are for the most part..used by majority if not all E-Drum Manufacturers.
They will work....but will they work well has always been the issue for compatibility between Brands...different wiring..Voltage requirements..Algorithm  etc etc.You are not going to find a perfect out-of-the-box solution.

[boneill]

I've got some elastic bands to help with the travel. I will adjust the levels as you suggest. Chaser is the man !