I just bought some cheap second hand Alesis triggers from the DM8 Pro kit (a 14" crash, 16" ride and 12" snare pad) and I'm hoping to get some schematics or explanation of how they work so I can better use them with my 2Box drum module.
The Snare seems straightforward enough, 1 x TRS socket which sends both main pad and rim triggers, but when I opened it up it seemed like both piezos were just on top of each other, rather than one being located in the rim. I guess vibrations transfer differently depending on where you hit, but I'd love to find out if accuracy/sensitivity can be improved as I'm finding my rim is being triggered when I hit my main pad and vice versa.
With the cymbals, I'm seeing an 'A' and 'B' output; it seems like they're both TRS but inside it looks like there's just 1 x piezo and then a couple of ribbon cables assumedly going to other triggers or the choke switch. One of the cymbals also came with a dummy TRS plug in it and on my 2Box module it seems like it only registers hits when this is inserted, so I'd love to know what that does too, whether it just 'completes' the circuit or breaks a circuit or what?
I thought I'd have to use a Y-split cable to get all 3 zones (bell, bow and edge) working but it seems like my 2Box works differently so maybe I'll just have to put up with only 2 zones on each cymbal...
Any knowledge would be most appreciated! :-)
Which module?..the Drumit 5 you could only pick bow/bell or bow/edge not 3 zones or a Y cable..DrumIt 3 you can use 2 inputs.
Zourman Drums had as a
conversion module for dual cable Roland Rides (same ride cymbals are also compatible with Alesis Dual Cable modules.. original DM10 and STRIKE...and presume the DM8) and the DrumIt 5.The conversion module also works with ATV
The DM8 is/was a slimmed down version of the original DM10 OS and used the same triggers(cymbals and toms) so you would follow the same DM10 setup in the 2box module.
I had some of the DM8 toms and they were single zone only and had no rim piezo installed.
Alesis/Medeli pads all have the rim piezo centered on the bottom of the shell with the Head Piezo(or Piezos) directly above.The early steel reflection plate rests on the foam and had the head piezo centered and suspended off a plastic resonator disc.
Some had resistors on the output jack usually on a small pcb board.
The later mesh toms basically was the same designed flipped..steel plate(s) on the bottom mounted to the shell,the large foam discs were replaced by foam columns and now 2 piezos for the head that sit on or below a plastic resonator plate with the foam columns connecting the mesh head to the resonator and a "sensitivity knob" on a pcb board which is/was basically a blend for the inner and outer piezo.The vibration from the Rim is then equal from all sides.
The STRIKE Multipad has the earlier design with the piezos on a plastic resonator plate on foam for the top 3 pads..which is why they require harder hits.
I don't know which module/OS you have but there is a
CrossTalk manual(2020) for Piezo/Piezo toms (OS 1.34.10 and up)
The dual cable cymbals require either a cable or a dummy plug in the 2nd output to complete the circuit or the cymbal will not function.
These were usually ride cymbals for dual port modules.Using just a Y cable will not work as you need to separate the edge and bell switch.
Zourman has a
Yamaha Y cable to use the dual cable rides..don't know if something similar can be made for the DrumIt 5 as I see Conversion Modules instead.
Since the CY15R is
compatible on the dual cable Alesis modules (original DM10/STRIKE) try the settings for a Dual Dual Cable setup (if DrumIt 3..DrumIt 5 supposedly requires conversion boxes as it is mentioned in the pdf)..It looks like all the dual cable cymbals have the same settings except for the gain.
If you have the DrumIt 3 it looks like you can address everything in your post in the module...DrumIt 5 might be another story.
Other than that you'll probably have better luck at the
Unofficial 2 Box Forum.
I am sure someone has used these as the original DM10 is listed in the
DrumIt 3 Compatibility ListDrumIt 5 ManualDrumIt 3 ManualDrumIt 3 Compatibility List DrumIt3 Crosstalk Manual for OS 1.34.10 and upDrumIt 3 Roland VH Hi Hat and Rides (Dual Cable)Zourman Conversion ModulesEDIT:Fixed a bad link