Author Topic: How to increase the generated sound volume from a peizo sensor ?  (Read 1820 times)

How to increase the generated sound volume from a peizo sensor ?
« on: November 07, 2023, 10:30:45 PM »
I'm splitting a spare port (extra tom) on my Surge module, so that I can plug in a floor pedal for a hit-hat close sound (rim zone) and a china cymbal (surface zone).

The split works and I get the correct sounds from both devices however the volume of them is far to low to be usable. I have maxed out the volume of them both in the module settings for each assigned "voice" but it's still not loud enough when playing.

Can you increase the generated volume with a different size of piezo ?.....Can I attach a pre-amp of some sort before it plugs into the module ?

Thanks.

Offline Chaser

Re: How to increase the generated sound volume from a peizo sensor ?
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2023, 11:56:42 PM »
I'm splitting a spare port (extra tom) on my Surge module, so that I can plug in a floor pedal for a hit-hat close sound (rim zone) and a china cymbal (surface zone).

The split works and I get the correct sounds from both devices however the volume of them is far to low to be usable. I have maxed out the volume of them both in the module settings for each assigned "voice" but it's still not loud enough when playing.

Can you increase the generated volume with a different size of piezo ?.....Can I attach a pre-amp of some sort before it plugs into the module ?

Thanks.

The Tom inputs are Piezo/Piezo...I don't know what you are using for splitter , but you don't want the ones with a resistor.
The Nitro/Surge ( Medeli DD512) Module doesn't have much in the way of adjustment for the Rim other than raising the sensitivity..you can try raising the sensitivity for both zones as it is Amplitude/Gain based.If they become too sensitive..raise the threshold.
To increase the overall Kit Volume you can also change the EQ's.
The EQ's (Lo,Mid,Hi) are Global per Kit and are also Amplitude/Gain based.
Raise them evenly to 12db..I think default is 2 are at 0 and 1 is at 4..so it would be 8,8,12.
Then you would lower the Kit Volume (start at 50 percent or so) and individual instruments/voices volume down to balance everything to the Tom 4 split and then still have the overall Kit Volume adjustment.

You can also play with the Curves...4-6..6 is more of a constant like high velocity hit no matter how hard you hit..Curve 1 is Linear.
You should be able to setup something usable.There is only so much you can do with an entry level module.
Drum modules interpret Waveform (Piezo Voltage) not audio so a pre-amp does nothing..high voltage/max hit = 127..too big a Piezo and the input would become too hot and even a light hit would be interpreted as High Velocity hit and other issues.Then you start experimenting with resistors to cool off the signal and begin going down the Rabbit Hole.

EDIT:
Added link
« Last Edit: November 08, 2023, 12:31:07 AM by Chaser »

Re: How to increase the generated sound volume from a peizo sensor ?
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2023, 02:18:09 PM »
Thanks for the info Chaser. The kit I'm working with is a "user saved" one. Can you still do all of the above with one of those ? I'll have to find the manual to do what you suggest, cause I don't know what buttons to push to make it happen.

Offline Chaser

Re: How to increase the generated sound volume from a peizo sensor ?
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2023, 04:40:26 PM »
Thanks for the info Chaser. The kit I'm working with is a "user saved" one. Can you still do all of the above with one of those ? I'll have to find the manual to do what you suggest, cause I don't know what buttons to push to make it happen.

Yes..just load the Kit ..make the changes and re-save it..
I would also Save another copy of the Kit when 1st loaded so you have a backup of the one you started with , in case you don't like something or make a mistake etc and you have something to Fall back on.
I provided a link to the manual above..Medeli DD512 which is a more in-depth manual.
The Nitro/Surge are re-brands of that module...the Module has been out for well over 10 years... multiple modules based on the same design the DD512,DD514,DD516  and was different colors..DD512/Red..DD514/Yellow..DD516/light gray with White Pads..gray Cymbals DM7X/Silver..Surge/Charcoal.. XDrum..basically the same modules sometimes different firmware/features..depending on who it was re-branded for and when released.
The DD512 had 385 instruments..the DD514 had 385...DD516 had 400 Instruments.
Here's a review from 2011   
You'll find more reviews for all versions on Youtube.

EDIT:
Added Links
« Last Edit: November 08, 2023, 07:19:25 PM by Chaser »

Re: How to increase the generated sound volume from a peizo sensor ?
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2023, 11:55:37 PM »
Just out of curiosity, is there an off-brand version of the same module you can get for cheap ?...having a second module solves all problems :-)

Offline Chaser

Re: How to increase the generated sound volume from a peizo sensor ?
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2023, 12:44:44 AM »
There is no such thing as an off-brand of Medeli.
Medeli is the Manufacturer....everything else not branded Medeli is a re-brand of Medeli and there are many and Worldwide licensing depending on where you are located.Medeli re-brands in the US are typically Alesis and a couple others even some Big Box Stores occasionally offered a Medeli re-brand ,but never the same model..in Europe Medeli..Millenium.

In countries where Medeli sells outright they won't offer the model that has been re-branded/licensed by a company.Techtonic,Muza,X-Drum and countless others used this Module which as mentioned before..has been out for over 10 years including under 3 different names by Alesis (DM7X,Nitro,Surge).Alesis has the DD401 under at least 4 names (DMLite/EDRUM TOTAL,DEBUT,TURBO) so there are dozens and dozens of re-brands if not hundreds and companies go out of business or no longer offer it so the cheapest would be used in the marketplace and as mentioned before re-brand depends on location/licensing/territory.
There is no guarantee the features/firmware will be the same from re-brand to re-brand.


Re: How to increase the generated sound volume from a peizo sensor ?
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2023, 09:05:56 PM »
Chaser is indeed the Ultimate Member :-)  8)