SamplePad Pro

[Iggford]

Ok, so I have taken an unexpected direction in the last couple of weeks.  My band was playing a show over the weekend, and it was a shared stage/drum kit situation.  We had worked out a deal to get the acoustic set off and my Strike on stage for our part.  We were the headlining band, so we had the last time slot. 

As what I thought was kind of a short-sighted move at the time, I got a good deal on a SamplePad Pro, and transferred all my "electronic" sounds and effects to it from my Strike.  It allowed me to use the shared kit on Saturday, and everything worked pretty well for the most part. 

In the middle of all of this, my wife surprised me with a brand new Tama Superstar Classic acoustic kit.  I've now decided to use it for playing out, along with the SamplePad, and leave my Strike set up for practice at home. 

The problem with this is that, with the SamplePad, there were certain songs we have where it was a bit hard to get to the pad in time, as I had it set up to the left of the hi-hat.  I like this position for it, and it did work for most of what we were playing.  I thought about using a couple of my electronic pads for some placement near my snare, but I've also been looking at the Roland BT-1 bar triggers.  I really like the fact that they just attach to the side of the snare and kind of "hug" the rim, and I think this would work much better for me.

Has anyone by chance used these with the SamplePad Pro?  Is there any reason why they shouldn't work?  I don't want to invest in two of them just to find out they're not compatible. 

Thanks in advance!

[Chaser]

The BT-1 was designed for Roland modules.I don't think you are going to have much luck using it with the SamplePad Pro.
It is single zone...Piezo/Switch (cymbal) that uses a TRS input.
The SamplePad Pro External inputs... Kick,Hihat,Foot switch and Pad2 are all TS...only Pad 1 is TRS and I seen no mention of the ability to switch Trigger Types in the User Guide.
Years ago Hellfire designed something similar HF-1 Zero XTalk Bar Trigger (DIY) for Alesis modules.
other options would the cymbal stand mounted types like the Pintech Nimrod etc..Pintech has a few different bar triggers..some are on sale at Amazon for 1/2 the price BT-1..as always with Amazon check feedback as sometimes the image isn't the same product you receive.
You just missed a blow out for the Pintech NR6-B

[Iggford]

I was kind of afraid it was going to be an issue. 

There is a switch on the back of the unit for one or two of the inputs, but I haven't had a chance to dig too far into it.  I thought about taking the unit around to some local places to see if they would be willing to let me test it, but again, time has escaped me coming up on the holidays. 

I do like the price of the Pintech triggers a lot more, I just like the placement options of the BT-1 more.  But, if I have to go a different route, it is what it is.  I haven't set the new kit up yet, so I haven't been able to get a comfortable setup, so I still feel like I've got some flexibility.

I'll report back once I settle on an option!

Thanks for the input!

[Chaser]

I was kind of afraid it was going to be an issue. 

There is a switch on the back of the unit for one or two of the inputs, but I haven't had a chance to dig too far into it.  I thought about taking the unit around to some local places to see if they would be willing to let me test it, but again, time has escaped me coming up on the holidays. 

I do like the price of the Pintech triggers a lot more, I just like the placement options of the BT-1 more.  But, if I have to go a different route, it is what it is.  I haven't set the new kit up yet, so I haven't been able to get a comfortable setup, so I still feel like I've got some flexibility.

I'll report back once I settle on an option!

Thanks for the input!

The switches in the back are for the Kick (switch type pedal or piezo pad)..the Hi Hat (variable or on/off-open closed).
The BT-1 Piezo/Switch/TRS is a combination where the switch reads velocity off the piezo..in an Alesis module it might just fire at full signal/velocity but needing the whole TRS input.
You could re-wire it to match Hellfire's schematic..I have never had one or taken one apart so I couldn't tell you if you could simply add resistors and use the existing jack or if it would be easier to change to a TS jack...either way after re-wiring you could then use a splitter and only use one input for (2) BT-1's..
You are a performing musician so it may be worth the $200 cost and extra parts/labor for the added comfort/ease of use..just write it off..

[Iggford]

Great points!  I do want something I can be comfortable with for a while rather than switching out and compromising. 

If it were a case of firing off at full velocity, that wouldn't be a problem for me, as the samples I would typically assign to the are going to be one-shot samples that I would want playing at a consistent level anyway. 

I've taken a glance at the schematic by Hellfire, and it makes sense to me.  Even if some rewiring is needed, it may well be worth doing.  I think I'll expand my local search to see if anyone is letting go of a used trigger.  Then, I wouldn't feel quite as bad if I messed something up!!

[Chaser]

Great points!  I do want something I can be comfortable with for a while rather than switching out and compromising. 

If it were a case of firing off at full velocity, that wouldn't be a problem for me, as the samples I would typically assign to the are going to be one-shot samples that I would want playing at a consistent level anyway. 

I've taken a glance at the schematic by Hellfire, and it makes sense to me.  Even if some rewiring is needed, it may well be worth doing.  I think I'll expand my local search to see if anyone is letting go of a used trigger.  Then, I wouldn't feel quite as bad if I messed something up!!

I don't know where you are located but there is a used one (looks to be still in wrapping) at the Guitar Center/Detroit for $49.99..and one at Guitar Center Nashville for 59.99 ...I would make sure all accessories/mounts are included..

[Hellfire]

Great points!  I do want something I can be comfortable with for a while rather than switching out and compromising. 

If it were a case of firing off at full velocity, that wouldn't be a problem for me, as the samples I would typically assign to the are going to be one-shot samples that I would want playing at a consistent level anyway. 

I've taken a glance at the schematic by Hellfire, and it makes sense to me.  Even if some rewiring is needed, it may well be worth doing.  I think I'll expand my local search to see if anyone is letting go of a used trigger.  Then, I wouldn't feel quite as bad if I messed something up!!

If you do decide to rewire a BT-1, please share what you did in the DIY section (if it works of course). Heck, even if it doesn't work. I might have to make a HF-1 after the holidays. It's been a long time for that project. I almost forgot about it. Thanks Chaser!

[Chaser]

Great points!  I do want something I can be comfortable with for a while rather than switching out and compromising. 

If it were a case of firing off at full velocity, that wouldn't be a problem for me, as the samples I would typically assign to the are going to be one-shot samples that I would want playing at a consistent level anyway. 

I've taken a glance at the schematic by Hellfire, and it makes sense to me.  Even if some rewiring is needed, it may well be worth doing.  I think I'll expand my local search to see if anyone is letting go of a used trigger.  Then, I wouldn't feel quite as bad if I messed something up!!

If you do decide to rewire a BT-1, please share what you did in the DIY section (if it works of course). Heck, even if it doesn't work. I might have to make a HF-1 after the holidays. It's been a long time for that project. I almost forgot about it. Thanks Chaser!

A lot of these "old projects" are still relevant today...
I remember seeing THE E-RIMRISER at NAMM 2012..a year before the BT-1...for the most part it didn't take off....looks a little too "DIY" for $59.99...there has to be crosstalk/triggering problems.. etc.
You can buy just the RIMRISER now ($19.99) and there is a wood version ($49.99)..