R.E.D.box, Velocity from a Cymbal Switch Zone

[HellfireDrums]

For those that don't know a Pearl REDbox can't generate a velocity value from a Cymbal Switch like a Roland or Yamaha module can. Well, I solved this issue. The catch is that you must build your own cymbal trigger for it to work, but when you are done, you will have a true dual zone cymbal with a piezo/switch type trigger (and get velocity from both zones). Let me get some technical stuff out of the way first. I only tested this on an Alesis DM10 module (as I don't own a REDbox), but for those that don't know the REDbox is based on the same hardware as the Alesis DM10. After looking through the manual of the Pearl REDbox, I see no reason why this trigger wouldn't function the same on both the Alesis and Pearl modules.

Here's the video that I did showing this:

Alesis DM10, Pearl REDbox Velocity Switch Triggering

Full details of this can be found on my Hellfiredrums.com website:

Alesis DM10, Pearl REDbox Velocity Switch Zone

I was just thinking, This could possibly be used to solve the lack of velocity on the rim triggers with the True Track heads as well.

Additional Information:

I tested this with an Alesis Trigger I/O and I'm happy to report that it works great.

[dis330]

Send this to Bob Sebelico. Pearl needs to see this.

[HellfireDrums]

Thanks for the suggestion dis330.

I really thought there would have been more interest in this.

[dis330]

HFD,

Most guys here do not go as deep into the electronic side as you. I really enjoy your website. Plearl needs to put you on their ePro design team payroll.

Keep posting here as I read it all.

Cliff aka dis330

[RobDrummer]

HFD,
This is great news! I am use to the yamie cymbals and believe they are the way to go for e cymbals. I will give this a go. What cymbal do you recon to use for it?

Rob

[HellfireDrums]

HFD,
This is great news! I am use to the yamie cymbals and believe they are the way to go for e cymbals. I will give this a go. What cymbal do you recon to use for it?

Rob

I don't think you can use any off the shelf ecymbals for this to work. I tried modding a Roland CY-6 and could not get it to work. I think it has to do with the type of material the switches are made out of on those commercial ecymbals. That is why I had a total DIY ecymbal in that video above. There are many ways to build ecymbals. I know Vdrums.com has many different designs by people posted over there. I hope that helps.

[RobDrummer]

HFD,

So does that mean you can't butcher a commercial cymbal. So even the piezo is different? What I mean is can I grab a Roland cymbal, gut it, an replace it with DIY switches?

[HellfireDrums]

HFD,

So does that mean you can't butcher a commercial cymbal. So even the piezo is different? What I mean is can I grab a Roland cymbal, gut it, an replace it with DIY switches?

Has nothing to do with the piezo. As I stated above, it has to do with the commercial material used for the switches. If you want to try modding a Roland cymbal, have at it. That seems like a costly experiment to me. I can't guarantee it will work.

The switches would need to be changes out and the cymbal would need to be rewired. Taking apart a commercial cymbal is not always easy. It depends on which cymbal you have. As an example, a Roland CY-6 is glued together at the edge switch. It isn't coming apart. Good luck DIY'ing switches that will fix inside a commercial cymbal. As I stated above, I tried a Roland CY-6. When I say that, I mean I just tried to rewire the cymbals electronics to match my wiring diagram. I figured, it already has a switch, so why shouldn't work (which is what I assume you are saying to yourself). I had no problem doing that, but the cymbals switch edge didn't function as I thought it should. Basically, it was not consistent in its triggering. Every other hit wouldn't trigger the edge. Maybe you will have better success then I did. I hope that helps.