9 Things You Need To Know About Drum Triggers

[@Vdrumtips1]

Well summarised. The 1. reason for the “arm on every lug” is minimising unwanted resonance. The centre trigger vibrates after every hit, that leads to unwanted trigger signals from both head and rim piezos. It basically distorts the otherwise clean signal. Second reason is stability: A bar (Especially that thing from Jobeky) bents on every hit. The pickup moves downwards on every hit. Signal is disturbed even more. So you try to adjust this in the module by cancelling retriggering etc, until the pickup range is so much limited that you cannot play very soft hits, not fast hits after each other. If Jobeky would at least use a U-shaped profile like R-drums does, the result would be better. I would have categorised the triggers even more, into: Quality triggers and “DIY solutions out of tool shop parts”. The Roland RT-Triggers, R-Drums Triggers and DDT Triggers are quality solutions. While the rest is just a Saturday afternoon project, labelled as “product”.

[@MarcNevali]

Sir, you are doing a great service explaining this stuff. I really appreciate, thank you

[@schenkevin7]

TRIGGERED!!!

[@dukesworld4111]

I just wanted to thank you for all the great, informative videos. I'm currently in the process of converting my acoustic set to electronic (because I like being on the good side of my neighbors), and both your channel and Vdrum Tips have been great places for all the info I didn't know. I would have never even attempted the conversion until I started watching all the great tips and explanations on here. Keep up the awesome work!

[@pepec52]

Perfect!! 👌🏻 Excellent information, it's only 15 min, but it requires so much time, experience and attemps to learn all of that. It is also perfectly explained!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@shahfacekillah]

I recently converted my acoustic drums to electric. Mesh heads in everything with Roland triggers. Everything plugged into a Ddrum DDTI interface, midi out into my laptop, running on ezdrummer software. It's great in terms of being able to practice at any hour without disturbing anyone, BUT it really takes a lot of time fine tuning everything. Getting the proper head tension, cross talk, retrigger, threshold, sensitivity settings, everything. I've had it for over a month and I'm still making adjustments from time to time. It's a real pain to get everything working the way you want, but once you get it, it's pretty awesome.

[@RachaelAndries]

Like other commenters I just want to thank you for putting out these videos! They are so informative and helpful for learning about every aspect of Edrums. I frequented your channel a lot in 2019 when I was deciding what kit to buy (I ended up getting a td17 kvx) but now want to convert an acoustic kit and I feel like you have video for every question I could ever have about it!

[@simonep2291]

I've recently discovered your channel, you're great man!

[@tonymilone5458]

Nice job explaining all that! Thank you!

[@justus490]

Literally got on craigslist and found the only alesis io anywhere in the city right after watching your video telling me to buy it. Thanks!!

[@Naitsirk808]

Excellent resource, nice work! ☺️👍

[@hughbetcha6922]

Great video - much valuable information. I can see you demonstrated the drum module adjustments on a Roland T-30. Would love to see adjustment capabilities demonstrated on a variety of brands / models. Maybe do a round-up of all the different models of drum modules and their pros/cons. Thank you for your efforts.

[@WayanAristanaPrawira]

Hi Justin, just found this video. Have you ever discussed about compatibility between drum trigger and module? Like drum trigger x can be compatible with which drum module, and vice versa?

[@viskadelayli]

Planning to get myself a trigger for the first time and I'm quite lost in this. However, your video was super helpful - keep it going!

[@dillanhawkins6501]

Great video Justin, I’m an no longer confused about all of the electronic stump in these drums😂

[@timhansen5162]

Absolutely great video! Thank you so much

[@chriscrawford3706]

I have an internal side mount from a company called Convertible Percussions. It works flawless. Very little tweaking needed when I used it with a Roland module.

[@OftheSeven]

Chris - did you use them on the entire kit - kick, snare and toms? I'm thinking of ordering a set.

[@johndef5075]

Im thinking of getting one. If I cant get this rt-30 to work right I will be....

[@johndef5075]

I sold the RT30 and made a Convertible Percussions snare. All functions work well including positional sensing. Great prices and solid simple construction.

[@johndef5075]

If you're handy triggers are fairly easy to assemble. I made a center mount with 2 slotted 90 degree brackets and a shelf bracket I had laying around. Got a Pintech trigger with 1/4 jack for $18 on Amazon. Dirt cheap floor tom and works great even with a 1 ply Silentstroke head though I would recommend 2 ply if possible. Wood crossbars would work too and be easy to make.

[@FranksDrumCave]

Very useful information! I've been looking at possibly doing a A2E, so this will definitely help me get the trigger set correctly

[@DrumsBob]

I'm looking for A2E triggers now. This video was very very helpful, thanks!

[@marcingluza5402]

Thanks a lot Justin. This explains a lot. Love your videos and now building my own A2E drum kit👍👍👍

[@jamestayler2926]

Great video. Really helped me understand triggering. Thanks a lot!

[@TheBonsaiRonin]

Very informative. Thanks for the work you put into your channel. I'll never miss a video

[@65Drums]

Thanks Timothy!

[@cankaya4339]

Thanks for the video helped a lot !

[@JMRSplatt]

Hey, the Roland TM-2 is a FANTASTIC option. Highly suggested. Several sounds, SD card, midi in/out.. 4 inputs, just a great little thing for $200

[@harshadkale3046]

JMRSplatt it has 2 inputs and 2 outputs not 4 inputs

[@zDerezzed]

​@@harshadkale3046 He probably meant it has 2 stereo inputs. 2 physical input jacks that can receive 4 total input signals.

[@johnpietrolaj8917]

I use the Pintech internal trigger bars and they work great! I converted my old Pearl Export set from 1980. I also use a TD-9 module with the Ddrum DDTI trigger interface triggering EZDrummer 2.

[@johnpietrolaj8917]

Excellent tips! It's also something good to refer to at a later time if needed.

[@zachdawson7915]

Thanks I've been needing this video for so long

[@parcoforer3335]

Excellent video ! I just bought a Megadrum module, it does the positional sensing unlike the DDrum DDTI ,also 3 zone cymbals and a bunch of inputs (56) ! Very promising.

[@mickybister3868]

Great video, very good research done! 🙏

[@livemusicalgarve]

Excellent advice, thanks so much.

[@rolandedrummer9723]

I used the stick on type in the early 90s. For me the worked PERFECTLY. Never any problems. triggered acoustic drums into an Alesis D4. Good times. Wish I still had that setup. super easy. Hybrid electric kits are my favorite. 100% electric is WAY too sterile.

[@matthewhewer9032]

Hey Justin! Great video!!! I totally did not know about the mask time witch will help me a lot. I sometimes have the issue you mentioned with the kick triggering that "beater bounce". Thanks!:)

[@rudolphkotze7951]

Fantastic video, thank you

[@AzureCity]

Hey Justin! This is really helpful!

[@ceflo317]

Great points here! Are you also going to talk about electronic diy hihats and cymbals?

[@darkslide6459]

Hey justin i love your channal and you are making mee goot feel to make a conversion. (Sorry fire my bad englisch i am from swiss and not the best writer. Hahah) I have a problem that my triggera v3 settings not the best can you help mee out? My rim triggers not so good i wone have a rim sound and a head sound what can i doo in the settings? And a other question. Can you help mee ore make a video how to do triggersettings in the td27 for the triggera v3. Thanks i hope you can help mee out! Love your channel!❤️

[@tobytoxd]

Very good! Thanks much!!

[@ing.eduardomunizrodriguez3554]

Great info Justin!! I really want to have a real drum conversion, i do have some ALESIS DM10MKII drums hat I’m using right now, the triggers inside looks great or at least more complicated design that the ones from other brands, but I never test other ones, what do you think is better? Take apart the DM10MKII drums and put that triggers inside the new shells with some DIY bars in to the lugs..... Or just buy ITM2 triggers, what do you think will trigger better, with more Dinamics? Thanks!! I really enjoy all your videos!!

[@jackmarch9698]

Very informative video Justin. Do you think the 'hot-spotting" issue with a centre-mounted trigger would be resolved by positioning it offset - somewhere mid-way between the centre and that part of the rim furthest from the drummer? That area of the head is unlikely to get a direct hit and the resultant spike.

[@KingsDenStudios]

Appreciate this! 👊👊

[@docredz3471]

Thanks 4 this video im trying 2 venture on triggers soon.

[@massimoresnati]

thank you very much for the video, very useful to get an exact idea. I am using an old, but still functional ROLAND TD-8 module for the rehearsal room, I am using the ROLAND dual RT-30 triggers, but I am not completely satisfied, I find the way of fixing on the snare rim and with the time creates unwanted vibrations and sounds. What would you use, considering the TD-8 module? Thank you

[@drewlawrence696]

There are also the Yamaha die-cast & chromed rim-mount triggers, which IMO, have the best aesthetic of all the rim-mount triggers :) How about a video-visit to edrums of the 'past'...some of which can still cut-it in the real-world, the Clavia Ddrum 4 for instance ;-) They can also be had for very little money, for those on a budget. In the past I've owned the Alesis DM Pro & DM 5, the Yamaha TMX, Simmons SDS9, Yamaha DTXtreme (I & II), Yamaha DTXpress, etc etc ad infinitum.

[@georgeswca]

Can you use multiple side-mounted triggers (inside the drum) or clip-on triggers and chain them together?

[@bobbyjones2112]

I love your reviews I’m going to convert my acoustics! I just have one suggestion that you update your backdrop. The paneling reminds me of my parents old house in 1968. I’ve been looks nice is just no modern. So I’m not criticizing it I’m just suggesting something cooler..lol

[@n9ne-]

thanks for this great vid!

[@rondeangelis7384]

Very good info all u need to know . Anyone know on the internal side mounted triggers what the distance is from the shell? Fie exampke, Is it the same distance as top mounted triggers like Roland and yamaha?

[@drumervara]

Thank you, really appreciate your content!! Have you ever tried to tape an acoustic head to make it thicker? I was thinking maybe it would improve triggering performance like three-ply mesh heads or something

[@manash5557]

Valuable Info. TnQ Brothr !!

[@GothicDude-mu5qf]

if you want a permanent conversion from acoustic to electronic, you can get four pads out of two toms by cutting the shells in half, and do the same for your floor tom and use the other half of the floor tom as an electronic bass drum by mounting it to a tower.

[@carlupthegrove262]

Thanks...very helpful

[@olliebug1]

Hey Justin and everyone. Have you used Extreme Drums drum triggers? I found them online and talked to Marshall who is the owner I believe. Very nice guy. Just wanted to see if anyone has tried them out and how good they are. Thanks! Josh

[@Mulberry2000]

Thanks for this.

[@FrancoArea51]

Great Tips!!!.

[@naxgaubert7668]

thanks! you have an awesome channel Justin :) One question, are the second and third type of triggers compatible with cross stick hits? I have a td25 module and i want to switch to a bigger snare (but the roland ones are too expensive) thanks again!! have a nice day

[@zakk2bwylde]

Hey Justin!! Great video. Quick question for ya. What brand of module has the lowest latency? Looking to pickup a new module possibly a roland td-27 or alesis strike. What's your thoughts? Cheers

[@nodevit9950]

Great channel, great information. Did you buy your Jobeky triggers from the official UK site? Shipping cost is a bit steep. Did you find another source in north America?

[@nodevit9950]

I ended up buying from uk. No other place to buy jobeky. It's a mom and pop type operation from what I can tell. Bought 3 side triggers and one bar trigger. Shipping was bad, but could not find triggers in Canada

[@gamebred1910]

This also works for double bass triggers? Like OnTrigger, Footblaster etc...?

[@terryreilley]

Just curious - who manufactures the expensive center mount at 2:17?

[@simonep2291]

This video is gold

[@geraldhector2743]

Great info Dude.

[@crackthefoundation_]

Great video thanks

[@mclarkin0906]

have you ever used any of these on Roto Toms?

[@Herm-Jan]

Hey 65Drums! So you explained how to use the triggers with a Module like the one you showed with Roland. But how do you edit the triggering in a softwair like Superior Drummer 3?

[@randyroderick]

I saw that you were using the R-Drums center mount trig on your snare, I was wondering what material would you say the decoupler is made of? Is it like more of a mouse pad feel or like a yoga block? I love all of Rdrums designs but I don't want to pay for the overseas shipping so I'm trying to recreate them as close as possible. Thanks!

[@jpcuellar2597]

Awesome video, but I have a maybe odd question. I just bought a Roland SPD-SX with a RT-30K kick trigger. If I wanted to practice using that setup, is there a way I can set up the kick trigger on something (quieter) other than my bass drum?

[@jerejones2798]

There are non-permanent "contact gels" (used with medical "T.E.N.S. units) for attaching therapeutic contact pads to skin. Appling this gel to the contact sensor greatly improves transference efficiency between trigger and head/shell.

[@arthurdoctolero8813]

Would you recommend applying an internal snare trigger on a tom-tom? I'd like to have a tom-tom with a cowbell or other effects. Thanks!

[@robertlucas9867]

Great video Justin.

[@65Drums]

Thanks Robert!

[@cosaosa2855]

The dual snare triggers....does this mean you get a clear difference between a rim click alone, and a rim shot along with the snare? Do they require 2 cables

[@KTsStory3517]

Great info...thanks!

[@shane4494]

Have you had any experience with Magnatrack drum triggers and symbols? They look very interesting.

[@65Drums]

Yeah I bought some, and I returned them to get my money back. They stopped being sensitive 2 weeks in. Also the magnet wasn't strong enough to stay together on a 3ply mesh heads

[@gustavo-toledo]

Hey Justin, Thanks for the info, super helpful as usual. I’m having issues with my TD-9 + RT-30HR with 14in Roland powerply head on a Yamaha acoustic snare. It works well during the setup/testing phase but when I’m actually playing it some of the snare hits don’t make any sounds (I’m guessing those are then harder hits). I’ve changed settings quite a lot of times but still can’t figure out what’s wrong. Head is tight (not necessarily tuned but taut all across. Any thoughts? Thanks

[@jsgutierrezgomez]

Hey Justin, thanks for the great video! I just finished my DIY conversion project and although everything turned out pretty ok so far, the triggering of my snare rim is a problem at the moment. I have a Intrigg Triggera trigger, a Drumtec Real Feel mesh head and R-Drums rubber rim protection. Before I added the rubber rim protection, the rim was triggering quite well, now of course it doesn't work because the rubber rim actually does a great job decreasing rim hit volume but it also decreases the force that you hit the rim with and now the module does not pick up the rim shot or rim click, only if I hit it very very hard. I've played with the settings quite a bit but cannot find a way to fix it. I have a TD17 module, I was thinking to put something between the snare edge and the rubber so that the hit is transfered to the snare shell better. Have you had trouble with this before? Any advices would be highly appreciated it :)

[@LeahStorm]

Great info, well organized, interesting and helpful. Plus cute dude. ;)

[@SpiffaJ]

I have silentstroke head and use foam padding and that seems to do the trick. No retriggering and perfect response for buzz rolls even. Do I therefore even need Roland two or three ply??

[@adriansmith3008]

Do you know if these triggers work with an accoustic head with a mute pad on top like an evans sound off?? Or does it not vibrate enough to trigger

[@mrjenybean]

Made my own centre mount trigger (not a drummer but more a techie) on a Roland TD-11 and tbh my homemade trigger on an old snare with a mesh head works better than a roland pad and it cost me about £10 in parts to do the conversion / make...

[@gabs.music_ok]

Hey there.. I have a problem with my Roland RT30 trigger.. when I use it on my snare drum (either with mesh heads or with regular heads) it doesn´t produce any sound when I hit a rimshot. I can see the light on the module popping up, so clearly it is receiving a signal from the actual stroke, but again, no sound comes out of it. I'm using Ableton Live to play some nicer drum samples. FYI, I do get different velocities while playing normally. I'm really struggling to find a solution!! Keep up the great videos!!

[@ItsMeScareCro]

I've got a set of DDrums that have the triggers built into the shell and it runs out using a XLR. I bought them from a friend and he basically turned it into an electronic kit, stuffed the shells, put a couple layers of mesh heads on them. When I bought them, I put acoustic heads back on them, but the triggers got messed up and need to be replaced. He made the inside mounts where the trigger hits the center of the drum, he did a killer job on that, pretty much like the one you showed. Any suggestion on what type/size of piezo I should use? And as far as the foam for the trigger, think the felt from a cymbal would work?

[@andrewdcruz439]

How hard/dense is the foam used to cover the piezo? I'm trying to make my own internally mounted triggers as a DIY hobby.

[@JCool4U]

Can converting an acoustic kit be as good as the new VAD706? Or are electronic drum triggers that much better?

[@pehuensecches2548]

yeaa men, this is the video that i was looking for

[@ralphcalkins7409]

i'm thinking of getting DDrum red shot triggers for my acoustic set, will i be able to plug this in to my td17 drum module?

[@JaviXT]

Thank you so much!

[@SuperReelmccoy]

I have a Simmons SDMP1 That won't trigger in the KICk or HH inputs with most triggers but some with a half Click. What do I need to do to use these. It has two more inputs for triggers which work with my kick and HH but I would like to use them for ride and crash cymbals.

[@markkeneson6806]

What works best for triggering on an acoustic drum kit. In other words, triggering off of mylar heads to use live for mixing the actual acoustic sound of the drums with electronic sounds from a module or some such source? I have no interest in using mesh heads.

[@itz_vortex7341]

Justin, can these triggers work on regular drum heads? like not mesh.

[@65Drums]

Yes, but triggers will always be a bit more accurate on mesh heads because they don't vibrate as much as mylar heads

[@itz_vortex7341]

@@65Drums nicee! thanks for the feedback justin

[@peterschmidt1936]

Hey Justin, if price wasn’t an issue, which trigger system would you go with. You mentioned at one point that you’re leaning towards using the internal side mounted. Does that still hold true?

[@65Drums]

I prefer center mounted most of the time now if the trigger is well built.

[@rolftrenner2486]

Hi Justin. What do you think about the Magnatrack Trigger for Cymbals. For example Zildjian low 80 with a Roland TD-20 Module. Thanks and Best wishes Rolf

[@ddarind1]

I converted our Churches Zildjian Gen 16s with the Magnatrack triggers and they work great.

[@jpswissnut1849]

If you have a sample pad, can you plug in the trigger to the sample pad to choose which sound you want it to make?

[@notnerd3]

Depends on the sample pad

[@MrCinek80]

Hi Justin! Do you have any experience with the Roland RT-30HR trigger on the Alesis Strike module? I have just converted my Yamaha Stage Custom kit and even I used a dual zone trigger for the snare when I hit the rim I can’t get a nice and clean cross stick sound. It sounds the same as the snare head centre. I set up correct X stick sound in the snare rim voice but for sure something is wrong. Can you advice how to fix this problem???

[@nielswil]

One question about the "stealth" trigger, when it's connected on the inside of the drum, doesn't it react when you hit the shell or the rim?

[@4bladesofglory]

Depends on sensitivity settings. If set correctly to contact only inside head this would be fine.

[@mrkevelev]

I have a 20 inch kick drum with a Pintech dual mesh head. I've had difficulty getting consistent triggers. I tried the internal cone-type trigger and then bought a Roland RT-30K rim mount trigger made for kick drums, but that is difficult to mount due to the rounded edge of the kick drum. Does a tighter mesh usually mean better trigger response? I know the problem is with the trigger mounting because if I hit the actual trigger case, I hear a sound every time. I find I have to stomp on the pedal very hard to get a trigger, something I don't want to do. I'm thinking about getting something else, and I like the KD-A22 that you talked about, but is there one for a 20 inch drum? What other options do I have?

[@solosection4524]

Can you use a dual trigger if your drum kit doesn’t support dual zone pads??

[@michaelmittelsdorf]

Below please find links to inexpensive piezo contact pickups (triggers) with instrument cable connectors for your DIY acoustic to electric percussion projects. I can not vouch for the durability, impedance, performance or connectivity of any of these products. But for those of you who are purchasing (like myself) or who already own an electronic drum module these pickups (triggers) are already wired to connect to the single zone trigger inputs of many of the drum modules available today! Find the one(s) that best apply to your project! Enjoy! Thanks Justin for all the information and inspiration!

[@carlemilflores]

If i am converting an acoustic to electronic drumset but not concerned about the sound as i am purely recording midi, will the brand of drum module matter? Because alesis/ddrum modules are cheaper than roland, but not sure if the quality and pad settings will matter

[@Ronnytrials]

Center internal trigger cant be moved a little bit more to the side? To avoid hot spot?

[@gatlinproduction]

Need some advice. What advantage do I have if I already own the Roland TD50K Sound module? Can I just buy tiggers for my acoustic drums and will that work for recording into my DAW

[@notnerd3]

You can use an interface to capture sound from your drum module and put that in your DAW. This will be cheaper than using a VST and if your sounds are already good it is probably a decent option. The main downside is that you won't be able to adjust any of the sounds and EQ for individual drums after they have been recorded so if you decide your snare sounds a little bit too boxy, you are screwed because you haven't got a recording of just the snare, just left and right channels.