DIY Metal Electronic Hihat A2E Conversion

Before I get lit up in the comments THIS DOESN'T DESTROY YOUR ACOUSTIC HAT. ITS COMPLETELY REVERSIBLE :)
Few folks inquired as to how I made my hi-hat; here's my process. This was going to be a real quick video, but as I was going through it, I realized there's some nuance that can easily be overlooked or oversimplified in explanation. The process can be applied to making A2E crash cymbals with bow/edge/choke as well. This is just my method, there may be a better way out there. So If you have any questions or different ideas on how to accomplish the same thing or similar, please drop it in the comments section. Hopefully this can help someone out there. Thanks for watching!

[@LaneMilesMusic]

I think the short you were experiencing and likely to experience again are from the inside of the clutch hole shorting between both cymbals. You could drill the lower of the top hats out and install a rubber grommet there to prevent this. This would explain why it worked fine with the clutch taken off. Cool video though. Hope to try and make a set of a2e cymbals soon myself.

[@EqDior]

This was a fantastic video. I've always known how to create single zones, but this vid made everything else so much more clear to understand.!

[@ArgonautDrums]

Glad it could help you out! 🤘

[@robtpc]

I added 2mm thick rubber washer between the two layer of the cymbals so it would not crush no matter how tight I cranked it

[@ArgonautDrums]

That's a good idea, I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!

[@matthiasedwards294]

Thank you for this video! Saved! Will try my best to replicate it!

[@ArgonautDrums]

Good luck with your build!

[@jungleb]

You are a legend!! Thanks for sharing

[@cmatte82]

You might have been shorting through the clutch. I’m thinking a plastic sleeve over the clutch might help.

[@ArgonautDrums]

Good call out, or maybe a rubber grommet 🤔

[@cmatte82]

@@ArgonautDrums not a bad idea either.

[@imaguandaloops]

Thanks for the vid. So you get both edge and bow sounds from this setup? Thanks.

[@ArgonautDrums]

That's correct 👍

[@imaguandaloops]

Hi, I was wondering if you could clear something up for me please. Using your build, when I have my foot pressed all the way down on the hi-hat pedal this would activate the switch (close the circuit) right? Is this what I want? I mean, if I have my hi-hats closed and hit the edge, this would trigger the edge sound in my module or vst? Also, why do you use four piezos? I assume the hi-hat wouldn't be spinning/rotating right? Wouldn't the cable get all wrapped around the hi-hat rod? Thanks in advance!

[@ArgonautDrums]

You still want to maintain that small gap when you close the hats, that way you can still play the bow zone with the hats closed. I used 4 piezos because I play all over the place, and my hats do sometimes spin on me :)

[@ArgonautDrums]

@@Ed-iw7ls if your cymbals touch when you close the hats with the pedal, you'll get mistriggering on the edge and bow zone because the switch will be stuck on (like it's always choked). If you maintain a gap while it's closed, but the gap closes momentarily and only when you strike it, then you will have correct edge and bow zones for open and closed.

[@imaguandaloops]

How is the hotglue holding out holding up to extended pounding?

[@ArgonautDrums]

I've had one come off on one side, probably didn't have enough glue. But reinforced it with 'shoe goo' just in case.

[@imaguandaloops]

@@ArgonautDrums Thanks for the reply. Getting ready to try a version of this soon. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@ArgonautDrums]

@@imaguandaloops sure thing, good luck with the build!

[@TheLeftistOwl]

so is the switch controlling edge hits? Is there no better way to implement it on a hi-hat?

[@ArgonautDrums]

If you don't care about dual zone, you can get away with a single piezo for bow, then set bow to the edge sound in your module. If you want both zones, you need a switch.

[@TheLeftistOwl]

@@ArgonautDrums I might just get the membrane switch and put it on top and hide it with a rubber rim

[@ArgonautDrums]

@@TheLeftistOwl that'll work too :)

[@imaguandaloops]

What size piezos did you use?

[@ArgonautDrums]

I typically use 27mm

[@imaguandaloops]

@@ArgonautDrums Thanks!

[@ZPaulCenti]

the diagram sets you apart!

[@ArgonautDrums]

Lol thanks. Only took me 3 times to make it 😅

[@gordiew8981]

No sound demos???? Can you prove it works??? Not a very good video.

[@ArgonautDrums]

No need to be unkind, I'm just trying to help everyone 😕. The last 4 videos I posted use them.

[@roynichol3751]

What are u talking about dude? You don’t even need a high school diploma to understand ! Great job with the explanation 😊