drum-tec GrooveDot Review | Single & Dual Zone Side Triggers

In-depth review of the drum-tec GrooveDot triggers, testing the dual & single zone versions on the Roland TD-50X, TD-27, TD-17, Pearl Mimic Pro, eDRUMin 10, 2Box DrumIt 5 MKII and Alesis Strike modules.
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Compatible with
► Roland TD-50X, TD-50, TD-27, TD-17, SPD-SX, SPD-S, TM-6 PRO, TM-2, TM-1* & RT-MicS*
► Alesis Strike Module (instrument files included), Strike Multipad
► dbdrums nPad, G4M DD90 Digipad and HXW PD-705
► Yamaha DTX-PROX, DTX-PRO, DTX-Multi 12, EAD10
► Pearl Mimic Pro
► Steven Slate Trigger 2 (.tci files included)
► Gear4Music DD90 Digipad
► dbdrums nPad
► ddrum NIO Percussion Pad
► HXW Avatar PD-705
► Millennium NonaPad
► Ashley DME 705
& any module that supports 44.1kHz, 16-bit stereo .wav samples with a layering function
*TM-1 & RT-MicS may require additional software to load samples
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[@sammcdouall4849]

Hi Luke I tested some different triggers with my 2Box Drumit 5 mk1 and Roland TD11 modules with my diy snare and kept them there after the test. So my snare has 3 dual zone triggers now with 3 outputs. The 2 edge triggers (top left, top right) plugged into two 2Box inputs and the least sensitive centre trigger is plugged into the TD11. The top left edge trigger is the most sensitive it's a 35mm Quartz Percussion (I play ghost notes on the left). The top right edge trigger is from Extreme Drums, it doesn't pick up my lightest hits (I play more loud accents on the right). I usual have the same DSDN file in the top right trigger but tuned up 0.1, decay between 1 - 2.2 and with less volume. The least sensitive third centre trigger is from 27mm Quartz Percussion plugged into my Td11. My kick drum is plugged into a guitar ABY (Leem AB-200) pedal with two outputs to both modules. This setup has great layered fat kick sounds and diy positional sensing for the 2Box - TD11 snare sounds. Please note only the snare and kick are plugged into the TD11 and the sounds are quiet dry. When selecting different TD11 kits it quickly changes the layered sounds. Please do some videos about these two diy layering methods and maybe one about diy 3 zone snare for 2Box users (adding a switch for cross stick?). Thanks for the great reviews.

[@vick7141]

Thanks for the review. Roland head trigger basket for the snare, Groove Dots for the toms, maybe Roland KD-A22 for the bass. Jury is out on that one (Bass) there might be a better alternative.

[@iplaywithsticks6194]

Well done. Would like to see you include Yamaha modules in the future (DTX Extreme III/900, DTX-PROX, DTX-PRO).

[@TheeDrumWorkshop]

If I had them I would! Unfortunately I don't have the budget to own every module (plus it takes me ages to do a single review video now 😅), but hopefully I can get at least one of them in the workshop in the future.

[@mikestein1024]

Love your stuff Luke what do you think about me using the AD5 for cymbals minus the hats and the mimic for everything else with a small mixer ? Also you seemed satisfied with the single zone bass drum trig right ?

[@TheeDrumWorkshop]

Thank you! If you like the cymbals from the aD5 then that sounds like a good solution! Personally I have no issues with the Mimic cymbals but I remember liking the ATV ones quite a lot. Yeah, the single zone kick trigger was great. I basically left that as just the demo and "this is good" because I had no issues with it at all. The only considerations are the usual ones like making sure the settings are cancelling double hits if your pedal is doing that etc, but that's the case for all kick triggers.

[@wesgunst3829]

Did you add any padding/filling inside the bass drum to help improve the feel and reduce bounce?

[@TheeDrumWorkshop]

No, I just used the head and patch. I had a bit of foam stuck to the reso head, but that was just to stop it from resonating. Edit - I did have the bass drum head slacker than the toms/snare though, that was for feel.

[@dimakeylin]

I figured out how to get the Strike to work with third party pads. It is necessary to completely isolate the head zone from the rim zone. I bought a custom floating trigger system(for A2E conversion) and the rim works well. Not perfect, but close to it. If someone has questions about it, I can send photos of the trigger

[@steevidrums]

Nice work Luke! My days are spent wondering when your next video (or Justin's) is coming! PS, I assume you got the Tom rim shot articulation on the Mimic from an imported sound or triggered into a Roland Module?

[@TheeDrumWorkshop]

Thanks Steve! I just used another tom for the rimshot - picked a lower one from a different tom set, tuned it to be closer and slapped a high shelf EQ on it to give it more attack!

[@steevidrums]

@@TheeDrumWorkshop Ah I see so it was the mimic after all.. Yeah I faked a rimshot by copying the tom to a midi slot but processed it differently. If I recall, I added more hi-end eq, more aggressive compression, shortend the decay and pitched it up a little. In the grand scheme of things, it sounded like a rimshot!

[@prod_adrian]

Nice one, man! PS: When is the metal drum pack coming for TD27😀Practising some metal songs for a drum cover, waiting for the right sound 😛

[@TheeDrumWorkshop]

Thank you 🙏 I don't have a date for it at the moment, but I'm just putting the finishing touches on the 50X version. Once that's out the door, I'll move onto the 27!

[@prod_adrian]

@@TheeDrumWorkshop Perfect, I'll be waiting 😏

[@codersexpo1580]

@@prod_adrian If you have the money get Superior Drummer with Death & Darkness. Look for sales too they come quite often.

[@prod_adrian]

@@codersexpo1580 Obviously Vsts are the end game, but too much hassle to set up and connect IMO. Also heavy on the cpu and latency... I like the finished sample kits. Plug and Play

[@roadwarriorroadwarrior8160]

Hey Luke I'm struggling to create my acoustic drumset into a E set I'm interested to buy these triggers but I'm afraid to not get what I want.. I mean the sound effects double zones ecc.. can I contact you on your personal profile so I can send you all the specifications I want.. btw thank you ✌🏻

[@graemelaw5808]

👍👍 good info. unrelated-- do you know if jobeky do a hi-hat controller on its own ? ive tried contact 3 times asking the question & got nothing !! thought you might know off the top of ya nut 🙏

[@mikedrennan5827]

Do you have any recommendations on trigger settings for these and the groove bars using Mimic Pro? I’m struggling 🫤 thank you!

[@Tom-sd2vi]

They should have the bracket open on the bottom side like jobeky's. Much better compatibility. The Jobdeky's is basically identical with better compatibility for a quarter of the price so while this drumtec one looks nice, it should not be considered for the price it costs in my opinion.

[@johndef5075]

Im using a Roland rt10k and getting better results than I expected. Anyone considering a conversion I would recommend it. Went from a td20 to conversion and it just feels better with full sizes. Especially 20" bass drum. I just got the 310 Speed Cobra double similar to yours. Almost too fast😅. I have to actually restrain myself a little. Just made my own e cowbell with one I had laying around too.

[@TheeDrumWorkshop]

Nice! Glad you're getting what you want from it!

[@manowar4046]

what are drum triggers for?

[@TheeDrumWorkshop]

In simple terms, they pick up the vibrations of your hits and translate them to an electrical signal which then lets you "trigger" sounds from an electronic drum module or another device like a sample pad. In this video, I'm using them purely for picking up my hits to play sounds from my electronic drums, which is why I've paired them with mesh drums heads (much quieter and more "controlled" vibrations). Sometimes people will use them on their acoustic kits too, a combination usually referred to as "hybrid drums" these days. You'll typically still get the full sound of the drum (with a small amount of muffling applied by the trigger making contact with the head), but the signal being sent to the drum module or sample pad will either be blended with the acoustic sound as a layer or it might just fully replace it in the case of some genres like metal where you want a consistent kick sound. I hope that helps!

[@manowar4046]

@@TheeDrumWorkshop yeah thanks.

[@mikestein1024]

Seems like the m4 screw problem is a big problem with their stuff

[@florianhensel8097]

hi 👋 im seeking some Support :) Maybe you guys can help me 🎉 Im currently converting an Old Accoustic drumset into an Electric and im kinda lost with the complete Topic Triggers... Im on a Budget so im up for the sweetspot beween Pricy and good Triggering results. So im in the Markt for a 4 pc set for max 150 to 200 €. My Shell sizes are 12" 14" 16" 22" Bd. What would you recommend? My drum module is the Alesis strike pro So Thanks for your Response LG Flo

[@djashjones]

Since Brexit ordering hardware from Drum-tec is really expensive. UPS are just ripping us off.

[@TheeDrumWorkshop]

Yeah, I've stopped ordering as much because of the process and fees, which is a shame.