unofficial 2box forum

other drumming & musical stuff => e-drum DIY / modifications => Topic started by: edtc on May 19, 2012, 05:33:23 PM

Title: side mounted triggers VS crossbar
Post by: edtc on May 19, 2012, 05:33:23 PM
I m using a Roland PDX-8 for some times and really like it .... 

as the foam/piezo is located on the side , there is no hotspot  and trigger is even and dynamic .  They work a bit like 2BOX design , exept the piezo is under the foam . Unless other Roland designs , It s not a  foam cone but a 15MMx15mm round cylinder , located close to the edge , facing the player ...

2box put the piezo between the foam and the meshhead so they had to put something that prevents you to hit the piezo directly and destroy it ... 

With the PDX-8 there is no need to protect the sensor , as the angle prevents you to hit it , and also, it s under the foam , so not as fragile ...


So i decided to redo my toms sensors using the roland PDX-8 design , but with a 27mm Piezo , and a 27mmX16mm foam cylinder ...  I installed it on a "donut like" round piece of 6mm  MDF wood  , fixed on 3 lugs with small L bars ( insulated with rubber washers )

I also put foam all around the 3/4 of the tom , like on 2BOX toms , to damp the meshhead and avoid double triggering ....

Exept cutting the round piece of wood well , it s quite easy to do , and the result os much better that with the center piezo/cone design i use to have ....

I ll post some pics when i will have the final design ...
Title: Re: side mounted triggers VS crossbar
Post by: edtc on May 19, 2012, 06:07:16 PM
here is a pic of the PDX-8 and the 10" converted tom ...

(http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/157736IMGP1121.jpg) (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=157736IMGP1121.jpg)
Title: Re: side mounted triggers VS crossbar
Post by: Murgen on May 19, 2012, 06:13:56 PM
Just a question ... I wonder. A 10 inch 2-Box pad costs 137 euro at Thomann in Germany where a PDX-8 costs 189 euro. Unless you have a supply of PDX-8's, what is the benefit besides the cover to protect the piezo on the 2-Box pads?

I tried the PDX-8 on my former Roland TD-3 but disliked the big 2 inch wide ring between head and rim. Bought a 2nd hand PD-125 and live happily ever after until Prince 2-Box came in my life ;) 

Title: Re: side mounted triggers VS crossbar
Post by: digitalDrummer on May 19, 2012, 10:53:29 PM
Quote from: edtc on May 19, 2012, 06:24:43 PM
I didnt pay 190€ for it....  i had it almost for nothing , i bought a really cheap   second hand TD4 kit , sold the pads , hh controller and module ( exept the PDX-8 ), because i needed the rack parts and the cymbals for my DIY kit ... 

I dont have any 2box gear exept the module ....

I agree that the 2" ring is not so cool , but i found it s easier to use this one rather than making a DIY 8" pad .... 8" toms are quite rare and then are expensive , they are also less compact than a PDX-8 or PD-85 ....

Also , i use it as a tom , not as my main snare ... for this i have a 13" converted pearl snare  with a centered cone trigger ...

As an alternative to the donut, what about a simple L-bracket mount like the one detailed here: http://www.digitaldrummermag.com/Resources.html
Obviously, it doesn't have to be as long, and the trigger can be positioned closer to the rim.
Title: Re: side mounted triggers VS crossbar
Post by: Murgen on May 20, 2012, 06:20:47 AM
Thank you for the explaination, edtc. Never realized the donut shape has so many advantages.
Title: Re: side mounted triggers VS crossbar
Post by: edtc on May 21, 2012, 11:12:12 AM
Quote from: Murgen on May 20, 2012, 06:20:47 AM
Thank you for the explaination, edtc. Never realized the donut shape has so many advantages.

Circles are magic ;) !!!