[sdiy] percussion sensors?

[Theo]

The FSR sensors are available from www.conrad.de
The cheapest (small) ones about 5 Euro, still not the cheapest sensors out
there.

Theo


----- Original Message -----
From: harrybissell <harrybissell at prodigy.net>
To: <DrumBoy5 at aol.com>
Cc: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2003 11:12 PM
Subject: Re: [sdiy] percussion sensors?


> Hiya DrumBoy5... welcome to delurk mode :^P
>
> Another possible solution would be Force Sensing Resistors from
> Interlink
> Electronics... unfortunately only available as an "FSR design kit" for
> about
> $90 USA (including shipping).
>
> They have a good selection of small, medium, and large area sensors...
> as
> well as some ribbon-like strips.  They vary resistance with force, so
> they would
> give a trigger and aftertouch with suitable electronics.
>
> I made two kick-drum 'pads' with them... they were very effective. I
> mounted them to
> an aluminum plate and covered with the rubber sheet included in the
> kit...
>
> A very expensive solution to a simple problem.  I'm now using Piezos
> underneath
> cut down "Gladstone Pads"  (a jazz-era snare drum accessory)
>
> H^) harry
>
> DrumBoy5 at aol.com wrote:
>
> > Hey
> >
> > I've been lurking for a while but this is the first post I think I've
> > made...
> >
> > Anyway, there are a number of people who do DIY drum trigger pads
> > (being a drummer and engineer, I naturally had to try it).
> >
> > There are free plans on these sites:
> >
> > http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/1995_articles/diydrumpad.htm
> > http://www.electronicdrums.com/
> >
> > This is probably one of the best sites on homemade electronic drum
> > triggers:
> > http://www.derksens.com/Beatnik_mirror.htm
> >
> > I know you don't want to build "real drums", but the principle is the
> > same.  You can get piezo triggers (maybe a couple of bucks each, at
> > least at radio shack...you could probably buy them cheaper elsewhere)
> > and put them under some sort of foam (mouse pads work well) or gum
> > rubber pad (the majority of rubber drum pads work in this manner).
> > The trigger response is great with drumsticks, so it would probably be
> > flawless if you had, say, 1" round gum rubber disks over your piezo
> > trigger.  If you're looking for a larger pad area or just to beef up
> > the trigger, you can hot glue it to a sheet of thin metal (coffee can
> > bottom or the like) to help transfer the impact directly to the
> > piezo.  One of the major problems is cross triggering with the pads
> > (this is a problem on commercial drums sets as well).  There are two
> > options to solve this: either build a mounting box to isolate each
> > trigger or dial down the sensitivity of the trigger-midi converter, or
> > both.  You might be able to work out some sort of screw/spring shock
> > absorber:
> >
> > Rubber pad
> > Trigger
> > |  ______|              <--  Screw head or nut
> > |__|    |__|
> >   <|-----|>               <--  Spring
> >   <|-----|>
> > __|___|___             <--  Screw head or nut
> > Mount to something
> >
> > Foam or rubber might also do the trick...you'll have to experiment.  I
> > know this is a DIY group, but if you're looking for a cheap commercial
> > version, you could find an old Casio DZ (or DT...I can't remember)
> > trigger to midi interface.  They work really well and are probably the
> > same price as the PAIA trigger interface.
> >
> > This sounds pretty cool...maybe I should build one too :)
> >
> > Hope this helps.  If you need any more info, drop me an email at
> > Drumboy5 at aol.com.
> >
> > Morgan
>