Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi Ed and others,

Those MP3's were quick and dirty audio demos I made to show off the Virtual Rim Switch (VRS), a little electronic device I made that allows a mesh-head drum to function like a piezo/rim-switch two-zone pad.... 

We've all asked the question, "why can't I use a dual-piezo pad in any other input besides the dual-piezo snare input (or the dual-mono-piezo inputs)?"   Or better yet: "why can I only trigger a single sound from the tom trigger inputs with my mesh head pads?"  

Of course, the answer is all of those other trigger inputs usually are designed for use with those piezo/rim-switch pads.  Problem is, no one makes a mesh-headed piezo/rim-switch pad.  All the mesh-head pads are mono- or dual-piezo, and the module trigger inputs often don't use those (more of a processing burden on the trigger input circuitry vs. using piezo/rim-switch pads).

However, the VRS allow you to use a mesh head pad as two-zone to output a signal that's identical to a typical piezo rim-switch pad; thus you can convert any mesh pad to work.

In that audio demo, ALL the sounds (except for hi-hat stuff, which I'm playing with my left foot only, no hi-hat pad attached) you are coming from ONE mono-piezo pad that has two VRS installed, thus making the pad function as a three zone, four-tone pad.  It's triggering two TD-10Ex module inputs....  I'm basically just playing a drum corps style funky groove, etc.

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BTW, that same circuit works with ANY module (including the DTXTreme IIS), so it would be possible to put three-zones on the surface of ANY mesh-headed pad and drive something like the DTXTreme IIS with mesh pads, instead of the stock rubber pads...  Heck, get those DTXTreme pads from Ed @ Drumbalaya, add a VRS or two, and you'll have one heck of a user interface.  ;)

(I'd have to measure the resistance value used for the 2nd rim zone of the newer 3-zone pads, but that should be a dead cinch; then put the equivalent resistance in series with the VRS and you're in business...)

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I did it more as a proof of concept, and to work out the design bugs, but have no plans to "producticize" it.  Been using the VRS on my own kit for awhile now...

I have the capability to produce these, but I do it more as a labor of love (for those fellow e-drummers into tinkering or those who want something unique)...

I don't think it has widespread commercial applications, as it's probably too technical for most: most drummers (rightfully) don't care about the difference between a piezo and a switch, so even explaining the concept of the VRS is fighting a major battle...  

The user would have to self-install with a screwdriver, and that plus knowing how to adjust the module trigger settings makes it a bit problematic (except for the more technically-inclined).

But hey, I have fun with this kind of stuff.  ;)

Chris

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "emf" <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> Hey Chris,
>
> I just opened up your briefcase and listened to a couple of mp3s. Is
> that you playing?  Nice sticking.  Go, Chris, Go.
>
> Ed