www.megadrum.info

A newbie question coming up, beware.

I'm about to do one of these (as my first drum) http://www.toontrack.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=36342 ... (Not sure yet which one, is there any difference I should take into account?)

Anyway, my question would be; from the diagram it looks like there will be three leads for signals, and thus, no ground lead at all? That is - all three leads in the stereo wire (left, right, ground) are used for signaling? Did I get this right?

So, if this is true, shall I use only one input on the MegaDrum end? Does MD then understand that the "sleeve" lead actually carries a signal?

Or should I split these to two inputs at MD end?

Did I miss anything?

There are only two wires for signals and a common ground. The sleeve on the diagram is the ground for both the head (the tip) and the rim (the ring) signals.

Yes, of course. Actually the Roland wiring is what was confusing - head piezo's ceramic part goes to sleeve and so goes the rim piezo's metallic part. Kind of strange.

But thank you.

ile wrote:Yes, of course. Actually the Roland wiring is what was confusing - head piezo's ceramic part goes to sleeve and so goes the rim piezo's metallic part. Kind of strange.

But thank you.

The only difference that make is which way the wave starts, since piezos put out alternating current. Some modules don't react well to that though.

I did this and everything worked great on the first try. I was baffled as I was expecting a problem or two. Well I don't yet have a drumming software installed, but the module registers the signals: and it's beautiful, as it gives feedback on the signal level. Very well done. Thanks Dmitri.

Next comes the drumming software, maybe I will then bump into "the catch" and the endless debug/fix cycle begins...

One question..

Should I set the DualHead setting to "Yes"? It seemed to work with the default which was "No" ... but I don't know.

Also... Is there a difference if I use Roland diagram vs. the Alesis? Same setting with both of them? Does MD notice which one is used or does it even care (does it make a difference..).

Not sure how important these are but I had to ask..

And again...

Actually it's not quite clear what it means in practice, when the manual says in DualHead setting:
"Head/Bow and Rim/Edge inputs are treated as separate pads." and "Head/Bow and Rim/Edge inputs are treated as parts of the same dual zone pad".

That is... what does the module actually do when it treats them differently.

Sorry for being such a nitpicker. But I bumped into a problem, triggering isn't quite what I'm after. And to correct that, I would have to understand everything...

I will pour all my crap in this same thread so you can just skip it if you so want

I bumped into something that makes me believe everything isn't right.

I made the wiring according to Alesis wiring here (although maybe Roland would have been better?). Also I set the DualHead to Yes in SnareH.

Now I started changing the threshold level. Changing SnareH threshold to 10 actually was very good for the pad. BUT, then I changed SnareR threshold, and when I went below 30, MegaDrum started getting signals from head piezo? Even when I didn't even touch the drum.

So, something cannot be right when changing the SnareR setting affects SnareH so dramatically...

So, MD started to register constant triggering from head piezo when I changed SnareR threshold below 30 (or maybe below 27). Is this because of the Alesis wiring?

ile wrote:One question..

Should I set the DualHead setting to "Yes"? It seemed to work with the default which was "No" ... but I don't know.

If it is a dual zone piezo/piezo pad than it must be set to Yes. Otherwise head/rim zone detection won't work correctly and it won't be possible to get "rim shots".

Also... Is there a difference if I use Roland diagram vs. the Alesis? Same setting with both of them? Does MD notice which one is used or does it even care (does it make a difference..).

Unless positional sensing is involved, it doesn't matter which wiring you use with MegaDrum.

Actually it's not quite clear what it means in practice, when the manual says in DualHead setting:
"Head/Bow and Rim/Edge inputs are treated as separate pads." and "Head/Bow and Rim/Edge inputs are treated as parts of the same dual zone pad".

That is... what does the module actually do when it treats them differently.

When DualHead is set to No, MegaDrum doesn't treat them differently. It treats them as separate pads.

I bumped into something that makes me believe everything isn't right.

I made the wiring according to Alesis wiring here (although maybe Roland would have been better?). Also I set the DualHead to Yes in SnareH.

Now I started changing the threshold level. Changing SnareH threshold to 10 actually was very good for the pad. BUT, then I changed SnareR threshold, and when I went below 30, MegaDrum started getting signals from head piezo? Even when I didn't even touch the drum.

So, something cannot be right when changing the SnareR setting affects SnareH so dramatically...

So, MD started to register constant triggering from head piezo when I changed SnareR threshold below 30 (or maybe below 27). Is this because of the Alesis wiring?

No, the Alesis wiring has nothing to do with it (unless the wiring is really bad and it is picking up electrical noise).
This is because you haven't yet properly configured Gain/HiLvlAuto/HighLevel for Head/Rim inputs and DualMidPoint on the Rim input.

OK thanks for the answers.

dmitri wrote:Unless positional sensing is involved, it doesn't matter which wiring you use with MegaDrum.

Yes I remember reading that Roland would be better for positional sensing...

When DualHead is set to No, MegaDrum doesn't treat them differently. It treats them as separate pads.

Actually I meant the difference with those two settings "Yes" and "No" ... the explanation in the document was a bit brief imo, that's all.

No, the Alesis wiring has nothing to do with it (unless the wiring is really bad and it is picking up electrical noise).
This is because you haven't yet properly configured Gain/HiLvlAuto/HighLevel for Head/Rim inputs and DualMidPoint on the Rim input.

Ok thank you again. Wiring should be ok maybe, the soldered part is now shielded with hot glue. Soldering is a tough job though and whoever invented it should have made it easier...