3Way DIY Cymbal: 2 Zones with (simple Touch Switch) Choke

[dmitri]

You cannot make a choke switch work on a piezo/piezo cymbal/pad.

[alexmcintosh]

There must be a solution, there has to be...
How about.. Can the 3rd zone be defined as a switch, while the second (Rim) is defined to be a piezo? And, hence have the 3rd (choke) zone send out mutes for ideally both OR mutes for just one (the bow)? (Is the 3rd zone by default a switch?)

Is there a solution that would still allow the cymbal to be two zone piezo and then have another completely separate input (Aux2) just be used as a switch which sends out mutes for (ideally) both of the notes, or just one (the bow note)?

Or.. can the Bell Piezo be 'altered' to make Megadrum think it's a switch?

[dmitri]

Presuming you connect your cymbal to 2 jacks (say Aux1H/Aux1R for piezo/piezo and Aux2H/Aux2R for the switch on Aux2R) I can suggest the following:

1. configure Aux1H/Aux1R as a dual head piezo/piezo pad
2. configure Aux2H/Aux2R as a dual head piezo/switch pad
3. set all Notes on Aux2H equal to Notes on Aux1H
4. set all Notes on Aux2R equal to Notes on Aux1R

This way choking may work. Or may not.

[alexmcintosh]

Yes, that worked on the bench! (a couple of piezos and some alligator clips)
This setup also worked, for choking a single zone cymbal (using Toontrack). FYI. I used the Ride Input and then Aux1 input as a dual zone with Switch, to mute/choke the dual zone, positional sensing, Ride; this may be obvious to some people (that the inputs don't have to be next to each other), but thought I'd point it out.

I noticed that with all my effort the Superior Drummer SDX's I have don't have any multi zone cymbals with choke. Maybe someone knows what software or expansion has a two zone cymbal with choke?

Also, the Positional sensing on the cymbal is terrific. I have it set such that right when I start hitting the bell area it starts playing the bell sound, it's great to see this happen.

(Dmitri) Thanks for helping/working on this, I think the dual piezo choke is the way of the future, with positional sensing. To me, it just makes sense..

[angr77]

Interesting!

I was looking in Addictive Drums...and the ride supports 3 different sounds + choke. Bell, shaft + tip.

I have been using them with a cy-15r (3 zone...piezo/switch/switch) and it works great...but I also realized the positional sensing stuff...which also is supported in cy15r, md and AD...works like a charm!

angr77

[ibanman555]

Just curious...

Is this a true capacitive touch circuit or a transistor touch circuit? I ask because I was working on building a capacitive touch circuit, but realized most of those designs require powering the circuit for it to work.

[alexmcintosh]

This is just a (capacitive) touch circuit. I simply have some aluminum foil (that is: connected to my input), and when I touch both the cymbal (which has been grounded [to pins: 15 OR 16]), it triggers.

[alexmcintosh]

After the latest firmware update I noticed that I can no longer get a touch choke. (I can get a Switch choke.)
Perhaps I have a setting that has been altered? Not sure. I'm wondering if the new firmware does something different for 'Switch' triggers OR if I have unwittingly changed a crucial setting??

Below is my current Crash setup (as you can see I've cranked up the input for the switch; ie. my CrashE, edge)
My Settings:
1.) CrashB
..Type = Dual
..Note = 49
2.) CrashE
..Note=49
..Type = Switch
..Threshold = 0
..HighLevel = 84

For the above settings, the Choke does the following:
A.) Connecting Ground (pin 15/16) to CrashE (pin 30) generates Choke Notes; ie. Note 49 = Aftertouch
B.) Touching the Ground (pin 15/16) and touching CrashE (pin 30) does not do anything.

[dmitri]

Nothing regarding piezo or switch inputs has been changed in the latest firmware version.

[alexmcintosh]

OK. I think it is a power problem.
I am powering my Megadrum through USB
When I disconnect my Hi Hat pedal (which uses, of course, pin 40 for power) I then, am able to generate a touch choke. If I hook my Hi Hat pedal back up, I am no longer able to generate a touch choke.

I believe the problem is there's not enough power to generate a voltage sink through my hands; when the Hi Hat pedal is drawing power. (Any feedback on my theory is greatly welcome)

So.. I currently believe that I should get an external power supply. ...But, all that I can determine is that it should be 5V, and 500mA (I'm guessing it can be more current?). But where is the best place to connect an external power supply to the board? (I know, I could use a multi-meter and find 5V on the board, but I thought feedback on one of the pins or through-holes that's best suited for this is prudent.)

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
thanks.. Alex M.