Piezo / FSR DIY Hihat pad

[ChrisB]

Hi all,

First time poster. I'm considering building a multipad, a ride pad and a hihat pad for a small portable setup. I've built lots of pads over the years, so that's no problem.
I was wondering to what extent you can combine inputs of the MegaDrum for a hihat. My idea was to have bow being a piezo and the edge a FSR-strip. Could these two signal sources be seen as a hihat pad or does the MegaDrum only support [piezo / switch] setups?

thanks

[dmitri]

I think it'll depend on the FSR. If its resistance drops enough on hits/presses then I believe FSR can be treated as a switch and then you can configure the pad as piezo/switch.

[ChrisB]

I think it'll depend on the FSR. If its resistance drops enough on hits/presses then I believe FSR can be treated as a switch and then you can configure the pad as piezo/switch.

Thanks for your reply.

So, I take it that there is no way to configure MD to see two separate inputs as coming from the hihat pad? i.e both signals affected by pedal.

My idea was not to use the FSR as a replacement for a switch, although that might be interesting to test out. My idea was to have the FSR as edge trigger, as it is immune to cross talk, or vibrations from bow-hits. I am aware that FSR's need power, I would build a circuit for that, external to the MD.

I would probably start out with Yamaha HH65 as pedal controller, as I already have it.

I am quite averse to e-hihats. I've tried 2box and Yamaha and both are... well, not for me.

[dmitri]

Never tried to use FSRs but in THEORY they may be used as signal source similar to piezos. Here are few thoughts/requirements.

1. The FSR must be "powered", i.e. some constant voltage must be supplied to it over an additional resistor.
2. The output from from the FSR must be fed to a MegaDrum input over a capacitor to eliminate constant voltage on the input.
3. When FSR is hit it must produce noticeable voltage change to be registered by MegaDrum and this voltage change must be dependent on the force of hits.

[ChrisB]

Thanks, but my question was not about how FSR works or their requirements of operation. My question was clearly stated.

[dmitri]

In this case I misunderstand the question.