Homemade Triggers for a Drum Module

Drum triggers are assemblies that convert the kinetic energy of a percussive strike, as from a drumstick, into an electronic impulse that "triggers," or activates, a custom sound from an electronic drum module. You can buy commercial triggers or make your own.

Piezoelectric Transducer

The heart of a homemade drum trigger is a piezoelectric transducer, available at most electronic supply stores. It responds dynamically to the force of drumstick hits to send varying levels of electronic signals out its lead wires.

Striking Surface

Attach the piezoelectric transducer to a suitable striking surface with little vibration, such as a mesh drum head, a drum practice pad or certain types of gum rubber mounted in a frame. A good striking surface makes little sound itself, but provides a bounce to drumsticks similar to that of an acoustic drum head.

Drum Module

Drum modules are complex commercial sound-production units that contain drum sounds, and output sound to a mixer or amplifier. Connect the wires from a homemade drum trigger to a drum module, and select the desired drum sound. Hitting the striking surface will trigger the selected sound in volume proportionate to the velocity of the force.

References

• American Piezo: Piezoelectricity
• ElectronicDRUMS: Do It Yourself Drum Trigger Pads

Resources

• DrumJunction: Discover Drum Trigger Uses