Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ernie Vega" <sternern@y...> wrote:
> 
> I've been trying different reasons each different type of drum
> triggers(including reg. acoustic drums)absorb the striking of the
> pad/drum and how to change it. Keep in mind, I have a double math
> bachelors degree. So that's why I have the inkling to figure some of
> these things out.
> 
> First off, the Yamaha rubber drum triggers aren't the best designed
> pad. They left out one important factor, or they didn;t think how, 
in
> the long run, it's effect the drummer in general. Don't get me 
wrong,
> I like the Yamaha pads best. Although, I haven't really played the
> mesh one's too much. The yamaha triggers lack any vibration
> absorbtion. They didn't put any vibration isolation absorbers in the
> pad. When we strike the pads, the rubber absorbs maybe 20-25% of the
> vibration. Where does the rest go? Well since the rest of the pad is
> essentially made of hard plastic, the plastic will only absorb 
another
> 15%. The
> vibration then has to find a way to distribute the pad hit. 5-10% to
> the rack becuase it is metal and won't absorb much of the vibration,
> which is then transfered into the ground. That leaves us with the
> remaining 50-60%
> of the vibration to go to our hands and arms. As opposed to 15-25% 
on
> a regular acoustic or mesh drum head. The rubber pad drummer will
> obviously feel the vibration resulting in us geting pains and 
cramps,
> and overall we'll only be able to play so long at one time. 
> 
> So, what's the solution? Well, it seems pretty simple to diagnose.
> Create some sort of vibration absorbtion isolator. Or something that
> will absorb more of the vibration. What needs to be done is putting 
a
> simple pad, neoprene or something of that sort, between the rubber 
on
> the pad and the plastic within the pad. This would absorb 3/4 of the
> 50-60% of the shock we absorb. Resulting in a more comfortable 
playing
> experience. 
> 
> Well, I have ordered different type's of absorbing materials, and 
I'm
> going to find out which one works best without affecting the way the
> trigger performs. I might even be able to send some samplers out to
> people who don't mind putting these pads in. Give me a few months to
> figure it out. Once I find out which one works best, whoever wants 
to
> try them out can give me some feedback.
> 
> Why am I attempting to figure this out(if anyone really cares!)? 
Well,
> in math and physics, we are taught, where there's a problem, 
there's a
> solution. Wish me luck. :)

Ern,

It's a very interesting project. The problem is how to insert some 
absorption between pad and piezo without hindering triggering. The 
Yamaha module's sensitivity range is fairly constrained. Dampening is 
a little easier with modules that have a wider gain adjustment. I'll 
be eager to read how your experiment proceeds.

Ed