How to make your own DIY wooden table-top midi-drum-trigger:
The plan was to make a Table-Top Trigger and a Boom-Mount trigger, using piezo sensors. We cut 3 pieces of decking (merbau was at hand). We used a router to make a cavity (and left ca 3 ... 4 mm of wood thickness) in each piece.
Piezzo sensors needed to be checked for polarity (use oscilloscope or recording software to see which way the output voltage goes, when tapping the trigger on the "mounting side"). All triggers with the same polarity can be used in parallel, for each trigger pad. 1, 2 or 3 sensors per pad, depending on playing style (and required sensitivity).
Our Table-Top Trigger (inside from underneath) all wired up:
We decided to use 2 piezo sensors for the Table-Top trigger pad. A hole was drilled on the side to feed a shielded cable through. The sensors are glued on with epoxy and the wires are secured with epoxy as well. The "other" side of the piezo has a small nut glued to it, to create a bit more "action" across the ceramics.
Neoprene cover pad:
A leftover mouse-pad might come in handy ...
Finished trigger pad from underneath:
View from the top:
Optional neoprene pad on the top of the Trigger-Pad reduces noise, if played with Drum-Sticks. No need if you use fingers only ...
How to make your own DIY wooden "boom-mount" midi drum trigger
The boom mount trigger pad is made of 2 blocks, separated by a strip of neoprene, to stop vibrations from the base to reach the sensors. This worked quite well. A 3/8" to 5/8" thread converter was used to mount the base of the pad to the boom. Connection is made via a lead connecting from underneath.
Inside the mounting base:
Underneath:
Inside with piezos wired up and wires secured with epoxy:
We decided on 3 sensors for this one. Take note of the 2 neoprene strips, glued to the base and later to the top as well. Before gluing the top, you may want to try the trigger pad secured with a rubber band first.
View from the top:
Very happy with the performance of this percussion trigger pad. You can use two hands for tapping and your ellbow for the Theremin. Very natural way of expression :)
A Final Note:
To make the trigger-pad work really well, a few capacitors and resistors would come in handy, according to our latest research. Drop us a note, if you would like to find out more ...
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