5 Ways to connect more Pads to an E-drum Kit
5 Ways to connect more Pads to an E-drum Kit
This video is about expanding an electronic drum set with countless trigger pads.
Find V-drum Tips on:
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Great Slave Modules:
► DDTI Trigger Interface: http://amzn.to/2Hh0iNR
Trigger MIDI Interfaces:
► Steinberg UR22 MkII: http://amzn.to/2Bvc4DQ
► ESI Midimate eX: http://amzn.to/2BvgRVN
Sample Software for 2 Modules:
► EZdrummer2: http://amzn.to/2Euat43
► Superior Drummer 3: https://goo.gl/VRXR67
→ Drumsplitters: http://www.drumsplitters.com/ ←
✭ ✭ ✭ Video Links: ✭ ✭ ✭
Big Metal Kit with 2x TD-12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdcU8fwqJys
Drumsplitter Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRiwrfWAVg0
Roland TMC-6 Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyerabjJRY8&t=2s
1. Roland Percussion Set
Some specific Roland modules like TD-8, 9, 10, 12, 20, 30 and most likely the TD-50 have a MIDI input and feature Percussion Sets that are triggered by an external slave module. Just connect the “Midi out” of your Alesis Trigger IO, Roland TMC-6 or TD-4 to the “Midi input” of your Roland master module. The slave module becomes a trigger interface and sends plain midi signals to the master. The master takes the signals and generates a sound out of its own instrument selection.
This way it is possible to connect a lot more pads. The secondary module has to be set to MIDI Channel 11, but this is not possible with every module. The Roland TD-3, for example, does not feature MIDI Channel 11 and can therefore not be used as a secondary module.
The slave modules sounds are uninteresting, as it is only a plain midi converter in such a setup. It does not transfer audio signals, but Midi signals.
The Percussion Set is basically an instrument selection of the master module, which can be modified independently from the main drum kits. All master module instruments can be assigned and triggered through the slave module.
This TD-20x, for example, has 8 percussion sets that are independent of the main kits and do not get changed when scrolling through your drum kits.
Sadly the Roland TD-11, 15 and 25 do not feature a MIDI Input nor a Percussion set. They can only be slaves, not masters.
Hack:
The 2 chained modules can be connected to a PC or Mac via the MIDI or USB cable of the master module. The whole setup can now trigger EZdrummer2.
2. Drumsplitters
Some Roland modules (show the modules) can be extended with drumsplitters. You find them in the form of y-cables or boxes with 3 jack inputs. These devices split the 2 zones of a dual zone pad into 2 mono pads. The drum splitter is not a regular y-cable. It has to have a built-in 100K Ohm resistor to be able to work.
Both, toms and cymbal become mono triggers after splitting. That means there is no choke function available for the cymbal pad and it is also not possible to hit both split pads at the same time because the module recognises this as a rim shot.
A lot of trigger adjustments have to be made in the module to use drumsplitters. Therefore it is but still only a compromise, but also a nice and cheap solution to add extra pads.
Drumsplitters do not work for physical reasons with TD-1, 3 and 6 as these modules are wired differently. And I would not use them for software reasons with TD-4 and TD-25. Those 2 do not allow you to assign the pad zones independently, which is vital to even use a drumsplitter.
3. Module into Module
Almost every E-drum module has a stereo input for MP3-Players. Connect the headphone out of the second module to the MP3 input of the primary module. This works with all kinds of e-drum modules. You can also connect both modules to a mixing desk. Same result, you could end up with different module sounds if you don’t use identical modules though. This is a low budget version that serves the purpose.
4. EZdrummer2
Ezdrummer2 and SD2.0 allow you to connect 2 or more modules simultaneously via MIDI interface or direct USB to your PC. I plugged this TD-30 via direct USB into my Mac and an additional TD-20X via MIDI Cable into a Tascam MIDI interface, which is connected to the Mac via USB cable as well. The TD-30 Module driver and Tascam interface driver have to be installed and that’s it. Both modules trigger one digital drum kit.
This method works with any e-drum module.
5. ESI Midimate eX
The ESI Midimade eX is a special MIDI to USB adapter that has 2 Midi ports on one side and a USB plug on the other side. You can connect 2 modules to your PC and trigger any drum sample software with both modules simultaneously. This would be ideal for TD-11 or 15 users.
There is a guy on youtube who built a huge metal e-drum kit with 2x Roland TD-12 modules. He uses a MIDImate. The link is in the description.
Can i connect an alesis dm6 with a yamaha dd75?
Does midi work if I use a mps 850 as master and a eagletone vds 400 as slave?
Can’t you just connect 2 of the same module?
Hello. Where did you get the drum riser that your kit is sitting on? Thanks.
My heart sank when you said the TD25 didnt have a percussion set… but then you said you can connect via the headphone out and mix in.. and I rejoiced. Thankyou for this extremely helpful info!
Great Tutorial …
question so if I use the Y splitter for my bass drum pads …I I will get the same sound on both pads … which is ideal ( for bass drum sound) using only one port correct
How can I check if my td-27 has a percussion set?
This is big help! Tnx! Looking for a way to expand my tm6pro module , as most inputs are already split and used. I want to add some extra cymbals, I understand this demands stereo inputs, because cymbal pads are three zoned? Even If not I still need some more inputs, what is the most recommended device to add to this setup?
And lastly, I have an Roland spd30 laying around, can I use this device via midi to create more inputs (connect cymbals or pads to it as no send midi info to the module) through tm6pro and finally to sd3 ? Tnx!!!
But have you tested this method with a Yamaha DTX900/700 or DTXtreme, etc. etc. modules?
Does the alesis nitro work with trigger io or ddrum ddti
SO EXCELLENT!!!
i just got a roland td k1 and i have 3 old simmons pads and an yamaha tmx module any ideas? well i could conect separatlly bt than i dont have same sound on fones)
Master and slave lmao
Thx
Thanks for this. But if I want to use just VST like Addictive Drums, and if my Master module have Midi in and out, and a slave expansion module have Midi out (like Alesis Trigger I/O), I could connect the two modules with Midi cable, connect the Midi out of my master to an external audio interface, and connect this to the PC via USB. This configuration could be OK?
I’ve just gone to Yamaha directly to build me a 12 piece fully customised electric kit all the bells and whistles and ran into exact this problem.
I had two options – Multiple modules and I spider web of cables or get Yamaha to build me a one off custom setup as 12 drums with rim shot + 6 – 8 mute capable cymbals exceeds anything they have in the factory.
Decided to go with the one off so I can expand in the future, hook up a soundboard and have as much of a realistic response as an acoustic kit.
Waiting for the bill and the heart attack that will follow shortly after
You mean I have to spend money?????
How do i add sounds to the new drum pads? I’m using a td-9, and I’m planning one getting either splitters, or a trigger iO, I have my td-9 connect via midi to a gear4music module acting as a slave module in order to send in midi.
Hello! I have the Roland td 17 kvx and I have already made an extension to a third crash (crash 3) covering the AUX socket on the td17. I want to make another extension to a second floor tom (Tom 4) and that’s why I got the roland tm 2 which has two triggers slots. can you tell me if the tm 2 can be connected to the td17 with a midi out cable? Also sounds with the sd card can I add from td 17 to tm 2 ?
Wow thank you for that video
It’s amazing
Great video, thank you for sharing all this info with us! Do you know if it’s possible to connect a slave module to a Roland TD-27? If so what would be the best slave option? I’ve tried using splitters with two CY12’s but for some reason the "rim" pad cannot be hit in unison with the digital snare. Very frustrating.
Du klingst deutsch lol
Looks like TD-50 did not include percussion sets feature. Last module that has percussion sets is TD-30.
Is there anyway I can use a drum splitter in a module such as the millenium mps 850?
I have a TD27 will the TD17 work as a slave?
Do these steps apply to Yanaha DTX Drums as well?
Do you know if solution 5 would work with an alesis DM8?
Just to be sure before i do this. Can i hook the TD17 up to the TD4 with a midi cable, then use all the TD17 sounds like this video shows which is older and does not show the TD17 at all.. Then when i use the 1/4 outputs for live recording to the board, it all will work fine (using all TD17 sounds?) I have it set up independently but the TD17 can run sampled cymbals and i have tons of nicer sounds then the TD4….So right now they are just both running with outputs to the board, would be nicer to have two board stereo slots used and not 4, etc etc…
Is it this same procedure as this video shows, just with my TD17 as the module and TD4 as the slave5? And or is there a guide for this somewhere that explains it more in depth as well??
Thanks all!
My friend, I’m from Brazil, could you send me the link or guide me on how to expand more Pads on the Roland TD25 module. Thank you.
Td9 x ever
Hi,, can i expanded my TD-12 with a TD-11 , i want to have more pads and cymbals…Thank you!!
i don’t beleive the TD-50 allows you to trigger any additional sounds besides the main kits/triggers. there is no percussion set feature that I can find on the TD-50.
Inquiry I have a 6kv TD module has Midi in and Midi out connections it is possible to insert record Kicks, drums, tones, cimbals sounds through plugins and connect my sets from my PC. Thanks!
If using option 4 with two modules connected to the laptop what is the audio output port going to be if I want this to go to my Roland speaker?
Can the Roland TD17 be connected to the Roland tm 2 with a midi out cable so I can have the sounds of the TD17 on the tm2 directly with a midi out cable?
I would like to know if Cymbal OP-TD1C fits in the tube TD-11KV.
So if I had SD3 for instance, could I use a Tm2 to trigger the bassdrum & a TD9 for the rest of the kit?
Hi I have a Td4 how to add extra 1 pad for cowbell sound effect? Thanks 😊
Can you split these at the trigger rather than the module? My set uses a wiring harness for most of the pads to tge midule
4:36 do I know that music background you used? I need to know the name.
Well, acctually you can use drum splitters very well with other Brands aswell.
Nr. 6 Just get yourself a TD50 and you are good to go with lots of pads 😀
😧 It doesn’t go to 11?? 😲
Good video
Question: what is the purpose and construction of the drum riser shown at end? it looks like carpet wrapped plywood sitting on blocks of foam or phone books, lol
Great video ! Just one question, is it possible to plug a multipad like spd sx into Mix IN port of the TD 20 module to allow more pads and sounds to the kit ?
I just ran an Alesis Nitro module into the mix in on my td10. Anywhere from 11 to 19 new pads…
Does the TD 27 have a percussion set?
Too Roland specific.
What about interconnecting an Alesis DM5 Pro Module to an Alesis Crimson II SE Module via their 5-Pin MIDI Out & In/Thru Ports, then connecting the C II SE to an Audio Interface via 5-Pin MIDI Cable, then the Interface to PC via USB?
I am going to try this method, myself, as my Steinberg UR44 Interface doesn’t have a USB MIDI Input, Only 5-Pin MIDI In & Out/Thru, so… 😘