What are drum triggers?

atelophobia · 03-01-2004, 07:07 PM

Title pretty much says it all. I don't play drums, but I was just curious as to what these are.

GuitarGod1036 · 03-01-2004, 07:18 PM

Drum triggers are piezo transducers (piezo....pronounced pee'-ay-zoh, not pie'-zoh...in Latin you pretty much pronounce every letter....is Latin for "pressure") that react to the pressure of the vibration of the drum heads. The electronic impulse from the piezo is sent to a drum module or "brain" and "triggers" the samples within the module.

hippy · 03-01-2004, 07:31 PM

instead of microphones when you hit a drum the trigger is set and makes a record sound sort of

Michael · 03-01-2004, 07:34 PM

Drum Triggers are little pieces of sh*t that turn a B-E-A-utiful drumkit into a worthless piece of crap.

Aram Feriants · 03-01-2004, 08:01 PM

If you listen to Dream Theater's Images and Words I belive Mike Portnoy used triggerd drums through out the album.

atelophobia · 03-01-2004, 10:15 PM

Hm...thanks for the help so far, although I'm still not quite sure I understand it. Are they things that go on top of the drum heads or something? Also, when I listen to I&W, compared to other DT albums, I really don't hear much of a difference, but that's just me. When you use triggers, do you still play the drums? I think I've read stuff where it said you can either record the drums by playing them or using triggers. Maybe I'm just confused though, heh.

phraser · 03-01-2004, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atelophobia

Hm...thanks for the help so far, although I'm still not quite sure I understand it. Are they things that go on top of the drum heads or something? Also, when I listen to I&W, compared to other DT albums, I really don't hear much of a difference, but that's just me. When you use triggers, do you still play the drums? I think I've read stuff where it said you can either record the drums by playing them or using triggers. Maybe I'm just confused though, heh.

The trigger on the drum usually goes to a drum module of some sort. For instance if you are playing live and the bass drum is just not a big enough sound you can put a trigger on it and hook it up to a module and choose a sound. Essentially your turn your acoustic drum into an electric one. You have to get good triggers though the cheap ones will trigger when you hit anything.

Doyle · 03-02-2004, 03:05 AM

For Images and Words, listen to the snare drum, thats the triggered one. Listen to how it sounds like a gun shot which sounds exactly precise every time with no dynamic to it. It's like hitting a keyboard note that is set for 'snare drum'.

Used alot for preciseness in fast playing (Dimmu's old stuff), and clarity.

EDIT: Oh ya, and 1980-1989......

sam777 · 03-02-2004, 03:34 AM

1980-1989 yeah, the triggered drum sound is typical of the 80s!

Michael · 03-02-2004, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aram Feriants

If you listen to Dream Theater's Images and Words I belive Mike Portnoy used triggerd drums through out the album.

Exactly.

03-01-2004, 07:07 PM	#1
atelophobia Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 134	What are drum triggers? Title pretty much says it all. I don't play drums, but I was just curious as to what these are.

03-01-2004, 07:18 PM	#2
GuitarGod1036 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Navarre, FL Posts: 69	Drum triggers are piezo transducers (piezo....pronounced pee'-ay-zoh, not pie'-zoh...in Latin you pretty much pronounce every letter....is Latin for "pressure") that react to the pressure of the vibration of the drum heads. The electronic impulse from the piezo is sent to a drum module or "brain" and "triggers" the samples within the module. __________________ "...and on the Sixth Day, God created Pot...it would explain why he did nothing on Day 7..." - Me, just now.

03-01-2004, 07:34 PM	#4
Michael Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 318	Drum Triggers are little pieces of sh*t that turn a B-E-A-utiful drumkit into a worthless piece of crap. __________________ My Gear!

03-01-2004, 08:01 PM	#5
Aram Feriants Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Wi Posts: 12	If you listen to Dream Theater's Images and Words I belive Mike Portnoy used triggerd drums through out the album. __________________ http://peril-lasis.8m.com ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ My Band Peril-Lasis

03-02-2004, 03:34 AM	#9
sam777 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: france Posts: 568	1980-1989 yeah, the triggered drum sound is typical of the 80s! __________________ Canada is a nice country

03-01-2004, 07:31 PM	#3
hippy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: no, no Posts: 190	instead of microphones when you hit a drum the trigger is set and makes a record sound sort of

03-01-2004, 10:15 PM	#6
atelophobia Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 134	Hm...thanks for the help so far, although I'm still not quite sure I understand it. Are they things that go on top of the drum heads or something? Also, when I listen to I&W, compared to other DT albums, I really don't hear much of a difference, but that's just me. When you use triggers, do you still play the drums? I think I've read stuff where it said you can either record the drums by playing them or using triggers. Maybe I'm just confused though, heh.

03-02-2004, 03:05 AM	#8
Doyle Banned Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 304	For Images and Words, listen to the snare drum, thats the triggered one. Listen to how it sounds like a gun shot which sounds exactly precise every time with no dynamic to it. It's like hitting a keyboard note that is set for 'snare drum'. Used alot for preciseness in fast playing (Dimmu's old stuff), and clarity. EDIT: Oh ya, and 1980-1989......

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