note that this blog is primarily addressing the 'external' type of trigger as commonly attached to acoustic drums, not electronic drum pads.
What is a trigger?
Triggers are velocity sensitive piezo electric switches. the harder they are hit the higher the voltage the send back to a computer (module) which then converts the information into a sound and a volume.
How do they work?
When the drumhead is struck, its vibration is detected by the trigger. This vibration is converted into an electronic signal and is sent to the receiving unit/sound-source (module, trigger interface, sampler, etc) This 'triggers' a sample stored in the sound source. That sample/sound must be amplified by PA/amp/headphones.
Sensitivity, dynamics, and other nuances of playing style are translated by the module, so adjusting the settings that affect those parameters is vital in achieving realistic response from using triggers.
What kinds of triggers are available?
1. Shell-mounted: trigger attaches to drum shell, & metal housing contains trigger element which typically contacts drumhead by means of a foam cone or other vibration-conducting material.
2. Adhesive: Trigger is housed in a small plastic covering which is 'taped' to drumhead using adhesive backing.
3. Internally installed: E-drum pads and cymbals use a variety of internally mounted triggers, which generally feature the same components as externally mounted units.
Manufacturers of various models of triggers include Roland, Ddrum, Pintech, Axis, Fishman, Hart, Yamaha, etc.
What else do I need to be able to integrate triggers with my kit?
1. Trigger-to-midi interface (TMI); only required when connecting to a computer or sampler, etc. (built into most modules)
2. cables, to connect trigger to TMI/module/sampler, etc
3. sound source; (E-drum module, sampler, computer)
4. PA/amp/headphones
DI (direct box) may be needed in the case of LONG cable runs to PA input/mixer
Why use triggers?
There are several applications for using triggers:
1. A wide variety of sounds are accessible
2. consistency of dynamics, if wanted (especially at high BPMs)
3. mics are not needed if whole kit is triggered (rare)
4. Extreme drummers use bass triggers to be audible/consistent at high BPM applications
Resources
Harmony Central Trigger Page various types of acoustic drum triggers
http://www.edrum.info/links.html general midi/e-drum/DIY project info
http://vdrums.com/forum/ forum for users of e-drums/triggers
http://www.edrumming.com/forum forum for users of e-drums/triggers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've tried to keep the above information limited to technical specs concerning trigger technology.
Triggers are simply another tool in one's arsenal.
You can see and hear them being used these days on many arena concert stages; some touring bands augment miked drum tones with triggered sounds- the exact tones from their album can be reproduced in any venue or situation. They are used in recording studios to capture a drummer's performance in midi, and then drum sounds can be changed in post-production without changing the nuances of the drummer's part. Triggers allow extreme drummers to use techniques for speed and still project power and consistency in their playing.
Yes, you could achieve all these things with E-drum pads. But triggers let you keep the tactile experience of playing the acoustic drum, if that's what you desire. Also, you can layer the triggered sounds over the miked acoustic drums, which you can't do with electronic drums alone.
Personally, I've used triggers in my hybrid A/E setup for several years. I've been able to use a core acoustic kit with a minimum of microphones, and have access to a large library of tones in a relatively compact setup. I can change the tone of the kit from song to song, but retain the layout and feel of the kit I'm used to.
Are triggers cheating?
Some claim that because triggers can be used to 'clean up' inconsistent dynamics and render all strikes identical, they constitute 'cheating.' However, that is not a trigger's only function. They can be used in this way, but it's totally dependent on how the sound-source is configured to track the notes. Modern trigger designs allow for very sensitive dynamics and can pickup the nuances in one's playing style very well. It's up to the player to decide how to implement them.