The hybrid concept is designed for drummers who would like to
have the sound palette electronic drums offer, with the convenience of quickly reverting to
acoustic with minimal equipment change. Unlike most of our projects, the hybrid concept is not
a step by step instruction set, but rather a guide to creating a hybrid that meets your needs
for both acoustic and electronic drums with a minimum of hassle. The principles and
guidelines suggested here should be used only as a starting point. Many have found success
experiment with what they learn here...
The idea of an acoustic drum with a mesh head on the resonant side can be found as early as the live set-up of Kenney Aronoff's kick drum. (Modern Drummer, September 1991.) While many kick drums of that era can be easily rotated to allow one head or another to be struck, the relationship of the mounting hardware on other drums will skew the playing position when this quick change is attempted.
Our January, 2000 Document of Disclosure with the U.S. Patent Office described an acoustic drum utilizing a silent mesh head on one end, with a standard acoustic on the other. Combined with a tom-mount centered on the side of the shell, the hybrid can be rotated quite easily to accommodate both playing situations and offers acoustic performance and silent practice in one set-up.
Let's apply the principles of this concept using a single tom as an example: 1. We have minimized the equipment needed by sharing two sides of the same drum for both acoustic and electronic purposes. 2. We have minimized the time needed to change from acoustic to electronic by utilizing a mount that can be turned 180 degrees, placing the other head in the same position without replacing any hardware. 3. We have maintained the same playing area (head size), position and feel by using a triggered mesh head. The dimensions of the drum haven't changed, so all weights and visual perceptions have not changed.
The same principle could be applied to a bass drum (used with or without integrated mount for toms), although by merely substituting the acoustic pedal for a beater-less, self-contained trigger pedal: 1. We have minimized the equipment needed by requiring only a pedal replacement to change from acoustic and electronic. 2. We have minimized the time needed to change from acoustic to electronic, requiring only that a pedal be replaced. 3. We have done our best to maintain the same playing area (pedal), position and feel by using a similarly sprung trigger pedal, so the feel and visual perceptions have not changed.
The principles are a bit more difficult to apply to a snare drum, although by replacing our snare with a trigger pad that utilizes the same mounting system we have: 1. We have minimized the equipment needed by replacing a drum that utilizes the same mounting hardware for acoustic and electronic. 2. We have minimized the time needed to change from acoustic to electronic, requiring only that the drum be replaced on the mount. 3. We have maintain the same playing area (head size), position and feel by using a triggered mesh head. The dimensions of the two drums are the same, so the weights and visual perceptions have not changed.
The principles involved in side-mount acoustic tom triggering can then be applied without producing the noise of an unmuffled acoustic head. The (now discontinued) Pacific Chameleon features a mesh head on one side with an acoustic on the other, so the drum can be changed from acoustic to electronic by simply turning the drum over. That said, Roland Corporation has numerous patents that (while in controversy due to obvious prior art) are potential snags for producing a 'home grown' solution. As the combination of mesh and electronic triggering shakes out within the industry, the logical approach is to utilize Roland's own component offerings for the conversion.
Tom triggers should be mounted so they are not directly hit. The best way to do this with external triggers is to position them furthest from your seated playing position. Roland's RT Series external triggers are offered in various packages and configurations. The PCK-1 set is the simple way to convert a 14" acoustic drum to electronic with the mesh head and included 2-zone trigger and rim silencer.
It is also a good idea to insulate your hoops (rims) from direct stick attack. One loud 'whack' from a wayward stick would eliminate the 'silence' of your otherwise quiet kit. While our affiliate site, ElectronicDRUMS.com has instructions for making this material within Members Only, an adaptation of this 1993 concept of ours can be purchased below for silencing the rims of your kit.
ElectronicDRUMS.com's RIMZ silencer kit is a great way to reduce the volume of a struck hoop. The kit includes a 15 foot section of pre-slit rim silencing material that can be installed with ease on your kit. Unlike some factory solutions, this material is compact and continuous, allowing fitment to a variety of drum sizes. Enough material is included to silence the batter hoops of a complete kit consisting of 10", 12", 14" and 14" drums. These smaller 'fusion' sizes are best for electronic triggering and match the available heads from Roland.
Among the better hardware components for hybrid conversion of an existing kit is the Pearl I.S.S. mounting system for toms. This system is found on a number of their kit lines and allows the drum to be turned over in seconds without affecting tuning or placement. Simply loosening the drum from the mount and turning it upside down is all that is needed for the change.
There are other components that help complete the Hybrid concept. You can choose to retain a 'logo' front head on your acoustic kick and swap out a self-contained trigger pedal instead of converting your kick to electronic. You can also choose to utilize the kick and hi-hat controller of your drum module's manufacturer. Check out ElectronicDRUMS.com for modules, pedals and related accessories.
You can use cymbal shaped triggers like those shown below to enhance your kit as well. They use your standard cymbal hardware and provide a good representation of an acoustic cymbal in look and feel.
A drum rack is highly recommended for a hybrid kit. This allows you more placement options as well as a means of mounting your module and maintaining your cabling. All cabling can be left in place, ty-rapped to the rack regardless of acoustic or electronic configuration.
(For a great collection of electronic drums projects, join ElectronicDRUMS.com's Members Only site.)
LOGIZTIX™ is not responsible for any and all injuries or other claims that may arise from your use or attempted use of these instructions. Certain skills are a prerequisite for following these plans successfully. The use of manufacturers and/or other companies' names does NOT constitute an endorsement... All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
