Rolaand Td 10 and Alesis pads

Fredster · #1 07-22-2010, 01:57 PM

Wassup, my names Freddy, from Palm coast FLA, I'm new to the forum so it will probably take me 10 years to get around.
I have an Alesis dm5 pro and changed the module out for a Roland td10 they're compatible, but I was wondering if anyone new what the best settings for the pads are the "v basic and the V standard are factory set for Roland pads would it be better to set it up like i was attaching triggers to acoustic drums

(that's my other option) I'm gonna fool with it and if I don't hear from anyone my next post will be the results. Later Fredster

dschrammie · #2 07-22-2010, 02:26 PM

Hey Fredster, welcome to the forum.
I think I understand your question. If I understand the DM5Pro kit, it says that the pads use real mylar heads...based on that, I'm going to assume that those pads use a reflector plate pad design which is what the TD-10 was originally based on. So you could start with assigning your pad types as the PD5, PD7 or PD9 and seeing how the response is from there. Follow the quick set up instructions on page 30 of the Owner's Manual (do you have one? If not, I can forward a .pdf copy to you). The more detailed explanation is on page 108. I don't know how Alesis did the rim triggers for the DM5Pro pads, so it's possible you may or may not be able to trigger the rims. Modern mesh head pads have a piezo for both the head and the rim, and updated modules, like the TD-20/-12 are made to recognize that. The TD-10 however was not designed for this piezo/piezo type of input so it doesn't recognize piezo rims, at least not without a little external ciruitry. I don't know if that's going to be the case with yours, I just thought I'd let you know that it's possible.

Fredster · #3 07-22-2010, 05:39 PM

Thanks for getting back to me so quick, I just got the Td 10 from Brian at hope drums so I hadn't played with it yet my Alesis pads are the real drum heads with Aquarian performance II heads. so I ended up just assigning each pad like it was an acoustic trigger I really don't know enough about the TD 10 to know if it was a good idea or not the dm5 is a great unit for the money but there are a lot more parameters on the ten so I'll fool around with it I'll also try your idea too, how 'bout the recipe for the mesh heads do you like 'em better then real heads?

dschrammie · #4 07-22-2010, 06:05 PM

yeah, that's a preference thing that's gonna be different from one person to the next. Nothing is ever going to feel like the real thing...some come real close. I think as far as sensitivity and picking up every little nuance, for me at least, the mesh heads seem to do it better. They're not perfect though. There's way more rebound to them than a real drum head which makes for an unrealistic feel, and some people will claim that makes drummers lazy. Some of the Yamaha guys here really like the feel of Yamaha's rubber pads, and some people seem to be raving about the new silicone pads...of course the drawback being that they're only for Yamaha modules.
Not that there's anything "bad" about the DM5, but my guess is that you'll get more out of the TD-10. However, it's got a learning curve to it and it'll definitely take some figuring out and tweaking...and the Owner's Manual isn't exactly the greatest at explaining stuff.
Have you heard of Vex kits? I'd recommend getting one of their packages. Basically they tweaked a bunch of different kits for you and make use of the COSM processing that the TD-10 is capable of. It's techincally stuff that you can do yourself, but they took all the guess work/trial & error out of it to create a bunch of other kits for you. I think the website is Vexpressions.com. Maybe get used to the module for a while first and then think about going with one of their packages.
Good luck, have fun!

Guinness · #5 07-23-2010, 02:49 PM

Hey there...

Regarding changing to mesh heads, swing over to www.Hellfiredrums.com. There's a good tutorial on changing it out. although, you don't need to cut the wires and solder. Just cut the foam. You can see how I did it to Alesis pads at http://www.dmdrummer.com/index.php?topic=131.30

As for the DM5Pro, if I remember correctly, only the snare was a dual zone. The rim trigger is a Piezo also, not a switch. That may be worth knowing for the TD10.

Fredster · #6 07-23-2010, 05:03 PM

Thanks for the info and the link "G" that's good to know