How Drum Triggers Work – All You Need to Know

This blog post discusses the different types of drum triggers, including clip-on triggers, internal side-mounted triggers, and internal center-mounted triggers. It also covers different ways to use drum triggers, including connecting them to a drum trigger module, an e-drum kit module, a sample pad, or a computer via MIDI. Each option has its own pros and cons, and the level of control and flexibility varies.

There are many different ways that you can use drum triggers to enhance your music, and in this article, I will explain everything you need to know in order to use them correctly.

There are many different manufacturers and types of triggers available right now, helping you get into hybrid drumming and triggers much, much easier. You don’t need to write computer code to use them, but you do need a compatible trigger input and the right settings. A trigger senses a hit; the connected module turns that signal into a sound or a MIDI message.

Types of Drum Triggers

Here are the different types of drum triggers. Check our article on the best drum triggers if you’re looking to buy.

1. Clip-on drum triggers. These attach to the rim of an acoustic drum and sense its vibration. Some detect head hits only, while dual-zone models can detect the head and rim separately when used with a compatible module and cable. Clip-on triggers are a great option for an acoustic drum set because they can be installed without putting a trigger inside the shell.

2. Internal side-mounted drum triggers. This type of drum trigger allows you to hide them inside the shell of the drum, by mounting them onto one of the screws that are inside. In order to do this though, you would have to take out your drum head, install them and then put it back on.

3. Internal center-mounted drum triggers. These place the head sensor near the center of the drum, usually on a support fixed inside the shell. Some systems support positional sensing, which lets a compatible module respond differently to hits at different points on the head. Center mounting alone does not guarantee this feature: the trigger, module input and selected trigger type must all support it. Internal systems can use a crossbar or several supports to hold the sensor securely; their mounting arrangement varies.

How to Use Drum Triggers

There are four options for connecting your drum triggers below, and I’ll talk about the pros and cons of each. In each case, check that the receiving device has a compatible trigger input, rather than assuming an audio or MIDI socket will accept the trigger directly.

1. Using a Drum Trigger Module

Drum trigger modules are electronic devices that are used to trigger sound samples and MIDI notes.

A basic example is the Roland TM-2 and a more high-end version is the Roland TM-6 PRO.

To use a drum trigger module, you need to connect the trigger to the module, and then connect the audio output of the module to an amp, PA system or mixing desk.

Modules let you adjust settings such as sensitivity and threshold to suit your playing style. Start with the recommended trigger type, then test both quiet and hard hits. Raise the threshold only enough to reject unwanted vibration; too high a setting can miss soft notes. If one hit produces two sounds, check the mounting and the module’s retrigger settings before increasing every value.

2. Using an E-Drum Kit Module

If you have a drum module lying around from an electronic drum kit, you may be able to use it to trigger sounds from your drum triggers. Check the module’s supported triggers and available inputs first.

Connect each drum trigger to a compatible trigger input using the cable specified for that trigger. The drum module supplies the sounds and effects, but you should select the appropriate trigger type and check head/rim response before playing. Test a quiet roll, hard single hits and neighboring drums to catch missed notes, double triggering or crosstalk. This is a convenient option when you already own a suitable module and do not want a separate sound source.

3. Use a Sample Pad

When connecting a drum trigger to a sample pad, use its external trigger input, then assign the sound or MIDI note that you want the trigger to play. Check the pad’s input compatibility, supported zones and sample-loading features first. A trigger can play the sound assigned to that input or zone; it does not automatically access every sample in the pad. A headphone output, audio input or footswitch socket is not a substitute for a compatible trigger input.

Using a sample pad in conjunction with a drum trigger allows you to add a wide range of sounds to your drum setup, such as different drum kits, sound effects, or loops. Sample pads also tend to have a built-in display, knobs, and buttons for adjusting the samples, and the ability to save and recall your settings, allowing you to have a lot of flexibility and control over the sound.

4. Connecting to Your Computer via MIDI

Another way to use drum triggers is by connecting a trigger module or trigger-to-MIDI converter to a computer via a MIDI interface (some audio interfaces also have MIDI capability). A module with USB MIDI may connect directly by USB instead. This is a more involved setup, but it gives you access to computer-based sounds.

A MIDI interface allows MIDI-equipped instruments to communicate with a computer. An ordinary acoustic drum trigger first needs a module or trigger-to-MIDI converter to interpret its electrical signal. That device sends MIDI note and velocity messages to the computer, where they can play samples or sounds. You can use virtual drum machines, samplers or digital audio workstations (DAWs) for this. See our article on the best drum VSTs for more information. MIDI carries performance instructions, so you still need an audio output to hear the computer’s sounds.

This route gives you a lot of control and sound options, and it is used in live performances as well as recording. Check the complete chain before a show: trigger response, MIDI note assignment, computer audio output and the delay between hitting the drum and hearing the sound. Keep a working module sound available if your setup allows it.

How to Position Your Drum Triggers

If you decide to go with clip-on triggers, there isn’t much to do here and any adjustments you need to make can be done pretty quickly. If, however, you decide to go with internally mounted drum triggers you need to know how to position them correctly.

Follow the installation height and sensor-contact instructions for your exact trigger. There is no universal 2 mm setting for every manufacturer or mounting system. Too little contact can miss hits, while excessive pressure can compress the sensor and affect response. Some clip-on models set their contact position automatically. For an internal trigger, fit and tension the head as instructed, then test hits around the playing surface before making small adjustments.

You also need to know how to run the cables from the drum triggers. With clip-on triggers, route them to the compatible trigger inputs on your module or sample pad, leaving enough slack for setup adjustments. Keep cables clear of pedals, clamps and playing surfaces, and avoid pulling on the trigger’s socket. An ordinary audio-interface input does not perform trigger-to-MIDI conversion.

Where cables become an issue is when you go for internally mounted drum triggers. Some systems route a cable or mount a jack socket through the shell’s air vent. Check the required vent diameter and the supplied mounting instructions before choosing this route. Other installations need a different socket arrangement, so do not assume every vent will fit the same hardware.

Some acoustic drum shells don’t have large enough air vents for the cable or socket assembly. Do not force the connector through or enlarge the shell just to make an unsuitable kit fit. A detachable socket assembly may be an option if the manufacturer supplies that installation method. Otherwise, choose a compatible fitting or ask a drum technician about a reversible installation; dismantling a molded plug can damage it.

Conclusion

Playing with drum triggers can be a lot of fun, and worth trying. They allow you to do stuff that wasn’t possible before, such as adding effects to your drums, or you can even program a MIDI sequence that will play along with each trigger. There is no limit when it comes to creativity with using triggers, and you will have a lot of fun exploring all of these new sounds that you can produce with them.

Ddrum image by Sascha Jäggiuploaded on Flickr by: Dave Kobrehel from CH / CC BY