Hi-hat options on a budget

[gdunlop]

Hi,

My first post here - apologies if this is a duplicate topic...

Brief back-story. I have a cheap acoustic kit but don't like how it sounds so seldom play it, but my son plays and uses it for practice. An e-kit seemed a logical choice since I can fiddle with sounds and he can practice as often as he likes. Tried several full e-kits including TD-17KVX but hated the look of it, the small pads and most of the sounds. 2Box Drumit sounded a lot better, but the module is quite rare and expensive in the UK. Decided to take the budget route and buy used parts - this led me to the eDRUMin as it allows me to mix and match triggers and trigger software rather than drum module. I ordered an eDRUMin 10 and it's just been delivered after 7 days - excellent service given the time of year.

So far I have the following bits purchased secondhand:-
- Jobeky Prestige Custom kick with internal cable routing, 1x 12" rack tom, 1x 14" floor tom
- Roland PD-128-BC-S mounted on a snare stand
- Yamaha PCY-135 cymbal pad
- Yamaha PCY-155 cymbal pad (ride)
- a couple of 14 inch unbranded 2-zone cymbal pads

I'm using EZdrummer 2 and may well upgrade to SD3.

For hi-hats I'm considering several options with a max budget of 250 GBP:-
1. Roland VH-10 (new) or VH-11 (used)
2. Use the PCY-135 combined with a separate hihat controller
3. ATV 14" two-piece hi-hats with optical controller (used)

(1) is officially supported so I know that will work, but VH-10s are out of stock everywhere in the UK at the moment. Used VH-11s go for the same price around 230 GBP
(2) seems like it should work as a budget option, certainly with the Goedrum hihat controller though it seems a bit plastic and cheap
(3) never played them but I would prefer 14" hihats and there's a pair for sale locally within my budget (50% off cost of new)

I believe the top cymbal from the ATV hats is a normal ATV 14" cymbal pad, but unsure if the ATV route is fully supported by eDRUMin and the controller app.

Any feedback on the three options most welcome

- Graham

[perceval]

If you are a little handy and don't mind wiring stuff yourself, the cheapest option is to buy a FSR sensor.

The FSR is something like $10, and the easiest is to place it under the HH stand pedal.
I have since moved it from under my pedal to under my PCY135.

Here's a thread explaining it.

https://www.vdrums.com/forum/advanced/d ... controller

[Mylo]

I use an ATV 14” sitting on a VH-11 controller which is similar to your option 2 with the Yamaha. I’m not sure I’d consider my ATV setup inexpensive but it is a cheaper option then the full ATV 14” hi-hat.

[gdunlop]

Thanks for comments and advice.

I'm going to stick with option 2 for now, using a pre-built hi-hat controller - I can upgrade later if needed.

Cables arrived today and setup with has been reasonably smooth. Roland snare pad (PD-128S) calibrated really easily and is working well with EZdrummer.

Jobeky toms proving harder to get right. They are wood shells with mesh heads and side-mounted piezos; I am playing around with head tension to find the right balance between feel and sensitivity.

- Graham

[dsteinschneider]

Hi Graham,

I'm running with your option 2 - PCY135 on a low end Ludwig hi-hat stand with a neodymium magnet and Hall Effect sensor. With Superior Drummer it plays really well, especially after I adjusted the eDRUMin expression pedal curve.

[gdunlop]

A further update - turns out the guy that sold me used Yamaha PCY-150 and PCY-135 cymbals threw in a RHH-135 hi-hat as well!

Unlike others, Yamaha package the controller and pad in a single unit. It uses a 'multi-step' switch in the controller rather than an FSR, so the pedal output has four distinct steps between closed and open.

Pedal calibration worked fine, and in Superior Drummer 3 it sounds great with the default hi-hat settings. The RHH-135 pad is 2 zone (bow and edge) which is okay for now. I am planning to build a DIY Hall effect controller with the kids as a lockdown project!

[Sly]

A further update - turns out the guy that sold me used Yamaha PCY-150 and PCY-135 cymbals threw in a RHH-135 hi-hat as well!

Unlike others, Yamaha package the controller and pad in a single unit. It uses a 'multi-step' switch in the controller rather than an FSR, so the pedal output has four distinct steps between closed and open.

Pedal calibration worked fine, and in Superior Drummer 3 it sounds great with the default hi-hat settings. The RHH-135 pad is 2 zone (bow and edge) which is okay for now. I am planning to build a DIY Hall effect controller with the kids as a lockdown project!

AFAIK, that's the RHH130 that has the "multi-step" switch as you describe. I think the RHH-135 is a real continuous controller. But I dont remember if it is FSR, Optical, or hall effect...