Nord User Forum

So, I got some Alesis pads, which I thought were thoroughly horrible, and then I decided to get two Roland PD-8s instead, since each one is dual zone. The problem is, I can't figure out what would be the way you'd hook them up in order to get the capabilities out of both zones. The pad itself has a single TRS output, so should I use a TRS in / 2x TRS out adapter or a TRS in / 2x TS adapter? Either way, I can't get the rim zone to work properly, and striking directly on the pad triggers both channels that I have the drum hooked up to.

Also, I jacked with all the Threshold/Sensitivity/Trigger settings and I don't see a way to reset the factory defaults - any ideas there?

Joe

hej_joe wrote:So, I got some Alesis pads, which I thought were thoroughly horrible, and then I decided to get two Roland PD-8s instead, since each one is dual zone. The problem is, I can't figure out what would be the way you'd hook them up in order to get the capabilities out of both zones. The pad itself has a single TRS output, so should I use a TRS in / 2x TRS out adapter or a TRS in / 2x TS adapter? Either way, I can't get the rim zone to work properly, and striking directly on the pad triggers both channels that I have the drum hooked up to.

Also, I jacked with all the Threshold/Sensitivity/Trigger settings and I don't see a way to reset the factory defaults - any ideas there?

Joe

Hello Joe,
Even though each of the 4 trigger inputs of the Nord Drum (ND) will function with either TRS or TS connectors, they are only single inputs.
The TRS to 2 X TS adapter won't work unless wired correctly.

The head piezo polarity is opposite that of the rim piezo.
(this will cause triggering issues) Page 6 of the manual has information on how to change the input(s) sensitivity.
Cheers, Hanon

Great info!

good info here can anybody think of a way you can get this to work just making a custom cable?

From the diagram posted it looks like the changes would need to be made to the pd8 output wiring to get this working.

I'd much rather customise a cable if possible

garjam wrote:good info here can anybody think of a way you can get this to work just making a custom cable?

From the diagram posted it looks like the changes would need to be made to the pd8 output wiring to get this working.

I'd much rather customise a cable if possible

Hello garjam,
Welcome to the forums

I don't think it's possible since the shield of the Rim Piezo is internally (inside the PD-8) connected to the signal lead of the Head Piezo.
I hope that I'm wrong though.
Cheers, Hanon

This looks easy (ha!)

Tip is the head piezo, ring is the rim piezo. I know not much about the Nord Drum, but if it's anything like my ddrum4, all you'd need to do is break stereo out into mono and you'd be done. So a simple TRS stereo female to two TS mono male connector would work. Actually, if the Roland has a female TRS as it looks like in that diagram, you could use a simple insert cable like this:

bdodds wrote:This looks easy (ha!)

Tip is the head piezo, ring is the rim piezo.

Look again. (phasing/ polarity)

Hi Hanon,

after some extensive cable modding trying all combinations it can't be done at the cable side.

best you can get is 1 side triggers a single pad but the other triggers both pads.

there is no way to get 2 seperate triggers without internally rewiring the PD-8.

Guess I'll just need to get 4 pads instead of 2 :S

Hanon_CTS wrote:Look again. (phasing/ polarity)

I was in a hurry, trying to leave work, and rescuing puppies from a burning building, I had to look fast!

Thanks a lot for the information!

Is this rewiring of the PD-8 a larger surgical operation or is it completely duable if you're able to operate a soldering iron fairly well? I haven't been able to find any guides by googling the issue so I was hoping someone here had the time and knowledge to post a quick walk-through.

Also, do the rest of Roland's (and other producents') trigger pads produce the electrical signal polar-reversed on rimshots as well, or would you be able to split the signal into two monos with an adapter?