The Best Trigger Package

Drum triggers have been around for over two decades, but the more recent software and hardware have improved greatly over what drummers have used in the past. If you are looking for triggers for your electronic drums, you are not alone.

Because of improvement in triggers within the last few years, there has been renewed interest in using them. Here are a few tips on what to look for in an electronic drum trigger pack, and a few reviews to help you start shopping.

When you are using triggers on your electronic drum, it’s actually a pretty simple concept. In my thirty years as a drummer, I have found that the one place that triggers work the best in is clubs.

You will get different sound quality from club to club depending on their PA, microphones, or the sound person. Triggering electronic drums in this situation instead of just using acoustic drums solves the problem of having no control over the sound of your instrument.

After you place the triggers on your mesh heads, you plug the triggers into the sound module which goes to the PA or drum amp, and instantly you have studio quality sound.

The trigger helps you to not have your sound overtaken by the guitar, and you will get a punchier and clear drum sound through the PA, or better yet your own amp, and no one else will mess up your sound.

Triggering Features

First, some terms to learn so you know what to look for in a good trigger:

Amplitude

This is the waveform’s height that is measured in volts.

Crosstalk

This is the vibration after the pad is struck that causes another pad or drum trigger to fire. This is generally caused by sympathetic vibrations.

Double Trigger

This is one or more sounds made after the first intentional trigger or pad hit.

Mask Time

This is the amount of time that it takes a trigger input to wait prior to reacting to another trigger waveform.

Sensitivity

This is a setting on the trigger interface that is used to balance the different voltage output levels of different trigger or pads and playing styles.

Scan Time

This is the amount of time it takes to receive a trigger signal from a sound module before the waveform amplitude is read to decide the volume of a sound.

Threshold

This is the point below where a trigger waveform will no longer be recognized.

Velocity Curve

A sound module’s sound output volume that is changed relative to user input is altered by a trigger interface setting.

Waveform

The waveform is a voltage output representation of the drum trigger that is shown over time in amplitude.

Setting Up Triggers

There is a variety of different options for triggers and their interfaces or sound modules. Your basic trigger setup will be comprised of the trigger, the drum, and the trigger interface.

There are two types of triggers interfaces. One has sounds on board and they are usually called drum modules.

The other does not have sounds, and they are often referred to as “trigger-to-MIDI” converters. Despite the different names, they both have the same purpose, to change a trigger pulse into a MIDI. Which one to use is entirely up to you.

Drum Module

Your electronic drum set may already have a drum module that can function as the trigger interface. If you have this part, you are in luck as that is the most expensive part of a drum trigger setup.

However, if you don’t already have the drum module, you probably should pick one up since it can perform as the trigger-to-MIDI interface, and it also already has the sounds that you want to trigger.

There are lots of options on the market at all the price levels, but always do your research and get the best possible deal.

Trigger-to-MIDI

Next you will need a trigger-to-MIDI interface, and if you do your research, you should be able to find a few good ones on the market.

Try to find one that is completely a trigger-to-MIDI interface, so it will not have any sounds in it, and you will have to connect it to the external sound module through a MIDI cord.

Attaching Triggers

There are two places to attach a trigger to an electronic drum. The first is the head of the drum, or it can attach to the rim of the drum and sit in its own housing.

The head contact trigger, or Piezo pickup, sticks to the head with adhesive. The rim mount trigger are mounted to the rim, and then the trigger assembly is pressed against the head.

Piezo crystal technology is used in both these triggers. Piezo crystals can actually be found around all the time, and they are used in everyday technology, like microwaves, that beep.

So, when the drum is struck, the head vibrates the piezo that then sends a tiny amount of voltage to the trigger-to-MIDI converter.

This voltage spike is turned by the trigger interface into MIDI information including the velocity, note number, and MIDI channel. The MIDI information is then to on to create a sound from the sound source.

Types of Triggers

The most common trigger is the head contact trigger. There are several companies that make drum triggers with ddrum and Roland as a few examples.

The head contact trigger is the most inexpensive of the drum trigger types, and it is also the most fragile. This is also a permanent addition to your kit as they generally stay on the drum all of the time with either double-stick tape or adhesive.

Since it is the jack arrangement and sensor, any exposed wire is left open to be damaged. The most common damage is a pinched wire from passing over the rim that is left in a fragile position. So, it is important to take care of them.

The rim-mount trigger is another trigger arrangement, and it is the trigger that has been around for the longest. It works really well, but it does not have sensor height adjustment to make up for the differing rim heights.

If the rim is very high, it may not reach the head, or if the rim is low, it may end up muffling the drum. You will need an XLR-to-1/4″ cable that will connect to the drum module.

The newest trigger is the Roland’s RT-Series drum triggers. Roland studied the design elements from all the other triggers to create it.

It has sensor elements for both kick and snare with an ingenious sensor design to the mesh headed V-Drum pads and to the kick and snare trigger.

It has an inverted cone trigger element assembly that will not muffle the drum head, and it can also help to lessen double or false triggers. The RT-3T tom trigger does not touch the drum head, but senses the vibration through the rim.

Sound Module Parameters

Learning to apply trigger technology can take some practice. It may take a little experimentation to get it just right, especially since each drum set will vary.

There are common trigger settings, or parameters, from drum to drum. The names of the settings may differ depending on the manufacturer, but they do have the same functions.

The owner’s manual for the drum module or the interface should help you figure them out. One of the first things you should do before setting any parameters is to find the “trigger type” selection on your interface or drum module.

You may not find it on older modules, but you shouldn’t have a problem with the newer ones. This will set the trigger settings approximately where they need to be before you even need to do anything.

Sensitivity

At this point, you need to set your “sensitivity” level to work with your playing style.

If you are setting your parameters yourself, remember that there is a tendency for a drummer to set them softer than what you would actually do when you are performing.

When you are playing your hardest, you should peak on your sensitivity graph. Also, don’t set the sensitivity to high as this will constrain your dynamic range, and it will lead to double triggering problems or dropping notes out.

Threshold

Next is setting your “Threshold”. You should first set it to “0” where it is most sensitive, and then play at the lower volume that you intend to play.

You should then increase the threshold until you notice that the triggered sound is starting to drop out. Remember to always be realistic with your performance expectations.

Mask Time

The next parameter called “mask time” is called by several different names, so make sure to check the manual for what your interface calls it. This is the parameter that gets rid of multiple, double, and false triggers.

You also need to find out what your numeric values in actual milliseconds your interface corresponds to. This will make setting the parameter an easier process, otherwise, you will have to do it by ear.

The “mask time” parameter should be taken down to “0,” and you need to play the drums as quickly as you would in a normal performance.

At this point, increase the threshold setting, so that the double triggering is lessened or gone completely, and then continue to raise the value until you aren’t triggering some notes.

Now you need to take the setting back down a bit, and keep repeating this whole process for all the drums one by one.

The Competition

After hours of testing and research, here's the final competition.

Instrument	Rating	Current Pricing
Roland TM-2 Drum Module	Comes with tons of sounds and effects
Roland RT-30K with RT-30HR/RT-30H	Comes with a self-guided mount that will automatically set up your sensor to the optimal position
Ddrum Red Shot 5-Piece Drum Trigger Pack	Easy to install and uninstall, durable, and very portable
Pintech External Trigger 5-Pack	Easy to install and uninstall, and they can be used over and over
Ddrum Chrome Elite 5-Piece Trigger Tour Pack	Have a chrome finish and a perfected transducer and wiring harness that makes them more reliable, longer lasting, and better at tracking
Ddrum DRT 5-Piece Dual Element Trigger Pack	Get clear, crisp, and precise performances every time
ddrum CETKIT Chrome Elite Trigger Pack	Come in a brand-new chrome finish with improved wiring harness and a transducer making them more reliable, longer lasting, and better at tracking
Roland Hybrid Trigger Percussion Pack	Lets you create your own WAVE files with an SDHC card, so you can even create your own samples at home in the studio

Our Recommendation:

Roland TM-2 Drum Module Pack w/ RT-30

The Roland TM-2 Drum Module Pack has limitless sounds, and they mount very neatly onto your electronic drums.

There are a variety of pads and triggers that are supported by two trigger inputs that provide professional onboard sounds and multi-effects. You can also create custom WAV sounds through you SDHC card.

The Roland TM-2 triggers have a low-profile design that makes sure they are out of your way while you are playing, and their ABS bodies are fiberglass-reinforced, so they can definitely withstand a random hit with your stick.

You can design an awesome custom hybrid kit with your SPD series controller or V-Drum, and you can track MIDI in the studio.

These are great to use while you are recording, or while you are performing on stage. They don’t need any software, and they are easy to install and uninstall.

They are compact and battery-powered and includes 160 onboard sounds. You can capture the strike of your kick drum the moment you make it, and they have separate zones that will trigger rimshots or ghost notes.

They include TRS cables so you can connect your triggers to the module. They are priced in the mid $400s.

Pros

Comes with tons of sounds and effects
Easy to put on your drums and take off
You can hit them and they don’t break easily

Cons

A little on the expensive side

Runner Up:

Roland RT-30K with RT-30HR/RT-30H Acoustic Drum Trigger 6-PIECE PAK

The Roland RT-30K with RT-30HR/RT-30H  gives you an awesome deal with a ton of triggers that is a great option if you are just starting out with triggers. They are super simple to install, and they give quick and precise triggering.

It comes with a self-guided mount that will automatically set up your sensor to the optimal position, so there is no need for a lot of adjustments once they are mounted.

These are perfect for all your drums with the RT-30HR specifically designed for your snare, and the single-trigger RT-30H works well for your toms.

They are designed to attach securely, and the Roland Trigger Pack is a great value. They are available in the mid $400 range.

Pros

Great price on a great set of triggers
Easy to install, and they are really secure once they are one
Automatic set up is awesome, especially if you are new to using triggers

Cons

A little on the expensive side

Other Products to Consider:

Ddrum Red Shot 5-Piece Drum Trigger Pack

The ddrum Red Shot 5-Piece Drum Trigger Pack contains four 4 Red Shot tom/snare triggers, plus one Red Shot bass drum trigger.

The Red Shot drum triggers are easy to install and uninstall, durable, and very portable. You can connect them to your drums with any 1/4″ cable, and they should fit on to most drums easily without any adhesive needed.

Red Shot drum triggers attach securely and safely to each drum. They are available for under $100.

Pros

Convenient as no adhesive is needed
They mount in quickly and can be used with mesh heads
They also seem to work with just about every manufacturer’s modules on the market

Cons

Wires are exposed
Plug-ins are lacking quality

Pintech External Trigger 5-Pack

The Pintech External Trigger 5-Pack are mounted to the electronic drum heads, and they give you superb response and sensitivity.

They are specially designed with Pintech’s world renowned trigger system making them one of the best external triggers that give you both response and sensitivity on the market.

They feature the “Kwik Klip” mounting system that guarantees that your audio jack will stay in the right place, and that it will fasten to the drum without adhesives.

They are easy to install and uninstall, and they can be used over and over. The Pintech External Triggers are specially designed for mesh heads. They are priced around $800.

Pros

High-quality and simple to use
Easy to install, you can put them on your drums right away
Good quality, can use on any kind of electronic set

Cons

A little on the expensive side

Ddrum Chrome Elite 5-Piece Trigger Tour Pack

The ddrum Chrome Elite drum triggers comes in a 5 pack, and they embody ddrum’s success with trigger performance and construction.

They have a chrome finish and a perfected transducer and wiring harness that makes them more reliable, longer lasting, and better at tracking.

They are based on industry-standard Acoustic Pro triggers, and work well with all the popular drum modules. They are available at the $400 price point.

Pros

Great looking, chrome finish a plus
Work with any type of drum module
Long lasting and great for gigs

Cons

A little on the expensive side

Ddrum DRT 5-Piece Dual Element Trigger Pack

The ddrum DRT Dual Element Trigger Pack contains five ddrum triggers that have dual redundant trigger technology, so you can go back and forth between two different elements that are in the same trigger housing.

The ddrum DRT has a precision response with a secure XLR connector, an easy to replace transducer, and a wide dynamic range.

Their backup triggering system guarantees that they won’t fail, and they work will all the popular drum modules. They are available from the mid $200s.

Pros

Gives you the ultimate reactive sonic drums
Switchable transducers improve sound
You get clear, crisp, and precise performances every time

Cons

Not functional, poor quality

ddrum CETKIT Chrome Elite Trigger Pack

The ddrum CETKIT Chrome Elite Trigger Pack embody the best in trigger performance and construction.

They are based on industry-standard Acoustic Pro triggers, and come in a brand-new chrome finish with improved wiring harness and a transducer making them more reliable, longer lasting, and better at tracking.

They are available from the low to mid $200s.

Pros

They last a long time, and are great for performances
Awesome reliability and durability
Terrific looks on and they work great

Cons

None

Roland Hybrid Trigger Percussion Pack – Includes RT-30K, RT-30HR, TM-2 Module & cables

The Roland Hybrid Percussion Pack includes the Roland TM-2, which is the size of a sandwich, that is battery powered when you are onstage and uses an AC adapter when you are practicing at home.

It has over 160 onboard sounds, and it also lets you create your own WAVE files with an SDHC card, so you can even create your own samples at home in the studio, and then play them out for your audience when you are on stage.

They are super easy to install and uninstall. The pack also includes the Roland RT-30K kick drum trigger, plus a dual-zone RT-30HR snare trigger, and a module mount, plus all the cables you need to hook everything up.

They are available in the mid $300 range.

Pros

A lot of sounds to choose from, and you can create your own samples
Easy to put on and take off
Great sounds and easy to use

Cons

A little on the expensive side