![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8e1f3e15ccb41b88df85a10bb90531a.jpg/v1/fill/w_288,h_245,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a8e1f3e15ccb41b88df85a10bb90531a.jpg)
![dunmore head (slea head) 3.jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_1e531586543c4312885b0f773dac36b2~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_147,h_50,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b4f08c_1e531586543c4312885b0f773dac36b2~mv2.jpeg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_77463613b7364df1940a4179e1f3913f~mv2.gif)
Erick Falc'her-Poyroux (since 1996)
Drums
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HOW TO TURN YOUR ACOUSTIC DRUMS INTO ELECTRONIC DRUMS
EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT AND ARE NO PRO IN ELECTRONICS
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Here's how I converted a cheap drum kit (any kit will do) into an electronic kit. Honestly, I never thought I'd be able to do that, so thanks a lot to all those who've put their experiments and expertise online.
Most of the stuff was bought either at Michenaud & Co. (Nantes, France), or www.drum-tec.de (Germany). Thanks to Alex & Michael for their advice and their patience.
NB: I am not saying the conversion was cheap (except for the toms)...
EQUIPMENT USED
- 5 mesh heads (from Michenaud & drum-tec). Don't forget to stick some kind of plastic reinforcement where the bass-drum beater hits the head, since felt beaters damage mesh heads (and vice-versa).
- 5 DDRUM replacement triggers (piezo + foam) from Drum-tec + double sided carpet tape (something really strong!)
- 5 female mono jacks (www.e44.fr)
- 5 metal corner braces (any DIY shop)
- VH-11 hi-hat Roland
- 1 dual-zone Smartrigger crash cymbal (Drum-tec)
- 1 triple zone Smartrigger ride cymbal (Drum-tec)
- 1 Roland TD10 sound module (second hand) - any module by Roland will do the trick (but the VH-11 hi-hat is not compatible with all modules).
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RESULT
The snare drum needs another job with a stereo jack and two piezos, but I haven't done that yet. For the moment I am using a Roland td5-rs trigger on it (Michenaud, with mesh head).
![IMG_6315.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_bcba5f206968405582cde247904d8037~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_113,h_85,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/IMG_6315_JPG.jpg)
INSTALLING THE TRIGGERS
- For each shell, take off the original head,
- unscrew a tension lug (the one closest to where you will fit the jack plug),
- adapt the holes of a metal corner brace so as to install it inside the shell by using the original lug screws,
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_4d811830b227441d8f61472fac874a29~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_92,h_50,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b4f08c_4d811830b227441d8f61472fac874a29~mv2.jpg)
- solder a mono jack to the piezo (red = tip)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_54132871c3c64322a8211b3f2a414b77~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_73,h_51,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b4f08c_54132871c3c64322a8211b3f2a414b77~mv2.jpg)
- stick the foam inside the mesh head, dead centre, with double-sided carpet tape.
- drill a hole near the tension lug where you will fit the jack plug,
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_7fc5486b310e470a8e1795e6bf05e999~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_74,h_53,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b4f08c_7fc5486b310e470a8e1795e6bf05e999~mv2.jpg)
- if necessary, work out the boring inside
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_ac2b29f6c55a4952911189a336188c50~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_78,h_55,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b4f08c_ac2b29f6c55a4952911189a336188c50~mv2.jpg)
- fit the female jack plug
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_21b0af4cf6b34182be49e1e5ecf8b65b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_78,h_59,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b4f08c_21b0af4cf6b34182be49e1e5ecf8b65b~mv2.jpg)
- put the mesh head on the shell, and fix the piezo cables on the corner brace with tape to prevent them from moving around when you're playing,
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_fecbdb7ea4a1451983578e3b57cded20~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_78,h_61,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b4f08c_fecbdb7ea4a1451983578e3b57cded20~mv2.jpg)
- repeat the same operation for each shell, and plug !
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b4f08c_8a3b51f79e29418fadd20377a85e8563~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_98,h_70,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b4f08c_8a3b51f79e29418fadd20377a85e8563~mv2.jpg)
The rest is a question of finding the right settings on your module.
It's working great for me !