Trigger pad

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A trigger pad is a sensor on a drum that produces a certain sound assigned from a sound module, once the head has been struck. This device allows drummers to play at faster rate without having to strike the drum hard: because at very rapid speeds it becomes difficult for feet move as rapidly and with as much power. Also, when playing slowly, the volume will invariably go down without a trigger pad. Trigger pads are most commonly used on Bass drums because of the lack of range in sensitivity possible in striking the drum.

The use of trigger pads is generally scoffed upon by musicians and fans as 'cheating'. But though many think the drummer is not actually striking each note, a trigger pad requires a hit for each sound produced, and acts merely as a supplement to the contact caused by the drummer.

[edit] Advantages

Trigger pads have a number of advantages to the drummer. Trigger pads are the only way to tune two bass drums to the same note. It is not possible to tune two drums to precisely the same tone, because no two drums are ever identical. The only way to achieve this is through the use of trigger pads. Even players using a double pedal experience this to some degree, as the two beaters hit different spots in the head. In addition, at extremely high speeds, the sounds produced by the bass drum will in effect be an indistinguishable rumble.

A triggered bass drum sound often has an audible treble portion, called the "click" due to its sound, guaranteeing that even at high tempos each note will be clearly audible (this can also be achieved by substituting the usual felt beater head with one made of wood or rubber). Triggers are also useful for touring bands who play concerts night after night in venues with different acoustics and various levels of sound quality. The triggers make one less hassle in preparing for death metal concerts, which often feature very large and expensive drum sets played in small, cheap venues.

[edit] Disadvantages

Triggers also have their drawbacks. In addition to their popular identity as a tool of cheating, the triggers can be very tough to calibrate: often before calibration a trigger will either produce a series of notes from only one hit, will produce only a couple notes when many hits are made, or will produce no sound at all. Therefore, an exhaustive calibration and setup period for triggers is almost always necessary. In addition, triggering kills the potential for dynamic playing: However hard the drum is struck, the signal produced will be at a static volume (although some dynamics can be achieved in more expensive triggers). Though in some forms of music this is desirable, as in a death metal band, where no volume control is needed, it is very difficult if not impossible to use in a more light setting such as jazz or fusion music.

Finally, a triggered bass drum will almost never sound like a genuine bass drum, even if the sound produced by the trigger is a recording of a real bass drum, as nuances of individual hits are lost due to the uniform sound produced by the transducer. To aid this to some extent, a recording drummer will often choose to use a mix of trigger and microphone when recording (this technique was used by Iron Maiden when they recorded their A Matter Of Life And Death studio album).

Perhaps one of the most well-known trigger pad users is Fear Factory drummer Raymond Herrera, who is known for his use of trigger pads during recording, however he is able to replicate his blistering foot work live, and as such is not really considered a "cheat". He rather uses the pads for their sound, rather than to "cheat".

[edit] Other uses

Triggers are often used as a way to count and monitor drum hits, usually as a training device (to see if a drummer misses hits etc.) or in speed attempts (Tim Waterson, the current world record holder as stated in the Guinness Book of World Records, uses trigger pads to record his speeds).