I think we can all agree that drum triggers are a bit pricey. And with the rise in converting Acoustic drum kits to electric, I am yet to find a decent, budget-friendly trigger option. However, while looking, I came across the DrumTec Groove Dot, and instantly fell in love with its sleek, minimal side-triggering design. However, I couldn't justify the 99 € ($110 USD) price tag for the dual triggering option. So I made my own.

I knew I wanted two main things in my design:

1. Cheap: I didn't want this to cost more than $100 to build triggers for the entire kit
2. Dual-Triggering: Since I plan on including rim triggering in my conversion, I figured it would be easiest to include it in the design

So I jumped into CAD and came up with this. It's basically a 1-to-1 copy of the Groove Dot, with a few small exceptions:

1. The mounting bracket is open on the bottom

   Lots of people were having issues with the bottom of the mounting bracket running into/blocking screws, so I made the bottom open to prevent this

2. It doesn't cost $110

   All up, each trigger comes out to a little over $10, with the most expensive part being the trigger foam (that stuff is stupidly expensive)

A few notes:

• I haven't tested this yet: I will, but my 3D printer is currently broken and in desperate need of retirement. So when my new printer arrives, I will update this. That being said, I am 99% sure this will work, so if you make it and it works, please let me know.
• The mounting bracket: I've designed the bracket to be made from 2mm thick Aluminium, although the STL has been included for anyone who wants to print it. However, I've read online from numerous sources that the rim triggering is weaker when mounted with plastic parts, as the vibrations don't travel as smoothly. I can't back this up, but if you can, I would recommend fabricating the bracket from metal. The DXF is included.

Materials

For each trigger, you will need

• 1x Housing
• 1x Bracket
• 2x 20mm piezo
• 1x 20mmx15mm trigger foam
• 3x 20x20mm Foam Adhesive Squares (Not needed if the piezos come with adhesive
• 2x M2x6mm Threaded Inserts
• 2x M2 Countersunk Screws (Don't need to be countersunk)

Assembly

These instructions do not detail installing the connection jack. They assume you already know how to complete this.

1. Countersink the two holes on the back of the mounting bracket

   

2. Press the two threaded inserts into the mounting points on the housing

   

3. Attach the rim piezo in between the two screw holes on the mounting bracket using a foam adhesive square

   

4. Attach the head piezo to the housing using a foam adhesive square, and feed its wire through the provided hole

   

5. Solder the ground of the two piezo together, and two additional lengths of wire to the positive ends of each piezo, as well as the common ground connection

6. Screw the housing onto the bracket

   

7. To attach the trigger to the drum, unscrew two of the lug nuts, and attach it using them. Adjust the height if necessary.

   

Again, please let me know if you successfully built this, as I would love to see it in action. Once I've made mine, I will update this with photos from the process.