Alesis Surge Cymbals User manual

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SURGE CYMBALS SETUP GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
Electronic cymbals produce no sound themselves and require the use of external sound modules in
order to be used as musical instruments. Surge Cymbals are compatible with many drum modules
on the market including those manufactured by Roland™, Yamaha™, Ddrum™, and, of course,
Alesis.
Surge Cymbals can also be used to trigger sounds on any MIDI instrument using a “Trigger to MIDI”
interface such as the Alesis Trigger IO module.
QUICK SETUP
1. Insert the “right angle” plug into the trigger housing on the underside of the cymbal.
2. Place the cymbal onto a cymbal stand.
3. Connect the other end of the cable to your drum module.
4. Set the trigger type specified for your cymbal and module.
5. Adjust the trigger settings to suit your needs.
CONNECTING THE CABLE
Each Surge cymbal comes complete with a stereo 1/4” male-to-male cable. One end of the cable has
a “right angle” plug. This end should be connected to the trigger housing on the underside of the
Surge Cymbal while the straight end should be connected to your module’s trigger input.
PROPER CYMBAL MOUNTING
Surge Cymbals are designed to be mounted on any standard cymbal stand or mounting arm. Typical
cymbal stands come with a 6mm or 8mm threaded mounting rod, a series of washers, and a wing-
nut. Your Surge Cymbal should be mounted between the two felt washers, and the wing-nut should
keep these fastened to the cymbal stand.
Gibraltar™ cymbal arms are very good for mounting acoustic cymbals and electronic Surge Cymbals
as they come standard with a T-shaped plastic cymbal sleeve (which is covers the mounting rod so
the cymbal’s hole does not rub against it). Alternately, you can always use Aquarian™ Cymbal
Springs or other mounting systems with a standard 1/2” bore.
Note that you CAN NOT use a cymbal sleeve with the Surge Ride cymbal as it already has a built-in
sleeve, but be sure to use felt washers when mounting it.
Mounting the Hi-Hat Cymbals
The Surge Hi-Hat Cymbals are designed to be mounted on a fixed hi-hat arm stand – not a standard
hi-hat stand with a pedal and clutch. These are manufactured by most drum hardware companies
and are available from your favorite drum shop.

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Furthermore, the Surge Hi-Hat cymbal is only the trigger. The foot controller is actually responsible
for the difference between “open” and “closed” hi-hat sounds. We recommend the Alesis DM5 Pro Kit
Expansion Hi-Hat Pedal. You can also use the Roland FD-7 or FD-8.
SETTING THE TRIGGER INPUTS
The following information is a starting point for setting your module to use Surge Cymbals. There are
many factors that will affect the triggering and sensitivity of your module’s inputs including:
•Playing style
•Type of drum sticks
•Cymbal mounting (stands vs. racks)
•Types of drums used and their sizes
•Module features
•How hard you play
Start with the recommended trigger input settings and then adjust your module’s trigger input
parameters to best match your needs.

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MODULE SETTINGS
ALESIS DRUM MODULE SETTINGS
For specific Alesis Module information, refer to the manual that came in the box with your Surge
Cymbals.
ROLAND™ DRUM MODULE SETTINGS
Roland produces several popular drum modules. We have included the default settings for some of
the most recent ones here. If you have a Roland module which is not listed here, experiment with the
trigger input settings and e-mail us to let us know what works best for you and we’ll try to include it in
the next version of this user guide.
Roland TD-20 and TD-12
Type Sens Thold Curve Rim Gain Scan ReTrg Can. Mask Xtalk Mount
Splash CY-6 8-10 2 1.0 Linear 2.0 6 10 40 Cym
Crash CY-14C 8-10 2 0.8 Linear 1.6 6 10 40 Cym
China CY-14C 8-10 2 0.8 Linear 1.6 6 10 40 Cym
Ride Bow CY-6 8-10 2 1.0 Linear 2.0 6 10 30 Cym
Ride Bell CY-8 12-14 0 1.1 Linear 2.0 6 10 30 Cym
Hi-Hat CY-12H 8-10 2 1.0 Linear 2.0 6 10 40 Cym
Notes for using the Surge Triple-Zone Crash/Ride Cymbal:
1. Turn off 3-way triggering.
2. Connect one stereo cable from the bow trigger jack to the RIDE input on your module.
3. Connect the other stereo cable from the bell trigger jack to the EDGE input on your module.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you have the two inputs set to trigger the appropriate sounds for
each kit:
RIDE Input HEAD = Ride Bow sound.
RIDE Input RIM = Ride Edge sound.
EDGE Input HEAD = Ride Bell sound.
EDGE Input RIM = Ride Edge sound (same as Ride RIM input).
Notes for using the Surge Dual-Zone Ride Cymbal:
1. Turn off 3-way triggering on the RIDE input and use the included Y-cable on the module’s end
of the ride’s stereo cable.
2. Plug the black tip plug into the RIDE input and the orange ring plug into the EDGE input. This
places the bow ride sound on the RIDE input and the bell ride sound on the EDGE input.
3. Make sure you have a Ride Bow sound assigned to the HEAD of the Ride input and the Ride
Bell sound assigned to the HEAD of the EDGE input.

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Alternately, you can use one of the AUX inputs for the ride without the Y-cable. The AUX inputs are
dual-piezo inputs (like the toms and snare) and allow for dual-piezo stereo triggers like the Surge
Ride. This frees up inputs 10 and 11 (RIDE and EDGE) for two additional cymbals. Make sure to
select PD-120 for the input type on the AUX input as this will allow the bell and bow sounds to be
triggered, then select a Ride Bow instrument and assign it to the HEAD of the AUX input and a Ride
Bell instrument and assign it to the RIM of the AUX input. Make sure you have a Ride Bow sound
assigned to the HEAD and a Ride Bell sound assigned to the RIM of the AUX input.
Roland TD-9
Type Sens Thold Curve Rim Gain Scan ReTrg Can. Mask Xtalk Mount
Splash CY-8 8-10 2 Linear 1.0 2.0 6 10 40 Cym
Crash CY-14C 8-10 2 Linear 0.8 1.6 6 10 40 Cym
China CY-14C 8-10 2 Linear 0.8 1.6 6 10 40 Cym
Ride Bow CY-6 8-10 2 Linear 1.0 2.0 8 10 30 Cym
Ride Bell CY-8 12-14 0 Linear 1.1 2.0 8 10 30 Cym
Hi-Hat CY-12H 8-10 2 Linear 1.0 2.0 6 10 40 Cym
Notes for using the Surge Dual-Zone Crash/Ride Cymbal:
1. Connect the cable marked RIDE to the cymbal’s bow trigger jack (the left jack while looking at
the bottom).
2. Connect a separate stereo cable (not one in the cable harness) from the cymbal’s bell trigger
jack to the AUX input on the side of your TD-9 module.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you have the two inputs set to trigger the appropriate sounds for
each kit:
RIDE Input HEAD = Ride Bow sound
RIDE Input RIM = Ride Edge sound
AUX Input HEAD = Ride Bell sound
AUX Input RIM = Ride Edge sound (same as Ride RIM input)
Notes for using the Surge Dual Zone Ride Cymbal:
1. Plug the included stereo cable into the RIDE Input. A Ride sound should be assigned to the
HEAD trigger and a Ride Bell sound should be assigned to RIM trigger.
2. Use the CY8 Trigger Type and increase the RIM GAIN to 5.0 and adjust from there.

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Roland TD-10
Type Sens Thold Curve Scan ReTrg Can. Mask Xtalk
Splash PD-7 3 2 Linear 0.3 3 12 30
Crash PD-7 3 2 Linear 0.3 3 12 30
China PD-7 3 2 Linear 0.3 3 12 30
Ride Bow PD-7 5 2 Linear 0.3 3 12 40
Ride Bell PD-7 2 1 Linear 0.3 3 12 30
Hi-Hat PD-7 3 2 Linear 0.3 3 12 30
Notes for using the Surge Triple-Zone Crash/Ride Cymbal:
1. Connect one stereo cable from the bow trigger jack to the RIDE input on your module.
2. Connect the other stereo cable from the bell trigger jack to the AUX 1 input on your module.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you have two inputs set to trigger the appropriate sounds for each kit:
Ride Input HEAD = Ride Bow Sound
Ride Input RIM = Ride Edge Sound
Roland TD-6 and TD-6V
Type Sens Thold Curve Scan ReTrg Can. Mask Xtalk
Splash CY-6 10 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Crash CY-6 10 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
China CY-6 10 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Ride Bow CY-6 8 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Ride Bell CY-6 12 0 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Hi-Hat CY-6 10 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Notes for using the Surge Triple-Zone Crash/Ride Cymbal:
1. Connect one stereo cable from the bow trigger jack to the RIDE input on your module.
2. Connect the other stereo cable from the bell trigger jack to the AUX input on your module.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you have the two inputs set to trigger the appropriate sounds for
each kit:
RIDE Input HEAD = Ride Bow Sound
RIDE Input RIM = Ride Edge Sound
AUX Input HEAD = Ride Bell Sound
AUX Input RIM = Ride Edge Sound (same as Ride RIM input)
Notes for using the Surge Dual-Zone Ride Cymbal:
Use the included Y-cable on the module end of the ride’s stereo cable. Plug the black tip plug into the
Ride input and the orange ring plug into any other available input.

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Roland TD-3
Type Sens Thold Curve Scan ReTrg Can. Mask Xtalk
Splash CY-6 10 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Crash CY-6 10 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
China CY-6 10 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Ride Bow CY-6 8 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Ride Bell CY-6 12 0 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Hi Hat CY-6 10 2 Linear 2.5 6 8 40
Notes for using the Surge Triple-Zone Crash/Ride Cymbal:
1. Connect one stereo cable from the bow trigger jack to the RIDE input on your module.
2. Connect the other stereo cable from the bell trigger jack to any other available input on your
module.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you have the two inputs set to trigger the appropriate sounds for
each kit:
Ride Input HEAD = Ride Bow sound
Ride Input RIM = Ride Edge sound
Other Input HEAD = Ride Bell sound
Other Input RIM = Ride Edge sound (same as Ride RIM input)
Notes for using the Surge Dual-Zone Ride Cymbal:
Use the included Y cable on the module end of the ride’s stereo cable. Plug the black tip plug into the
Ride input and the orange ring plug into any other available input.
Roland TMC-6
Type Sens Thold Curve Scan ReTrg Can. Mask Xtalk
Splash CY 10 4 Linear 2.5 8 8 40
Crash CY 10 4 Linear 2.5 8 8 40
China CY 10 4 Linear 2.5 8 8 40
Ride Bow CY 8 4 Linear 2.5 8 8 40
Ride Bell CY 12 0 Linear 2.5 8 8 40
Hi Hat CY 10 4 Linear 2.5 8 8 40
Notes for using the Surge Triple-Zone Crash/Ride Cymbal:
1. Connect one stereo cable from the bow trigger jack to the RIDE input on your module.
2. Connect the other stereo cable from the bell trigger jack to any other available input on your
module.

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IMPORTANT: Make sure you have the two inputs set to trigger the appropriate sounds for
each kit:
Ride Input HEAD = Ride Bow Sound
Ride Input RIM = Ride Edge Sound
Other Input HEAD = Ride Bell Sound
Other Input RIM = Ride Edge Sound (Same as Ride RIM input)
Notes for using the Surge Dual-Zone Ride Cymbal:
Use the included Y-cable on the module end of the ride’s stereo cable. Plug the black tip plug into
the any input (other than #2) and the orange ring plug into any other input (other than #2).
Alternately, you can use Input #2 only which is a stereo input (the only one on the TMC-6 without the
Y-cable. Use the following settings if you connect the Ride to Input #2.
NOTE: You must set the pad type to P12 to be able to use the Bow and Rim sounds. You will have
to adjust the Head and Rim settings independently.
Type Sens Thold Curve Scan ReTrg Can. Mask Xtalk
Ride Head P12 8 4 Linear 2.5 8 8 40
Ride Bell P12 12 0 Linear 2.5 8 8 40
YAMAHA™ DRUM MODULE SETTINGS
Yamaha also offers a few very popular drum modules in the DTX line of electronic drums such as the
DTXTREME IIS and the DTXPRESS III. The Surge Splash, Crash, China, and Hi-Hat Cymbals are
supported when using the PCY-80 trigger input setting. Surge Ride Cymbals will work but are not
supported at this time.
DDRUM™ DRUM MODULE SETTINGS
Ddrum modules are not officially supported, but may work with Surge Cymbals using mono inputs. E-
mail us if you have one of these modules and want to report your trigger settings.
Note: The Ddrum cymbal inputs are not compatible with the choke-able or dual-zone cymbals. You
will only get one zone from all Surge Cymbals.

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COMPATIBILITY GUIDES
The following charts represent the brands and types of drum modules that have been tested with the
Surge Cymbals so far and show the Surge Cymbals’ functions with those modules.
SURGE 12” HI-HAT
DM5 Single-zone
DM Pro Single-zone
D4 Single-zone
Trigger IO Single-zone
Alesis
Control Pad Single-zone
TD-12 / TD-20 Single-zone
TD-10 Single-zone
TD-8 Single-zone
TD-6 / TD-6V Single-zone
TD-3 Single-zone
Roland
TMC-6 Single-zone
DTXTREME Single-zone
Yamaha DTXPRESS Single-zone
SURGE 13” CRASH
DM5 Single-zone
DM Pro Single-zone
D4 Single-zone
Trigger io Single-zone
Alesis
Control Pad Single-zone
TD-12 / 20 Dual-zone capability
TD-10 Dual-zone capability
TD-8 Dual-zone capability
TD-6 / TD-6V Dual-zone capability
TD-3 Dual-zone capability
Roland
TMC-6 Dual-zone capability
DTXTREME Single-zone
Yamaha DTXPRESS Single-zone

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SURGE 13” CRASH WITH CHOKE
DM5 Single-zone (choke not functional)
DM Pro Single-zone (choke not functional)
D4 Single-zone (choke not functional)
Trigger IO Single-zone with choke
Alesis
Control Pad Single-zone (choke not functional)
TD-12 / TD-20 Single-zone with choke
TD-10 Single-zone with choke
TD-8 Single-zone with choke
TD-6 / TD-6V Single-zone with choke
TD-3 Single-zone with choke
Roland
TMC-6 Single-zone with choke
DTXTREME Single-zone (choke not functional)
Yamaha DTXPRESS Single-zone (choke not functional)
SURGE 16” DUAL-ZONE RIDE
DM5 Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
DM Pro Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
D4 Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
Trigger IO Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
Alesis
Control Pad Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
TD-12 / TD-20 Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
TD-10 Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
TD-8 Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
TD-6 / TD-6V Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
TD-3 Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
Roland
TMC-6 Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
DTXTREME Dual-zone (with Y-cable)
Yamaha DTXPRESS Dual-zone (with Y-cable)

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SURGE 16” DUAL-ZONE RIDE WITH CHOKE
DM5 Dual-zone (choke not functional)
DM Pro Dual-zone (choke not functional)
D4 Dual-zone (choke not functional)
Trigger IO Dual-zone with choke
Alesis
Control Pad Dual-zone (choke not functional)
TD-12 / TD-20 Compatible as triple-zone *
TD-10 Compatible as triple-zone *
TD-8 Compatible as triple-zone *
TD-6 / TD-6V Compatible as triple-zone *
TD-3 Compatible as triple-zone *
Roland
TMC-6 Compatible as triple-zone *
DTXTREME Dual-zone (choke not functional)
Yamaha DTXPRESS Dual-zone (choke not functional)

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CYMBAL CARE
Surge cymbals are designed to the highest standards and should provide you with a lifetime of
reliable service. As with any piece of electronic equipment, you should take care when transporting
and cleaning your cymbals.
TRANSPORTING YOUR CYMBALS
You should transport your cymbals in protected and padded cases, which should be available from
your favorite drum shop. The use of hard, plastic “cymbal-safe” type of cases isn’t recommended
because you can not fasten more than a few Surge Cymbals in the case before you run out of room.
The trigger housings on the undersides of the cymbals are made from a very strong and lightweight
ABS plastic and are very durable, but please be sure not to stack too much weight on the cymbals.
Because of this trigger housing, you will not be able to stack these cymbals as flatly and neatly as you
could stack the same number of acoustic cymbals.
CLEANING YOUR CYMBALS
Cleaning the Top Surface
The top playing surfaces of your Surge Cymbals are made from a real brass alloy cymbal, therefore
you should use a damp wet cloth or a non-abrasive cymbal cleaner or cymbal polish – on the top
surface only – to remove stick marks or other debris. DO NOT USE CYMBAL CLEANER ON THE
BOTTOM SURFACE.
Cleaning the Bottom Surface
The bottom surface is covered with the special plastic dampening material and should not be cleaned
with cymbal cleaner or cymbal polish. Instead, dampen a cloth with water and clean the surface or, in
extreme cases, use a specialty plastics cleaner (such as the kind used for cleaning the isinglass on a
boat.
SUPPORT
If your drum module is not listed above and you would like to report the settings that work best for
you, let us know and we’ll try to include it in the next version of this manual.
E-mail: [email protected]