Abstract:
An apparatus, system, and method for a magnetically and releaseably attachable trigger for an instrument is provided along with a choking device for use of the trigger in connection with a cymbal or like percussion device. The trigger and securing device are disposed on either side of a cymbal surface or a cymbal stand via magnetic force and the choking mechanism is in electrical connection with the trigger to interrupt the signal for choking purposes and is mounted on a surface of the cymbal to be choked.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/295,483, entitled MAGNETICALLY SECURED CYMBAL TRIGGER AND CHOKE ASSEMBLY (Suitor), filed Feb. 15, 2016, and to U.S. Utility Patent Application Ser. 14/988,570, entitled MAGNETICALLY SECURED INSTRUMENT TRIGGER (Suitor), filed Jan. 5, 2016 (the “&#39;570 patent”), both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention is electronic instrument triggers and more particularly to triggers for use with cymbals and percussion instruments. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
         [0004]    In the past few decades, drum triggers have increasingly been used with acoustic drums for live performances and studio recordings. In many instances, drum triggers can overcome potential problems with using microphones and can allow a drummer to have more control over the sound of the drum. In effect, the addition of a drum trigger to an acoustic drum converts the acoustic drum to an electric drum pad. 
         [0005]    The &#39;570 patent is directed to a new and improved drum trigger that addresses the problems associated with the prior art as discussed in the Background of that application. 
         [0006]    In addition to drum instruments, drummers use a variety of cymbal and related instruments that also require triggering in the context of a complete electronic drum kit solution. Prior attempts to trigger cymbals suffer due to poor mechanisms and manners of attaching the trigger device to the cymbal. Often these devices suffer from ineffective sensitivity due to mounting method used or to failure of the mounting method and loss of triggering altogether or need to re-attach trigger to the cymbal. Repeated failures are not only undesired but also cause the devices to degrade over time requiring replacement thus adding to cost. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. App. Publication 2012/0118130, ELECTRONIC CYMBAL ASSEMBLY WITH MODULAR SELF-DAMPENING TRIGGERING SYSTEM, (Field) discloses a “choke system to stop triggering . . . basically as an on and off switch” for use with a hi-hat type cymbal instrument wherein “when one hits the choke it will trigger a sound that is sent to the sound module, so that a computer associated with the sound module will basically tell the sound system to shut off” The Field set up “includes a trigger system that uses half of the surface area of the cymbal and is attached by nuts and bolts.” A complicated variable resistor riding in a sleeve co-axially with the plunger and clutch mechanism of the hi-hat is required to accomplish the triggering of the Field system. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,323,632, PERCUSSION TRANSDUCER, (Wachter) discloses use of a center-axis piezo transducer mounted between the center mounting hole of a cymbal and a washer along a cymbal mount spindle. The &#39;632 patent specifically teaches away from a non-center-axis located transducer of  FIG. 6  due to “making the striking surface unbalanced, thus causing undesired rotation after repetitive strikes.” A FSR-based choke is briefly mentioned as a “pressure sensitive tape switch or . . . FSR . . . attached around the circumference of the striking surface providing a method to ‘choke’ the initial sound triggered by the percussion transducer.” 
         [0009]    Thus, there is a need for improved cymbal triggers and chokes associated with full and enjoyable use of cymbal triggers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides apparatus, systems, and methods in which a drum trigger has a first member, which may be a securing device, and a second member, which may be a trigger, which go on either side of a cymbal. The securing device can magnetically couple to the trigger, such that the cymbal surface is interposed between the securing device and the trigger. This configuration allows the trigger to non-concentrically attach directly to the cymbal without modifying or damaging the cymbal with without disassembly and without the need for nuts and bolts. The choke of the present invention is attached partially about the circumference of a portion of the cymbal and provides an electrical means for interrupting or choking the sound associated with the trigger device based on the signal communicated to the sound module. The choke may be used on either a plastic cymbal, such as typically used for practice or for e-drum kit set up and may also be used with traditional metallic cymbals. 
         [0011]    The trigger securing device magnets are preferably of the rare-earth element type, such as neodymium magnets. The drum trigger further comprises a sound-receiving element, such as a piezoelectric transducer, which translates the vibrations of the cymbal when played into a digital or analog electrical signal such as by a sound module commonly associated with electronic drum equipment. The sound-receiving element, (e.g. piezoelectric transducer) is electrically coupled to an analog or digital sound management system. In some embodiments, the digital sound management system is a drum sound module, and the piezoelectric transducer is connected to the drum sound module via a TRS jack. 
         [0012]    The cymbal trigger and choke assembly of the present invention is advantageous over prior art cymbal trigger devices because it is more accurate, more durable, and easier to use than the prior art trigger devices. The cymbal trigger of the present invention is magnetically secured to the cymbal. This enables the trigger to move with the vibrations of the cymbal on which it is disposed while capturing the exact vibrations and tone of the instrument while avoiding “bounce” or double triggering or cross-triggering. 
         [0013]    In this manner the present invention provides the following exemplary advantages over the prior art: Instantly provides dampening for quiet play consistent with electronic cymbals; No alteration to cymbals; Provides muting ability/retro fit e-cymbals without capability; With mute/dampener our trigger can be used as single source for typical trigger setup on drum kit. 
         [0014]    In a first exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides A choke and trigger apparatus, the trigger being magnetically mounted to a cymbal or cymbal stand and used to generate a signal derived from a vibration detected upon a user operating a cymbal, the choke and trigger apparatus comprising: a trigger adapted to be removably mounted onto a cymbal or cymbal stand and comprising: a housing; a magnet disposed and secured within the housing and adapted to removably secure the trigger to the cymbal or cymbal stand; a piezo-electric transducer having an electrical output and being disposed within the housing, the piezo-electric transducer being essentially electrically and physically isolated from the magnet and adapted to generate an electrical signal in response to a detected mechanical vibration associated with operation of the cymbal; a choke adapted to be mounted onto the cymbal or cymbal stand and to sense a touch of a hand for interrupting a signal associated with the electrical signal, the choke comprising: a sensor disposed on the cymbal and adapted to sense the touch of a user operating the cymbal; means to cause an electrical response to the sensed touching. 
         [0015]    In addition the invention may be further characterized as follows: comprising a securing device, the securing device comprising a second housing and a second magnet disposed within the second housing, whereby with the trigger disposed opposite the securing device the respective magnets are attracted to each other with the cymbal disposed between the trigger and the securing device; further adapted to deliver the electrical signal to an input of an electronic drum module, the electronic drum module being adapted to process the trigger electrical signal and produce an audio signal representative of a sound associated with operation of a musical instrument; further comprising an electrical combination device adapted to be electrically connected to the trigger and to the choke and to generate an output representing the trigger electrical signal as unchoked and as choked; wherein the trigger magnet is a type of rare earth magnet; further comprising an electrical lead having a tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) jack, XLR connector, or other suitable connector with a termination adapted to operatively connect to an electronic module; and wherein the choke comprises a Force-Sensing Resistor sensor. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In order to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals. These drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention, but are intended to be exemplary and for reference. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  provides a side view of the component parts of a trigger system according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of a trigger according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  provide side and perspective views respectively of a trigger with a strain relief according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  provide side and top views respectively of a trigger with electrical lead according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  provides a perspective view of a trigger showing the trigger components according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  provides a side view showing the components of a trigger according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 7 and 8  provides side perspective views of cymbal operation having a trigger and choke assembly according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 11 and 12  provide side perspective views of a retainer trim and sensing strip components according to the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 13 and 14  provide side perspective views of a retainer trim and sensing strip components according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  provide plan and side views respectively of a piezoelectric transducer according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  provides a diagram of a trigger secured to a cymbal by a securing device according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 17A-17E  provide diagrams of a trigger secured to a cymbal stand mount on a cymbal stand according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  provides a perspective view of a signal combination device for use with the trigger/choke combination in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. While the present invention is described herein with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. Those possessing ordinary skill in the art and having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments, as well as other applications for use of the invention, which are fully contemplated herein as within the scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed herein, and with respect to which the present invention could be of significant utility. 
         [0031]    The following discussion provides example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, and unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a side view of the primary component parts of a trigger system  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided. The trigger system  10  comprises a trigger  100  and a securing device  200 . The trigger  100  comprises a housing body  110  being substantially hollow and having an opening  112  at the top  116 , and being substantially open at the bottom  118 . The housing body  110  also has a pass-through opening  114  on the side of the housing. Magnet  120  is disposed within the housing body  110  and may be secured to the housing body  110  by an adhesive such as an epoxy or by a set of securing tabs. Silicone buffer layer  130  is disposed between the magnet  120  and the piezoelectric transducer  140 . Piezoelectric transducer  140  is disposed at the bottom of the housing body  110  and may sit in a lip, ridge, or indentation at the bottom of the housing and may be secured by an adhesive such as an epoxy. Silicone buffer layer  150  is disposed on the exterior of the bottom  118  of the housing  110 . 
         [0034]    The housing body  110  of the trigger  100  may be substantially cylindrical, cuboid, or any other suitable shape. The top  116  of the housing may not have opening  112  and may instead be flat and covered in a buffer layer composed of silicone, foam, foam-rubber, or other suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, the silicone buffer layer  130  and silicone buffer layer  140  will comprise a thin layer of silicone secured in the housing body  110  by an adhesive such as an epoxy. However, the silicone buffer layer  130  and silicone buffer layer  140  may also be secured directly to the magnet  120  and piezoelectric transducer  140  respectively. The silicone buffer layer  130  is adapted to provide a physical and electrical barrier between the magnet  120  and piezoelectric transducer  140 , and may comprise any other suitable material such as rubber or foam. The silicone buffer layer  150  is adapted to provide a non-skid and impact resistant layer on the bottom  118  of the trigger housing  110 , and may comprise any other suitable material such as rubber or foam. The silicone buffer layer  150  keeps the trigger  100  from sliding or shifting from its position even when the trigger  100  is subjected to intense vibrations. Grommet  160  is adapted to fit within the opening  112  on the top  116  of the housing  110 , and may comprise a material such as rubber, silicone rubber, or similar suitable elastic material. The grommet  160  may have an opening and may be adapted to fit on and/or receive a lug, screw, or other similar protrusion. The magnet  120  in the trigger  100  may be a neodymium or similar rare earth magnet, which are strong permanent magnets made from alloys of rare earth elements, with suitable Gaussian pull strength, e.g. at least 2500 Gauss. The magnet  120  may comprise the following technical specifications: 20 mm diameter×5 mm thick (0.79″ diameter×0.20″ thick); material: Neodymium (NdFeB); grade: N48; coating: Nickel (Ni); magnetization: through thickness; and pull force: 19.68 pounds. The magnet  120  is adapted to releaseably and magnetically secure the trigger  100  to a ferrous or magnetic structure such as in the securing device  200 . However, in some embodiments the magnet  120  may simply be a magnetically attractive plate or disk instead of a magnet and may be attracted to a magnet  220  in the securing device, or vice versa. 
         [0035]    The securing device  200  comprises a housing  210  having an opening adapted to receive a magnet  220 . Securing device  200  may also be a magnet  220  without housing  210  and having a coating such as a rubberized coating or an impact-resistant gel coating, such as plastic, plastic blend, rubber, rubber blend, or other suitable impact-resistant material. Similarly, the magnet  120  in the trigger  100  may also have a coating such as a rubberized coating or an impact-resistant gel coating, such as plastic, plastic blend, rubber, rubber blend, or other suitable impact-resistant material. The securing device  200  may also have an additional buffer layer on the bottom of the securing device  200  that may be comprised of silicone, rubber, or other suitable material. If used, this layer would aid in keeping the securing device in place and in magnetic attraction with the trigger  100 . 
         [0036]    The piezoelectric transducer  140  may also be any suitable sound-receiving unit capable of translating a mechanical signal (e.g. vibration of the drumhead) into an electrical (analog or digital) sound signal. The piezoelectric transducer  140  may have the following technical specifications: plate diameter: 27 mm (1.06 inches); element diameter: 20 mm (0.787 inches); plate thickness: 0.54 mm (0.021 inches); lead length: ˜50 mm (1.96 inches); plate material: brass; resonant frequency (kHz): 4.6+/−0.5 kHz; resonant impedance (ohm): 300 maximum; and capacitance (nF): 20.0+/−30 % [1 kHz]. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the transducer  140  may instead be a force sensing resistor (“FSR”) capable of producing differing voltages as force is applied to the sensor. Many modules, such as drum module  300  shown in  FIG. 4 , are not capable of using the output of an FSR. Furthermore, an FSR may not produce the desired outputs with similar accuracy and responsiveness compared to a piezoelectric transducer. However, the use of an FSR instead of a piezoelectric transducer  140  may be desirable in some applications. In some embodiments, the trigger system  10  is adapted to be mounted on a drum head in a “Thru-Head” configuration, shown in  FIG. 24 , a drum lug in a “Thru-Lug” configuration, shown in  FIGS. 25-28 , a drum shell in a “Thru-Shell” configuration, shown in  FIG. 29 , on a cymbal, shown in  FIG. 30 , on a cymbal stand, shown in  FIGS. 31-35 , or on another acoustic instrument, shown in  FIGS. 36-37 . The trigger system  10  may also be employed, placed, or installed by way of the magnet  120  or secured by the securing device  200  to translate a mechanical signal into an electrical signal in other suitable applications. The trigger  100  may also comprise a potentiometer or a resistor to provide an adjustment or resistance to the trigger  100  on the trigger  100  itself 
         [0038]    The use of rare earth magnets on the top in the securing device  200  and bottom in the trigger  100  of a drumhead provides a superior ability to capture and transfer vibrations from the playing surface to a piezoelectric transducer  140  regardless of the size of the drum. The strength of the magnets  120  and  220  also provides a dampening effect that makes it ideal for both electronic and hybrid drums with no permanent alterations to the drum. Additionally, by being magnetically attached, the trigger  100  may vibrate along with the surface or instrument on which it is attached without affecting the sound, tone, or timbre of the instrument. Floating also enables the trigger  100  to be far more sensitive than traditional drum triggers. Being magnetically attachable also enables the trigger  100  to be placed anywhere desired by the musician or user. Additionally, because the trigger  100  may be disposed within a drum or other instrument, the trigger is not likely to be damaged from being struck or impacted in normal use or operation as the only electronic components are inside the instrument out of harm&#39;s way. 
         [0039]    The use of the trigger  100  provides increased frequency response and reduces the likelihood of double triggering, especially when used with a musical instrument. Trigger  100  records a clearer, more defined initial strike and has a more consistent waveform tapering after the initial strike. The waveform length is shorter resulting in a shorter decay time. This increases a module&#39;s, such as module  300  shown in  FIG. 2 , ability to capture strikes at short intervals. Additionally, the optimal headroom of the trigger  100  reduces re-triggering and allows reduced threshold settings in the module  300  creating a realistic velocity. 
         [0040]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a trigger  100  according to the present invention is provided. The trigger  100  comprises the housing  109 , comprising the housing body  110  and magnet plug  111  which has a grommet  161  disposed in the top of the magnet plug  111 . In this embodiment of the trigger  100 , shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 4-6, 9B, and 10-14 , the housing body  110  holds the piezoelectric transducer  140  and the magnet  120  is held between the housing body  110  and the magnet plug  111 . The trigger  100  therefore comprises a two-piece shell with the primary component of the shell being the housing body  110  and the secondary component of the shell being magnet plug  111 . The pass-through opening  114  is adapted to permit an electrical lead  170  to pass through the pass-through opening  114 . The electrical lead  170  may have a tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) jack, XLR connector, or other suitable connector at the termination  178  of the electrical lead  170 . The termination  170  is adapted to operatively connect to an electronic module  300 , which may be a drum module or other suitable audio module. 
         [0041]    A drum module  300  may have a display  310 , set of controls  320 , a set of inputs  330 , and a set of outputs  340 . The trigger  100  is adapted to connect to the module  300  by way of the electronic lead  170  to an input  330 . Configuring the drum module is performed by manipulating the inputs  320  and using the display  310  to view the current configuration and options for the module  310 . The module  300  may be connected to additional equipment such as speakers, computers, amplifiers, and additional electronic modules by way of outputs  340  which may comprise universal serial bus (USB) ports, TRS receptacles, XLR female receptacles, RJ-45 jacks, or other suitable connections. 
         [0042]    In typical operation, a mechanical signal, e.g. a strike of a drum head or drum shell or cymbal, is translated by the piezoelectric transducer  140  in the trigger  100  into an electrical signal. This electrical signal may comprise a level which may fall on a range of  127  or more levels. This signal is received by the module  300  and the module  300  determines how to interpret the signal. For example, if the trigger  100  is disposed on a drum, and the signal is an electrical representation of the strike of a drum or a cymbal, the module  300  may determine which sound from a library of sounds to output to the outputs  340 . The module  300  may also make this determination based on a set of settings used to configure the module. The set of settings may be selected from a library of configurations or settings stored in or loaded onto the module  300 . The module  300  may be manipulated by the inputs  320  to fine tune the module to the particular implementation of the trigger  100 . These fine tunings may be used to employ a plurality of triggers  100  on a single instrument. The trigger  100  is adapted to be used with a plurality of other triggers  100  to create a set of “zones” on an instrument, e.g. a drum. The trigger  100  does not receive cross-talk interference from other triggers like trigger  100  used on the same instrument, and when used as a set of triggers  100 , does not suffer from “hot-spotting” which is the higher sensitivity of particular areas on an instrument such as a drum. 
         [0043]    With reference now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an embodiment of cymbal choke  352  is shown attached to a portion of cymbal  350 , which includes a bell portion  354 . A trigger assembly  100 / 200  is shown removably attached to the cymbal  352  by way of magnets as described above. Electrical lead  170  is attached at one termination at piezoelectric transducer of trigger  100  and at another termination at signal hub  402 , which provides a TRS output connected to drum module  300 . 
         [0044]    With reference now to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary TRS configuration and trigger/mute wiring connection is illustrated for use with the trigger and choke assembly described above. When the sensing strip on the cymbal mute is touched or gripped, it shorts the contact in turn muting the connected trigger. 
         [0045]    With reference now to  FIG. 6 , an exemplary field set up configuration is illustrated for use with triggering strikes made on cymbal  352  as picked up by trigger  100 / 200  and interrupted by choke  350 . Cable jack housing is provided to receive as inputs the lead terminals for trigger and choke assembly. 
         [0046]    With reference now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an exemplary set of perspective views are shown to illustrate the striking of cymbal  352  ( FIG. 7 ) and then the choking of the cymbal ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0047]    With respect to  FIG. 9 , exemplary embodiment of choke  350  is shown wherein a two-strip scenario includes one positive and one negative when touching causes a momentary short across the shared electrical connection. With respect to  FIG. 10 , exemplary embodiment of choke  350  is shown wherein a two-strip scenario includes an upper sensing strip mounted on the top of the cymbal and a lower sensing strip mounted on the lower surface of the cymbal. In one manner, touching causes a momentary short across the shared electrical connection. The pressure sensitive strip may be a Force-Sensing Resistor type sensor or switch, e.g., a material whose resistance changes when a force or pressure is applied. They are also known as “force-sensitive resistor” and are sometimes referred to by the initialism “FSR”. See for example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force-sensing resistor. 
         [0048]    With reference now to  FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 , further exemplary embodiments of choke  350  are shown. The configurations as shown illustrate sensing strips and retainer clips. Alternatively, the sensing strip may be embedded into a material applied to the top of a cymbal such as by an adhesive—e.g., choke  350  of  FIGS. 7 / 8 . 
         [0049]    With reference now to  FIGS. 15A and 15B , plan and side views respectively of a piezoelectric transducer  140  according to the present invention are provided. The electrical lead  170  with set of wires  172  is shown electrically and operatively connected to electrical connections  146  on the bottom portion  144  and top portion  142  of the piezoelectric transducer  140 . The top portion  142  may be comprised of ceramic or other suitable material and the bottom  144  may be comprised of brass or bronze or other suitable non-magnetic metal. The material used for the bottom  144  must not be magnetically attractive or the magnet  120  used in the trigger  100  may interfere with the operation of the piezoelectric transducer  140 . The inset  1500  shown in  FIG. 15  shown the detail of the thickness of the top portion  142  and bottom portion  144  of the piezoelectric transducer  140 . The top portion  142  may a have a diameter of 20 mm and be 0.1 mm thick, and the bottom portion may have a diameter of 27 mm and be 0.2 mm thick. When used in a housing such as housing body  110  or housing  111 , shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the piezoelectric transducer needs to be able to bend and flex to accurately transducer the mechanical inputs into electrical signals. The buffer layers such as layers  130  and  150  shown in  FIG. 1  isolate the piezoelectric transducer from the magnet and the surface on which the trigger  100  is placed, but still place the piezoelectric transducer  140  in physical abutment with the surface. Additionally, a potentiometer  1502  may be attached to the wires  172  to enable the output of the piezoelectric transducer  140  to be more finely tuned by adding additional resistance to lower the voltage output. 
         [0050]    The choke assembly described above can be used in connection with the trigger embodiments of  FIGS. 15A and 15B . 
         [0051]    With reference now to  FIG. 16 , a diagram of a trigger  100  secured to a cymbal  3010  by a securing device  200  according to the present invention is provided. The cymbal  3010  is disposed at the top of a cymbal assembly  3000  including a cymbal stand  3020 . The cymbal  3010  may be a metal cymbal or may be a plastic or rubber practice cymbal. The trigger  100  works with any cymbal  3010  material composition. The securing device  200  is positioned on the top  3012  of the cymbal  3010  and the trigger  100  is disposed on the bottom  3014  of the cymbal  3010  opposite the securing device  200 . Magnets in one or both of the securing device  200  and trigger  100  magnetically and releaseably secure the trigger  100  to the cymbal  3010 . More than one trigger  100  may be placed on the cymbal  3010  to enable a player to play different cymbal sounds such as a bell sound or a crash sound on the body of the cymbal  3010 . The trigger  100  does not experience crosstalk interference and therefore has no problems operating with additional triggers  100  on the cymbal  3010  when properly tuned using a module such as the electronic module  300  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0052]    With reference now to  FIGS. 17A-17E , diagrams of a trigger  100  secured to a cymbal stand mount  3300  on a cymbal stand  3020  according to the present invention are provided. The cymbal stand mount  3300  may have one or more protrusions  3310  disposed on the body  3320  of the cymbal stand mount  3300  adapted to fit within the grommet  160  of the trigger  100 . The protrusion  3310  may be comprised of a neodymium magnet or other ferromagnetic material such that the magnet  120  in the trigger  100  is magnetically attracted to the protrusion  3310 . The cymbal stand mount  3300  may be placed anywhere on the cymbal stand  3020  of the cymbal assembly  3000 . The position of the cymbal stand mount  3300  may be adjusted to provide optimal performance of the trigger  100 . 
         [0053]    The cymbal choke assembly described above can be included to the embodiments described in  FIGS. 17A-17B . 
         [0054]    With reference now to  FIG. 18 , a perspective view of a signal combination device  6000  is provided. The signal combination device may have two or more inputs  6004  and  6006  and an output  6002 . The signal combination device  6000  may be, for example, a conventional  3 . 5 mm audio adapter converter. The signal combination device  6000  enables multiple instrument triggers, such as trigger  100  shown in the various figures, to be connected to a single output  6002 . When connected in this manner, the multiple triggers on a single instrument may act in one or separate but combinable configurations and may be individually or jointly configurable at a drum or instrument module. Particularly, the combination device  6000  may be used with a trigger and choke combination. 
         [0055]    While the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept described. In implementation, the inventive concepts may be automatically or semi-automatically, i.e., with some degree of human intervention, performed. Also, the present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. It is fully contemplated that other various embodiments of and modifications to the present invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following appended claims. Further, although the present invention has been described herein in the context of particular embodiments and implementations and applications and in particular environments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be beneficially applied in any number of ways and environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present invention as disclosed herein.