How to lock-out TD20 Lock Module

[meowkiss]

Hi Guys,

I have a TD20 kit and am trying to figure out how to lock it.
Drums are left at rehearsal space and they're being used when I'm not around.

Other than physically removing the module (or power cords which are easily replaced) with me, is there a way to "password" protect or otherwise prevent unauthorized use of the kit?

Thanks for any ideas and advice.

MK

[BarT]

Other than changing the name of the first kit to "VIDEO REC ON", I can't think of much.

But setting SETUP, MIDI, GLOBAL, Local Control OFF would prevent anyone getting sounds out of the module unless they know where to switch it back on.

Bruce

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

Your best bet is to spend the 5 minutes(or less) to unhook it and take it with you when you leave.....and 5 minutes(or less) to plug everything back in when you go to practice if you want to make sure no one in your absence.

[slyone]

I agree with Daniel. If you take the connectors that go into the unit itself and tie wrap them in sequence it becomes a two minute reinstall. Even if you are using the labelled connectors you don't have to take the time to read. You just plug them in. Here's how I did mine. I replaced the original 1/4" connectors with metal ones after cutting all the cables to length, but that is certainly not necessary.

Lyle

[hairmetal-81]

You could get yourself a key-plug - a jack-plug with a key-lock built into it.
(I couldn't find a picture on the quick, sorry...)

Basically, you plug it into the main L/R-outs, and turn a key, so no-one is able to actually hookup a normal audio-cable. And even if the module is fired-up, there is no sound to hear.

Unless of course, you unlock the key-plug, unplug it from the module, and plug your normal L/R-out audio-cables back in!


EDIT:
Found a link. It's called 'Fullers Uni Lock'.
http://www.thomann.de/intl/fullers_unilock.htm

[allanjohn]

Other than changing the name of the first kit to "VIDEO REC ON", I can't think of much.

Priceless!!

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

You could get yourself a key-plug - a jack-plug with a key-lock built into it.
(I couldn't find a picture on the quick, sorry...)

Basically, you plug it into the main L/R-outs, and turn a key, so no-one is able to actually hookup a normal audio-cable. And even if the module is fired-up, there is no sound to hear.

Unless of course, you unlock the key-plug, unplug it from the module, and plug your normal L/R-out audio-cables back in!


EDIT:
Found a link. It's called 'Fullers Uni Lock'.
http://www.thomann.de/intl/fullers_unilock.htm

This is cool. Except they could still connect the amp/pa to the headphones out.

[meowkiss]

Thanks for that lock link. Great idea.

The problem is the kid sneaking around on the kit has a father who knows his way around gear and just happens to play in the band as well. I could draw a hard line and say "hands off", which is likely to get people offended and accomplish nothing since they'll (father and son!) still play it when I'm not around. You folks have all been in bands, and hopefully understand the ego issues.

I'm trying to do this as "diplomatically" as possible. Want to just leave the kit intact and keep these guys off my stuff. One idea I had was to disable my pedals, making it a pain in the a** to jus sit and jam. I was just hoping Roland had buried a software lock somewhere.

Thanks so much for the ideas. I'm gonna check out that key and lock rig.

MK

[mbejackson]

No one should be offended at all if you say hands-off. Lots of money tied up there and I assume they would expect the same level of respect if they left their gear at your house. I think if you took the power cord and they still played around with it I'd find somewhere else to play my drums. Unsupervised Kids, on the other hand, are very unpredictable. What's gonna keep that kid and his friends from trashing your kit even if it's locked?

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

Thanks for that lock link. Great idea.

The problem is the kid sneaking around on the kit has a father who knows his way around gear and just happens to play in the band as well. I could draw a hard line and say "hands off", which is likely to get people offended and accomplish nothing since they'll (father and son!) still play it when I'm not around. You folks have all been in bands, and hopefully understand the ego issues.

I'm trying to do this as "diplomatically" as possible. Want to just leave the kit intact and keep these guys off my stuff. One idea I had was to disable my pedals, making it a pain in the a** to jus sit and jam. I was just hoping Roland had buried a software lock somewhere.

Thanks so much for the ideas. I'm gonna check out that key and lock rig.

MK

This is solved easily.....build a little 3 or 4 piece DIY kit and then tell them you are taking the module home to work on "chops"....between practices. Very diplomatic....no egos involved....and you might get a bit of practice in at home.....but even if you don't.....at least you have control of your module.

[saku]

Just my opinion, but the appearence of a lock on the kit might be very offensive, to someone with more ego than sense, and specifically targetted at him...but taking the module home for 'safety' might be an easier sell.

[grog]

I'm with saku on this. Essentially you're looking for some kind of passive-aggressive way of telling these people to keep their paws off your stuff YOU DAMN DIRTY APES!!!!

Oops, channeling Charleton Heston there for a moment. Where was I?

Oh yeah. If you're looking for an equally effective, still passive-aggressive but possibly less IN YOUR FACE solution to this, do what was said above: label the cabling and take the module home. Make up some excuse as to why you need it at home: want to work on some tweaks, have concern for leaving such an expensive, and easily portable, piece of gear alone, etc.

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[cyberdyke]

I totally agree, take the module home if they don't like tough sh*t, after all its your equipment and you can do with it what you want.

[jammin777]

+1 on taking the module home. it's more offensive when people mess with stuff that don't belong to them!
what would really suck is if someone started editing all the sounds you spent hours achieving!

[slyone]

This has been a dilemma for drummers for years, the apparent lack of understanding by others that drums are not open game for anyone who can figure out which end of a drumstick to hold. They're designed to be struck so they must be durable. They can't be expensive because all they are for is to be hit. This perception leads to an unattended drum set being 'played' by many. I don't know the value of your band mate's instruments, but chances are the set you have is more costly by far than a typical guitar, bass, and many keyboards. Is it cool if you pick up and play their instruments simply because you want to 'experiment'? Asking others to respect your property, valuable or not, should be the end of it. However, if asking for your instrument to be respected is not enough then removing the module seems logical. The drums can still be played if someone feels the need to work on sticking, but the lack of audio is going to discourage most.

edited to add:
Maybe this is too subtle, but if you got yourself a case to transport the module in should you decide to transport it, that might at least demonstrate the value the module has to you. Something hard shell, foam lined even better. If you're gigging it's a good move regardless of your ultimate decision.

Lyle