Magnetically secured instrument trigger

A trigger system for generating a signal for output to an electronic module for generating sound associated with a musical instrument, the signal derived from a vibration detected upon a user operating a percussion instrument, the trigger system comprising:

• a trigger adapted to be removably mounted onto a percussion instrument and comprising:
• a housing;
• a magnet disposed and secured within the housing and adapted to removably secure the trigger to the percussion instrument;
• 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 percussion instrument;
• a plastic membrane disposed intermediate the piezo-electric transducer and a striking surface of the percussion instrument;
• and
• an electrical lead connected to the piezo-electric transducer electric output and in electrical communication with an input of an electronic module adapted to produce sounds representing musical instrument sounds based on the electrical signal.

A method for causing an electronic module to perform a function based on a detected vibration from a percussion instrument, the method comprising:

• releaseably securing a trigger to a percussion instrument, the trigger comprising:
• a housing;
• a magnet disposed and secured within the housing and adapted to removably secure the trigger to the percussion instrument;
• and
• 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 percussion instrument;
• wherein a gap physically separates the piezo-electric transducer and the magnet to allow the piezo-electric transducer to freely vibrate in response to the detected mechanical vibration at the striking surface of the percussion instrument;
• placing the trigger electrical output in electrical communication with the electronic module;
• generating a trigger output signal in response to a detected mechanical vibration associated with operation of the percussion instrument;
• sending the trigger electrical output signal to the electronic module;
• receiving at the electronic module the trigger electrical output signal;
• determining, at the electronic module, which function from a set of functions to execute on the received trigger electrical output signal;
• and
• executing, by the electronic module, the determined function.