chris-- my ddrum redshot triggers (the cheap, kinda triangular ones) used to work fine when I had a D4, and seem to work fine w/ the alesis controlpad I have now. I'd imagine they work oK w/ the roland brains but chances are you're not going to get the vdrum info--though you'll probably get basic velocity info.
You can change the trigger settings on the Roland brains, and you can make them work with different triggers.
I think the biggest thing to watch out for is the Scan Time and Retrigger settings, you don't want the trigger firing off several times for each hit.
The other issue is to be make sure that the triggered sample blends well with the overall sound of your band and drumkit. I've heard some bands where the kick drum sounds completely separated from the band, and dominates the mix. The sample also makes it real obvious when your sixteenth notes are uneven or your feet are sloppy.
Case in point, I have the Strapping Young Lad DVD, and Gene Hoglan is certainly no slouch on the double bass. It takes him a few songs to get warmed up, and the triggered kick drum really makes some of the mistakes and sluggish blast beats stand out. If the drum had a more natural sound with less attack, it would be less noticeable.
Nate
edit: Thinking about this quote:
but it makes it easier to play faster because you dont have to play nearly as loud as normal. you can hit the head at nearly half of the normal force and the trigger will pick up the vibration and que the sound. am I right?
There's some youtube footage on the making of the S.Y.L. cd, Alien, and it shows Gene playing some of his drum parts. He's using a double kick, not a double pedal, with wooden beaters. The springs are loose and the beaters are swinging in a fairly full arc. He's a big man, too. The Gene part is at 1:30. Just a little inspiration...
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