Triggers...

I'm thinking about adding some triggers to my kick. I'm not exactly sure how the whole thing works, but I think you basically put a little sensor (trigger) on your batter that reads when it's hit and it sends a signal to a device that creates a bass sound, such as a v-drum module. I've got an extra TD-3 laying aroud from my old electric kit, would this suffice?

Also, what trigger should I buy, and what kind of amp should I get for the sound. Bass amp, Keyboard amp, etc... I will be playing very small venues, so I won't need anything huge.

Yes, that will do. I would use a PA, but a key amp will work in a pinch.

This is what I have with an SPD-S. XLR jack at the trigger. Seems to stay in place. But get the pro model.

You pretty much got the right idea, but I would go with a PA. You need a big speaker to make your kick sound like a kick. With a smaller speaker (12" and smaller) it will sound tiny with little to no low end. Generally a 15" speaker is the minimum size for a good sounding triggered/mic'd kick.

James

my drum module is an old alesis d4 ($100 used), and I've used DDrum pro's Roland, Trigger perfect (pintech). I like the silver rolands, everyone is going to have different feelings about what works the best. My PA has 2 - 4x10 cabs and I can get a pretty good sound out of them. The places you play don't mic the bass drum? because if they can mic the bass drum then you can get a DI box and just run your drum module out of the house PA.