Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "vl2000_us" <temp1111@w...> wrote:
 
> The one thing that is confusing me most at this point, is I came 
> across a section of the manual that talks about programming NOTES 
to 
> each channel.  This precedes a section on programming VOICES.  
VOICES 
> I understand, notes ...I do not.
> 
> Is this an optional thing, it doesn't appear so, since the section 
on 
> voices, seems to reference notes... arggggghhh.
> 
> I don't know notes, I am but a lowly self taught old fashioned 
> drummer!
> 
> How do I know what notes to tell it for each trigger channel?  Are 
> there any guidelines?  I have 11 toms from 6x6 to 18x24, snare and 
> kick.  I tune them on 'soft' or 'wet' side.  I don't know what 
notes 
> they should be :-)

Hi Vick,

This is a fine place to discuss the DTXT2S module. A bunch of members 
have it. I don't happen to be one of them at the moment, but I'll be 
happy to get your foot in the door. As basically a MIDI instrument, 
an electronic drum module includes note numbers among its settings as 
part of the MIDI language that instructs MIDI-compatible devices 
about what sounds to play and how to play them. There are sixteen 
MIDI channels available to transmit such commands. Traditionally, 
percussion voices get their data through MIDI channel 10, the default 
for drum modules. Each of a Yamaha module's inputs has traditionally 
had its own note number, which will correspond to any percussion 
voice preset to it at the factory or assigned to it by a user (unless 
the user changes it for some reason). Generally, MIDI-challenged 
drummers who just want to bang away can ignore these note numbers as 
they program their selected voices for pitch, decay, volume, etc. An 
elaborate module like the DTXT2S, however, also allows drummers to 
make tonal music in addition to the thumping that normally gets 
programmed via channel 10. You can create all sorts of patterns, 
loops, phrases, songs, and chords on the internal tone generator to 
play as the sampled instrument of your choice, when pads or keys are 
struck, routing the commands along the channel of your choice. 
Obviously, you can't instruct an instrument, even a tone generator, 
to play a chord or a melody unless you also tell it what notes to 
use; the module deploys the standard MIDI code for this purpose (I 
believe that p. 41 of the manual is a primer on note numbers in this 
context).

For now, you'll probably stick to setting up percussion voices by 
input from the list somewhere in the manual; note numbers should 
simply go along for the ride without making any further demands. 
However, as you venture into the world of MIDI, notes and their 
accompanying numbers per se will become significant. As you master 
the module, and germinate ideas to implement, the notes will also 
seem less daunting.  

I've just extrapolated very simply from the Yamaha modules with which 
I'm somewhat familiar. I hope that I haven't misrepresented the 
DTXT2S. I'm sure that someone will say so if need be (Cheakser, 
OGD?). Why don't you try programming your drums, or simply hooking 
them up to a preset kit, and see what specific questions arise. 

Ed