Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phildoughty@h...> wrote:

> i've been thinking
> about putting together
> an electronic drum kit for a few years now.
> the drummer in my band
> is using the D-Drum module and triggers
> and replaced the original skins with mess heads.
> sounds great-nice to play but
> the price is a bit terrifing to my wallet
> the module/interface is the
> bit of kit i'm not sure about.
> sounds of the module
> are not really important and as far as quality
> probably will not compete,as the
> computer will provide the sounds
> (DrumkitFromHell superiour or B F D)
> important is:
> 1. standard midi in/out ports.
> 2. a good control of the velocity parameters.
> 3. and of course price. :)

Hi Phil,

Just to ease your mind a little, the wonderful-sounding ddrum module 
that your friend is using would be a waste of money on all fronts for 
you. Not only would you not be using its extraordinary library of 
samples, but by bypassing its analog trigger section, you also 
wouldn't get the benefit of its wide and detailed dynamic range. In 
truth, for what you want to do, a current drum module of any kind 
might be overkill, since you aren't looking for sounds. Your best bet 
would be a discontinued module from Yamaha, Roland, or Alesis with as 
many inputs and control parameters that you can afford (the velocity 
parameters probably won't vary all that much), or a current trigger 
to MIDI interface like Roland's TMC-6, either new or used ($100-
$200), or an old Kat MIDIkiti, Roland PM-16, or Aphex ($50-$100), 
none of which carry sounds of their own but have pretty good MIDI and 
trigger sections. 

I humbly submit that the a module with sound might not be such a bad 
idea, since you'd have the option to mix its voices with those on 
your PC, or you'd have the option of using it if, god forbid, you had 
to go somewhere without your computer. Don't worry about being too 
far behind the times with a discontinued module; things haven't 
changed all that much, especially for someone not looking for 
improved sounds. By the way, why not let your PC handle velocity?

Ed