Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Brett Andrighetti" 
<snootchtothenootch@c...> wrote:
> Hey all.  Just have a few quick questions for those that may have 
the know.
> 
> I was considering getting some Pintech ConcertCast Silentech 
Single, and Dual Zone, pads to use with my DTXpress2.  How 
compatible, or problematic are non-Yamaha mesh heads when plugged 
into the DTXP2 brain?  Too hot?  Too cold?  Just right?  Would love 
to hear from someone with the knowledge and experience of combining 
the two mighty units/pieces together.

Brett,

The Yamaha module's experience with other companies' pads is a little 
like Goldielocks' experience with porridge--a little too hot or a 
little too cold. That said, however, the Pintech meshes have always 
been a logical upgrade from Yamaha's gum rubber. The degree of 
difficulty in making the match work depends partly on your level of 
tolerance, partly on your playing style, and partly on your patience. 
I'm a bit reluctant to go into extreme detail on this point, since I 
and others have done it to death over the years. But remember first 
that the dual-zone pad will require two inputs, usually #2 and one-
half of # 9/10 (for the rim). When used with the settings for your 
rubber pads, the Pintechs will probably respond horribly. I've always 
thought that they sounded their best when treated as if they were 
triggered acoustic drums (pad type of DT10/20), with the DIP switches 
for the relevant inputs on the back of the module flipped to the up 
position. Then they will run hot, with a dynamic range tilted 
seriously toward loud. If you have a raucous and forgiving style, it 
might not bother you, but if you'd like to have light hits in your 
repetoire, you might have to tweak, especially the snare. One 
solution is to insert a pot on the cable between pad and input and 
use it to adjust gain so that only your hardest hits register the 
highest number. You can DIY the cable with the pot or buy one for $45 
or so from a company like Guyatone. You can also tinker with padding 
the piezo inside the Pintech, but be careful. You don't want to lose 
the warranty (though repairing an e-drum's innards isn't all that 
hard; most parts are easy to obtain and install).  But try the 
ConcertCasts first before jumping to any conclusions. I'm a big fan 
of the Pintechs.

By the way, Pintech is supposed to be sending me (and OGD) one of 
their ZB3, three-zone Yamaha-compatible cymbals to review. If they 
follow through, we'll give you our impressions of it vis a vis 
Yamaha's own PCY-150. Pintech has always had a good relationship with 
this group.

Ed