Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ernie Vega" <sternern@y...> wrote:
> 
> 
> Ok....I posted this in another websites forum, but I am finding few 
> helpers...:)
> 
> I have a DTX Ver 2.0 and a DTXpress, along with about 18 different 
> yamaha triggers...(that's why I need both) 
> 
> First and foremost, when I hook up the DTX and plug triggers in, 
the 
> snare trigger does not produce a sound from the main pad, but it 
> will from the rim only. When I hit the center of the pad, nothing 
> happens, but I do see the EQ moving accordingly. When I hook up 
just 
> my DTXpress, I do not have this problem. Maybe someone can set me 
> straight...

Ernie,

One of the reasons for your lack of suggestions is that your problem 
isn't clear--at least to me. First, I don't know what you're hooking 
the DTX up to, an amp/headphones? The easy explanations for you not 
getting a sound from the snare head attached to the DTX is that it 
isn't programmed correctly on the DTX, whereas the rim is, or the 
module is damaged. The difficulty doesn't appear to be the cable or 
the piezo in the pad, since you can't duplicate the problem with the 
DTXpress (unless you are using a different cable). By EQ, do you mean 
gain? In other words, the module registers a numerical gain for hits 
on the snare's center though no sound comes out of you headphones or 
speaker? Are the two modules linked by a MIDI cable when you do this 
experiment? That could present a problem. See below.
> 
> Second, probably the most important to me.  My two modules came 
with 
> a MOTU FastLane USB midi interface. I am trying to do two 
> things....Run both of them together and just hook my amp or 
> headphone to one module only. When I try to hook them together w/ a 
> midi cord, I get no results. I have to plug in headphones to each 
> one separately and they wont interface with each other. I tried the 
> same thing with the MOTU, and no dice. Can anyone help? 

It sounds to me like you are trying to get MIDI to function as a 
mixer. It won't do that in the way that you'd like. Again, I'm not 
quite sure what you mean by "no results." If you program both modules 
to produce voices for their respective pads, connecting them via MIDI 
but only one of them to amp/headphone outs, you will hear only the 
sounds programmed into the module with the audio outs engaged. MIDI 
does not function like audio. It will not pull audio sounds from one 
module via MIDI to the outputs of another.  Multiple modules can be 
connected via MIDI to produce sounds, but that method requires the 
trigger section of one to access the actual sounds of another. Think 
of MIDI as just a set of disembodied commands about sound; it isn't 
the sound itself. Cut off the MIDI section from the sound section, 
and what you get is silence.

> Lastly, I am trying to hook the modules up to my pc. Whats the best 
> way, or the correct way. I havent had any luck with the motu. The 
> manual is very brief on this matter. And if I get it interfaced 
> correctly, is the windows software that I can edit my pads 
> functions, voice, etc? I also want to be able to load songs, sys.ex 
> files, back and forth. Something for the kids can change their 
> settings easily, and not mess mine up. 

Again, "the best way" depends on exactly what you're trying to do. If 
the MOTU is working correctly, it would be a fine interface, provided 
that you have the appropriate software to process MIDI information. 
I'm not sure that processing MIDI information is what you are 
equipped, or want, to do. To my knowledge, the DTX doesn't have 
software for entering parameters. A member of this group did create 
such an animal for use with the DTXpressII. I don't whether that's 
one of your modules. The program DTXchange, which is available from 
this site, will store settings from the Yamaha modules as backups or 
extras or for trading among those with the same module. 

I hope that some of these comments will help to clarify your 
situation.

Ed