Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ernie Vega" <sternern@y...> wrote:

> I do Have one more question.....Let's say I want to use only my 
DTX, 
> Is there a way to add more triggers/pads to it with another module. 
> Example, the DTX has 12 possible inputs which would have my snare 
> and 4 toms on inputs 1-5. 3 cymbals on 6,7, and 8(which is Hi hat). 
> the two other inputs are 10/9 which I would hook my kick and bar 
> pad, and 12/11 would have drum triggers for toms. The DTX seems to 
> be at max capacity at this point. What if I wanted to add my pcy-10 
> cymbal bell pad, or another drum trigger. What could I do? Add a 
> inexpensive module, or is there another way?
> 
> The reason I ask is that I probably want to set up a smaller 
> complete set at my other house using the DTXpress. But I want to 
> make my primary one to have 7 drum triggers, 3 cymbals(hi hat 
> included), and my BP80 bar pad and the PCY10 cymbal bell pad. What 
> are my options? Thanks for any help. I appreciate the previous 
reply.

Ern,

Once you've exhausted inputs on your module, and want more pads with 
new sounds, you have to get either a second module or a trigger to 
MIDI interface (a unit with inputs, though no sounds of its own, that 
can tap into a sound module's voices via MIDI--TMD, for short). A 
second module can be relatively inexpensive. A discontinued Yamaha, 
Roland, or Alesis can cost as little as $100 on ebay. If you go that 
route, you could then run the output of the second module into the 
auxiliary input on the first module and balance the two of them that 
way to create one large kit. 

However, a better method is to buy a separate mixer and connect both 
modules to it. Not only will sound quality be better; control and 
versatility will also increase. You will also be able to run a CD 
player through a mixer and anything else that makes music for you to 
accompany on drums, like another musician or two. I recommend the 
little Rolls MX28 (less than $100 new) for stereo feeds from a 
module. It has three high-quality stereo inputs, perfect for this 
application. If you have more outputs than two from the back of your 
module, or want to run a lot of people and/or things into your mixer, 
you might go with a more elaborate model. One option is to get one of 
those four-track cassette recording devices made by Fostex or Tascam. 
They usually have great mixing capability, often with room for 8 or 
more feeds. You can either mix down the tracks for recording or 
simply practicing live. THey can be shockingly affordable used from 
ebay. But no need to get so far ahead of ourselves.

The TMD currently on the market is the Roland TMC-6, but a few useful 
discontinued ones are still kicking around. You program a TMD with, 
among other things, MIDI note numbers derived from your module, 
associated with the voices of your choice, so that when the pads 
connected to the TMD are struck, the TMD sends the programmed 
information through a MIDI cable to the sound module, which then 
makes the appropriate noise through its output. You can also use a 
sound module as you would a TMD, thereby disabling its own sound 
capability, but why waste it? Better to buy a mixer and get the whole 
package. 

I'm going to mention another alternative for adding inputs to an 
existing configuration. One of our members is working on an invention 
that works like something between a second module and a TMD, in that 
it doesn't use MIDI to add inputs but also doesn't carry its own 
sounds or need a mixer. We've referred to it on the board as the 
magic box. The aim is to permit kit expansion through effective 
triggering at an affordable price. It has been undergoing testing by 
the moderators and its inventor for months, and it may be on its 
stretch run. Maybe Keith, its daddy, will feel like talking about it 
on the board for those who have joined us recently.

Ed