Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "joethoden" <joethoden@y...> wrote:

> Hello everyone,
> I have narrowed my choices down to these two sets from Yamaha.  What 
I 
> am looking for is input from users of either one of these two sets 
> regarding the sound & versatility of each set, likes & dislikes 
etc.  I 
> will be purchasing one or the other in the next month or so, 
> unfortunately I like in a rural area & it is approx. 60 miles to the 
> nearest music store that would have each of these on hand.  I would 
> like to have a lot of research out of the way before talking shop 
with 
> a dealer.  Any input is appreciated.  

Hi Joe, and welcome to the group. If you don't mind me asking, why did 
you narrow your choice down to these two kits? I'm not suggesting by 
any means that you shouldn't have. They are both worthy kits, but I'm 
wondering whether a little prior experience with electronic drums or 
simply a brand loyalty to Yamaha has brought you to this point. An 
answer would help us to determine which one is right for you. Rather 
than just rehash their main and distinguishing features, I'd say off 
the bat that the DTXtremeIIS is certainly the one to buy for anyone 
with a budget of $2500 who's going on the road. The DTXpressIIISP is a 
great instrument for $1500, and it shows some overlap with its big 
brother in a few particulars (cymbals, hi hat, kick, sounds), but it 
is neither as fully appointed, flexible, user-friendly, roadworthy, 
nor easy to play as the DTXTIIS. Plus, the DTXTIIS accepts samples--
the only recent module to do so--and allows adjustments on the fly, 
without having to dig deeply into module settings. The pads themselves 
are larger, more forgiving, and less jarring to play than those on 
other rubber kits. For someone doing a lot of live playing, the pads 
themselves might be an important consideration. Furthermore, you 
simply can do more to tailor your sound on the Xtreme than on the 
Xpress. A trace of some of e-drums' traditional problems, like the 
machine-gun effect, persist on the Xpress; the Xtreme's fire power 
gives it more finesse.

If you haven't seen the features of the respective kits, check them 
out. Drumbalaya.com lists all the details and fine points. It also has 
comparison chart of the modules from all of the major companies (also 
available in our Links section). Our Files section has a video of the 
DTXPIIISP in action. I'm not sure that a video for the DTXtreme exists 
yet (OGD would know). 

I hope this outline is helpful. If you can tell us what kinds of 
features and qualities appeal to, we might be able to go further in 
offering a recommendation.

Ed