Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Jerry" <jeraldlhenderson@y...> wrote:
> 
> Looking for opinions and experiences on DTXpress III vs. Roland TD-
6V.
> 
> The DTXpress III and the Roland TD-6V are in my price range. 
However, I 
> want to get a drum module that will be the most versatile. By that, 
I 
> mean a module that will work with a multitude of vendor trigger pads.
> I'm leaning towards DTXpress, but using other vendor trigger heads. 
I 
> like the feel and price of Pintech and Hart mesh heads and hi-hat 
> triggers. Also, it would be nice if the drum module files can be 
loaded 
> and edited by some kind of software.

Jerry,

If you were trying to decide between the DTXpressIIISP and the TD-6S 
full kits, I'd probably make it a toss-up, depending on which of the 
diverging features were more important to you. But the fact that 
you're interested in using components from other companies with 
whatever module you buy gives the edge to Roland, not by 100% but by 
enough to affect a choice from scratch. All Hart and Pintech products 
were originally manufactured to be compatible with Roland's modules, 
since they comprised the lion's share of the market. At the time, 
Alesis also had some representation, but Alesis modules were certainly 
more similar to Roland's than Yamaha's were. 

The situation has changed a little, in that Pintech started to pay 
attention to Yamaha during Brian LaRue's regime (since he was a self-
professed Yamaha "freak") and now offers cymbals geared specifically 
to Yamaha. But Hart never got with the program, despite promises years 
ago, and despite rumors about testing with a Yamaha module last year. 

Yamaha people frequently upgrade with Pintech meshes, and some say 
that Hart's current models work all right as well. But some of Hart's 
cymbals won't work, and no Roland-compatible hi hat will work with a 
Yamaha module without a special adaptor. Given these points, the safer 
bet with hybrid components is a Roland module. By the way, many people 
prefer the 6V to the pricier Roland modules because it is easier to 
use, doesn't suffer from the distortions caused by COSM, and has 
better dynamic range. 

As for the software on PC and Mac, sorry--nothing.

Ed