Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Jeff, you prompted a couple of thoughts:

> Second:  For me the size of the pads wasn't so much of the issue as
> proximity.  The standard kit has the pads alot closer than a similar
> acoustic set would be.  The rack is only so big, you can spread the
> toms out almost the same, but the snare to hh relationship takes
> some getting used to.  If you'll look at some pics of the set you'll
> notice the hh is on a little stub of pipe mounted on the same arm
> the snare is on.  The hh pad is never really over the hh pedal and
> your right and left hands can get in the way of each other.  I find
> the sticks battle it out some times when I play certain accents on
> the snare.  You can move the hh up to the module arm, but i've got
> an extra cymbol arm there, so I've just had to work with it.

I'm having similar problems, but I'm not used to playing any kit so I
was assuming it was me. Between me and my tutor (who is properly
trained) I still don't feel we've finally resolved this.

The good thing about it is the only reason an acoustic hi-hat is over
the pedal is because of the connecting rod, and the whole way of
playing (and teaching) drums has evolved partly from this restriction.
With an electronic kit there's no such limit, you can put the cymbal
anywhere you like.

Irritatingly, I had the hi hat and snare in a hands-open configuration
(so my hands weren't crossed) and my tutor had me set it up in
traditional style where my hands were crossed. So I worked with that
and got used to it, and then suddenly he suggested setting things up
open (like how I had it in the first place). Irritating, like I say
:-)

Anyway, with hands crossed, I watched a video of our first gig and
I've developed a sawing action with my snare arm when I need emphasis.
That should be a down stroke, but I've no room for that with the
hi-hat hand above. So this still needs sorting.


> It is
> muting itself the instant I strike it.  These prefer a snap or
> glancing blow, if you let the stick stop on the edge it'll think you
> want to mute it.  I don't know the reason mine is acting up and have
> posted a question earlier 'cause I don't know if this function's
> sensitivity can be adjusted or not.  I don't have any experience
> with the Specials round pads, it has one, two, and three zone pads.

I'm trying to play along with The Libertines' The Good Old Days and
that has some fast ride rolls (afaich) and my ride cymbal doesn't seem
to cope with that. I'm thinking it'll be to do with adjusting the self
rejection setting but I did try that and didn't solve the problem.

> Third:  For what the snare pad does, I like it.  I wish it were
> bigger for that also.

On the same song, there's a lot of snare drag and I'm finding I'm
running out of runway with the pad, it's not really big enough for
long drags and to get maximum length you've got to be very accurate to
start at the top of the pad without triggering the rim. Either that or
I'm not doing it right, which is possible.

Re the question of how loud it is, I've got a decibel meter, so when I
practice in about four or five hours time I'll measure how loud it is
and let you know.

Cheers
J