Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Graham,

Great reply from Giles by the way!  I played in a band when I was a teenager 
(made some money at it if you call that professional).  I'm 48 now, and had 
been out of drumming for many years.  Thought the only drums were acoustics 
and bought a set a couple of years ago.  One day I was wandering thru the 
music store to get a pair of sticks, and they had this Yamaha set sitting 
there and turned on.  As I walked to the counter with my sticks, on the way 
by the set I hit one of the pads with my stick, expecting the "techno-bop" 
electronic sound that used to be the norm for these things.. instead to my 
surprise, it sounded like real drums.  Next thing I knew, I played them for 
half an hour and they had to physically remove me from the set to get me to 
stop!

This set may not have all the features of more expensive sets, but I sure am 
happy with mine.  I find myself making up a set and saving it for each song 
that we play, getting the sound just right to mimmick what the drummer's set 
sounded like on the recording.  With all the possibilities out there for 
drums, cymbals, etc, you'd spend a fortune and have to have a ton of stuff 
to do that.

Kick pad problem.. guess I'm just the lucky one so far.  Doesn't seem to be 
a widespread problem (yet anyway), so probably not a concern. Besides, 
that's what warranty's are for. As far as pedals go, Giles hit it right 
on...you can really use any, all a matter of personal choice... guess that's 
why they don't include one with the kit.  I use a Pearl pedal myself, but to 
me that is one thing you don't want to scrimp on is the pedal.  Much too 
important a part of your playing style.  I found the Yamaha kick tower pad 
to be pretty darn firm (kinda like pounding on a brick wall).  That's why 
I'm enjoying the S&S trigger.  The pad itself kinda feels like those things 
that you see in gift stores.. like a sausage shaped thing filled with a real 
firm jelly that you squeeze to relieve stress or whatever. Much easier on 
the old leg.. and I do mean old!

I found the pads a little firmer over regular heads as well, and being the 
whimp that I am, they are a little harder on my hands over drum heads.  So I 
have gone to wearing gloves (trap shooting gloves actually) and sticks with 
a rubber wrap around the handles.  Softens the blow just enough to make them 
very comfortable to play.

The programmed sounds are great... lots to choose from.  And as mentioned 
here in earlier postings, make sure to give each pad dual voices to really 
give them depth and uniqueness.

Hope this helps..welcome to the group and hope you land on the setup that's 
right for you!

Rolf
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