Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi mike,

No problem for the info and opinions...  I'll insert
my answers below, so I'm sure to cover
everything...Walt
--- Mike Warren Autographs
<mikewarrenautographs@...> wrote:
> 
> Hey Walt - Thanks for all of the SUPER info. I
> appreciate it! Not having ever owned or played an
> electronic kit - advice from others is all I have to
> go on. Sounds like the DTXpressII may be the one for
> me.
> 
> Question #1 - Re: the (2) extra mono inputs - could
> I
> use one input for a cymbal bell on top of the ride
> and
> could I use the other input for an extra crash? Or
> am
> I incorrect in thinking I can do that?

That is correct, or any other combination of single
trigger devices.  Some people put their kicks here so
they can use multizone pads on the multizone inputs
(1-8)
> 
> Question #2 - Is the response and feel of the cymbal
> pads the same as the drum pads on the DTXpressII? If
> so, could you use a 3 zone drum pad connected to the
> ride input and use it as a ride to trigger 3
> seperate
> sounds (bell, ride, crash)???? (that may be a crazy
> question but is something I've thought about).

Crazy is our middle name - lots of people prefer to
use the round pads for cymbals.  With the xpress II
having the capability for 3 zone inputs, you could be
the first on the group to try this one out.  One thing
to keep in mind though is that with the round pads you
don't get any swing as you would with cymbal pads. 
> 
> Question #3 - Walt, could you explain to me a little
> further what you mean by your following statement in
> quotations - "When I ran out of inputs on a module,
> I
> could always add more". Do you mean you'd do this by
> buying another module?
> 
OK, I'm guilty of that.  My 'current' stack is a
DTXpress, a DTXV2 and a Roland PM16.  I have a mixer
to  balance and blend them.  You will find a lot of
members running multiple modules.  I have some (more
or less) current pictures in the photos section,
including a 'head' shot of the brains, and to think -
I started with a DTXpress...  

> Thanks again very much to Walt and everyone in this
> group, and as soon as I get my new kit (probably the
> DTXpressII), I will definately share my thoughts on
> it
> with you. Thanks! - Mike
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- Walt <wgardus@...> wrote:
> > Hi Mike,
> > 
> > No apologies required for the enthusiasm - we all
> > get
> > it when we talk about buying new gear (as Walt
> wipes
> > the drool from his keyboard).
> > 
> > Anyway, lets break this into a few areas.  First,
> > the
> > pads.  The xpress II has the newest technology in
> > this
> > area.  I haven't tried them myself, but many of
> the
> > recent posts on them have been positive,
> especially
> > on
> > the bass tower having a larger pad area.  The KP60
> > and
> > KP80 towers have had some negative comments made
> > about
> > their reliability and performance, only time will
> > tell
> > if similar comments are made about the new tower. 
> > Moving to the snare/tom pads, the TP80S dual zone
> > pads
> > tend to have less than perfect response on the rim
> > triggers - the main part of the pads is solid
> > though. 
> > The xpress II has the newer 3 zone pads, and the
> > pads
> > have a different texture than the originals ones
> > did. 
> > On the topic of cymbal pads, many of us have
> cracked
> > the underlying plastic base on original line.  The
> > PCY80S also likes to collect dust causing
> problems. 
> > We'll have to see how the new cymbal pads work
> out. 
> > 
> > So if the most advanced technology is what you
> want,
> > the xpress II would seem to be the winner for the
> > pads.
> > 
> > Next the modules.  We have 3 listed, the DTX and
> the
> > DTXpress I and II.  From a number of inputs view,
> I
> > believe the DTX wins with 8 dual zone inputs and 4
> > mono inputs.  Both of the xpress versions only
> have
> > 2
> > mono inputs, plus the xpress II has 8 - 3 zone
> > inputs
> > while the xpress I has 8 dual inputs.  I would
> need
> > to
> > look at the specs to be sure, but I believe the
> DTX
> > has the strongest processor and number of
> > simultaneous
> > voices.  From a perspective of which has the
> newest
> > technology, the DTX is the oldest, followed by the
> > xpress I, then the xpress II.  So, if the latest
> > technology is more important than everything else,
> > the
> > xpress II would be the one.  If having the most
> > inputs
> > is more important, the DTX has the most.  
> > 
> > So, what would Walt buy, given the three choices? 
> A
> > glass of whiskey first, then I think I would go
> with
> > the xpress II.  The 2 extra mono inputs on the DTX
> > would not   be more important to me than the newer
> > triggering technology would be.  As I have
> expanded
> > my
> > kit, triggering problems have been the most
> > troublesome.  When I ran out of inputs on a
> module,
> > I
> > could always add more, but if I couldn't get a
> > trigger
> > to work right, I was SOL.  Some people may wonder
> > where the additional features and power of the DTX
> > (5
> > layers, chaining, etc) fits into my thinking - I
> > think
> > the average drummer can certainly find uses for
> > them,
> > but unless you're going to really explore them,
> they
> > are (more than likely) not going to add much extra
> > value to you. 
> > 
> > Now, to the rest of you viewing this topic - fire
> > away!
> > 
> > The opinions expressed in this post are not
> > influenced
> > by Jack Daniels (hic), well, not much anyway!
> > --- Mike Warren Autographs
> > <mikewarrenautographs@...> wrote:
> > > Hi. New to the group - this is my 2nd post and I
> > > really enjoy the group and all of the great
> info!
> > As
> > > mentioned in previous post, I am (was) planning
> to
> > > get
> > > new DTXpressII but have been looking now at the
> > > DTXpress LE and the DS10XP LE at the Musician's
> > > Friend
> > > web site (see below link):
> > >
> >
>
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=020916200457172142163159419231/search/g=perc?q=dtxpress
> > > 
> > > Question: (maybe Walt will have a little advice
> > > here)
> > > - of the (3) kits listed below:
> > > DTXpressII - $999
> > > DTXpress LE - $799
> > > DS10XP LE - $999
> > > 
> > > which kit would you go with and why? They are
> all
> > > very
> > > close to the same price so saving a little money
> > > here
> > > or there is not a big deal for me, but out of
> the
> > > (3),
> > > I am wanting the most advanced of the (3) sets
> and
> > > would like the option of expanding and adding
> more
> > > pads in the future (I also play double bass). So
> > > considering my needs, which set??? And how much
> > more
> > > expadable is the DS10XP LE over the DTXpress? It
> > > probably will boil down to a decision between
> the
> > > DTXpressII and the DS10XP LE - is the DS10XP
> brain
> > > and
> > > pads superior to that of the DTXpressII? ANY and
> > ALL
> > > info greatly appreciated. Thanks everybody!!! I
> > hope
> > > I
> > > have not been TOO long winded here - just
> anxious
> > > and
> > > excited about getting my first electronic kit!!!
> :
> 
=== message truncated ===

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