Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

I have to agree with xx on the positive aspects of rubber play. I've never been so smooth, thanks in part to not having to pound so much, but mostly because I am playing a lot more often. It's great to able to sit down for 15 minutes basically whenever I want and silently jam, without first having to negotiate with my wife for periods of excessive noise. I've even set up the phone and baby monitor nearby, both with flickering red  indicator lights, in case I'm in headphone land.

Originally I found the kick tower way too hard and unrealistic, forcing me to change my style from holding the beater against the head to letting it bounce. However, because of that I'm now able to do quicker, fancier foot stuff than before. I often practice bass work using one of the techno kits, because when your footwork is a little off it's very noticeable.

x x of eyemaster69@... said on 2/1/00 9:44 AM

>From: "x x" <eyemaster69@...>
>
>My two cents:
>I've had a similar experiences with the hi-hat function as the rest of you. 
>The response being limited to either open, closed or splash took a little 
>while to get used to but wasn't anything annoying or difficult. I've also 
>gotten some nice effects when "surprised" by the sudden open/closed sounds 
>produced when not keeping firm pressure on the pedal. The only disadvantage 
>I experienced was with how easily a splash sound was produced when trying to 
>keep steady time on the pedal...but like most annoyances on the DTXpress it 
>was simple enough to work around.
>I split my time between the electronic kit (for apartment practicing) and an 
>acoustic kit (for band rehearsals) and I've discovered that although there 
>are major differences between playing the two different animals, the single 
>largest effect is a positive one, which is just how much more natural my 
>playing has gotten from being able to play the electronic kit whenever I get 
>the urge instead of having to decide between not playing and/or playing very 
>very softly (and unnaturally). Also, I tend to play the electronic kit more 
>softly and smoothly than the acoustic kit - since I don't have to "pull" the 
>sounds out of them and this translates into a much more easy feeling on the 
>acoustic kit.
>All in all I am very pleased with the DTXpress and just as a side note - the 
>sounds from this kit are largely dependent on the type of amp/headphones you 
>use. I tried the kit out at the store with headphones & an amp and was 
>pleased with the sounds but I LOVE the sounds I get through my headphones at 
>home....so, if you're less than thrilled with the sounds, try another pair 
>of headphones.
>
>...still waiting to get into the recording phase with the kit though......


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pete

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