Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Well I know im definatly keeping my acoustic set, even though it takes
up alot of space.

However, I always use my rubber pad over my snare with the snare off
when I practice my rediments.  This is how I do it in my lessons, and
how I practice it at home.  (Playing the rudiments on a normal snare
is loud, and annoys the family, plus is really bad when you mess up :) )

Anyway I do have my snare on my acoustic kit, and then an extra snare,
and I also have 2 or 3 pads to practice on.  I was just wondering how
different the gum rubber pads of the dtxpress are then say a real head
practice pad, or a standard rubber pad.  

I think where it stands now is that in my room I have a computer, tv,
double bed, a computer desk and three berious for cloths (sp) Right
now my acoustic kit is SQEEZED into about 1/4 of my room. My room is
about  15 feet by 13 feet, so it is definatly small.  I have a
relitivily small acoustic set right now with 4 toms a snare 22in bass
a crash a ride 2 splashs a hi hat and a stand for my music.  I really
want to keep my acoustic kit set up and playable but when the dtxpress
II  comes im afarid I have to pack it up and store it in the basement.  
Also there is really NO other place in the house to set up the set and
be able to play it, without friends or guests comeing over and wanting
to play it and eventually breaking something.  

So im kind of stuck here...  I think what im going to do is stack the
acoustic kit up in my closet or in the basement out of the way and set
up the dtxpress II, and then keep the snare off my acoustic kit with a
drum pad for practicing the rudiments and snare exercises (part of my
weekly lesson is drumming out of a rudiment orintated snare solo book).

So anyway, Im new and my name is Matt Cote, im only 16 (I know u guys
have been PLAYING for twice as long as I have been born)  Ive been
playing for 3-4 years with steady lessons, and im really looking
forward to getting into MIDI and electronic percussion.  

On a final note, I have been playing around with a program called
ACID, it is a loop based midi file organizer/song creator.  I was
wondering if any of you have used this program, and could maybe give
me some tips on how to limnk up my dtxpress kit to create some loops.

Anyway long post so ill stop now, thanks a lot guys it is a big sigh
of relif knowing there are a group of people ready to answer your
questions and be helpful.