Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "jclco_md" <jclco_md@y...> wrote:
> For the snare, I want to get the Pintech AX14S.  I saw the overall 
> comment was great but am not sure if the setup will be difficult.  
> Afterall, I am still a novice drummer and want to concentrate on 
the 
> technique first.

Hi Jim,

I assume that DTXpressII was what you meant. The AX14S is the most 
cost-effective way to add a high-quality woven head pad to your kit 
(and at 14 inches, it's difficult for even me to miss). Setup isn't 
particularly difficult. You'll have to change the pad type of your 
snare in the trigger menu. Experiment if you like; I have mine set as 
DT Snare. You will also have to place it on a separate stand, as 
opposed to attaching it on the rack. Nothwithstanding this slight 
complication, the change will have benefits, allowing you to run gain 
much higher and min. velocity much lower because of the drum's 
relative invulnerability to crosstalk. Your most important rejection 
setting now will be self-rejection, making sure that the AX14S 
doesn't run so hot that it double-triggers. You'll also want to flip 
the DIP switch corresponding to your snare input on the back of the 
module to the up position. Otherwise the signal may be too 
attenuated. Since the AX14S is dual-zone, meaning it needs a 
different input for the body and for the rim, most Xpress users use 
standard input 2 for the snare and either 9 or 10 for rim, in order 
not to waste a stereo input. A few people run both AX14S outputs 
through 9/10, but moving the snare that way makes it all but 
impossible to use the default kits easily.
> 
> As for the cymbal, well I kinda like the original PCY80S but 
> unfortunately it's been discontinued. So I thought perhaps getting 
> the PCY65 along with the bell PCY10 might be an option. But wait, 
> what about the setup, do you think putting a splitter in the 9/10 
> input will work?

You could do that, but remember that you may have used up 9 or 10 
already with the rim from the AX14S. (Welcome to the new problem of 
how to add inputs to the Xpress--a search of the archives and a new 
post may be in order.) You might also consider the Zenbal 14" round 
stereo cymbal, which will work in one of your stereo inputs and allow 
you to retain 9/10 for the AX14S and another mono pad (an extra tom 
or crash?). 
 
> I also want to replace the hi-hat kick pad cause the feel is quite 
> horrible.  BUt I ain't sure if there is any good replacement out 
> there.  Might be you guys can make suggestion here!

Well, I'm not sure whether you're referring to the hi hat pad or the 
kick pad. If the former, I'm a Visu-lite guy all the way. You get to 
use an old-fashioned hi hat stand and watch those two cymbals go up 
and down just like they used to in the good old days before 
electricity. Check out my Visu-lite pics in the Files section and 
consult the company's website. If the latter, options abound. You can 
get a woven-head kick pad from Roland (too expensive)or Pintech (much 
more reasonable) or even a bigger, better rubber one (I have the 
textured DrumTech kick pad, which Drumbalaya carries now; to me it 
has all the advantages of a woven head without the hassle of 
periodically having to turn lugs; also, it's built like a tank).
 
Ed