Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, Paul Bentley <pb@w...> wrote:
> 
> On Saturday, September 6, 2003, at 11:58  pm, Drew wrote:
> 
> > I just wanted to say to all my UK E-Drum junkies that there is an
> > alternative to the Japanese & American 'Mesh-Head' kits out
> > there....and best of all it's made right here in ENGLAND. (Not my
> > intention to invite any flaming, if you've got a 'Pintech' or H.D.
> > Kit then fine, as are all the 'Rolands' & Yamaha's).
> >
> > I've posted a (not very good) photo of my KOBY KIT on the photos
> > page.
> 
> At last, someone with a Koby kit! There had to be someone out there 
> somewhere who had one :-)
> 
> Now for the questions!
> 
> If I follow your lead and go the Koby route I want the kit to be as 
> near silent as possible. Is there much stick noise from the cymbal 
pads 
> and have you found the unsilenced rims to be a problem? I intend to 
> silence the rims with rubber strip. Could you do me an immense 
favour 
> and measure around the circumference of one of your pad rims? I've 
> guessed it measures about 69cm but I'd like to know for sure (for 
> ordering ddrum rim silencer, unless someone can point me to a 
readily 
> available cheaper alternative).
> 
> I assume you're using the stock Koby hi-hat pedal - how have you 
found 
> it? Does it give a pretty full range of hi-hat sounds?
> 
> You've probably noticed the recent posts about polyphony. Have you 
> found the 16 voice limit of the DM5 restrictive at all? I'm totally 
> unfamiliar with the Alesis modules but I know if you want to play 
along 
> to CDs you have to use a mixer with the DM5. Is this the kind of 
set-up 
> you have?
> 

Hi Paul
OK...the measurement around the rim is 68cm.  The koby hi hat peadl 
is a basic trigger (on/0ff) which is fine for the DM5 as the pedal is 
used to trigger open/closed/foot sounds OR to advance to the next 
drum kit in the DM5, might be different with a different module.  
Stick sounds from the cymbals are very low as they are 1/3 covered in 
EPDM and the cymbal trigger edges are covered in EPDM rubber also.  
For playing along to music tracks; Laptop PC running both Cubase & 
Cakewalk and a host of midi files.  The setup works for me and the 
sixteen voice polyphony is the opposite of restricting...16 
simultaneous sounds is more than enough for me.  Another great thing 
about the pads is that they mount using conventional 'Pearl-type'tom 
arms and are tightened with a conventional drum key.  Speak to Colin 
at KOBY, he's a really nice guy and couldn't do enough for me.  He 
has definitely done his homework probably helped by his strong links 
with Dave Simmons (of Hexagon Pad fame).

Does anyone want me to post a full review ??  If so What pics., would 
you like to see...e.g., Rack close-ups, Top, side & bottom of Pads, 
cymbal top & bottom etc.  If a review with lots of pics would be 
useful, let me know.

All the best 
Drew