Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Harri Ohra-aho" <hoekfi@y...> wrote:
> I just recently got the Pintech snare and I'm having trouble 
keeping 
> the levels down, especially due to the infamous hotspot in the drum 
> center.
> 
> I did a quick search of the archives and found some similar 
problems, 
> but no definitive solutions. Has anyone since then found any way to 
> tweak the settings to get rid of the over-the-top response?

Hi Harri,

I have the AX14S and have used it with the XpressI module. I'm afraid 
that hot spots from locating the piezo in the center of the pad are 
an occupational hazard to some extent (though, apparently Hart has 
mitigated it somewhat by lowering the piezo's placement, and perhaps 
adding another piezo to the side, for better coverage on the Pro 
snare, which, for that very reason, doesn't trigger well through the 
Xpress module). Whatever the other merits or drawbacks of center 
mounting, it enables positional sensing with the Roland TD-10/8 and 
ddrum4. Our friend and member Jun also pointed out, under our very 
noses, that the absence of input sensitivity on the Yamaha module 
tends to flatten the response of other manufacturers' pads in the 
direction of "hot." That said, I wasn't particularly bothered by the 
AX14S's response with the Yamaha. If you are, and are handy with 
cables and sharp objects, you might splice a 200k pot on the wire 
that runs between the AX14S and the module's input. That way, you can 
adjust the signal so that it doesn't overwhelm you with too much gain 
at less than hard hits. Another option is to use a cable with a pot 
built in, like those from Guyatone, but this option will run you $40 
or so. This technique won't eliminate any imbalance that may be 
bothering you, but my guess is that the lack of input sensitivity is 
your problem.  

Just in case your trigger settings have something to do with your 
difficulty, I'll offer my last saved ones. Remember, I wasn't as 
bothered by the hot spot as others, so my success with the settings 
that follow may simply reflect my tin ear.

First of all, I had the DIP switch on the back of the module 
corresponding with the AX14S' input (input 2) flipped to the up 
position. 

Pad type: DT Snare
Gain 65: MVel: 15
VelCurve: Loud 2
Self-Rej 3
All other rejections 0
Trig Com: DT 10/20 (all my pads are meshes; I treated them through 
the Yamaha as if they were triggered acoustics)

Let us know.

Ed