Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "JD Jerry Davis /Team Bozi Drummer" 
<zmintcard@y...> wrote:
> Ed, your saying I can use #9/10 
> to run the visu-lite ride....
> LIKE THIS:
> #6 a crash (chokeable)
> #7 a crash (chokable)
> #9 regular Ride
> #10 the Bell of a ride 
> Am I correct here? 

Right, you can set it up that way, and many people do, for exactly 
the same reasons. I preferred input 6 for the bow, however, because 
it has a DIP switch in the back of the module that allows its 
sensitivity to be raised, whereas 9/10 does not. It's not necessarily 
a problem, but if you like your ride to run as hot as possible, you 
might want to reserve input 6 for it, at the cost of losing choking 
and rim-switch capabilities on one of the Yamahas. This is the point 
at which your own experimenting is unavoidable.
 
> I think you understand when I say; "I dont wanna buy a Ride with a 
> bell built in" Just to find out...It won't work with Yammy mod. 
> Besides, I like to know what Im looking for/at (and come across 
> knowing)
> while searching at G.C. (guitar center) 

I hear you. The best way is to be able to try these things out in 
your local store, but many desirable products just aren't available 
for audition. If you want to play it safe, get a Roland; they're 
everywhere. Many places also stock the DTXpress, as well as an 
occasional Pintech or Hart kit. But you won't find Visu-lites 
anywhere except at their own site or at a web store (which is also a 
brick and mortar store) called Drumbalaya.com, which you should 
visit. It is the only store of its kind, dedicated completely to 
electronic drums and everything that they touch. The owner, Ed Morin, 
is an electronic drummer himself, and immensely knowledgable, as well 
as accessible. Ask him about the Visu-lites via email or phone. He'll 
give you an honest answer. I can't think of a single piece of e-drum 
equipment that he doesn't carry or hasn't tried. If you like what he 
says, buy one from him. By the way, since Visu-lites are custom-made, 
not manufactured en masse, sometimes you have to wait.
 
> Im a brass freak! 14 (accostic)cymbals in my arsenal. 
> Yamamha should have looked into adding 3 to 5 more inputs on 
> the DTexII (just my opinion)

That is most definitely not just your opinion. A few more inputs 
would be a blessing, but it's all about price points. You have to 
spend more money to get more--of everything. The dearly departed 
DTXtreme (which is about to come back in new improved form) had far 
more inputs, as well as other advanced features, but you had to pay 
for the privilege. Many Xpress owners eventually buy a second module--
often another DTXpress or even a discontinued Alesis, Yamaha, or 
Roland--for more inputs, which they link via a mixer. Roland makes a 
MIDI trigger interface with six inputs--the TMC-6--which has no 
sounds of its own but can tap into an existing module via MIDI, 
thereby expanding the kit. There are also similar discontinued 
devices made by Roland and Kat that e-drummers still use. But with 
more inputs/pads comes the need for more geography, meaning more 
tubes or a larger rack. Let the games begin.
 
> I have a couple more Q:s But I dont wanna confuse myself!!! 

When you're ready, just shoot. We'll be here.

Ed