Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- Jerry Davis wrote:
> Q: Do these switches actually help "Boost" my sound? 

Yes. But then again, no.

On the subject of the effect of the switches, a problem is that 
whoever labelled the switches and wrote the manual didn't really 
understand the word "attenuate" and "high/low" in that regard. 
Basically, flicking the DIP switch up (to "high") reduces the 
attenuation and so increases the strength of the signal and 
therefore volume.

However, before you do that, read on...

> Can I flip up the #6 switch *and achive a stronger
> Ride sound now with the stock Yamaha PCY65 Ride

I think you need to be careful here, as you're rushing into things. 

The DIP switch for a pad is a very crude control of volume. It's a 
bit like swatting flies with a Buick. The switch is really meant to 
help you to match other pads (such as the Visulite ride) that have 
weaker signals than the Yamaha pads, to be tracked by the module. 

Before you go there, you need to spend a little time with the 
manual, looking at settings that affect your sound. You should try 
different ride voices, and remember that you can have two layered 
voices on each pad which can either be stacked (both sound at the 
same time) or velocity cross-faded (the voice changes the harder you 
strike the pad). Some people use velocity cross-fade to achieve a 
bow and bell sound - a lower velocity strike triggers a bow sound, 
and a harder strike a bell sound.

You need to understand the various things that affect volume and 
responsiveness, such as minimum velocity, gain, pad response curve, 
voice volume, overall kit volume, and finally the volume control on 
the front. You should be adjusting these WAY before you head for the 
DIP switches on the back with standard Yamaha pads. There's no 
substitute for coming to grips with the manual and how this thing 
works, I'm afraid.

> and just my opinion: The hi-hats????
> Well they are totaly WEEK!

Hats are a weak point of most electronic kits, both at the pedal 
(which doesn't give the same control of "opening" as an acoustic 
pedal) and with their voices, which tend to need adjustment to be 
even close to satisfactory. Again, layering and adjusting decay 
(sustain) can make a big difference.

There is one e-drum hi-hat pedal which comes close - the Visulite, 
beloved of Ed - and we have high hopes for the new Yamaha hi-hat on 
the DTXpressIII.

Remember one thing above all: an e-drum kit is not a perfect 
facsimile of an acoustic kit. It's an electronic instrument which 
you play in much the same way as a drum set. That's an important 
distinction. If you approach this any other way, you're in for 
disappointment.

Stewart