Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "coachman6666" <coachman666@a...> 
wrote:
> Ive had my dtxpress II kit for about 2 months and im so confused.  
> 
> 1.) I need to use my dtxII for school jazz band... obviosly I need 
to
> buy myself something to make it louder, like some sort of speaker
> system or something...
> Now, do I need an amp?  Can I use a gutair or keyboard amp?  Can I 
use
> a  PA system?  I have looked online and seen like a "drum monitor
> system"  Which supposidly gives you really great sound.  Basically 
my
> band director doesnt like electronic sets so mine has to sound 
really
> great for her to except it you know. 

Your band director needs consciousness raising. The simple answer to 
your question is that if you're going to use an amp, make it a 
keyboard amp, not a guitar or a bass amp. You can buy a small PA, but 
you'd be spending too much money. But read down further.

>     Also, what wattage should I use... I need one loud enough for 
say
> like a band of 15-20 people... also it needs to be clear at louder
> volumes, which my 25 watt cheap POS amp is not. 

In a small venue with not many people, either playing instuments or 
listening/watching, you might be able to get away with a dedicated 
drum monitor--usually two satellite speakers, a subwoofer, and 
amplification. If you can spend $300, I'd recommend the smaller of 
the two new Yamaha drum modules that are scheduled to come out any 
minute, if they aren't out already. They were made to be used with 
the DTXpress. You shouldn't mistake it for a PA; it won't play that 
loudly, especially when you have other noises and things surrounding 
it. But your bandleader probably doesn't want you to play loudly. You 
can also use it if you have a small group of your own that practices 
in the basement or garage (if you practice alone, use headphones most 
of the time; your housemates will love you for it).
 
> I need to kno how to hook it up...  like I have the L and R mono
> jacks, but I am using a single cable, so which one do I put it in? 

Hooking it up is the least of your problems. Do me, and you, a favor 
and go to Riksmusic.com. Click on Yamaha at the bottom of the page, 
then on Drums on the next page, and finally on the MDR-50 drum 
monitor. Everything you need to know will be included in the manual. 
You will run L/R cables from the outputs on back of the module into 
the subwoofer. The rest will be drum history in the making. 
 
> 2.) I have a bunch of stuff to hok up my drum module to my 
computer...

I'm going to keep this simple for now. Make sure that your computer 
has a soundcard installed that will accept a MIDI connection (five 
pins). Chances are that you have a Soundblaster, or Soundblaster 
compatible, card with a game port. If so, go to the local CompuStore, 
or such, and buy a cable with a MIDI adapter for the game port. It 
will have MIDI connectors corresponding to MIDI in and MIDI out on 
the DTXpress.

> Also there is a "2 host" thing, what is this?    

Forget about "to host." 

> Do I even need the MIDI converter box?

From what I can tell at this point, no. Maybe later. Don't throw it 
away. Let's see how we make out with the current strategy. 
 
> 3.) I love my dtxpressII but god the hi hat just stinks!  What is up
> with it...  I would absolutly love to have one of those hi hats like
> the one on the front page (I assume thats the new dtxpressIII)  
Where
> can I get a hihat like that or a similar one?

The hi hat on our cover won't be available until January at the 
earliest. Other companies make hi hats that are superior to the stock 
DTXpress II's and are compatible with the module--Pintech and Visu-
lite to name two. Read about them in the archived messages or go to 
their websites. Stephen Brown's review of the Pintech hat is in our 
Files section, and mine of the Visu-lite is all over the place. But 
these things cost money. Maybe we can help you get the most out of 
what you already have, or at least keep the expense down if you 
change.

Keep in touch,
Ed