Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Nigel Kirkby" <nigel@i...> wrote:
> I 
> demoed the dtxpressII and the roland TD6K side-by-side (as they 
seem 
> to be the only ones in my price range) using headphones as well as 
a 
> PM-3 monitor & speakers.  I must say that I thought the Roland kit 
> sounds seemed better (as was the opinion of the assistant in the 
> shop).
> Unfortunately for me at the time, some other guy in the shop was 
> playing (showing off!) on an acoustic snare and the differences 
> between the huge variety and dynamic range of sounds he was getting 
> really showed up the shortfalls in both of the electronic kits!

Hi Nigel,

Though perfectly aware that preference is as much a subjective matter 
as an objective one, I would never judge a kit--whether a Roland or a 
Yamaha--solely by its performance as set up in a music store. 
Moreover, sales people are not immune to opinions of Roland as 
superior if only because Roland dominates the popular market and 
generally makes more money (though I'm willing to bet that the Xpress 
outsells the V-Club). Nor would I judge the limitations in an 
electronic kit's dynamics in comparison with an acoustic kit within 
the same context, even though dynamics is a prime disadvantage of e-
drums. There are simply too many hidden variables in a module's 
parameters for an accurate reading w/o more control, time, and 
understanding. Unfortunately, e-drum modules exceed their ability to 
be assessed in the normal consumer fashion. The burden is on 
independent formal or informal reviews in forums like this one, 
edrumming.com, vdrums.com, etc., and other areas of the web like 
Harmony Central (if it really kept up) to fill in the gaps. 
Eventually, either through comprehensiveness or the luck of the draw--
coupled with budgetary constraints--buyers reach their decisions. 

> On this board it seems that by using layering, the sounds of the 
> dtxpressII can become a lot better, and as this is the cheaper 
option 
> I think this is the way to go. 

Yes, layering can improve the impact of the Yamaha sounds. Some 
people are really inventive about how they use it (the inestimable 
OGD being one).

> dtxpressIII is imminent so my purchase will probably be postponed 
> until january - is there any chance of yamaha lowering the price of 
> the 2 to shift the old stock (as this could also be tempting)? I'm 
> hoping to get either the yamaha 50 or 100 watt powered drum 
speakers 
> also recently announced - presuming the reviews are OK.

OGD's probably right. The DTXpressII probably will not be lower in 
price until the III is established, assuming that any are left. 
Stores like Musicans Friend sometimes get a hold of old stock and 
sell it at a discount, and ebay will undoubtedly be a source of 
bargains for the II next year. But given the kit's scarcity now, the 
prospects are not good in the short term. I can't wait for reviews 
and user impressions of the Yamaha monitors to emerge. Given Roland's 
domination of this market at near-monopoly prices, it's nice to see 
Yamaha get into the game.

> I'm not really expecting a reply to this post (which has now become 
a 
> bit of a ramble) but any advice/suggestions/comments would be 
> appreciated.

Hey, why not? We love to converse. 

Ed