Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "jonddf" <jonddf@a...> wrote:
> Anyone know anything about this kit? The seller on Ebay says it's 
> superior to the DTXPRESS 1&2 ?!?!

Hi Jon,

I took a look at the listing. The seller is accurate and 
comprehensive about what the kit and module are and do. The module, 
in particular, is much more user-friendly and comprehensive in 
certain features that are still relevant than any of the DTXpress 
modules are. What the seller doesn't tell you is that this particular 
unit w/pads is the oldest in the Yamaha lineup, and it has been 
discontinued for longest time. It occupied the middle ground between 
the Xpress I and the Xtreme (before it was discontinued) and was a 
relative bargain at the time. Although the basic technology of 
triggering hasn't altered much for years, subsequent Yamaha offerings 
carry improvements based on time testing that the DTX v2.0 doesn't 
have. The size of the kit and the extra dual-zone input are definite 
advantages, but the old rubber pads were not as responsive as those 
on the DTXpress II (the sellers' are probably even less responsive 
given their age). The KP80 kick and HH80 hat controller are better 
than what the DTXpress I had, but I'm not so sure that I'd see either 
as an advantage over their counterparts in the DTXpress II, 
especially after all this time. The designs got better, at least for 
the kick. The rack is not as collapsible as that of the DTXpress II.

That's the short story. A lot of people still own or buy this kit and 
are happy with it (check out the Yamaha DTX Group). If you want a 
good unit that probably won't fall apart any time soon, and the price 
is right, you could do worse. However, if staying more current, using 
three-sound pads, starting from scratch with new pads, and having the 
benefit of nearly ten years' R&D appeals to you, I'd pass on it. The 
DTXpress II and III, by virtue of their youth alone, are hard to 
beat; the age of the DTX v2.0 carries risks that count, particularly 
after a certain price point. Check the ebay price on the module 
alone; I don't think that it fetches more than $250 these days.

Ed