Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "joe69128" <joe69128@y...> wrote:
> Ok, im in canada, and i found someone with adtxpress 1 who will 
sell 
> for 900 cdn. New dtxpress 2 and 3's are 1500 plus tax here.  Are 
> there HUGE differences in sound ect with the dtxpress 1 and 2? i 
just 
> want it so i can play all those times i cant play my acoustic kit 
> when everyone else in the house is asleep.  Comments?

I back-checked ebay for recent auctions of the DTXpressI. The prices 
range from $525 bare bones to about $800 with extras like a kick 
pedal, a pad, etc. The current conversion for 900 cdn. is about $670, 
which matches up pretty well with the ebay prices. For $670, you 
might expect to get a kick, a pair of headphones, or a stool with it, 
if you need them, but it might not be worth much of a quibble. Since 
the kit might be as much as three to four years old, make sure that 
all of the pads make adequate sound. Pay extra attention to the kick. 
If it's the KP60 kick tower and still alive, count yourself a lucky 
man; that component was the weak link. If the previous owner didn't 
have an excessively heavy hand, the pads can last for a long time. 
The PC80 cymbal series were more likely to poop out than the TP pads, 
but even they were pretty durable. The battery inside the module can 
last a long time, but it might not be a bad idea to stay alert. When 
it goes, you'll lose all of your programmed kits; back them up or 
write them down. But I've had a DTXpressI module for at least three 
and a half years that I use as an auxiliary that still has the 
original battery.

The difference between the I and II did not involve the sounds 
programmed into the module. What you won't get is the snare with its 
separate head, crosstick, and rim capability and a couple of other 
relatively nonessential features. 

Be forewarned that as quiet as these things are compared to acoustic 
drums, they are not totally silent. The kick, especially, carries 
through floors to create a distinctly unpleasant thump to those not 
percussively oriented. Hopefully, your practice room is in the 
basement or far enough away from normal people that you won't disturb 
them sleeping or watching tv. Otherwise, a little, or a lot, of DIY 
padding is sometimes necessary. If so, come back to us, and we'll 
have suggestions. Have fun.

Ed