Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "emf" <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> --- 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
------------------

Your comments make interesting reading, Ed. As you say, I would urge 
anyone thinking of buying a kit to check wherever they can on prices. 
The DTX3(standard)is coming on stream here in Europe with kits now 
available from some European mainland suppliers at what seem like 
good prices. In fact, Thomann - in Germany - are selling the DTX3 for 
less than what you could pay for the DTX2 at some UK retailers if you 
didn't do your priceing research properly. 
Re: noisey bass drums - I've an idea to remove a square section of 
floorboard in my living room then lay concrete or bricks onto the 
screed base below up to floorboard level. That way, I'd hope all the 
resonance would be dissipated through the concrete/brick stack 
thereby making next to no noise.....we'll see.