Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "jodela49" <jrl49@a...> wrote:
> Greetings,  How do I go about buying one of these little wonders.  
> Also, how much are they?  Thanks,  Jerry

Please accept my apologies for not adding some explanation to the
posting of the pictures for the people who have not seen the "Magic
Box" thread earlier - I was rushing out and had just finished drilling
the box so wanted to get some pictures up.

The "Magic Box" allows eight single zone pads (eg TP65, PCY65 etc) to
be connected to four "stereo" inputs on the DTXpress.  This would
allow you to combine existing single zone pads such as the toms and
ride cymbal on the standard kit with four extra pads and still have
inputs 9/10 free for another couple, giving six extras in total,
rather than the normal two (9/10).

It can also be used to put a dual zone pad with two sensors (ie not a
DTXpress one) into a stereo input rather than taking up two inputs.
This is the first of two prototypes I am building.  This one has been
tested and works fine (as far as I can tell) but I will be enlisting
the help of one or two testers who are more experienced than me to be
sure before I try to sell it.

I didn't have room to put all the connectors on the back although if I
could find some narrower connectors it should be possible.  The
current ones are butted together inside with no spare space.  
The box was chosen so it could sit on the top of the DTXpress and is
not a coincidence:) so I don't want to make it any wider.

The adjusters are for sensitivity of the "rim" switch input.  This is
to prevent the box from detecting the wrong pad due to rack vibration.  
One adjustment that may be added is an attenuator for other make pads,
but that is not necessary for  using Yamaha pads on the DTXpress
module through this box - the signals that come out are the same size
as those that went in.

One limitation is that two pads connected to one stereo input cannot
sound simultaneously, so this must be borne in mind when choosing what
you use them for.

I am trying to get prices for manufacture in modest volumes from the
Far East and hope to have those next week.  My target was to be able
to sell it for around $100, but at the moment I do not know if that is
possible.  I am sure it would be if I made 1000 of them, but that
would require too much cash outlay up front.  I am also looking at
making a small batch in the UK which I may be able to sell for 100 GBP.  

It would be useful to know the level of interest, so if anyone wants
to e-mail me if it is something they might want (no orders yet
please!) it will help me decide the next stage.

Keith.