Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "epvk_jahoe" <yahoo@e...> wrote:
> I was thinking about expanding the kit with two PCY65S's. Browsing 
on
> the Thomann 
> website, I found the Millenium MPS300 kit (http://
> www.netzmarkt.de/thomann/
> thoiw2_artikel-165007.html?sn=1629ce8e53b7a6f43082f7c32a30a914), a
> very, very 
> cheap one with real head pads. It's tempting to buy this one instead
> of the Yamaha 
> cymbals, in particular since a more realistic snare would also be
> interesting, and with the 
> MPS300 the possibilities are huge (especially in combination with 
the
> 'Magic Box'). 
> However, the quality of the MPS300 may be terrible.
> the big question is: does anyone have experience with this drum kit,
> or with another 
> Medeli product?
> 	Unless some people have a good review, I will stick to the 
PCY65S
> strategy and 
> perhaps buy a better snare in the future.

Hi Erik Paul,

Welcome to the group. A question about the Millenium kit comes up 
periodically. I tried to find something out about it some time ago, 
but didn't have much more success than you. Nor did Alex at 
edrumming.com, who is a master at tracking down information via the 
web. But the basic rule of thumb is that you tend to get what you pay 
for in this game (except when it comes to Roland--huge, ironic grin). 
Cobbling together electronic drum components can be done easily and 
cheaply without much concern for the results. I'd steer clear of the 
Millenium, especially in the absence of any user reviews. If you were 
to hate it, you would be unlikely to have much recourse, beyond 
Thomann taking it back, which might not be worth the price of 
admission. 

The Yamaha components are built to a high standard and matched to 
their accompanying module(s), with terrific customer service (at 
least in the States, but we can intervene if necessary); the best 
that can be said about the Millenium is that it might work passably 
and not fall apart for a while. If you want a relatively inexpensive 
woven-head pad to use as a snare for your DTXpress, you ought to look 
at the 10-inch Pintech ConcertCasts. As for cymbals, I'd go with the 
Yamahas or compatibles, depending on your budget. It's tempting to 
follow the bargain, but a bad purchase might not show itself until 
it's too late. The fact that no one at any of the major forums has 
anything to say about the Millenium--either good or bad--should be 
revealing. Stick around for a while to get ideas about what reputable 
components might be appropriate for you. You may suffer a little in 
the short run, but you'll probably be much happier in the long run.

Ed