Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

May be too early to tell just yet, but I'm not so sure it's THAT 
great of an improvement in sampled sounds. In fact many sound the 
same to me. Some of the cymbals do sound a 'little' better, and 
different. Also, it seems that the arrangement of my pads aren't the 
same sounds as in my DTXpress I module - meaning that the Bell 
Cymbal pad has a Crash sound instead etc...

Does anyone else think this DTXpress III blows the doors off the 
DTXpress I module? 

Steve

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "zapaxe" <a_zapelectric@h...> wrote:
> 
> May be too early to tell just yet, but I'm not so sure it's THAT 
> great of an improvement in sampled sounds. In fact many sound the 
> same to me. Some of the cymbals do sound a 'little' better, and 
> different. Also, it seems that the arrangement of my pads aren't 
the 
> same sounds as in my DTXpress I module - meaning that the Bell 
> Cymbal pad has a Crash sound instead etc...
> 
> Does anyone else think this DTXpress III blows the doors off the 
> DTXpress I module? 

Steve,

It will be interesting to get feedback on your question, but it might 
be too much to expect an entry-level module to "blow the doors off" 
its name-plate predecessor(s). The fact that the III's tri-voice 
capability is more extensive and that the module has some new sounds 
and configurations is probably fair enough.  Besides, e-drum 
technology has not advanced by such leaps and bounds over the years 
that successive modules at essentially the same price point would 
differ much from each other. If you want to hear more and do more, 
you have to spend the money. I wonder how many people have gone from 
either the II or the I to the III module and how many of them are 
attentive or interested enough to have made deliberate comparisons. 
You also have to take into consideration listening equipment/ 
environment when evaluating. A poor amp/speaker combination or 
heaphone set won't be able to make fine distinctions, and any changes 
in listening/playing conditions from one module to another might also 
hurt relative evaluations.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "emf" <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> 
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "zapaxe" <a_zapelectric@h...> 
wrote:
> > 
> > May be too early to tell just yet, but I'm not so sure it's THAT 
> > great of an improvement in sampled sounds. In fact many sound 
the 
> > same to me. Some of the cymbals do sound a 'little' better, and 
> > different. Also, it seems that the arrangement of my pads aren't 
> the 
> > same sounds as in my DTXpress I module - meaning that the Bell 
> > Cymbal pad has a Crash sound instead etc...
> > 
> > Does anyone else think this DTXpress III blows the doors off the 
> > DTXpress I module? 
> 
> Steve,
> 
> It will be interesting to get feedback on your question, but it 
might 
> be too much to expect an entry-level module to "blow the doors 
off" 
> its name-plate predecessor(s). The fact that the III's tri-voice 
> capability is more extensive and that the module has some new 
sounds 
> and configurations is probably fair enough.  Besides, e-drum 
> technology has not advanced by such leaps and bounds over the 
years 
> that successive modules at essentially the same price point would 
> differ much from each other. If you want to hear more and do more, 
> you have to spend the money. I wonder how many people have gone 
from 
> either the II or the I to the III module and how many of them are 
> attentive or interested enough to have made deliberate 
comparisons. 
> You also have to take into consideration listening equipment/ 
> environment when evaluating. A poor amp/speaker combination or 
> heaphone set won't be able to make fine distinctions, and any 
changes 
> in listening/playing conditions from one module to another might 
also 
> hurt relative evaluations.
> 
> Ed


Hi Ed,

Thanks for the reply. It's a slow weekend here;)...

I guess, it's all just marketing hype as with anything else. Come 
out with a new and improved version of something, add 'something' to 
the new version and make millions! True fair enough! 
I have not got the chance to play with the DTX III brain yet. I'm 
also trying to deal with my new Alesis DM Pro!
I sure would like to see a drum module that can have unlimited 
capablities to add high rate samples from a software drum sample CD. 
I think the new DTXtreme does this, but as I remember it's limited! 
I may have to learn to do that the hard way with midi, a CD sampler 
and something like Battery. I know some Cubasers are doing this, but 
it seems complicated.
Oh I'm sure there are many who have made comparisons after their 
upgrade from one module to the next! "Hellooo people's, are you's 
listrening????" :)
Well I'm listening with the 'same' set-up I always use...My AKG 271-
Studio headphones. It's not that the #III module sounds bad, it's 
just I'm not WOW'd as I hoped...Oh well maybe theirs hope for my DM 
Pro to give me some wood 'lol'.
If not, I better learn to use to use a software drum sampler with my 
DAW recordings! Btw, I use my edrums only in my home studio, not 
live.

But it still would be interesting for others to comment on 
comparisons.

Steve

Hey Ed,

Great feedback!!!  I have an xII with a Pintech snare that never seems to sound very
fat or impressive - it's likely something I'm doing wrong.  I'm going to sample some
different amps to see if I can get some better sounds, but I want to ask if it is
possible to upgrade the brain to something other than the x-series without having to
buy new pads.  BTW, I'm still not used to the "two-piece" high-hat, so the "stick" may
be be the next priority.

Many Thanks,

greg
 
--- emf <liberatusvirus@...> wrote:


---------------------------------

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "zapaxe" <a_zapelectric@h...> wrote:
> 
> May be too early to tell just yet, but I'm not so sure it's THAT 
> great of an improvement in sampled sounds. In fact many sound the 
> same to me. Some of the cymbals do sound a 'little' better, and 
> different. Also, it seems that the arrangement of my pads aren't 
the 
> same sounds as in my DTXpress I module - meaning that the Bell 
> Cymbal pad has a Crash sound instead etc...
> 
> Does anyone else think this DTXpress III blows the doors off the 
> DTXpress I module? 

Steve,

It will be interesting to get feedback on your question, but it might 
be too much to expect an entry-level module to "blow the doors off" 
its name-plate predecessor(s). The fact that the III's tri-voice 
capability is more extensive and that the module has some new sounds 
and configurations is probably fair enough.  Besides, e-drum 
technology has not advanced by such leaps and bounds over the years 
that successive modules at essentially the same price point would 
differ much from each other. If you want to hear more and do more, 
you have to spend the money. I wonder how many people have gone from 
either the II or the I to the III module and how many of them are 
attentive or interested enough to have made deliberate comparisons. 
You also have to take into consideration listening equipment/ 
environment when evaluating. A poor amp/speaker combination or 
heaphone set won't be able to make fine distinctions, and any changes 
in listening/playing conditions from one module to another might also 
hurt relative evaluations.

Ed





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--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, Gregory Bryant <gregbryant@s...> 
wrote:
> Hey Ed,
> 
> Great feedback!!!  I have an xII with a Pintech snare that never 
seems to sound very
> fat or impressive - it's likely something I'm doing wrong.  I'm 
going to sample some
> different amps to see if I can get some better sounds, but I want 
to ask if it is
> possible to upgrade the brain to something other than the x-series 
without having to
> buy new pads.  BTW, I'm still not used to the "two-piece" high-hat, 
so the "stick" may
> be be the next priority.

Greg,

The Pintech should come through with a vengeance once the settings 
are right. If the snare's in input 2, make sure that you flip up the 
DIP switch associated with that input on the back of the module.  
Then set your pad type for the snare in the trigger setup menu for DT 
snare. Depending on your voice settings, the snare should be fat and 
loud. The next problem might be to tame the dynamic range; we'll see. 
But don't start spending money for the sake of a big sound just yet.

By the way, all of Yamaha modules are DTX, though I suspect that you 
know, and the Yamaha pads will work with other modules.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "zapaxe" <a_zapelectric@h...> wrote:
> Hi Ed,
> 
> Thanks for the reply. It's a slow weekend here;)...
> 
> I guess, it's all just marketing hype as with anything else. Come 
> out with a new and improved version of something, add 'something' 
to 
> the new version and make millions! True fair enough! 
> I have not got the chance to play with the DTX III brain yet. I'm 
> also trying to deal with my new Alesis DM Pro!
> I sure would like to see a drum module that can have unlimited 
> capablities to add high rate samples from a software drum sample 
CD. 
> I think the new DTXtreme does this, but as I remember it's limited! 
> I may have to learn to do that the hard way with midi, a CD sampler 
> and something like Battery. I know some Cubasers are doing this, 
but 
> it seems complicated.
> Oh I'm sure there are many who have made comparisons after their 
> upgrade from one module to the next! "Hellooo people's, are you's 
> listrening????" :)
> Well I'm listening with the 'same' set-up I always use...My AKG 271-
> Studio headphones. It's not that the #III module sounds bad, it's 
> just I'm not WOW'd as I hoped...Oh well maybe theirs hope for my DM 
> Pro to give me some wood 'lol'.
> If not, I better learn to use to use a software drum sampler with 
my 
> DAW recordings! Btw, I use my edrums only in my home studio, not 
> live.

Steve,

The Yamaha DTXtremeIIS is still 16 bit, with the same sampling rate 
as any other Yamaha module past or present.  The Alesis is 20 bit, I 
believe, but, as I said before, that won't guarantee better sound in 
general to anyone's ears. The single advantage that dedicated modules 
have is convenience, and the more developed the module, the more it 
approaches the quality of a good sampler and associated software. You 
will certainly get cleaner, fuller, more resolved, and arguably more 
realistic sound with a PC or Mac and samples, but your software will 
have to be up to snuff. As you surmise, the technique is more 
complicated and obviously less portable. 

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "emf" <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> 
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "zapaxe" <a_zapelectric@h...> 
wrote:
> > Hi Ed,
> > 
> > Thanks for the reply. It's a slow weekend here;)...
> > 
> > I guess, it's all just marketing hype as with anything else. 
Come 
> > out with a new and improved version of something, 
add 'something' 
> to 
> > the new version and make millions! True fair enough! 
> > I have not got the chance to play with the DTX III brain yet. 
I'm 
> > also trying to deal with my new Alesis DM Pro!
> > I sure would like to see a drum module that can have unlimited 
> > capablities to add high rate samples from a software drum sample 
> CD. 
> > I think the new DTXtreme does this, but as I remember it's 
limited! 
> > I may have to learn to do that the hard way with midi, a CD 
sampler 
> > and something like Battery. I know some Cubasers are doing this, 
> but 
> > it seems complicated.
> > Oh I'm sure there are many who have made comparisons after their 
> > upgrade from one module to the next! "Hellooo people's, are 
you's 
> > listrening????" :)
> > Well I'm listening with the 'same' set-up I always use...My AKG 
271-
> > Studio headphones. It's not that the #III module sounds bad, 
it's 
> > just I'm not WOW'd as I hoped...Oh well maybe theirs hope for my 
DM 
> > Pro to give me some wood 'lol'.
> > If not, I better learn to use to use a software drum sampler 
with 
> my 
> > DAW recordings! Btw, I use my edrums only in my home studio, not 
> > live.
> 
> Steve,
> 
> The Yamaha DTXtremeIIS is still 16 bit, with the same sampling 
rate 
> as any other Yamaha module past or present.  The Alesis is 20 bit, 
I 
> believe, but, as I said before, that won't guarantee better sound 
in 
> general to anyone's ears. The single advantage that dedicated 
modules 
> have is convenience, and the more developed the module, the more 
it 
> approaches the quality of a good sampler and associated software. 
You 
> will certainly get cleaner, fuller, more resolved, and arguably 
more 
> realistic sound with a PC or Mac and samples, but your software 
will 
> have to be up to snuff. As you surmise, the technique is more 
> complicated and obviously less portable. 
> 
> Ed


True Ed, 

The DM Pro is 20 bit. Now although one may not hear the difference, 
how hard can it be to impliment a higher sample rate! I suspect 
Yamaha just recycles samples they already have. But it's said that 
one you get the sounds in a DAW envirenment, every single 
calculation from the FX's down to the fader movements degrade the 
audio quality. Of course using midi till mix down would remedy this 
issue.
I had contacted Yamaha quite a while back (as if it matters or 
helps) and made some suggestions and requests.
Keeping OT here, one of my suggestions was to have a drum module 
that could be loaded with drum & cymbal samples from a high quality 
sample CD. This would take care of the complication somewhat & the 
portability issues. Of course then 3, 4 years later they bring us 
the DTXtreme II module, but I'm not sure it loads these 
samples...Does it??? I mentioned that the DM Pro has a PCMCIA which 
can use Alesis Q-cards to import more samples and also according the 
DM Pro manual (as I just read it moments ago) by 
using "SoundBridge"  software I can burn samples from any source to 
a flash RAM card and bring it in the DM Pro. There was also a 
mention of Digidesign "Sample Cell" which in addition can create 
volocities along with the "SoundBridge" software - I could be wrong 
about needing "SampleCell" for this. 
This sounds very exciting!...And a little more complicated. It seems 
that the DM Pro IS the answer I'm looking for...? I'll have to read 
up on that DTXtreme II module in this sample importing capability. 
Maybe I should get rid of my DTXpress I & III modules...?

Steve

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "zapaxe" <a_zapelectric@h...> wrote:
> The DM Pro is 20 bit. Now although one may not hear the difference, 
> how hard can it be to impliment a higher sample rate! I suspect 
> Yamaha just recycles samples they already have. But it's said that 
> one you get the sounds in a DAW envirenment, every single 
> calculation from the FX's down to the fader movements degrade the 
> audio quality. Of course using midi till mix down would remedy this 
> issue.

Personally, I wish that every module under the sun were at least 24 
bit, 96khz. In theory, Yamaha is perfectly capable of it, but I 
suspect that they are in arrears with their designs, their new items 
actually sitting around for a while before they see the light of day. 
This may be more true, or more unfortunate, for the new Xtreme, 
which, despite the good stuff that it offers, is also backdated in 
its smart card and its digital engine. (By the way, it does take 
samples, as does the ddrum4, although neither is equipped to handle 
them easily or prodigiously. See the manuals.)
> I had contacted Yamaha quite a while back (as if it matters or 
> helps) and made some suggestions and requests.
> Keeping OT here, one of my suggestions was to have a drum module 
> that could be loaded with drum & cymbal samples from a high quality 
> sample CD. This would take care of the complication somewhat & the 
> portability issues. Of course then 3, 4 years later they bring us 
> the DTXtreme II module, but I'm not sure it loads these 
> samples...Does it??? 

Yes, it does.

> DM Pro manual (as I just read it moments ago) by 
> using "SoundBridge"  software I can burn samples from any source to 
> a flash RAM card and bring it in the DM Pro. There was also a 
> mention of Digidesign "Sample Cell" which in addition can create 
> volocities along with the "SoundBridge" software - I could be wrong 
> about needing "SampleCell" for this. 
> This sounds very exciting!...And a little more complicated. It 
seems 
> that the DM Pro IS the answer I'm looking for...? I'll have to read 
> up on that DTXtreme II module in this sample importing capability. 
> Maybe I should get rid of my DTXpress I & III modules...?

If importing samples is your goal, the Xpress modules won't get you 
there. And modules are typically lacking in the velocity stages that 
software and samples can often provide. The TD-10, if I recall, falls 
in the mid-300s; the ddrum4's boast of 1,000 or so due to its analog 
triggering should be taken with a grain of salt, though it easily 
exceeds those of the digital modules (Yamaha, Roland, Alesis, etc.). 
The Alesis is limited in a few areas, but see if its sampling 
capability is satisfactory to you.  All of the current sampling 
modules (ddrum, Yamaha, and Alesis) are hampered to some extent by 
their memories, mainly because they are simply not up to date in 
their pure computing ability. But OGD et al. can go into greater 
detail about that end of things.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "emf" <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> 
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "zapaxe" <a_zapelectric@h...> 
wrote:
> > The DM Pro is 20 bit. Now although one may not hear the 
difference, 
> > how hard can it be to impliment a higher sample rate! I suspect 
> > Yamaha just recycles samples they already have. But it's said 
that 
> > one you get the sounds in a DAW envirenment, every single 
> > calculation from the FX's down to the fader movements degrade 
the 
> > audio quality. Of course using midi till mix down would remedy 
this 
> > issue.
> 
> Personally, I wish that every module under the sun were at least 
24 
> bit, 96khz. In theory, Yamaha is perfectly capable of it, but I 
> suspect that they are in arrears with their designs, their new 
items 
> actually sitting around for a while before they see the light of 
day. 
> This may be more true, or more unfortunate, for the new Xtreme, 
> which, despite the good stuff that it offers, is also backdated in 
> its smart card and its digital engine. (By the way, it does take 
> samples, as does the ddrum4, although neither is equipped to 
handle 
> them easily or prodigiously. See the manuals.)
> > I had contacted Yamaha quite a while back (as if it matters or 
> > helps) and made some suggestions and requests.
> > Keeping OT here, one of my suggestions was to have a drum module 
> > that could be loaded with drum & cymbal samples from a high 
quality 
> > sample CD. This would take care of the complication somewhat & 
the 
> > portability issues. Of course then 3, 4 years later they bring 
us 
> > the DTXtreme II module, but I'm not sure it loads these 
> > samples...Does it??? 
> 
> Yes, it does.
> 
> > DM Pro manual (as I just read it moments ago) by 
> > using "SoundBridge"  software I can burn samples from any source 
to 
> > a flash RAM card and bring it in the DM Pro. There was also a 
> > mention of Digidesign "Sample Cell" which in addition can create 
> > volocities along with the "SoundBridge" software - I could be 
wrong 
> > about needing "SampleCell" for this. 
> > This sounds very exciting!...And a little more complicated. It 
> seems 
> > that the DM Pro IS the answer I'm looking for...? I'll have to 
read 
> > up on that DTXtreme II module in this sample importing 
capability. 
> > Maybe I should get rid of my DTXpress I & III modules...?
> 
> If importing samples is your goal, the Xpress modules won't get 
you 
> there. And modules are typically lacking in the velocity stages 
that 
> software and samples can often provide. The TD-10, if I recall, 
falls 
> in the mid-300s; the ddrum4's boast of 1,000 or so due to its 
analog 
> triggering should be taken with a grain of salt, though it easily 
> exceeds those of the digital modules (Yamaha, Roland, Alesis, 
etc.). 
> The Alesis is limited in a few areas, but see if its sampling 
> capability is satisfactory to you.  All of the current sampling 
> modules (ddrum, Yamaha, and Alesis) are hampered to some extent by 
> their memories, mainly because they are simply not up to date in 
> their pure computing ability. But OGD et al. can go into greater 
> detail about that end of things.
> 
> Ed


Thanks Ed,

I suppose in time, Yamaha & other manufactures of drum modules WILL 
include a much higher bit/sample rate along with volocities that are 
in step with software counterparts.
Ok, while we're 'dreaming' here...wouldn't it be wild if we can 
load 'any' drum software sampler CD into the module? Either directly 
from our computers HDD, CD ROM drive via through a simple 'standard' 
cable like USB, midi, To Host, Firewire, etc..without having to use 
something like Alesis' PCMCIA which I'll have to buy something 
special for it.
I'm not opposed to buying a more advanced ($$$) module like the 
DTXtreme or other in the future if it fills my needs which are 
basically for my home studio needs. 
Yeah, to be able to import new samples is one of my main objectives, 
after all we all want 'open ended' capability for now and the future.
I know for studio needs, software based drum samples are used most 
among DAW users - at least over at the Cubase.net forum - but I just 
hate programing. It's much better to just 'play' than to have to 
step write sterile beats.
As said before, trying to use a software sampler in conjunction with 
an edrum set, then having to buy an interface like battery as well 
is just too complicated. People have tried to explain briefly, but I 
didn't get it!:(

Steve

---"emf" wrote:
 
> Personally, I wish that every module under the sun were at least 
24 bit, 96khz. 

I wonder why they don't do this?   Would it cost much more? 

> In theory, Yamaha is perfectly capable of it, but I suspect that 
they are in arrears with their designs, their new items actually 
sitting around for a while before they see the light of day. 

Is it possible they don't feel the sound would improve that much 
over current models?    With digital sound, there are some 
improvements that have been tested to be virtually indistinguishable 
to blindfolded listeners, but that hasn't detered some audiophiles 
and "purist" types from insisting they can hear the difference in 
super high end digital products.    Those are the people who buy 
$200. audio cables for instance. 

> This may be more true, or more unfortunate, for the new Xtreme, 
which, despite the good stuff that it offers, is also backdated in 
its smart card and its digital engine. 

The Xtreme came out this year, right?  I suppose if it did, it's not 
likely that Yamaha will be updating it soon, or is it?   How often 
does Yamaha typically wait between drum module updates/upgrades?  

> And modules are typically lacking in the velocity stages that  
software and samples can often provide. The TD-10, if I recall, 
falls in the mid-300s; the ddrum4's boast of 1,000 or so due to its 
analog triggering should be taken with a grain of salt, though it 
easily exceeds those of the digital modules (Yamaha, Roland, Alesis, 
etc.). 

What is a velocity stage? 

> All of the current sampling  modules (ddrum, Yamaha, and Alesis) 
are hampered to some extent by their memories, mainly because they 
are simply not up to date in their pure computing ability. 

That seems strange since cpus and memory have advanced so far, so 
fast, and with costs that have dropped like a rock. 

TomBrooklyn

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Tom" <tombrook11232@y...> wrote:

Tom, I was replying to this post earlier today when my cable modem 
suddenly died. I'm not doing justice to it now, but some of these 
questions are interesting. 

> I wonder why they don't do [24 bit, 96 khz]?   Would it cost much 
more? 

I don't think that cost is the reason; the chips are common enough to 
be included without too much expense.  E-drum designs, and their 
production platforms, however, tend to lag.  By the time they appear 
in public, they are outdated in significant respects.  One thing to 
remember is that even though many of us have seen the use of 
electronic drum equipment escalate over the years, the e-drum niche 
is still small, attracting far less time, research, money, and sales 
than keyboards and guitars—-not to mention computers.  E-drum modules 
cannot keep pace with the rapid development in the general digital 
domain. What we have is a perfect example of the chicken/egg 
syndrome: E-drums won't seriously advance until more people show 
interest, and people won't start showing interest until e-drums 
advance to the point at which they don't fail to measure up 
superficially to acoustic drums, regardless of the other things that 
they can do.

> Is it possible they don't feel the sound would improve that much 
> over current models?    With digital sound, there are some 
> improvements that have been tested to be virtually 
indistinguishable 
> to blindfolded listeners, but that hasn't detered some audiophiles 
> and "purist" types from insisting they can hear the difference in 
> super high end digital products.    Those are the people who buy 
> $200. audio cables for instance. 

I'm happy to stand up for audio purists.  But mainstream companies 
are not going to load their products with expensive audiophile-grade 
parts and twiddles if only a few people will appreciate the degree of 
difference in sample quality that they would make--much less pay for 
them.  If given the choice between offering the best possible audio 
quality or offering a mass of features (like a sequencer, songs, 
groove check, etc.) at a price point, Yamaha, like any other company, 
would certainly opt for the bells and whistles. However, as I said, I 
doubt that the cost of 24/96 chips falls heavily into that category; 
they wouldn't make that much difference in price. Even $100 CD 
players have them now. Also, a higher resolution wouldn't guarantee 
good sounds. You can have better resolution of flawed or dull sound. 
What do you guys think?
 
 
> The Xtreme came out this year, right?  I suppose if it did, it's 
not 
> likely that Yamaha will be updating it soon, or is it?   How often 
> does Yamaha typically wait between drum module updates/upgrades?  

When the IIS first came out, it had already been in the works for 
some time.  OGD has alluded to various clues about its age in its 
documentation and specs.  Yamaha claimed that it might be willing to 
produce a more professionally finished module, depending on how well 
the IIS sold.  The logic of this plan escapes me. Maybe Yamaha was 
hoping that sales of the IIS would be good enough to finance a more 
elaborate module.  But if the brisk sales of the DTXpress, and 
Yamaha's many other lucrative ventures, couldn't do it, why should 
the IIS be expected to do it--in the short run, anyway--especially if 
the people who bought the IIS were satisfied with it? Why exactly 
would the success of the IIS imply that people would spend more on 
something else? The IIS could be the limit of what most people would 
want and buy. I'm not saying this is necessarily the case (and this 
board shows evidence to the contrary), but the success of IIS is not, 
in itself, evidence of a market for a higher end--no more than the 
success of the DTXpress is evidence of a market for the IIS. (The 
popularity of the Roland TD-8, vis a vis the TD-20, may be better 
evidence.) Please feel free to disagree.
 
> What is a velocity stage? 

By velocity stage, I mean the capacity of a module to detect and 
reflect variations in how hard/soft a pad is played.  Acoustic drums 
and cymbals are the benchmark.  Compared to them, digital modules are 
seriously constrained, at least at this stage of the game.  To those 
who believe that "digital" is always synonymous with "superior," 
consider the ten-year-old ddrum4, whose analog triggering permits a 
dynamic range much wider than that of its digital counterparts.  
Clavia could easily have opted for a digital stage, but chose analog 
for its better response, despite the higher cost. 

Ed

--- "emf" wrote:
> By velocity stage, I mean the capacity of a module to detect and 
> reflect variations in how hard/soft a pad is played... 
> consider the ten-year-old ddrum4, whose analog triggering permits 
> a dynamic range much wider than that of its digital counterparts.
***********
Thanks for the explanation, Ed.   Ya, increased dynamic range 
corresponding to the hardness of a hit is certainly a highly 
desirable feature.   I just recently decided to buy an ekit, and in 
reading about them here and there, was wondering why the old DDrum4 
seemed so well regarded.    

I'm leaning towards getting a DTXpress III, as I liked the pad feel 
and rebound more than the Roland TD3/6 ones, I like the 3 zone snare 
feature, and it comes for a only a tad more money than the TD3 and a 
lot less than the TD6.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Tom" <tombrook11232@y...> wrote:

> Thanks for the explanation, Ed.   Ya, increased dynamic range 
> corresponding to the hardness of a hit is certainly a highly 
> desirable feature.   I just recently decided to buy an ekit, and in 
> reading about them here and there, was wondering why the old DDrum4 
> seemed so well regarded.    

The ddrum4's reputation is built on both its sensitive triggering and 
its immense library of exquisite sounds, which can be downloaded from 
Clavia's website. For a relatively expensive machine known for its 
high-end, pro values, however, the ddrum4 is a prime offender in the 
category of outdated computing features.

> I'm leaning towards getting a DTXpress III, as I liked the pad feel 
> and rebound more than the Roland TD3/6 ones, I like the 3 zone 
snare 
> feature, and it comes for a only a tad more money than the TD3 and 
a 
> lot less than the TD6.

No surprise, but even apart from my role as a moderator of this 
group, I think that the DTXpress III is a good choice--as much as I 
respect the TD-6 module. You get more bang for the buck with the 
Yamaha, as well as a clear path for upgrading. The Roland kit seems a 
little awkward to me. 

Ed