Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

I'm interested in upgrading my DTXpress II system.  I've already put 
two Pintech "Dingbats" (bar pads) on channels 9/10 and have them 
mounted to my cymbal shafts.  I'm considering putting either the 
ZB2R or something like two PS series (probably 14" or larger) to 
replace my single-zone, Yamaha cymbal.  

I've read the review of the "Zenbal" cymbals in the Files section of 
this site.  I've found no real bad comments about them, and I've 
also spoken to Rick at Pintech.  

Rick suggested flipping the attenuation switch on the back of the 
drum module to High and possibly some gain setting adjustment.  I'd 
probably start with those listed in our File section (review doc).  
Rick said, "It's just a feel thing between either the PC or ZB 
cymbals."  Unfortunately, there's nobody that has them in my area 
(Buffalo, NY) to try them out for myself.

Can someone make a recommendation as to either the ZB or PC series 
OR another brand that plays good and has good dynamic range?

I play an average of an hour a day (or every other at times), and 
I'm starting to want MORE out of my set.

Bill

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "bparker0701" <bparker0701@y...> 
wrote:
> Can someone make a recommendation as to either the ZB or PC series 
> OR another brand that plays good and has good dynamic range?
> 
> I play an average of an hour a day (or every other at times), and 
> I'm starting to want MORE out of my set.

Hi Bill,

Rick is supposed to be sending me and OGD a ZB3 cymbal to review, but 
it may not happen for a while. We still have to make the 
arrangements. You might not want to wait (grin). I don't have a 
current reading on the Zenbals, but I had a preliminary test run with 
a 14" PC cymbal months ago. I wasn't convinced that it triggered well 
with a Yamaha DTXpress module. This verdict is subject to revision; 
OGD is going to have a go with the same one that I had within the 
next two weeks. I can, however, highly recommend the Visu-lite line, 
which is now in the Pintech family as well. They trigger flawlessly. 
Remember, however, that the ride is a true dual-zone, requiring two 
inputs.

Ed

I'm confused about your last statement that the "ride is a true dual-
zone, requiring two inputs."  My current ride has a mono jack, but 
my book says that it's a stereo input.  Therefore, I should be able 
to put a stereo jack into it.  Is there power considerations when 
you have true, two piezos?  Whereas the snare (TP65S) is a three 
zone, but two are more or less switches with only 1 peizo.

I have Pintech Dingbats on channels 9 and 10 for the Bell and a cow 
bell/woodblock.  Do I have to remove one of these for one of the 
cymbal inputs? 

What do I do if I need more inputs?  "Magic Box"?  2nd brain?  MIDI 
input?

Bill

> Hi Bill,
> 
> Rick is supposed to be sending me and OGD a ZB3 cymbal to review, 
but 
> it may not happen for a while. We still have to make the 
> arrangements. You might not want to wait (grin). I don't have a 
> current reading on the Zenbals, but I had a preliminary test run 
with 
> a 14" PC cymbal months ago. I wasn't convinced that it triggered 
well 
> with a Yamaha DTXpress module. This verdict is subject to 
revision; 
> OGD is going to have a go with the same one that I had within the 
> next two weeks. I can, however, highly recommend the Visu-lite 
line, 
> which is now in the Pintech family as well. They trigger 
flawlessly. 
> Remember, however, that the ride is a true dual-zone, requiring 
two 

> inputs.
> 
> Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "bparker0701" <bparker0701@y...> 
wrote:
> 
> I'm confused about your last statement that the "ride is a true 
dual-
> zone, requiring two inputs."  My current ride has a mono jack, but 
> my book says that it's a stereo input.  Therefore, I should be able 
> to put a stereo jack into it.  Is there power considerations when 
> you have true, two piezos?  Whereas the snare (TP65S) is a three 
> zone, but two are more or less switches with only 1 peizo.

Dual zones isn't the same as stereo. Stereo components (badly named) 
work via a single input capable of dealing with a piezo and one or 
more rim/edge switches. Dual zones will not play both of their sounds 
through such inputs; they need two distinct inputs. They behave as if 
they were two separate components, like your dingbats in 9/10.

> I have Pintech Dingbats on channels 9 and 10 for the Bell and a cow 
> bell/woodblock.  Do I have to remove one of these for one of the 
> cymbal inputs? 

If you remove one, you'll be able to substitute only a component with 
a single voice, one-half of a dual-zone component, or the main 
element (head or bow) of a stereo component. Input 9/10 is dual-mono 
(perfect for a dual-zone). As such it will not play the rim/edge 
sounds of a stereo component.
> 
> What do I do if I need more inputs?  "Magic Box"?  2nd brain?  MIDI 

The magic box may be in your future. But it is still undergoing 
tests; oGD has it now. It looks promising, to say the least. Many 
people go with a second brain and a mixer, and some use trigger to 
MIDI devices like Roland's TMC-6. 

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "bparker0701" <bparker0701@y...>
pintech's 


I bought 2 of the pintech ps14's when i bought my dtxpress2 kit
because i like lots of cymbals and pintechs were cheap, well you get
what you pay for ,.. keep your yamaha cybals .. buy the new yammmy's 
instead...the pintechs arent that great at picking up the hits, i had
to crank the attenuation and any settings to do with volume on the
specific inputs, and still you really gotta whack em (on the sweet
spot) to make it sound at a minimum of 3/4 of the rest of the kit....
i personally am odering the newer yamaha cymbals, but others may
disagree with me and have had a better experience with the pintech "ps
series". than i did.
good luck. Jaymz.