Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

I just got a used DTXP I for Christmas, so I'm trying to learn how to
use it.  Can anyone point me to a help source other than the manual
that came with it?  It's badly written and doesn't really explain how
to get to this menu or that menu.

I built my own triggers and can't get a peep out of the unit when I
hook them up, so I don't know if my triggers are bad, the unit's bad,
or I'm doing something wrong in the configuration.

Thanks very much.  From just skimming the posts, this looks like a
knowledgeable, helpful group.  I'm so glad I found it.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Becker" <jbecker@b...> wrote:
> 
> 
> I just got a used DTXP I for Christmas, so I'm trying to learn how to
> use it.  Can anyone point me to a help source other than the manual
> that came with it?  It's badly written and doesn't really explain how
> to get to this menu or that menu.

I don't know of a better manual.  Do you have two manuals - an "owners
manual" and "reference guide"?  If not they are available on the
Yamaha's site.
 
> I built my own triggers and can't get a peep out of the unit when I
> hook them up, so I don't know if my triggers are bad, the unit's bad,
> or I'm doing something wrong in the configuration.

Do you have some Yamaha pads so you know the module is working?  It
might be worth doing a factory reset - section 1-6 of the owners
manual.  Have a look at the trouble shooting guide on the owners
manual - it has a few suggestions.

Even without your triggers, you should get some sound just by touching
the tip of a jack plug connected to one of the inputs.  

What do your triggers consist of and how have you wired them?

Keith.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Becker" <jbecker@b...> wrote:
> 
> 
> I just got a used DTXP I for Christmas, so I'm trying to learn how 
to
> use it.  Can anyone point me to a help source other than the manual
> that came with it?  It's badly written and doesn't really explain 
how
> to get to this menu or that menu.


Hi, Jim. There is a companion site to this one called DTXpressions ( 
http://www.dtxpression.com ) which you should find useful. If offers 
some basic instructions for your kit as well as a very useful 
section called "Tips & Tricks", with contributions from many members 
of this group.

Nick

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Nick Carroll" <njcarroll56@y...> wrote:

> Hi, Jim. There is a companion site to this one called DTXpressions ( 
> http://www.dtxpression.com ) which you should find useful. If offers 
> some basic instructions for your kit as well as a very useful 
> section called "Tips & Tricks", with contributions from many members 
> of this group.

Actually

http://www.dtxpressions.com/

keith.

Hi Jim

not a peep? Yikes. Are yiour triggers just simple piezos? Do they work
with other drum brains? Do you trust your cables? Have you laid your
hands on a Yamaha pad to make sure the unit works? Can you stand more
questions?

Start with the utility button and do a system reset- always a good
move. Keep us posted.

Creighton


On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:45:24 -0000, Jim Becker <jbecker@...> wrote:
> 
> 
> I just got a used DTXP I for Christmas, so I'm trying to learn how to
> use it.  Can anyone point me to a help source other than the manual
> that came with it?  It's badly written and doesn't really explain how
> to get to this menu or that menu.
> 
> I built my own triggers and can't get a peep out of the unit when I
> hook them up, so I don't know if my triggers are bad, the unit's bad,
> or I'm doing something wrong in the configuration.
> 
> Thanks very much.  From just skimming the posts, this looks like a
> knowledgeable, helpful group.  I'm so glad I found it.
> 
> 
> Community email addresses:
>   Post message: DTXpress@yahoogroups.com
>   Subscribe:    DTXpress-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>   Unsubscribe:  DTXpress-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>   List owner:   DTXpress-owner@yahoogroups.com
> 
> Shortcut URL to this page:
>   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DTXpress
> 
> Alternate DTXpress site:
>   http://www.dtxpressions.com
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


-- 
Creighton Higgins

Thanks very much to all!  Yes, my triggers are plain vanilla piezos. 
I did a factory reset, and did get sound when I plugged cables into
the module, but still nothing out of the drum.  Then, I pulled the
cable part of the way out of the drum, stumbled upon a sweet spot and
it worked.  I've got 1/4" female mono jacks on the drums and am using
1/4" mono cables.  I know the DTXpress has stereo ins, but I didn't
think I HAD to use stereo cables.   Perhaps I do, and perhaps I need
to use stereo jacks on the triggers, too.  Can anyone straighten me
out there?

By the way, my module came with the Owner's Manual, but not the
Reference Manual, so thanks also for the link!  The Reference Manual
was very helpful.

Jim

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, Creighton Higgins <creightonh@g...>
wrote:
> Hi Jim
> 
> not a peep? Yikes. Are yiour triggers just simple piezos? Do they
work
> with other drum brains? Do you trust your cables? Have you laid your
> hands on a Yamaha pad to make sure the unit works? Can you stand
more

> questions?
> 
> Start with the utility button and do a system reset- always a good
> move. Keep us posted.
> 
> Creighton

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Becker" <jbecker@b...> wrote:
> I know the DTXpress has stereo ins, but I didn't
> think I HAD to use stereo cables.   Perhaps I do, and perhaps I need
> to use stereo jacks on the triggers, too.  Can anyone straighten me
> out there?
> 

The ring of the stereo cable connects to the rim switch of multi-zone
pads.  If you use a mono jack into the DTXpress module then that will
be permanently shorted to ground.  On the DTXpress III that doesn't
matter - on the DTXpressI - I don't know, but it sounds like it does
matter!

Keith.

Hmmm.  Sounds like I need to use stereo connectors all around, then, 
even though I just wanted single-zone triggering.  Now I gotta figure 
out how to wire it for that result.

Thanks much!
Jim

> The ring of the stereo cable connects to the rim switch of multi-
zone
> pads.  If you use a mono jack into the DTXpress module then that 
will

> be permanently shorted to ground.  On the DTXpress III that doesn't
> matter - on the DTXpressI - I don't know, but it sounds like it does
> matter!
> 
> Keith.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Becker" <jbecker@b...> wrote:
> 
> Hmmm.  Sounds like I need to use stereo connectors all around, then, 
> even though I just wanted single-zone triggering.  Now I gotta figure 
> out how to wire it for that result.

The tip is the piezo, the ring is the rim switch.

Keith.