Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

One more item to the kick tower thread(btw, I have no problem with mine).
After trying to figure out how to add a second kick to my kit
I finally stumbled upon a solution. As the kp80s is really not available
(nor our the dual zone pads for that matter-yamaha has some serious production problems)
I found an old snare practice pad I had(the suction type-plus percussion). I cut the outer area
out and cut a slit in the back to reveal a thin plate which is about 6" in diameter.
I then disassembled the dtxpress kick tower removing the small kick pad and piezo element and 
inserted it into the practice pad, using a small drill and some sheet metal screws
I attached it to the front of the tower and reassembled the rest of the tower
and tested the pad for striking coverage, it worked great, so I was able to buy a
double pedal and play double bass like I originally wanted, without the cost of buying
extra hardware. If any one wants more detail let me know, I'll try and get some pictures.
Back to my earlier thoughts on Yamaha, does anybody know of any
source that has stock on the yamaha pads. Most places I have checked 
with say mid April is the earliest. I got tired of waiting and bought a pintech
concertcast(mesh head) for my snare. The rim trigger will work on 9/10 but not on 1-8 rim
trigger inputs on the dtxpress module. Any body know about the dual zone cymbal pads?
will they work on the stereo inputs of the dtxpress? I'd like to add some more cymbals
to the kit-two is simply not enough!
Jim

Hello group!
To those with some practical expertice in this area: 
Who makes the most solid and quiet kick pad tower? My DTXpress pad is 
getting rather noisey. It has not even been in use for a year and 
that is somewhat bothersome to me. Thanks...

--
Jim Manfredi

Jim wrote: Who makes the most solid and quiet kick pad tower? My 
DTXpress pad is 
> getting rather noisey. It has not even been in use for a year and 
> that is somewhat bothersome to me. Thanks...

Hi Jim,

If the KP60 is the tower that you have now, ditch it fast. It's the 
worst of the lot. I wasn't as concerned with its noise level, 
however, as with its triggering inconsistency. But that's another 
story. I was all set to buy the Pintech ConcertCast version a few 
years ago when I ran into the DrumTech Kick Pad and never looked 
back. The DrumTech may be rubber, but it's a more forgiving rubber 
textured to simulate a kick drum (without the periodic head 
replacement). It also has a large playing surface, and its metal 
frame is built like the proverbial tank. It's triggering is 
flawless. Unfortunately, it tends to be in short supply, though 
Drumbalaya advertises it now, and it's not cheap. The woven head 
options would stand to be the least noisy--all things being equal. 
To my mind, the Pintech is the best bang for the buck; Roland is 
much too pricey; and Hart pads often don't work well with Yamaha 
electronics. None of the manufacturers has cornered the market on 
the basic technology. People seem to like Yamaha's newer KP65, but 
relative quietness is probably not one of its selling points. 

Ed

> If the KP60 is the tower that you have now, ditch it fast. It's the
> worst of the lot. I wasn't as concerned with its noise level,
> however, as with its triggering inconsistency. 

> People seem to like Yamaha's newer KP65, but
> relative quietness is probably not one of its selling points.

It's a decent pad (I have the KP-65) that allows for a double bass pedal 
arrangement and a second trigger pad to be plugged in behind it, getting two 
sounds going into a stereo input on the brain.

HOWEVER, if you do get this pad and you need it (i.e., you can't afford the 
mesh head pads), take note.  It seems that this version has a problem with 
the pad surface crumbling in very small pieces, where the beaters strike the 
pad.  Even though my set is not 4 months old yet, It was starting to become 
noticeable.  I contacted Yamaha, who suggested sending it in or putting 
patches on the surface (this will NOT invalidate the warranty on any part of 
the drum kit).  You can get some bass drum beater patches and put them on.  
You want to get thin ones with no hard backing whatsoever, unless you don't 
mind the extra noise.

Stephanie

Thanks for the info, Ed.
--
Jim
----- Original Message -----

> Jim wrote: Who makes the most solid and quiet kick pad tower? My
> DTXpress pad is
> > getting rather noisey. It has not even been in use for a year and
> > that is somewhat bothersome to me. Thanks...
>
> Hi Jim,
>
> If the KP60 is the tower that you have now, ditch it fast. It's the
> worst of the lot. I wasn't as concerned with its noise level,
> however, as with its triggering inconsistency. But that's another
> story. I was all set to buy the Pintech ConcertCast version a few
> years ago when I ran into the DrumTech Kick Pad and never looked
> back. The DrumTech may be rubber, but it's a more forgiving rubber
> textured to simulate a kick drum (without the periodic head
> replacement). It also has a large playing surface, and its metal
> frame is built like the proverbial tank. It's triggering is
> flawless. Unfortunately, it tends to be in short supply, though
> Drumbalaya advertises it now, and it's not cheap. The woven head
> options would stand to be the least noisy--all things being equal.
> To my mind, the Pintech is the best bang for the buck; Roland is
> much too pricey; and Hart pads often don't work well with Yamaha
> electronics. None of the manufacturers has cornered the market on
> the basic technology. People seem to like Yamaha's newer KP65, but
> relative quietness is probably not one of its selling points.
>
> Ed
>
>
>
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