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DTXpress Limitations

DTXpress Limitations

2002-05-18 by boydanger

I have been various messages in the DTXpress group for the past few 
days and have a good understanding of what the DTXpress can do and 
not do. I can see the obvious "limitations" of the setup (ie Rubber 
pads) and it's obvious the "bang for the buck" that all the current 
owners tout.

I was hoping that maybe current owners or former owners could list 
the most glaring gripes about the limitations of the unit. 
Specifically I am looking to see what this unit can't do in 
comparison to more expensive drum modules. 


I am curious to see if there are any limitations to the midi 
information the dtxpress sends to other devices. 

Perhaps you can point me to a FAQ on the DTXpress or something that 
handles these requests. Thanks for reading.. I appreciate any help 
provided.

BD

Re: [DTXpress] DTXpress Limitations

2002-05-19 by Ian Wilson

I have noticed no responses to my posts about multiple velocity samples, so I
guess this isn't a concern for other users. However, it's probably my biggest
gripe of all about the system, as much as I really enjoy it.

Sure, you can set up a pad with 2 different samples triggered at different
velocities, but you cannot get the live feel of drums sampled at different
velocities. For one, 2 samples is not enough. For another, the kits don't
contain the same sound sampled at different velocities - say, a snare hit hard
and the same snare hit softly.

Since even cheap sound modules have this capability, I was very surprised to
find that the DTXpress didn't. The result is that although the kit sounds
great, it in no way resembles a real kit unless you're used to a cheaper drum
machine where the velocity of each sound only alters volume.

My second gripe is with some of the pads. The TP80S for example, has a real
problem with the rim switches unless you hit right on top of them. They are
placed at the 12 o'clock position, which is great for pads which point towards
you, but terrible for something like a snare. It does trigger in other places,
as long as you whack it quite hard.

Don't get me wrong, this really is a great kit and especially for the price,
but you could probably spend a few $100 more and get something a little better.

Ian

Re: DTXpress Limitations

2002-05-19 by hairytrigger

--- In DTXpress@y..., "Ian Wilson" <iwilson@b...> wrote:
> The lack of responses is probably due more to no members logged on 
than to lack of interest. we go days without a post. You should see 
how seldom the generic 'electronicdrums2' club gets a post!
Your multi-velocity voices ideas do result in more realistic sounds. 
Some of the differently-named voices seem to be the same sound, with 
slightly different pitch, decay, etc. Have you noticed that? I have 
done pretty well getting a velocity-differing sound using two 
different voices. But I like the full-time layered sound so much that 
I usually do without the velocity fade. 
In live situations, nobody ever hears those nuances anyway. They 
barely care what song you're playing. 
If you're recording,I can think of a couple options....1.A real Snare. 
2. A more sophisticated module. In this case, you'll need a better pad 
also. You will never get the subtle response you need with a rubber 
pad. You need a real head or mesh head pad. 
Changing the subject, sort of, Have you tried giving both voices on 
each pad the same sound? i.e. on snare, voice 1= snare68 and voice 2= 
snare68? This gives a very cool phase effect a la the Faces' Itchycoo 
Park. Make sure the parameters for each voice are exactly the same, 
pitch, freq, decay etc.
About the TP80S. It sucks. The rim switch is totally worthless. I love 
the rubber pads for toms , ride and HH. ( I use a Pintech concertcast 
ST for snare). But I would love to have some rim response on some 
pads, particularly ride and HH. Has anyone found a rubber, stereo pad 
that WORKS? I would love to try it.....Scott W

> I have noticed no responses to my posts about multiple velocity 
samples, so I
> guess this isn't a concern for other users. However, it's probably 
my biggest
> gripe of all about the system, as much as I really enjoy it.
> 
> Sure, you can set up a pad with 2 different samples triggered at 
different
> velocities, but you cannot get the live feel of drums sampled at 
different
> velocities. For one, 2 samples is not enough. For another, the kits 
don't
> contain the same sound sampled at different velocities - say, a 
snare hit hard
> and the same snare hit softly.
> 
> Since even cheap sound modules have this capability, I was very 
surprised to
> find that the DTXpress didn't. The result is that although the kit 
sounds
> great, it in no way resembles a real kit unless you're used to a 
cheaper drum
> machine where the velocity of each sound only alters volume.
> 
> My second gripe is with some of the pads. The TP80S for example, has 
a real
> problem with the rim switches unless you hit right on top of them. 
They are
> placed at the 12 o'clock position, which is great for pads which 
point towards
> you, but terrible for something like a snare. It does trigger in 
other places,
> as long as you whack it quite hard.
> 
> Don't get me wrong, this really is a great kit and especially for 
the price,
> but you could probably spend a few $100 more and get something a 
little better.
> 
> Ian

Re: [DTXpress] DTXpress Limitations

2002-05-20 by miguel morales

When I bought DTXpress, the saleskeeper told me that de V-club set was far better. I tried it and I believed it!!!(but couldn't buy it at the moment)What I found worst it was the bark of hi-hat. It was so smooth that wasn't realistic. But you must try those dynamics. When you try a V-club set and then a DTXpress it seems you are hitting a stone. Try the two of them and compare!!!
You can later add a mesh-head pad, and play with brushes...
But try the dynamics!!The dynamics is the CLUE.
I had been bitten yesterday by a creature... I tried v-custom kit and........

The dynamics, man.


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Re: DTXpress Limitations

2002-05-20 by okant

No attack time parameter: Only DTXtreme (in Yamaha line) has it. I 
don't know about others... Without it, soft cymbal rolls are only a 
dream.

--- In DTXpress@y..., "boydanger" <boydanger@y...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> I have been various messages in the DTXpress group for the past few 
> days and have a good understanding of what the DTXpress can do and 
> not do. I can see the obvious "limitations" of the setup (ie Rubber 
> pads) and it's obvious the "bang for the buck" that all the current 
> owners tout.
> 
> I was hoping that maybe current owners or former owners could list 
> the most glaring gripes about the limitations of the unit. 
> Specifically I am looking to see what this unit can't do in 
> comparison to more expensive drum modules. 
> 
> 
> I am curious to see if there are any limitations to the midi 
> information the dtxpress sends to other devices. 
> 
> Perhaps you can point me to a FAQ on the DTXpress or something that 
> handles these requests. Thanks for reading.. I appreciate any help 
> provided.
> 
> BD

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