Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi,
 
I just bought my first set of electronic drums (Yamaha DTXPRESS).
 
I have never played drums before, so I am trying to stay inexpensive 
as I don't know if I will pick up the hobby or not.
 
I have the basic Yamaha kit, but it looks like I need a few more 
items. Can you please recommend a (inexpensive) amp, a pair of 
headphones, and a drum pedal that will work well with my kit.  Where 
to find the items would be helpful also.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jason

You can sart with just the head phones if you want to.
I recommend the Vic Firth head phones.
Scott

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More
http://faith.yahoo.com

Hi Jason,

If you're trying to keep the expenses down for now, I would not get an
amp to start with - headphones should work fine until you want to
start jamming with others.  There has been discussion before on the
subject of which headphone work and which don't - you may want to
search on headphones and read what others have found.

The two other things you need are a throne and a pedal (I assume you
have sticks already.  Since, by the sounds of your comments, you're
not sure if you want to play or not, I would not suggest buying a top
of the line model (prices range from $40 - several hundred).  If you
have a good local music store you may be able to try some pedals to
see if you can feel any differences between to lower and higher priced
models - if not, go with a cheaper single one for now.  If you don't
have a local supply then I would go with any major brand's (Yamaha,
Gibraltar, Tama, DW, Ludwig, others)basic pedal - I would plan on
spending around $50 for a new one, maybe $20 - 30 for a good used one
(eBay is a good source for used pedals).

Thrones (the seat) can also be something that you can spend a little
or a lot on - with your comfort at stake.  I, not having the boyish
back side I once did, have a heavily padded one with a shock absorber
(my throne, not my bqckside).  You should be able to get a reasonable
one for under $100 new, and maybe $40 or so used. 

Walt

--- In DTXpress@y..., "jasonbokamper" <jasonbokamper@y...> wrote:

> Hi,
>  
> I just bought my first set of electronic drums (Yamaha DTXPRESS).
>  
> I have never played drums before, so I am trying to stay inexpensive 
> as I don't know if I will pick up the hobby or not.
>  
> I have the basic Yamaha kit, but it looks like I need a few more 
> items. Can you please recommend a (inexpensive) amp, a pair of 
> headphones, and a drum pedal that will work well with my kit.  Where 
> to find the items would be helpful also.
> 
> Any help would be appreciated.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Jason

On Fri, 11 Oct 2002 04:58:23 -0000, you wrote:

>Hi Jason,
>
>If you're trying to keep the expenses down for now, I would not get an
>amp to start with - headphones should work fine until you want to
>start jamming with others.  There has been discussion before on the
>subject of which headphone work and which don't - you may want to
>search on headphones and read what others have found.

I second the opinion on the amp.  I bought a pair of Samson RH-600
from the local Sam Ash for $49.99.  They are very comfortable and
sound great.

>The two other things you need are a throne and a pedal (I assume you
>have sticks already.

I bought a Tama Iron Cobra Jr. pedal.  I think it's one of the best
"low end" pedals.  I paid $59.99 for it at Sam Ash.

When I purchased the kit, I bought the cheapest Tama throne they had
for $24.99.  I wish I had spent much more.  In fact, I'm looking to
buy a new one now as soon as I can find a shop locally that has the
Tama Ergo-Rider and the Pork Pie Big Boy in stock so I can try them
out.  The Tama goes for about $115 and the Pork Pie $130 or so.  I'd
consider it money well spent if they are comfortable and fit my
oversized ass well.

Nothing sucks more than to want to play more, but your ass won't let
you.

Here's a piece of advice on trying out thrones...  If it's a tad
uncomfortable when you try it out at the store, it will be downright
unbearable after playing on it for an hour.  Spend the extra money on
a throne that your ass falls in love with.  If you decide that
drumming isn't for you, you'll always be able to sell it.  Good
thrones fetch a decent buck on ebay.  You can't give the bad ones
away.

As for sticks... Lots of personal preference there but since you
indicated that you are just starting out, go with something on the
light side, as heavy sticks on the rubber pads don't go together well.
I use two different pair.  I use Pro Mark 747 hickory WT for my light
stick and Pro Mark 747 Oak WT (I think they're the Neil Peart
autographed model) for my heavier stick.  I like the fact that the
shape feels the same in my hand between the two, but that I can switch
to a lighter stick if need be (I use the oak sticks primarily)




Jim Tonak
ratzo@...

Hi Jason,

For bass drum pedal I would recommend the Yamaha FP850 at £70 (you can work
out the US amount!). It attaches very solidly to the bass drum tower and is
also a very good responsive pedal. I was using my Iron Cobra but it wouldn't
fit securely and during a live performance would slip off the tower really
easily!

-----Original Message-----
From: jasonbokamper [mailto:jasonbokamper@...]
Sent: 10 October 2002 19:41
To: DTXpress@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [DTXpress] Firts Timer Needs Advice


Hi,
 
I just bought my first set of electronic drums (Yamaha DTXPRESS).
 
I have never played drums before, so I am trying to stay inexpensive 
as I don't know if I will pick up the hobby or not.
 
I have the basic Yamaha kit, but it looks like I need a few more 
items. Can you please recommend a (inexpensive) amp, a pair of 
headphones, and a drum pedal that will work well with my kit.  Where 
to find the items would be helpful also.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jason



Community email addresses:
  Post message: DTXpress@onelist.com
  Subscribe:    DTXpress-subscribe@onelist.com
  Unsubscribe:  DTXpress-unsubscribe@onelist.com
  List owner:   DTXpress-owner@onelist.com

Shortcut URL to this page:
  http://www.onelist.com/community/DTXpress 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Hi Jason

Welcome to the group and to the world of electronic drums. 

I have been meaning to write a review of a software tutorial product
that is done especially for the Yamaha electronic drum kits. Here are
some details:

The product: StickMaster
Available for download at: http://www.yamahamusics
oft.com/stickmaster/index.php
Cost: US$24.95

You connect up your PC to your Yamaha kit using a standard midi lead.
The software uses a progression of drum lessons to get you playing
along with various pieces of music in different styles. The music is
played through the DTX and so you get to hear yourself and the music
in your headphones. The drum music (tabs) are very easy to follow and
the 3D animation of the drummer helps you to see what sticks you
should be using on what piece of the kit.

The software picks up when you hit each pad and it grades you out of
100 for your playing of the piece in that lesson. I found that this
really drove me to stick with each piece until I got 100%. Even on
the early lessons this is not that easy but it is fun mastering each
step.

This product is great fun to use for beginners and intermediate
drummers and it beats the books and CD's I have tried mainly because
it "listens" to you and it knows when you did not really do it right.

Good luck
Roger

BTW: I scanned the group archive for info on headphones and went with
the recommendation of Sennheiser HD200. They are really good and can
handle the full rang of highs and lows required. I also got an amp
for jamming with and yet again got a recommendation from the group
archive of using a keyboard amp (Peavey KB100) and that does the
business for me.

--- In DTXpress@y..., "jasonbokamper" <jasonbokamper@y...> wrote:
> Hi,
>  
> I just bought my first set of electronic drums (Yamaha DTXPRESS).
>  
> I have never played drums before, so I am trying to stay
inexpensive 
> as I don't know if I will pick up the hobby or not.
>  
> I have the basic Yamaha kit, but it looks like I need a few more 
> items. Can you please recommend a (inexpensive) amp, a pair of 
> headphones, and a drum pedal that will work well with my kit. 
Where 

> to find the items would be helpful also.
> 
> Any help would be appreciated.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Jason