Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hey all I am getting my dtx press II in like a week (cant wait).  Is
there anything special I should know?  I have been playing acoustic
drums for 3 years now.  Thanks.

>  Hey all I am getting my dtx press II in like a week (cant wait).  Is
>  there anything special I should know?  I have been playing acoustic
>  drums for 3 years now.  Thanks.

Yes.  If you have to sell your drum set, DO NOT sell the snare drum!  You'll 
need it for keeping your rudiments up.  Take the head off and put in a Hart 
Dynamics Kontrol Screen DOUBLE PLY head.  This is a mesh head, and this will 
keep the noise level WAY down for practicing rudiments.  I have a mesh head 
pad (home made) I use for this purpose, and it works with the brain on the 
DTXpress II very well! 

Second thing, get a pair of bass drum beater patches (oh, if you have a double 
pass pedal set) that is normally used to protect bass drum heads.  I suggest 
this because the rubber material on the KP-65 pad tends to crumble easily 
into very small pieces where the beaters strike the surface.  I have checked 
with Yamaha themselves, and this will not invalidate any part of the warranty 
for the drum kit.  Be sure that it's thin as hell, so that it doesn't 
increase the noise like the thicker ones do (because they have a hard 
backing).  I made the mistake of not checking for that first, and now, I have 
a cloth wrapped around it to cut the pad noise down.

Enjoy your new kit.  I've had mine for almost 4 months now, and it's been a 
lot of fun thus far!

Stephanie

--- "coachman6666" wrote:
> I am getting my dtx press II in like a week...

Congratulations!

> Is there anything special I should know?

Here's a digest of a few replies to the last person who asked the 
same thing.

*** From me:

Have fun.

A couple of things while you're in set-up mode. First, if you have 
room try to set it up away from a wall so you can walk all around 
it. It will make adjusting and cabling a lot easier, and you will 
want to adjust things for a while. Once you're happy, if you need to 
you can simply carry it to its final location as it's all very 
light. Second, don't worry too much about tidying the cables away 
until you're happy with the setup, then just use the velcro strips. 
Thirdly, make sure you're using the stereo and mono cables on the 
correct pads. The hi-hat footswitch must have a stereo cable, not a 
mono. Lastly, the first thing you should do after switching your 
module on is a "factory reset" (check the user guide on how to do 
this). There's a bug or two in the software that might bite if you 
don't. Do this before you adjust anything else.

*** From Ed (liberatusvirus):

A book by a drummer named Russ Miller, The Drum Set Crash Course, or 
something like that, came out some time ago with information and a 
CD about and for the DTXpress. The CD contains audio and MIDI files, 
if I'm not mistaken. It should still be available from Russ Miller's 
website if you're interested. I don't think it ever accompanied the 
DTXpress itself; it certainly hasn't for a long time.

In the DTXpression site, hosted by Vern Graner, which you can access 
from the Links section of this board, you can download a sysex 
program called DTXchange to your computer, allowing you to store 
kits that you create and even exchange them with other Xpress users. 
Check out Vern's site, which originated with the founding fathers of 
this board a few years ago, anyway; it has some very helpful tips

*** From OldGuyDrummer (check out his set-up in the photos section!):

1. If you are the type of person that really likes to dig into 
settings (like I am and others here) and wants to create news kits, 
you really must get at a minimum a cable that connects from your 
game port of your sound card to the midi in/out on the dtxpress 
module. It's easy to get lost in the menu's of the modules and 
accidently change something. I know, when I first got my set I had 
programmed three new kits and ended losing them when I had to do a 
Factory reset, because I couldn't figure out what I did. The cable
and the DTXChange utility is a must. If you find that your satisfied 
with the kits it comes with then don't bother with it for a while. 

2.If you are like the rest of us, the first thing you start to do is 
figure out, what can you plug into that spare zone 9,10? (Barpads-
yes; single zone pads-yes; dual zone pads-no) Go into the photos 
section of this group and you'll find plenty of ideas to get you 
started. 

PS- If you live above anybody else.. better make GOOD Friends with 
them before you start playing it. The bass pedal sound (vibration) 
will be heard by the neighbors living below you. There have been 
several solutions talk about here, just do a search of the archive.

> I have been playing acoustic
> drums for 3 years now.

Don't expect it to be quite the same. A kit like this is an 
electronic instrument you play using drumming techniques, rather 
than a complete subtitute for an acoustic kit.

And... have fun!

Stewart

moosetication said:
> --- "coachman6666" wrote:
>
> In the DTXpression site, hosted by Vern Graner, which you can access
> from the Links section of this board, you can download a sysex
> program called DTXchange to your computer, allowing you to store
> kits that you create and even exchange them with other Xpress users.
> Check out Vern's site, which originated with the founding fathers of
> this board a few years ago, anyway; it has some very helpful tips

and the link to it is here:

http://www.dtxpressions.com

:)

Vern

PS: The Kudo's go to Giles Hearns, as he is the author of the site, I
just adopted it from him and haven;t done much of anythig except add a
PHPBB forum to it... :)

Vern

-- 
Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE     | "If the network is down, then you're
Senior Systems Engineer     | obviously incompetent so why are we
Texas Information Services  | paying you? Of course, if the network
vern@... www.txis.com  | is up, then we obviously don't need
Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG

> A book by a drummer named Russ Miller, The Drum Set Crash Course, 

http://www.russmiller.com/v4/index2.html

$25 + $3 S&H

Welcome, and enjoy. If you get stuck with any questions, no matter 
how simple you think they are, just ask, there are lots of 
knowledgable good folks here that will be more than happy to help out.

The first thing that you will notice is the hi-hat will not be the 
same as an accoutics one. If you also visit www.vdrums.com you will 
also notice that this is somewhat universal with all electronic hi-
hats. Some are better than others, but none are perfect.(There was a 
rather heated discussion recently, related to modifying a hihat to 
get more of a realistic variation between open and close sounds at 
the vdrums site.)

You may also want to locate the hihat pad at the alternate location 
(by the module)and adjust the specific rejection down. This is set 
pretty high at the factory since the hihat pad and the snare pad 
share the same main mounting tube to keep the hihat from triggering 
when you hit the snare and vice-verse. What you might notice is that 
when you hit both the snare and the hihat at the same time, one or 
the other gets muted. By separating them to different main mounting 
tubes, and turning down the specific rejection, it will eliminate 
this problem.

Once you get to know your new set, it would interesting for you to 
check and see if the new updated rom chip is being shipped with the 
latest kits. This chip allows for choking of the dual zone PCY65S 
cymbals when they are plugged into zones 1-8. (Although I am not sure 
why you would what to choke the hihat cymbal on zone 8 though???) The 
original chip only allowed for choking of cymbals that were attached 
to zones 2, 6 & 7. The way to check would be to attach the PCY65s to 
zone 3, set zone 3 trigger type from TP65 to a PCY65 in the trigger 
setup utility, set the voice to a cymbal variety and try choking it. 
If it works, you have the revised rom chip, if not, you still have 
the original rom chip. Anyway that's why you really need to get the 
dtxchange utility to upload any changes to your computer before you 
start tweaking and messing around with various settings.

OldGuyDrummer

ok guys thanks for the replys.

I am very unfamililair with the dtx set and I still have a few questions.

I think im going to leave it on the factory settings for at least the
first couple of months.  I am also keeping my whole acoustic kit to
use for rough playing/rudiments on the snare.  Although I thought that
the dtx's snare could handle rolls and rudiments?????????

Ok my only gripe so far is that what is this snare and hi hat being
muted thing???  How can i fix it so that they wont mute each other if
played together.  I know you explained it but can you try to explain
it really slowly and so that someone with basic knowlage of the system
will understand?  Thanks a ton guys, I didnt expect such long reponses
and such awsome responses so quick, its a little overwhelming.

After the first month or two i will probebly then download some of the
software, I alredy have a MIDI cable, and ill foll around with the pad
settings too.

Also, Is there a way to remove the trigger from the 3 zone snare and
add it to a mesh headed acoustic snare? Thanks ~ Matt

> I think im going to leave it on the factory settings for at least the
>  first couple of months.  I am also keeping my whole acoustic kit to
>  use for rough playing/rudiments on the snare.  Although I thought that
>  the dtx's snare could handle rolls and rudiments?????????

It can, but it's very different in response and can hide bad stroking habits.  
However, it's VERY hard to do buzz rolls on it.  In fact, I can't do it.  But 
I can do it on my mesh pad, which I have plugged into the Tom 3 input for the 
moment.

> Also, Is there a way to remove the trigger from the 3 zone snare and
>  add it to a mesh headed acoustic snare? Thanks ~ Matt

I wouldn't do it if I were you - check out what that will do to your warranty 
first.

Stephanie

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "coachman6666" <coachman666@a...> 
wrote:
I thought that
> the dtx's snare could handle rolls and rudiments?????????

Hi Matt,

I'd hold onto the gum rubber snare for a while. Even though the 
action differs from that of a mylar or other acoustic head, it is by 
no means a complete wash. If some people can practice rudiments 
satisfactorily on their thighs, you won't unequivocally lose your 
edge playing them on the Yamaha TP65S. See what you can do with it 
before you negate it entirely. You're about to get a pretty 
serviceable set of e-drums that deserves to be met on its own terms. 
Learning to program and deploy gum rubber pads and cymbals is an 
invaluable experience. I'd be surprised if you weren't impressed 
with the dtxpress right out of the box. Frankly, it's a gas.

As Steph said, the usual next step up, if and when you choose to 
take it, is a mesh head, at least for the snare, though many people 
use them for their toms as well. If you're old and crunchy, like 
some of us, woven heads will save wear and tear on the tendons and 
joints as well as look/feel like more traditional drums, though 
touch will ultimately depend on the type of woven head that you 
choose. Steph mentioned the Hart two-plies; they're good and 
durable. The Rolands and Pintechs often come under fire for being 
too "bouncy," but at the risk of overloading you further, I wouldn't 
sell them short altogether. I find that they have their uses. But 
remember that some e-drummers remain very happy with gum rubber pads.

> Ok my only gripe so far is that what is this snare and hi hat being
> muted thing???  How can i fix it so that they wont mute each other 
if
> played together.  

Don't fret about the snare/hi hat interaction. Yamaha made a minor 
error in the default setting of a parameter called specific 
rejection for the snare input; a simple adjustment wiil put that 
problem to rest. Actually, the module contains three types of 
rejection parameters for each input; they help to isolate triggers 
from each other so that one won't fire when another is hit. You'll 
get accustomed to the lingo in no time. At this point, you have 
little to gain from terms abstracted from their applications. We'll 
be here when you know enough to realize how much there is to know.
 
> Also, Is there a way to remove the trigger from the 3 zone snare 
and
> add it to a mesh headed acoustic snare? 

Not much to gain from that. If you'd like, you can buy a trigger 
that will allow you to run your acoustic snare through the module; 
the Yamaha has dedicated settings for such a strategy. Yamaha or 
Pintech triggers would probably be your best bet, since ddrums often 
are problematic through Yamaha electronics. A triggered acoustic 
snare, however, is loud. You could also convert an acoustic snare 
into a mesh pad by strategically positioning a piezo trigger inside 
it within or beneath a foam wedge or cone. The piezo can be had for 
next to nothing from Radio Shack, and the foam can be cut from 
window or air conditioning insulation. Designs are avaiable from 
various websites or members of this forum. Whatever you do, don't 
start dismantling pads, or thinking about it. The three-sound gum 
rubber pad is definitely not a piece of junk. If it has limitations, 
you would do well to find them by exploring the possibilities 
inherent in it and in the module. That way, whatever moves you 
decide to make as an e-drummer will be informed by firsthand 
experience, and you'll minimize wasted motion.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Randy Fraker" <ramaseje@i...> 
> I'm new to this group. I drummed for around 30 years
> acoustically, then switched to Keyboards and the Midi world. Now 
I've gone
> back and bought a DTXpress II kit. It is a blast! I can do things 
on this
> set that I have trouble doing on an acoustic set. And the sound is 
so
> gooood! I just get enthused about playing. I agree about the 
snare, I love
> the 3 zones. At any rate, this set is a great value.

Hey, Randy, 

Welcome to the resort. God, how I love it when someone tosses around 
a figure like 30 years as though it were yesterday. I've been at it 
one way or another for more than 40 (but who's counting). I well 
remember the thrill of getting my dtxpress a few years ago, and I 
still get a vicarious kick out of people reporting their first 
experiences with it. Man, I locked myself away for more than ten 
hours on that first day, barely even noticing the time passing. 
Unlike a lot of people, I'm a manual reader. I fairly devoured the 
thing and jumped in headfirst programming the kit. If I'd relied on 
my first few months as a reliable indication of what the dtxpress, 
or I, could do, I'd have been sorely misinformed. I've moved through 
a pretty big inventory of equipment at this point, but I have 
nothing but respect for how I got here. The dxpress is definitely a 
great value, and it has a lot to teach. Please chime in whenever you 
have something to say about your adventures in MIDI etc. You'll have 
a lot of eager readers.

Ed

Well I know im definatly keeping my acoustic set, even though it takes
up alot of space.

However, I always use my rubber pad over my snare with the snare off
when I practice my rediments.  This is how I do it in my lessons, and
how I practice it at home.  (Playing the rudiments on a normal snare
is loud, and annoys the family, plus is really bad when you mess up :) )

Anyway I do have my snare on my acoustic kit, and then an extra snare,
and I also have 2 or 3 pads to practice on.  I was just wondering how
different the gum rubber pads of the dtxpress are then say a real head
practice pad, or a standard rubber pad.  

I think where it stands now is that in my room I have a computer, tv,
double bed, a computer desk and three berious for cloths (sp) Right
now my acoustic kit is SQEEZED into about 1/4 of my room. My room is
about  15 feet by 13 feet, so it is definatly small.  I have a
relitivily small acoustic set right now with 4 toms a snare 22in bass
a crash a ride 2 splashs a hi hat and a stand for my music.  I really
want to keep my acoustic kit set up and playable but when the dtxpress
II  comes im afarid I have to pack it up and store it in the basement.  
Also there is really NO other place in the house to set up the set and
be able to play it, without friends or guests comeing over and wanting
to play it and eventually breaking something.  

So im kind of stuck here...  I think what im going to do is stack the
acoustic kit up in my closet or in the basement out of the way and set
up the dtxpress II, and then keep the snare off my acoustic kit with a
drum pad for practicing the rudiments and snare exercises (part of my
weekly lesson is drumming out of a rudiment orintated snare solo book).

So anyway, Im new and my name is Matt Cote, im only 16 (I know u guys
have been PLAYING for twice as long as I have been born)  Ive been
playing for 3-4 years with steady lessons, and im really looking
forward to getting into MIDI and electronic percussion.  

On a final note, I have been playing around with a program called
ACID, it is a loop based midi file organizer/song creator.  I was
wondering if any of you have used this program, and could maybe give
me some tips on how to limnk up my dtxpress kit to create some loops.

Anyway long post so ill stop now, thanks a lot guys it is a big sigh
of relif knowing there are a group of people ready to answer your
questions and be helpful.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "coachman6666" <coachman666@a...> wrote:

  I really
> want to keep my acoustic kit set up and playable but when the dtxpress
> II  comes im afarid I have to pack it up and store it in the basement.  


I was clear I meant when the dtxpress II comes im going to have to
pack up the ACOUSTIC kit.

> I well remember the thrill of getting my dtxpress a few years ago, and I
> still get a vicarious kick out of people reporting their first
> experiences with it. Man, I locked myself away for more than ten
> hours on that first day, barely even noticing the time passing.

When I got it home, it was like magic...  I was looking at the manual, seeing 
how everything went together without touching anything, then came time to 
take the wrappers off the individual parts.  I laid the parts out one box at 
a time and put them on the rack, so I would have room to move around as I put 
this thing together.  Later, I had one catch.  I actually had no cord to run 
from the brain to the powered speakers!  I moved the powered speakers closer 
to the drums and directly plugged it into the brain.  It was great.  I have 
the sound output run to the sound card on my PC, and then to the speakers.  
It dawned on me the other day how well I take care of the drum set, because I 
went back to the store where I bought the kit, and I saw the floor model of 
my kit getting beat up, with heavy markings on it, even though it was set up 
about the same time I got my kit.  I play on this thing about 3 hours a day, 
every day.

I already have a mesh pad that someone had given me recently, and when I have 
a bit more money, I'll find some way to either mount it or stand it and give 
its own plug jack, like 9/10 (right now it's in the place of Tom 3).

Stephanie

Hi Vern:

I haven't heard from you in a while.  Any word on a possible jam?

I have decided to put off the amp purchase because I want to get an acoustic 
drum set, which I feel will get me more places than my electronic drum set.  
To that end, I have been saving up on a used Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage, 
which is on layaway at a pawn shop.  Also, I bought a set of Zildjian Quick 
Beat hats for $90 (NOT $215), and I'm getting a Sabian AA 16" thin crash for 
$50 (NOT $130).  I just need a larger crash and a ride cymbal.  I hope to get 
all this buying done by the middle of next month.  By the way, if you know of 
cymbals needing selling (I'm looking for Zildjian A's or Sabian AA's).

Speaking of where to put this drum set, I'm going to be moving to a friend's 
house at the end of this month.  I'm renting a room from her, which will let 
me set both drum set up and play them withhout apartment neighbors, which I'm 
really looking forward to.  I'll be playing during the day, too.

Let me know how things are going,
Stephanie

Stephanie Ellison said:
> Hi Vern:
>
> I haven't heard from you in a while.  Any word on a possible jam?

As you can tell by my dissapearance from the list and delayed replies
(like this one!) I have been mucho busy with work. We have a new release
going through beta right now and I've been stuck testing, writing up bug
reports and documentation. Also, the guys I usually jam with have been
MIA for a while now with the restart of school and the guitarist getting
laid off from his job and the keyboard player taking a new job that has
extended hours (overlaps with evening jam time). :(

We used to get together and play for about 2-3 hours every Wed. evening.
Recentyl I've played for a total of maybe 15 minutes in the last 3
weeks!! It's a drag. I get to walk by the kit and thats about it. :P

I'm still interested, but I don't know when things might get back into
shape enough to schedulke something. I'll let u know if anything works
it's way onto the agenda tho! :)

Vern

-- 
Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE     | "If the network is down, then you're
Senior Systems Engineer     | obviously incompetent so why are we
Texas Information Services  | paying you? Of course, if the network
vern@... www.txis.com  | is up, then we obviously don't need
Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG



Stephanie Ellison said:

> Hi Vern:
>
> I haven't heard from you in a while.  Any word on a possible jam?
>
> I have decided to put off the amp purchase because I want to get an
> acoustic
> drum set, which I feel will get me more places than my electronic drum
> set.
> To that end, I have been saving up on a used Yamaha Stage Custom
> Advantage,
> which is on layaway at a pawn shop.  Also, I bought a set of Zildjian
> Quick
> Beat hats for $90 (NOT $215), and I'm getting a Sabian AA 16" thin crash
> for
> $50 (NOT $130).  I just need a larger crash and a ride cymbal.  I hope to
> get
> all this buying done by the middle of next month.  By the way, if you
> know of
> cymbals needing selling (I'm looking for Zildjian A's or Sabian AA's).
>
> Speaking of where to put this drum set, I'm going to be moving to a
> friend's
> house at the end of this month.  I'm renting a room from her, which will
> let
> me set both drum set up and play them withhout apartment neighbors, which
> I'm
> really looking forward to.  I'll be playing during the day, too.
>
> Let me know how things are going,
> Stephanie
>
>
>
>
>
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