Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

To DTX or not to DTX seems to be the question lately.

Reading about this, I thought I'd share my opinions.

I am a new drummer.  I started playing when I got my DTXpress, three months
ago (though I had messed around on drums before).

1. The feel of the DTXpress pads just doesn't cut it - especially the
hi-hat.  I didn't notice this at first, but the hi-hat is really
unrealistic.

2. The sound of the kit is pretty good if you spend a lot of time tweaking
it. The presets are crummy.

3. The cymbals always sound the same when you hit them.  When I played a
V-Drums kit a month ago, I was AMAZED how realistic and interesting the
sound of Roland's cymbals were.

4. I probably wouldn't balk so much at the DTXpress if I also owned an
acoustic kit.  But not having an acoustic kit is DRIVING ME NUTS!

5. When I've recorded the DTXpress with a GM-Rock kit, out of the
box-untweaked, it sounded... ok, but it lacked something.  The waveform (in
Cool Edit Pro) can be seen to be a series of peaks - the sounds simply don't
last long enough.

6. Despite all this, I'm sure the DTXpress is a lot easier to record
than an acoustic kit (at least when you're not in a pro recording studio
with a big budget).... And somewhat easier to transport.  Also, for the
money, the DTXpress can't be expected to sound or feel like Vdrums... So
overall, I think having a DTXpress as your only kit will leave you longing
for the feel and subtlety of a real kit.

~Adam

Adam, I feel I have to reply to some of these points

1. The feel of the DTXpress pads just doesn't cut it -
especially the hi-hat.
 - I would be surprised if it was anything like a
hi-hat. For the money, you can't expect realism of the
type you're after. There's nothing stopping you
upgrading to mesh pads or even making your own from
old skins and triggers.

2. The sound of the kit is pretty good if you spend a
lot of time tweaking
it. The presets are crummy.
 - Agreed. That's the situation with a lot of
electronic gear. When does anyone use presets anyway?
Half the fun is making your own individual sounds.

3. The cymbals always sound the same when you hit
them.
 - They are one of the less desirable parts of the
DTXpress. If you play live a lot, I would recommend
replacing these with real cymbals. As for practise and
recording though, they're excellent since the noise
level is easier to control.

4. Not having an acoustic kit is DRIVING ME NUTS!
 - This is not the fault of the DTXpress. If you want
an acoustic so badly, go and buy one!

5. When I've recorded the DTXpress with a GM-Rock kit,
out of the box-untweaked...
 - The sounds can be made to "breathe" a little by
adjusting the Voice Decay downwards. Also, adding
reverb will give sounds more decay. In general, the
DTXpress sounds are quite punchy and short on decay.
That's because you don't have any of that acoustic
rattle and resonance. When recording, it all depends
how you process it. Try using your compressor to
expand the sound, pitch shift it or add reverb.
If you simply plan on using the "dry" sounds, then
good luck to you.

6. I'm sure the DTXpress is a lot easier to record
than an acoustic kit.
 - it is.

7. I think having a DTXpress as your only kit will
leave you longing for the feel and subtlety of a real
kit.
 - We all miss the acoustic and we all play on them
like mad people when we get the chance. It sounds like
you need to go "hybrid". You obviously like the
DTXpress (sometimes) and you love acoustics. Why not
go half and half? Many have done this successfully.
Just don't come back telling us that you now have a
problem with noise. ;)

~Adam


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com/

DTXpress@egroups.com (Giles Hearn) wrote in 
<20000919082603.21724.qmail@...>:

>4. Not having an acoustic kit is DRIVING ME NUTS!
> - This is not the fault of the DTXpress. If you want
>an acoustic so badly, go and buy one!

Actually, it might even be seen as a plus-point of the DTXpress. For the 
price of a Roland, you can afford to buy a DTXpress *and* an acoustic 
set. ;)

Chris