Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi Guys i know this isnt really related but i have been offered a 
Alesis DM5 module at a low low price so low that it is cheaper than 
it would cost to buy a triggering device like the roland and kiti, So 
that i can expand my DTX2 kit with more pads and cymbals.
First off is the Alesis compatable with the Yamaha pads ?
Secondly what would be the best way to link the two modules 
together ,I presuming a mixer of some kind but suggestions would be 
much appreciated.
Finally i know we all love our DTX's but is the Alesis any good and 
could this be the answer to my quest for ultimate e-drum heaven?

As always thanxs in advance,
Lee.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "leehunwick" <lhunwick@t...> wrote:
> Hi Guys i know this isnt really related but i have been offered a 
> Alesis DM5 module at a low low price so low that it is cheaper than 
> it would cost to buy a triggering device like the roland and kiti, 
So 
> that i can expand my DTX2 kit with more pads and cymbals.
> First off is the Alesis compatable with the Yamaha pads ?

Hi Lee,

The Alesis is compatible with Yamaha pads.

> Secondly what would be the best way to link the two modules 
> together ,I presuming a mixer of some kind but suggestions would be 
> much appreciated.

Well, I'd go the mixer route to get full advantage of all that both 
modules would offer you; you wouldn't have to spend much money. You 
could go MIDI, but it seems a terrible waste of resources.

> Finally i know we all love our DTX's but is the Alesis any good and 
> could this be the answer to my quest for ultimate e-drum heaven?

Some people love the DM5. But one much-respected member of this 
board, Stephen, hated it when I suggested that it might be a good 
option for a second, relatively inexpensive module. The best thing to 
do is listen to it. Barring that, check out the "e-Drums Comparison 
Chart" that I added to the "Links" section of this site. It's not up 
to date, but the bottom part has a sketch of all the basic modules 
available for e-drummers. You could also go to the Hart Dynamics site 
and click on the "module" section to get Peter Hart's fairly detailed 
critique of these modules. He's very fond of the DM5, or at least was 
at the time of writing. I don't know exactly what your idea of e-drum 
heaven is. Adding the DM5 could be one step on the ladder, but it 
certainly won't be the last.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:

Lee,

I should add the Alesis is compatible with Yamaha triggers but only 
for mono; it doesn't support stereo cymbals or pads that join a piezo 
with one or two FSRs.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
> <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> 
> Lee,
> 
> I should add the Alesis is compatible with Yamaha triggers but only 
> for mono; it doesn't support stereo cymbals or pads that join a 
piezo 
> with one or two FSRs.
> 
> Ed

Hi Ed,

Thanks as always Ed for your quick response i wasnt aware that the 
Alesis was mono only but with DTX2 for stereo and the DM5 for mono me 
thinks it could fullfill all areas .
Tom pads for instance if the samples are ok on the dm5 i feel only 
need to be mono leaving the DTX to perform the stereo outputs as and 
when required .
Will i have to be carefull with triggering probs between modules 
because of rejection parameters ?
Anyway if that is the only downsides i think i might just go for it.
I will let you guys know how i get on and now doubt have a few 
questions to pick your brains with.
Thanxs again Ed speak to you real soon.

Regards Lee.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "leehunwick" <lhunwick@t...> wrote:

> Will i have to be carefull with triggering probs between modules 
> because of rejection parameters ?
> Anyway if that is the only downsides i think i might just go for it.
> I will let you guys know how i get on and now doubt have a few 
> questions to pick your brains with.

Lee,

The risk of crosstalk always intensifies when you add more pads to 
the rack with a second device. Depending on what those pads are, and 
how they are to be used, sometimes all you need to do is adjust gain 
and min. velocity to keep them from rattling each other's bones. 
Another possibility is to group pads on the rack by their connected 
module; proximity can alleviate some of the danger. Other people have 
dampened cymbals, say, at the top of the stand or even filled their 
rack tubes with insulation material (OGD, was that you?). We'll look 
forward to your further adventures.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "leehunwick" <lhunwick@t...> wrote:
> Hi Guys i know this isnt really related but i have been offered a 
> Alesis DM5 module at a low low price so low that it is cheaper than 
> it would cost to buy a triggering device like the roland and kiti, So 
> that i can expand my DTX2 kit with more pads and cymbals.
> First off is the Alesis compatable with the Yamaha pads ?

 I have used the DM-5 extensively  and  I own a D4 now which is essentially the same machine with minor differences.  Yes they are 
compatible with Yamaha pads but you will have to turn up the input sensitivity quite a bit.

> Secondly what would be the best way to link the two modules 
> together ,I presuming a mixer of some kind but suggestions would be 
> much appreciated.  

If you wanted to access more DTX sounds you could link them via MIDI  Is there an 'aux in' on the DTX? if so  you could plug in  the 
outputs  of the DM5  and save  using a mixer.  

> Finally i know we all love our DTX's but is the Alesis any good and 
> could this be the answer to my quest for ultimate e-drum heaven?

If my DTXpress is any indication,  the Dm-5 is a decent module but not as responsive dynamically.  It does offer 4 outputs, 12 trigger 
inputs (all piezo-only single zone), some decent sounds  and a user friendly interface but no layering, no effects and an on/off switch for 
hihat control.  The manual can be dowloaded from the Alesis site but you probably won't need it.  Unless you are getting a sub $100 deal 
I would go for another  Yamaha module.  Can you try the DM-5 before you buy?
 
Jun

Lee:
The DM5 can absolutely be pared up with the DTX, and a mixer is the 
way to go. I used this combination for about a week and would still 
be doing so today had not a used DTX made itself available. I traded 
the DM5 even for the DTX.

To mix the two I use a Behringer MX802 mixer. Using two modules, 
you'll be able to separate sound groups in left and right channels 
and mix EQ and volume on the mixer. The groupings I have are Bass 
(left) and Snare (right) on one module and Cymbals (left) and Toms 
(right) on the other.

To say that I "hated" the DM5 might be a little exaggerated. I liked 
the cymbal sounds it offered better than the DTX and that's why I 
really wanted it. However, all of my cymbals (4) are stereo and the 
DM5's mono inputs left me without 4 cymbal voices I have/had with the 
DTX. Also, the voice editing capabilities on the DM5 are not as 
robust as the those of the DTX.

However, if you can arrange it so that all your single voice pads 
(toms, bass) go to the DM5 and your stereo voices go to the DTX 
(snare, cymbals), you'll likely be quite happy with it.

Stephen

ED SED: "Other people have dampened cymbals, say, at the top of the 
stand or even filled their rack tubes with insulation material (OGD, 
was that you?)." 

Twas I.
Rack tubes and cymbal stands are filled with expanding insulation 
foam. However, you could use regular foam, cotton balls, toilet 
paper; anything that would lessen the vibrations.

I've not had much problem with crosstalk and all my minvels are set 
pretty low. 

Stephen

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "brown8700" <brown8700@a...> wrote:
> ED SED: "Other people have dampened cymbals, say, at the top of the 
> stand or even filled their rack tubes with insulation material 
(OGD, 
> was that you?)." 
> 
> Twas I.
> Rack tubes and cymbal stands are filled with expanding insulation 
> foam. However, you could use regular foam, cotton balls, toilet 
> paper; anything that would lessen the vibrations.
> 
> I've not had much problem with crosstalk and all my minvels are set 
> pretty low. 
> 
> Stephen

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your advice the dm5 is at a give away price and i 
think i will go for it ,The challenge to combine it with my dtx2 
looks like a good project watch this space.

Regards Lee.