Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

I want to record a drum track using DTXPRESS II into Cakewalk Sonar 
2.
What cable is it best to use for this? The 'To Host' or Midi cable? 
How does latency compare?
Then when it's recorded can I then edit each drum part individually 
with Sonar? Or do I have to download a plugin for it? How does this 
all work?

The manual doesn't explain which one is best and how they work.
I wish the manual had mentioned more about all this.

I read somewhere that the To Host can be plugged into USB is this 
true? What about USB 2?

One last question.. where can I get the To Host cable from if that's 
what I need.

i don't have a dtxpress II, but the manual says the To Host feature is a 
built in midi interface. i would asume you need some driver for windows 
to access the midi data on the serial port on oyur computer.

if you have a midi input, just ignore the To Host cable and use midi 
(the To Host is only another midi interface).

when you record the midi data in sonar you can edit the midi notes, but 
you then you only have the midi data in sonar and have to send midi from 
sonar to the dtxpress to hear anything.

jimmymagee10 wrote:

> I want to record a drum track using DTXPRESS II into Cakewalk Sonar 
> 2.
> What cable is it best to use for this? The 'To Host' or Midi cable? 
> How does latency compare?
> Then when it's recorded can I then edit each drum part individually 
> with Sonar? Or do I have to download a plugin for it? How does this 
> all work?
> 
> The manual doesn't explain which one is best and how they work.
> I wish the manual had mentioned more about all this.
> 
> I read somewhere that the To Host can be plugged into USB is this 
> true? What about USB 2?
> 
> One last question.. where can I get the To Host cable from if that's 
> what I need.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "jimmymagee10" <jimmymagee10@y...> 
wrote:
> I want to record a drum track using DTXPRESS II into Cakewalk Sonar 
> 2.
> What cable is it best to use for this? The 'To Host' or Midi cable? 
> How does latency compare?

Jimmy,

Other people who use Sonar and/or the To Host connection may be able 
to amplify my answers, but I'll give you a start. I think Midi is the 
way to go if you have a sound card that permits it. Latency shouldn't 
be a factor. Adjust it in the sequencer according to your computer's 
resources.

> Then when it's recorded can I then edit each drum part individually 
> with Sonar? Or do I have to download a plugin for it? How does this 
> all work?

You should be able to edit without any additional software.
 
> The manual doesn't explain which one is best and how they work.
> I wish the manual had mentioned more about all this.

The manual leaves a lot to be desired. 
 
> I read somewhere that the To Host can be plugged into USB is this 
> true? What about USB 2?

I don't think so. USB may be the wave of the (near) future when it 
comes to dumping, downloading, and sequencing, but the To Host cable 
is a serial connection, unless I'm missing something. 

> One last question.. where can I get the To Host cable from if 
that's what I need.

Good question; they don't seem to be in abundant supply. You might be 
able to get one, or order one, from a Yamaha dealer or the Yamaha 
online store. You'll also need to download the driver from the Yamaha 
site. As I said, Midi is the most convenient way to go, if you can.

Ed