Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hello everybody,

As some of you already know I'm currently in the process of making 
some upgrades to my setup. I've been advised by a couple of people 
now that with a 2 (or more) module setup that it would be best to 
send the outputs through a mixer. However I have absolutely no 
experience with mixers whatsoever, and really haven't got a clue on 
which ones to consider.

There are so many to choose from and some are quite expensive, what 
am I not getting with the cheaper ones? With 2 modules I'm assuming 2 
outputs, does that mean I only need a mixer with 2 inputs (does this 
even exist)!? Am I losing sound quality when running my outputs 
through the mixer? I got a load more questions but I thought it would 
be best to get some advice from fellow edrummers here first, before 
really getting into it...

Cheers and great job on dtxpressions vern, its looks like its 
starting to pick up some

take care all
pete

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "peterpan" <malakies2000@y...> wrote:
> As some of you already know I'm currently in the process of making 
> some upgrades to my setup. I've been advised by a couple of people 
> now that with a 2 (or more) module setup that it would be best to 
> send the outputs through a mixer. However I have absolutely no 
> experience with mixers whatsoever, and really haven't got a clue on 
> which ones to consider.
> 
> There are so many to choose from and some are quite expensive, what 
> am I not getting with the cheaper ones? With 2 modules I'm assuming 
2 
> outputs, does that mean I only need a mixer with 2 inputs (does 
this 
> even exist)!? Am I losing sound quality when running my outputs 
> through the mixer? I got a load more questions but I thought it 
would 
> be best to get some advice from fellow edrummers here first, before 
> really getting into it...
> 
> Cheers and great job on dtxpressions vern, its looks like its 
> starting to pick up some

Hi Pete,

In my opinion the little Rolls MX28 is the perfect complement to a 
configuration featuring two modules. It has three stereo inputs--one 
for each module and one for, say, a CD player so that you mix all of 
them together to listen either through one of the two headphone outs 
or the main stereo outs to another mixer or amp. It has pans and 
levels for each input, and a master volume control. The Rolls gives 
you only what you need in a small package; it won't handle an entire 
band. But it sounds good, and it won't break the bank (list for $100, 
sells for $80 or so). Go to Musician's Friend or zzounds to take a 
look at it. The same rule applies for mixers as for anything else. 
You don't get something for nothing. If you see a mixer loaded with 
features--multiple ins/outs, effects, etc.--at an impossibly low 
price, something's gotta give, usually sound quality and build 
quality. 

Ed

Pete:
I use the Behringer 602A to mix my two DTX modules it has four 
dedicated channels each with a three-band EQ. Two of these channels 
have a separate Gain control and the other two are stereo.

You could use this mixer in three ways:
1) Run a single line from the left channel to two channels, giving 
you EQ and gain.
2) run stereo lines from each of your modules into the two stereo 
channels, giving you EQ, or
3) Do as I do and hard pan your voices in the modules to extreme left 
or right and run four lines to the mixer. I run Bass (left) and Snare 
(right) on one module and Cymbals (left) and Toms (right) on the 
other. The Snare and Bass lines are run into the channels with the 
Gain control. This way I can tweak the sounds and volume of each 
grouping individually. Plus, when I record or gig out, I can forgo 
the mixer and send four direct lines to the console. A word of 
caution with this method, however, is that if you plug headphones 
into the mixer PHONE jack or couple the two DTX PHONE jacks together, 
the voices are separated in the left and right ears....it takes a bit 
of getting used to.

Stephen

thanks for the info chaps, much appreciated

I found a STAGELINE MMX-4 and judging by its description it sounds 
like what I need, although its seems quite cheap (only £20). It has 4 
mono inputs, no stereo and no extra features whatsoever. I'm not 
particualrly bothered about adjusting panning and gain settings, just 
want to mix my brains and a CD player through one single headphone 
output for practice. Would this do my job or is there some sort of 
catch? 

Heres a link if anybody wants to have a look:  
<http://www.stagebeat.co.uk/product.php?product_id=837>

Not familiar with half the technical specs, are they particularly 
poor? 

thanks again
pete

> Heres a link if anybody wants to have a look:  
> < http://www.stagebeat.co.uk/product.php?product_id=837 >

copying and pasting the link works, for some reason clicking direstly 
on it doesnt.

The MMX4 should do the trick for your intended purpose. The question 
is the line level of the output: Normally, this line would run to a 
power amp where the signal could be boosted. Since the specs don't 
say anything about a headphone jack, I would wonder whether the 
output signal alone is strong enough to power your phones.

Stephen

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "peterpan" <malakies2000@y...> wrote:
> 
> 
> thanks for the info chaps, much appreciated
> 
> I found a STAGELINE MMX-4 and judging by its description it sounds 
> like what I need, although its seems quite cheap (only £20). It has 
4 
> mono inputs, no stereo and no extra features whatsoever. I'm not 
> particualrly bothered about adjusting panning and gain settings, 
just 
> want to mix my brains and a CD player through one single headphone 
> output for practice. Would this do my job or is there some sort of 
> catch? 
> 
> Heres a link if anybody wants to have a look:  
> <http://www.stagebeat.co.uk/product.php?product_id=837>

Pete,

The number of inputs is fine, but I'm not sure that listening to a 
mono feed from two modules plus a CD player is going to satisfy your 
ears, even if you don't claim to be fussy. Another matter is the mic. 
inputs; they don't seem switchable to line level like the slightly 
pricier step-up model. Although the fine-print advertising claims 
that you can use the mixer for line sources, levels might be weird. I 
like the step-up model better, if you can swing it. Also, there's no 
headphone jack with a small amp of its own. This mixer truly does 
seem like a limited-use sub-mixer that is expected to be run into 
something else with more control.

Ed

Peter:

I took a look at the mixer you mention and the only drawback I see is
that it will be mono... completely mono. It will mix four mono lines into
one mono line. If you are using this to mix two "brains" then you will
end up with two stereo signals (the two brains) being mixed down to one
mono signal. This would bug me to pieces. No stereo separation, no wide
effects, nothing. Also, there's no place to mix a signal from an extra
source like a CD player or tape deck.

I think you'd be much better off with the Behringer like this:

http://www.behringer.com/02_products/prodindex_ub.cfm?id=UB502&lang=eng

or maybe something like this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030919074527208190190038754639/g=live/search/detail/base_id/100525
(If the link is blown, go to musicians friend
(http://www.musiciansfriend.com) and type "PowerMIX lll - Stereo Mini
Mixer"

or maybe take a look at this link:

http://www.dtxpressions.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=34

As this is a used mixer being sold by one of our members and it's already
guaranteed to work with the DTXpress! :)

I  understand that since you're not familiar with mixers that you're not
interested in something complicated, but I'd suggest the ART unit at the
very least so you can have a stereo field through the headphones... :)

Vern

PS: It occurred to me that you might be able to get away without a mixer
at all if you pipe the output from your first module into the 1/8" "AUX"
in jack on the front of the DTX itself. Then both modules worth of sound
would come out the single DTX output...

--
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
http://www.txis.com        | is up, then we obviously don't need
Austin Office 512 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG




peterpan said:

>
>
> thanks for the info chaps, much appreciated
>
> I found a STAGELINE MMX-4 and judging by its description it sounds
> like what I need, although its seems quite cheap (only \ufffd20). It has 4
> mono inputs, no stereo and no extra features whatsoever. I'm not
> particualrly bothered about adjusting panning and gain settings, just
> want to mix my brains and a CD player through one single headphone
> output for practice. Would this do my job or is there some sort of
> catch?
>
> Heres a link if anybody wants to have a look:
> <http://www.stagebeat.co.uk/product.php?product_id=837>
>
> Not familiar with half the technical specs, are they particularly
> poor?
>
> thanks again
> pete
>
>
>
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>
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>
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>
>
>

thanks for the info vern, the EURORACK UB502 seems really good, 
especially for the price quoted off the website (£38). 


PS: It occurred to me that you might be able to get away without a 
mixer
at all if you pipe the output from your first module into the 
1/8" "AUX"
in jack on the front of the DTX itself. Then both modules worth of 
sound
would come out the single DTX output...


I was thinking about that a while ago but for some reason I had 
dismissed it. I think it was something to do with losing quality, 
will i lose more quality through this method or would a mixer not 
make much difference? BTW the 2 modules will be the DTXpressI and the 
TD-8.

thanks again you've all been really helpful  :)
pete

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "peterpan" <malakies2000@y...> wrote:
> I was thinking about that a while ago but for some reason I had 
> dismissed it. I think it was something to do with losing quality, 
> will i lose more quality through this method or would a mixer not 
> make much difference? BTW the 2 modules will be the DTXpressI and 
the 
> TD-8.

Pete,

If you can afford it, get an external mixer (someone who can afford 
the TD-8 can't afford a sub-$100 mixer?). I don't recall whether the 
TD-8 has its own little mixer into which you could run the Xpress, 
but, either way, the sound quality of these two modules is too good 
to be wasted on such a procedure. The control is nowhere near as good 
as you'd get from even a modestly priced mixer w/o too many 
extraneous bells and whistles. The Yamaha mixer is a convenience for 
those w/o alternatives or needs, but it is no substitute for a 
separate component.

Ed

cheers ed, think i'm going to go for the eurorack ub502 that vern 
kindly pointed out the other day. its exactly what i need and its 
very well priced.

pete








--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "peterpan" <malakies2000@y...> 
wrote:
> > I was thinking about that a while ago but for some reason I had 
> > dismissed it. I think it was something to do with losing quality, 
> > will i lose more quality through this method or would a mixer not 
> > make much difference? BTW the 2 modules will be the DTXpressI and 
> the 
> > TD-8.
> 
> Pete,
> 
> If you can afford it, get an external mixer (someone who can afford 
> the TD-8 can't afford a sub-$100 mixer?). I don't recall whether 
the 
> TD-8 has its own little mixer into which you could run the Xpress, 
> but, either way, the sound quality of these two modules is too good 
> to be wasted on such a procedure. The control is nowhere near as 
good 
> as you'd get from even a modestly priced mixer w/o too many 
> extraneous bells and whistles. The Yamaha mixer is a convenience 
for 

> those w/o alternatives or needs, but it is no substitute for a 
> separate component.
> 
> Ed

--- peterpan wrote:
> ...think i'm going to go for the eurorack ub502...

There's a UK eBay trader that does new Behringer mixers and other PA 
gear for good prices. Blue Aran Sound & Lighting is the name of the 
shop. I don't see the UB502 right now, but he has the UB802 at the 
moment for £40. Worth an email, perhaps.

Stewart

well i've had a look at it at and since he doesnt sell the model i 
was after I thought about the step up (UB802). it works out only £6 
more to buy the better mixer from him, as apposed to the UB502 from 
the cheapest other store. so i guess i'd be a bit daft not to get the 
better mixer. its also got some effects which i will undoubtably end 
up using. 

sorted.

cheers for the info stewart
pete


--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "moosetication" <moosetication@y...> 
wrote:
> --- peterpan wrote:
> > ...think i'm going to go for the eurorack ub502...
> 
> There's a UK eBay trader that does new Behringer mixers and other 
PA 

> gear for good prices. Blue Aran Sound & Lighting is the name of the 
> shop. I don't see the UB502 right now, but he has the UB802 at the 
> moment for £40. Worth an email, perhaps.
> 
> Stewart