Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Well, I do (need a ridew/bell) any suggestions? 
Must be (2 zone?) Ya know ride w/bell too. 

Can this be done with the 1 open slot/plug #9/10
can I achive BOTH sounds signals from 1 cymbal into 1 plug in? (9/10)

Thanks to all who have done this and make helpful suggestions!

Please LMK,
JD

--- JD Jerry Davis wrote:
> Must be (2 zone?) Ya know ride w/bell too. 
> Can this be done with the 1 open slot/plug #9/10

Yes. Obtain by purchase, deception or theft (delete as applicable) 
one mono cymbal (example PCY65, PCY80, Pintech Zenbal ZB1, etc), one 
Yamaha PCY10 bell pad, one cymbal arm, two mono cables, and one 
stereo-mono TRS splitter. Mount cymbal arm to rack, cymbals on tilter 
(would recommend the bell goes on last), connect TRS splitter to 9/10 
input, connect mono cables between cymbal pads and splitter, set up 
pad types appropriately on brain, create a suitable kit with ride bow 
and bell sounds on 9 and 10, and have at it.

Stewart

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "moosetication" <moosetication@y...> 
wrote:
> --- JD Jerry Davis wrote:
> > Must be (2 zone?) Ya know ride w/bell too. 
> > Can this be done with the 1 open slot/plug #9/10
> 
> Yes. Obtain by purchase, deception or theft (delete as applicable) 
> one mono cymbal (example PCY65, PCY80, Pintech Zenbal ZB1, etc), 
one 
> Yamaha PCY10 bell pad, one cymbal arm, two mono cables, and one 
> stereo-mono TRS splitter. Mount cymbal arm to rack, cymbals on 
tilter 
> (would recommend the bell goes on last), connect TRS splitter to 
9/10 
> input, connect mono cables between cymbal pads and splitter, set up 
> pad types appropriately on brain, create a suitable kit with ride 
bow 
> and bell sounds on 9 and 10, and have at it.

To supplement the redoubtable Stewart's reply, you can also get dual-
zone ride cymbals that have an actual bell on them that triggers 
separately from the bow. Yamaha doesn't offer them yet, though they 
have a variation on the theme waiting in the wings; I won't get 
technical about the difference in Yamaha's design at this point. The 
so-called dual-zone cymbals from other manufacturers are tailor-made 
for input 9/10. Visu-lite makes an acrylic 18" ride w/bell; it 
happens to be my personal favorite. Hart makes a bronze 16" ride 
w/bell that is also beautiful to behold and play, but unfortunately 
it does not trigger well through Yamaha electronics. If you want to 
be really daring, Pintech has just issued a clear cymbal, resembling 
the Visu-lites; it isn't even listed on their website as yet, though 
Iron Mountain Music is already selling it. I know that it comes in a 
single trigger version (bow, not bell); a dual-zone option would seem 
to be in the offing as well. You could ask Brian LaRue, who runs 
Pintech and deigns to be a member of this group, for details. He can 
be reached via the Pintech website, or as technodrumguy@... 
from here. Remember that alternatives not made by Yamaha may require 
slightly more tweaking to get right through the DTXpress module. 
Pintech and Visu-lite cymbals generally are not a problem, however. 

Ed

Thanks for the info! 
If the visu-lite works well I will buy one immediatly.
 
ANOTHER Q: Can I use the input #6(ride) to trigger the visulite?.
to obtain: both ride and bell sounds? can they be triggered seperate 
on #6 ?)
OR must I; run the (visu-lite) only in #9/10 to achive ride & bell
seperation (2 different sounds) 

AND IF:
#6 (input) Will work for dual zone *Ride w/ Bell (seperate sounds) 
THEN:  
Can I then use #9/10 to add 2 more (seperate) crashes? 
Im figuring: CORD 1 stereo Y splitter to 2 mono plugs. 
Set #9 trigger to crash & #10 to China. 

OH PLEASE TELL ME, "Yeah, JD that will work"

Ya know, this is almost embarassing! having to ask Q:s
I have played 30 years The last 20 years being a pro....
***If you blindfolded me and handed me ANY piece (no matter how 
small) item/piece/hardware off an "Accoustic" kit I could tell you 
exactly what it was, And assmeble it together in the dark!*** 

I'm adding a few pics in your "Photos" to show my drums 
(accoustic that is) You all know what DTs look like. 

THANKS AGAIN GUYS/gals!! 
JD  



--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "moosetication" 
<moosetication@y...> 
> wrote:
> > --- JD Jerry Davis wrote:
> > > Must be (2 zone?) Ya know ride w/bell too. 
> > > Can this be done with the 1 open slot/plug #9/10
> > 
> > Yes. Obtain by purchase, deception or theft (delete as 
applicable) 
> > one mono cymbal (example PCY65, PCY80, Pintech Zenbal ZB1, etc), 
> one 
> > Yamaha PCY10 bell pad, one cymbal arm, two mono cables, and one 
> > stereo-mono TRS splitter. Mount cymbal arm to rack, cymbals on 
> tilter 
> > (would recommend the bell goes on last), connect TRS splitter to 
> 9/10 
> > input, connect mono cables between cymbal pads and splitter, set 
up 
> > pad types appropriately on brain, create a suitable kit with 
ride 
> bow 
> > and bell sounds on 9 and 10, and have at it.
> 
> To supplement the redoubtable Stewart's reply, you can also get 
dual-
> zone ride cymbals that have an actual bell on them that triggers 
> separately from the bow. Yamaha doesn't offer them yet, though 
they 
> have a variation on the theme waiting in the wings; I won't get 
> technical about the difference in Yamaha's design at this point. 
The 
> so-called dual-zone cymbals from other manufacturers are tailor-
made 
> for input 9/10. Visu-lite makes an acrylic 18" ride w/bell; it 
> happens to be my personal favorite. Hart makes a bronze 16" ride 
> w/bell that is also beautiful to behold and play, but 
unfortunately 
> it does not trigger well through Yamaha electronics. If you want 
to 
> be really daring, Pintech has just issued a clear cymbal, 
resembling 
> the Visu-lites; it isn't even listed on their website as yet, 
though 
> Iron Mountain Music is already selling it. I know that it comes in 
a 
> single trigger version (bow, not bell); a dual-zone option would 
seem 
> to be in the offing as well. You could ask Brian LaRue, who runs 
> Pintech and deigns to be a member of this group, for details. He 
can 
> be reached via the Pintech website, or as technodrumguy@y... 
> from here. Remember that alternatives not made by Yamaha may 
require 
> slightly more tweaking to get right through the DTXpress module. 
> Pintech and Visu-lite cymbals generally are not a problem, 
however. 
> 
> Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "JD Jerry Davis /Team Bozi Drummer" 
<zmintcard@y...> wrote:

JD,

First of all, nice pics. Hey, I went blond(er) during the New Wave 
days of the early 1980s. I don't remember if I had more fun. 
 
> If the visu-lite works well I will buy one immediatly.

They are my faves; I've used them both with ddrum and Yamaha. They 
trigger well for me through both. Check out the website 
(http://www.visu-lite.com/), and search in the group archives 
under "Visu-lite" for testimonials other than mine, although many of 
them will be mine. I had a hand in getting the Yamaha-compatible Visu-
lite hi hat produced. Take a look at it at the Visu-lite site.
  
> ANOTHER Q: Can I use the input #6(ride) to trigger the visulite?.
> to obtain: both ride and bell sounds? can they be triggered 
seperate 
> on #6 ?)
> OR must I; run the (visu-lite) only in #9/10 to achive ride & bell
> seperation (2 different sounds) 

Alas, no. Input 6 will only work with triggers that feature one 
piezo, like all of the ones that you got with your DTXpress. Even 
though your Yamaha ride will get both a bow and rim sound, the effect 
is produced using only a single trigger in conjunction with what is 
called a "switch." The Visu-lite is a true dual-zone cymbal, meaning 
that it uses two separate piezos for bow and bell, and so two 
separate inputs. You can trigger the bow in input 6; you'll need a 
second input for the bell.
> 
> AND IF:
> #6 (input) Will work for dual zone *Ride w/ Bell (seperate sounds) 
> THEN:  
> Can I then use #9/10 to add 2 more (seperate) crashes? 
> Im figuring: CORD 1 stereo Y splitter to 2 mono plugs. 
> Set #9 trigger to crash & #10 to China. 

Because input 6 doesn't cooperate, your scenario would now be input 6 
for bow of Visu-lite, input 9 for the Visu-lite bell and input 10 for 
your crash or china.
> 
> OH PLEASE TELL ME, "Yeah, JD that will work"

Sorry, see above. But it's not a total loss by any means.
 
> Ya know, this is almost embarassing! having to ask Q:s
> I have played 30 years The last 20 years being a pro....
> ***If you blindfolded me and handed me ANY piece (no matter how 
> small) item/piece/hardware off an "Accoustic" kit I could tell you 
> exactly what it was, And assmeble it together in the dark!*** 

You can probably run circles around me in the dark when it comes to 
acoustic components, even though I started playing 40 years ago. I 
was never much of a gear head in my heavy professional playing days, 
but the brave new world of electronics turned me into one, to some 
extent. We all go through it, and we all come through it. 
Electronics, however, are a never-ending adventure. Keep in touch.

Ed

Ed, your saying I can use #9/10 
to run the visu-lite ride....
By: selecting #9 as the Ride and #10 as the bell tones Right? 

I guess if thats it I will have to make do with 1 ride 
and 2 crashes. Good enough for home practice. 

LIKE THIS:
#6 a crash (chokeable)
#7 a crash (chokable)
#9 regular Ride
#9 the Bell of a ride 
Am I correct here? 
Please advise....and thanks (thus far) for all your help. 

I think you understand when I say; "I dont wanna buy a Ride with a 
bell built in" Just to find out...It won't work with Yammy mod. 

Besides, I like to know what Im looking for/at (and come across 
knowing)
while searching at G.C. (guitar center) 
Man, this electronic kit will give me a better understanding of 
"Know your users Manual" <- Whats that?  LMAO!!! BIGTIME! 

Im a brass freak! 14 (accostic)cymbals in my arsenal. 
Yamamha should have looked into adding 3 to 5 more inputs on 
the DTexII (just my opinion)

I have a couple more Q:s But I dont wanna confuse myself!!! 

Thanks again,
JD 

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "JD Jerry Davis /Team Bozi 
Drummer" 
> <zmintcard@y...> wrote:
> 
> JD,
> 
> First of all, nice pics. Hey, I went blond(er) during the New Wave 
> days of the early 1980s. I don't remember if I had more fun. 
>  
> > If the visu-lite works well I will buy one immediatly.
> 
> They are my faves; I've used them both with ddrum and Yamaha. They 
> trigger well for me through both. Check out the website 
> (http://www.visu-lite.com/), and search in the group archives 
> under "Visu-lite" for testimonials other than mine, although many 
of 
> them will be mine. I had a hand in getting the Yamaha-compatible 
Visu-
> lite hi hat produced. Take a look at it at the Visu-lite site.
>   
> > ANOTHER Q: Can I use the input #6(ride) to trigger the visulite?.
> > to obtain: both ride and bell sounds? can they be triggered 
> seperate 
> > on #6 ?)
> > OR must I; run the (visu-lite) only in #9/10 to achive ride & 
bell
> > seperation (2 different sounds) 
> 
> Alas, no. Input 6 will only work with triggers that feature one 
> piezo, like all of the ones that you got with your DTXpress. Even 
> though your Yamaha ride will get both a bow and rim sound, the 
effect 
> is produced using only a single trigger in conjunction with what 
is 
> called a "switch." The Visu-lite is a true dual-zone cymbal, 
meaning 
> that it uses two separate piezos for bow and bell, and so two 
> separate inputs. You can trigger the bow in input 6; you'll need a 
> second input for the bell.
> > 
> > AND IF:
> > #6 (input) Will work for dual zone *Ride w/ Bell (seperate 
sounds) 
> > THEN:  
> > Can I then use #9/10 to add 2 more (seperate) crashes? 
> > Im figuring: CORD 1 stereo Y splitter to 2 mono plugs. 
> > Set #9 trigger to crash & #10 to China. 
> 
> Because input 6 doesn't cooperate, your scenario would now be 
input 6 
> for bow of Visu-lite, input 9 for the Visu-lite bell and input 10 
for 
> your crash or china.
> > 
> > OH PLEASE TELL ME, "Yeah, JD that will work"
> 
> Sorry, see above. But it's not a total loss by any means.
>  
> > Ya know, this is almost embarassing! having to ask Q:s
> > I have played 30 years The last 20 years being a pro....
> > ***If you blindfolded me and handed me ANY piece (no matter how 
> > small) item/piece/hardware off an "Accoustic" kit I could tell 
you 
> > exactly what it was, And assmeble it together in the dark!*** 
> 
> You can probably run circles around me in the dark when it comes 
to 
> acoustic components, even though I started playing 40 years ago. I 
> was never much of a gear head in my heavy professional playing 
days, 

> but the brave new world of electronics turned me into one, to some 
> extent. We all go through it, and we all come through it. 
> Electronics, however, are a never-ending adventure. Keep in touch.
> 
> Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "JD Jerry Davis /Team Bozi Drummer" 
<zmintcard@y...> wrote:
> Ed, your saying I can use #9/10 
> to run the visu-lite ride....
> LIKE THIS:
> #6 a crash (chokeable)
> #7 a crash (chokable)
> #9 regular Ride
> #10 the Bell of a ride 
> Am I correct here? 

Right, you can set it up that way, and many people do, for exactly 
the same reasons. I preferred input 6 for the bow, however, because 
it has a DIP switch in the back of the module that allows its 
sensitivity to be raised, whereas 9/10 does not. It's not necessarily 
a problem, but if you like your ride to run as hot as possible, you 
might want to reserve input 6 for it, at the cost of losing choking 
and rim-switch capabilities on one of the Yamahas. This is the point 
at which your own experimenting is unavoidable.
 
> I think you understand when I say; "I dont wanna buy a Ride with a 
> bell built in" Just to find out...It won't work with Yammy mod. 
> Besides, I like to know what Im looking for/at (and come across 
> knowing)
> while searching at G.C. (guitar center) 

I hear you. The best way is to be able to try these things out in 
your local store, but many desirable products just aren't available 
for audition. If you want to play it safe, get a Roland; they're 
everywhere. Many places also stock the DTXpress, as well as an 
occasional Pintech or Hart kit. But you won't find Visu-lites 
anywhere except at their own site or at a web store (which is also a 
brick and mortar store) called Drumbalaya.com, which you should 
visit. It is the only store of its kind, dedicated completely to 
electronic drums and everything that they touch. The owner, Ed Morin, 
is an electronic drummer himself, and immensely knowledgable, as well 
as accessible. Ask him about the Visu-lites via email or phone. He'll 
give you an honest answer. I can't think of a single piece of e-drum 
equipment that he doesn't carry or hasn't tried. If you like what he 
says, buy one from him. By the way, since Visu-lites are custom-made, 
not manufactured en masse, sometimes you have to wait.
 
> Im a brass freak! 14 (accostic)cymbals in my arsenal. 
> Yamamha should have looked into adding 3 to 5 more inputs on 
> the DTexII (just my opinion)

That is most definitely not just your opinion. A few more inputs 
would be a blessing, but it's all about price points. You have to 
spend more money to get more--of everything. The dearly departed 
DTXtreme (which is about to come back in new improved form) had far 
more inputs, as well as other advanced features, but you had to pay 
for the privilege. Many Xpress owners eventually buy a second module--
often another DTXpress or even a discontinued Alesis, Yamaha, or 
Roland--for more inputs, which they link via a mixer. Roland makes a 
MIDI trigger interface with six inputs--the TMC-6--which has no 
sounds of its own but can tap into an existing module via MIDI, 
thereby expanding the kit. There are also similar discontinued 
devices made by Roland and Kat that e-drummers still use. But with 
more inputs/pads comes the need for more geography, meaning more 
tubes or a larger rack. Let the games begin.
 
> I have a couple more Q:s But I dont wanna confuse myself!!! 

When you're ready, just shoot. We'll be here.

Ed