Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

First of all, I want to say thanks and that this group rocks. I had 
a problem with my rack, and I took some advice from the forum and 
bought Girbralter clamps. Now I'm back in business.

But now I have encountered another problem. The Stock cymbal pads 
are killing me! Especially the ride. I need some advice on what my 
next step should be. I noticed visu lites on some kits here. What's 
up with them? Good stuff? Where can I order them from?
Or is there a better solution? I tried real cymbals, but they are 
just too loud or don't balance out well. I gig about 5 times a 
month, so I'm slowly working out the bugs, which are many. But I 
love playing electronic drums. 

Thanks in advance.

Jon Hicks (in Japan)

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "slushycow" <slushycow@y...> wrote:
> But now I have encountered another problem. The Stock cymbal pads 
> are killing me! Especially the ride. I need some advice on what my 
> next step should be. I noticed visu lites on some kits here. What's 
> up with them? Good stuff? Where can I order them from?
> Or is there a better solution? I tried real cymbals, but they are 
> just too loud or don't balance out well. I gig about 5 times a 
> month, so I'm slowly working out the bugs, which are many. But I 
> love playing electronic drums. 

Hey Jon,

How's it going? It would be nice to know what exactly you don't like 
about the stock Yamaha cymbals before we start recommending that you 
spend some money on new ones. But the two most popular alternatives 
of the people who post regularly here are the Pintech Zenbals and the 
Visu-lites. The Zenbals probably have the majority, since they cost 
less and come in a stereo version that matches up well with the 
DTXpress. Check out Stephen Brown's review of two new Zenbal models 
for a good overview of what to expect from them. You can visit 
Pintech's website for more information. The acrylic Visu-lites come 
in single and dual-zone models. For what it's worth, they were my 
favorites with the DTXpress module, or any other module for that 
matter. Getting them in Japan might prove to be a problem; they are 
available only factory-direct from Visu-lite via the website or from 
Drumbalaya.com, a webstore located in Washington state. However, did 
you happen to notice our announcement earlier in the week about the 
imminent DTXpress III SP, which is scheduled to come out in Japan on 
Nov. 30? That model is pictured on our gateway page. You'll notice 
the new round cymbals; by all indications, they are capable of three 
sounds--bow, edge, and bell--analogous to the three-sound snare of 
the DTXpress II with its body, rimshot, and cross stick capabilities. 
Even with only rim and bow, they might be a good bet for you--and 
affordable, too. Can you wait a month to try them? If so, you could 
report on them for the rest of us; they won't emerge here until mid-
winter. What do you say?

Ed

Ed

Ed Wrote: "That model is pictured on our gateway page. You'll 
notice 
> the new round cymbals; by all indications, they are capable of 
three 
> sounds--bow, edge, and bell--analogous to the three-sound snare of 
> the DTXpress II with its body, rimshot, and cross stick 
capabilities. "

One thing to note about the DtxpressIII, if some of you did not pick 
up on it. The standard version still comes with the PCY65, PCY65S, 
TP65, TP65S, KP65, HH65 just like the DtxpressII. The only 
difference is the new rack RS70 and the updated module.

It is only the DtxpressIIIsp (special version) that comes with the 
new PCY150 (3zone bell/bow/edge), PCY130 (bow), PCY130S (bow/edge), 
RHH130 hihat stereo pad (bow/edge?), HS-650 hihat stand, and the 
RS75 Rack.

The dtxpressII has a trigger setup for the PCY150 so that it should 
work fine on zones 2,6 or 7 giving you bell/bow/edge functions. 
Although there isn't a setting for the Pcy130/PCY130S, I would 
imagine they would work fine with the DtxpressII as well.

The only question of compatiability would be between the RHH130 and 
the DTXpressII module. Although, there is a trigger setting for a 
RHH120. Does anybody know if this was ever a listed Yamaha pad 
type?? 

So, again, like Ed said, If you can wait until Winter Namm, it might 
be worth the wait. 

Hopefully some of our Japanese based members can get there hands on 
the cymbal/hihat pads at the end of November and give us a report on 
them.

OGD

Hi Ed,

Thanks a lot for the insight. 
Ok 1st about the stokc Dtxpress cymbals.
It seems that they only trigger when I hit them hard. I found a sense 
adjuster on the pad, but still isn't sensitive enough for some jazz 
numbers in small clubs. The audience can hear me hit the pad. Kinda 
embarrassing.
The next problem I have is when the music gets heavy, the cymbals 
turn in the other direction. I have to angle them down so they will 
stay. 
I did notice the kit on the main page. Looks nice. I'm sure I can 
wait a month to check them out. You mentioned it had three zones. 
Will those trigger on my Dtxpress I? I'll go to the shop today and 
put in my order. As soon as I get something I'll let you guys know.

Again, thanks a lot for everything man.

Jon (in Japan)

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "slushycow" <slushycow@y...> wrote:
> Hi Ed,
> 
> Thanks a lot for the insight. 
> Ok 1st about the stokc Dtxpress cymbals.
> It seems that they only trigger when I hit them hard. I found a 
sense 
> adjuster on the pad, but still isn't sensitive enough for some jazz 
> numbers in small clubs. The audience can hear me hit the pad. Kinda 
> embarrassing.
> The next problem I have is when the music gets heavy, the cymbals 
> turn in the other direction. I have to angle them down so they will 
> stay. 
> I did notice the kit on the main page. Looks nice. I'm sure I can 
> wait a month to check them out. You mentioned it had three zones. 
> Will those trigger on my Dtxpress I? I'll go to the shop today and 
> put in my order. As soon as I get something I'll let you guys know.

Jon,

First, you can stop the wandering cymbal syndrome. Yamaha makes a 
little metal stopper that clamps the cymbal to the stand and prevents 
it from moving. Check with Yamaha Japan's online store or a Yamaha 
dealer. One of our members has even made his own (Scott?). On the 
reticent triggers, have you tried flipping up the DIP switches 
associated with your cymbal inputs on the back of the module? That 
strategy will give you more oomph if you can't get enough out of the 
gain and min. velocity adjustment. The new three-zone cymbals will 
work only as two zones with the DTXpress I (edge and bow); I don't 
know how many inputs on the DTXpress II are capable of three zones. 
Somebody here will (OGD?). We look forward to any advanced word you 
can give us about the new cymbals.

Ed

Ed wrote: > Somebody here will (OGD?).


The DtxpressII has three input zones that can be setup for the 3-
zone input devices. They are zones 2,6,7. Since these zone inputs 
are setup for one Piezo and two FSR ribbon switches, it will 
interesting to take one of the PCY150's apart and see how they 
accomplished it. Currently the only pad that takes advantage of the 
three zone input is the TP65S, which has one pad piezo and two rim 
FSR ribbon switches.

OGD

Ok Ed, Thanks for the good news.

So my DTX I  can handle two zones. This still means I won't be able 
to choke, right? 
I'm still quite a newbie when it comes to messing around with the 
settings inside the brain. I can change voices and stuff, but when I 
try to change volumes on pads etc. , I have little success. And 
sometimes I find myself in a situation that I can't undo, so I gotta 
go and take the big "bulk dump" to factory setting. Hate when that 
happens.

Also, lately my bass player has been hasseling me about playing 
acoustic drums. But now that I have gone electronic, I can't hear 
sh#=@ when I play them. So I think new round cymbals will add to the 
stage effect and maybe he'll shut up. 

Thanks as always,


Jon(in Japan)

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "slushycow" <slushycow@y...> wrote:
> Ok Ed, Thanks for the good news.
> 
> So my DTX I  can handle two zones. This still means I won't be able 
> to choke, right? 

You should be able to choke the stereo cymbals (Yamaha cymbals are 
stereo, not dual zone), even though you'll won't get the bell switch.

> I'm still quite a newbie when it comes to messing around with the 
> settings inside the brain. I can change voices and stuff, but when 
I 
> try to change volumes on pads etc. , I have little success. And 
> sometimes I find myself in a situation that I can't undo, so I 
gotta 
> go and take the big "bulk dump" to factory setting. Hate when that 
> happens.

If you want to go into detail about what you're doing to change 
volume levels that isn't working, as Ross Perot said, we're all ears.

> Also, lately my bass player has been hasseling me about playing 
> acoustic drums. But now that I have gone electronic, I can't hear 
> sh#=@ when I play them. So I think new round cymbals will add to 
the 
> stage effect and maybe he'll shut up. 

Our member and friend Stephen has been getting the same flak about 
playing acoustics. It seems to be an occupational hazard. See the 
recent posts. Both sides have good arguments; drummers lucky enough 
to have both an acoustic and an electronic kit to play can switch 
between them as the situation warrants. 

Ed

Ed/Jon:

We had our second rehearsal with the acoustic kit last evening. I got 
the same compliments from the band as far as the dynamics go. 
However, I wasn't happy with the sound of the toms (Those processed 
GM toms are awfully nice). Add to that that Wifey-Poo said we were 
mighty loud.

Next week? Who knows; maybe I'll use a configuration of a-snare, a-
cymbals and e-toms and e-bass. Maybe I'll switch to harmonica.

Oh, I did find out that the original source to this consternation was 
a blown tweeter in the amp and not a problem with the module(s).

Boomer F/K/A/ Stephen