Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi all,

I just joined the group as I am considering getting a DTXpress in the 
near future. To make a long story short, I'm 51yo and returned to 
drumming after some years away. While I have been practicing on a pad 
at home daily and jamming with friends when we can find the time, I 
spend more time looking at my kit than actually playing it. I live in 
a house but with young children and a full time day job I rarely get 
to play my kit and when I do I have to share the time with my 
kids.  :-)

So, after seeing a drum clinic where they featured accoustic kits 
with triggers and add on electronic drums(Roland), in the Q&A one of 
the drummers there responded about e-drums to someones question 
that 'if you are working a full-time job and come home and just look 
at your drum kit in the evening because it is too late to play you 
should think seriously about getting a set of electronic drums.' This 
struck me as being exactly me.

After pricing mesh head sets I knew that they were just out of my 
price range. Even if I financed them I couldn't imagine how I could 
explain spending that much to my wife. I could probably get away with 
it but I would be hearing about it for a long time. So after all my 
research on the web, I could see that it would be either the V-Club 
from Roland or the DTXpress II. I went to my local drum shop, where I 
saw the clinic, and was going to try them both. Unfortunately, they 
only had the V-Club--won't have the DTXPress until at least 
January '04. I played the V-Club and could tell that I would be happy 
with a rubber pad set up like both offer, but I didn't care for the 
BD pedal trigger on the V-Club. The DTXPress BD pad looks more to my 
liking. I did also try the V-Stage set (mesh heads) and they were OK 
but I didn't feel the difference was worth the extra $$$, at least 
not for my use.

I was dissappointed that I was not able to try the DTXPress right 
then and there and I probably would have bought them if I could have. 
For now I'm waiting. I know that there are a few internet shops that 
still have them in stock but it seems I should wait for the new 
DTXPress III. At least on paper the Yammy kit looks like it will 
provide everything I am looking for in this kind of kit.

I look forward to any advice offered here and to read about the 
expiriences others have had with the DTXPress.

Thanks,

nteeman

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "nteeman" <nteeman@p...> wrote:

Greetings NT,

Nice to have you with us.

> To make a long story short, I'm 51yo. 

Boy, I can still remember being 51 (I'm 52). Those were the good old 
days. I have a four-year-old. What do you have?
 
> So, after seeing a drum clinic where they featured accoustic kits 
> with triggers and add on electronic drums(Roland), in the Q&A one 
of 
> the drummers there responded about e-drums to someones question 
> that 'if you are working a full-time job and come home and just 
look 
> at your drum kit in the evening because it is too late to play you 
> should think seriously about getting a set of electronic drums.' 
This 
> struck me as being exactly me.

E-drums are a godsend. But even though they make considerably less 
noise than an acoustic set, they are not totally silent, especially 
the kick pedals. If you're playing late night in a basement with 
plenty of natural sound proofing, you'll be in good shape. If you're 
sharing the second floor with your kids and/or wife trying to sleep, 
you may have to work on scheduling a little. The kick pedal can also 
be heard through floor boards; people below you will hear the thump 
unless you take DIY steps to insulate. Some people are more tolerant 
about this kind of stray noise than others; my wife, who is subject 
to migraines at the drop of a pin, is at the far end of the scale (I 
have mesh head pads with acrylic or metal cymbals). But, as everyone 
says, e-drums are the only answer to a situation like yours.
 
> After pricing mesh head sets I knew that they were just out of my 
> price range. Even if I financed them I couldn't imagine how I could 
> explain spending that much to my wife. I could probably get away 
with 
> it but I would be hearing about it for a long time. 

This may be true, but I'll bet your mesh pricing was based on Roland 
components, which are much more expensive than they have to be--
primarily because Roland owns the popular market (and perception). 
But Roland is not alone. The Pintech mesh pads are a good $100 less 
expensive than the comparable Rolands; they are worth a look if price 
is the only obstacle. The inestimatble Brian LaRue, who runs Pintech, 
is a valued member of this group and higly accessible (if he's not 
busy with his job--LOL). Check out the Pintech site and Stephen 
Brown's review of some of Pintech's latest offerings in our 
archives.  

> I could see that it would be either the V-Club 
> from Roland or the DTXpress II. I went to my local drum shop, where 
I 
> saw the clinic, and was going to try them both. Unfortunately, they 
> only had the V-Club--won't have the DTXPress until at least 
> January '04. I played the V-Club and could tell that I would be 
happy 
> with a rubber pad set up like both offer, but I didn't care for the 
> BD pedal trigger on the V-Club. The DTXPress BD pad looks more to 
my 
> liking. 

Frankly, the DTXpress is a better buy than the Roland V-Club. It's 
not an accident that the Yamaha is on back order all over the place. 
It has a little more of everything at a little less cost. And 
Yamaha's electronic customer service, not to mention its management, 
is a lot more accessible than Roland's. We've established a 
comfortable relationship with them, and we hope to see it continue to 
grow.

>I did also try the V-Stage set (mesh heads) and they were OK 
> but I didn't feel the difference was worth the extra $$$, at least 
> not for my use.

The V-Stage isn't much to write home about, even though the TD-8 
module is arguably the most finished in the Roland line. The V-
Session is a huge step up and much better to play. Many people at the 
price point of the Stage opt for Pintech or Hart sets to get more for 
the money. Harts don't match up as well with Yamaha electronics.
 
> I was dissappointed that I was not able to try the DTXPress right 
> then and there and I probably would have bought them if I could 
have. 
> For now I'm waiting. I know that there are a few internet shops 
that 
> still have them in stock but it seems I should wait for the new 
> DTXPress III. At least on paper the Yammy kit looks like it will 
> provide everything I am looking for in this kind of kit.

Considering the wait for the II, the III seems like the way to go. It 
has features that many people have been waiting for in a Yamaha e-kit 
(see the thread in our archives). Assuming that the III will be ready 
to go after Winter NAMM in January and that Yamaha already has cut 
back supplies of the II in anticipation, you don't seem to have much 
to lose. But waiting bites, anyway. Maybe you can get some vicarious 
pleasure in the meantime joining us in various discussions and 
picking our brains (and I use the term loosely). I'm sure I've left 
loads of information out. 

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "nteeman" <nteeman@p...> wrote:
> 
> Greetings NT,
> Boy, I can still remember being 51 (I'm 52). Those were the good 
old 
> days. I have a four-year-old. What do you have?

5yo girl, and 3yo boy who claims he is John Bonham when he sits 
behind his toy drum kit(or when he sits behind mine).



> 
> E-drums are a godsend. But even though they make considerably less 
> noise than an acoustic set, they are not totally silent, especially 
> the kick pedals. If you're playing late night in a basement with 
> plenty of natural sound proofing, you'll be in good shape. If 
you're 
> sharing the second floor with your kids and/or wife trying to 
sleep, 
> you may have to work on scheduling a little. The kick pedal can 
also 
> be heard through floor boards; people below you will hear the thump 
> unless you take DIY steps to insulate. Some people are more 
tolerant 
> about this kind of stray noise than others; my wife, who is subject 
> to migraines at the drop of a pin, is at the far end of the scale 
(I 
> have mesh head pads with acrylic or metal cymbals). But, as 
everyone 
> says, e-drums are the only answer to a situation like yours.

I hope to use them in my attic, which is finished and where I have MY 
stuff(computer, drums, rowing machine, etc.) but if is a problem I 
can put them in the basement.



>  
> > After pricing mesh head sets I knew that they were just out of my 
> This may be true, but I'll bet your mesh pricing was based on 
Roland 
> components, which are much more expensive than they have to be--
> primarily because Roland owns the popular market (and perception). 
> But Roland is not alone. The Pintech mesh pads are a good $100 less 
> expensive than the comparable Rolands; they are worth a look if 
price 
> is the only obstacle. The inestimatble Brian LaRue, who runs 
Pintech, 
> is a valued member of this group and higly accessible (if he's not 
> busy with his job--LOL). Check out the Pintech site and Stephen 
> Brown's review of some of Pintech's latest offerings in our 
> archives.  


I did price Hart and Pinetech stuff but I do think for now I would be 
better off with the DTXPress. But I could see possibly upgrading to a 
mesh SD and/or BD at some time. I was not able to try any Pintech or 
Hart set ups though I did hear that the Hart Podigy was a 'toy' and I 
would be better of with V-Club or DTXPress.

> 
> 
> Frankly, the DTXpress is a better buy than the Roland V-Club. It's 
> not an accident that the Yamaha is on back order all over the 
place. 
> It has a little more of everything at a little less cost. And 
> Yamaha's electronic customer service, not to mention its 
management, 
> is a lot more accessible than Roland's. We've established a 
> comfortable relationship with them, and we hope to see it continue 
to 
> grow.

That was the impression I got. The shop I was in was in the Roland 
camp but did not hesitate to say that they can not keep the Yammy's 
in stock and that the DTXPress III would be worth waiting for.



> Considering the wait for the II, the III seems like the way to go. 
It 
> has features that many people have been waiting for in a Yamaha e-
kit 
> (see the thread in our archives). Assuming that the III will be 
ready 
> to go after Winter NAMM in January and that Yamaha already has cut 
> back supplies of the II in anticipation, you don't seem to have 
much 
> to lose. But waiting bites, anyway. Maybe you can get some 
vicarious 
> pleasure in the meantime joining us in various discussions and 
> picking our brains (and I use the term loosely). I'm sure I've left 
> loads of information out. 
> 
> Ed


Thanks.

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

You won't be unhappy with the DTXpress kit. I always warn new users 
to eat, sleep, and give extra attention to their loved ones whie they 
can because they will be otherwise occupied for a while when their 
kits arrive. It is a gas.

By the way, you too can be an obnoxious father like me. Check out the 
pictures of my daughter playing e-drums in the new drum kits folder 
in our Photo section. Mine are located under "Liberatafilia." Kids 
and e-drums make fools of us all.

Later,
Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, Arletta Crudup <aczelig@y...> wrote:
> HI, I have been a member for about a year, I finally bought a 
DTXexpressII and am excited that I will be able to chat about my drum 
set. I had major concerns about switching from an acoustic set to an 
electronic. I was on the verge of purchasing a Roland V drum with a 
Pintech brain but decided to go with the DTX for my first set and see 
how I like it. 

Glad you decided to join us. I assume that you meant Pintech pads 
with a Roland brain, since the other way round isn't available (yet). 
Did you join us a year or so before you bought the kit? If so, you 
must have had a leg up on it when it finally arrived, though once 
everything is staring you in the face, it becomes a whole new game. I 
hope you'll post about your immediate impressions of playing a gum-
rubber electronic kit coming from acoustics. To tell you the truth, I 
don't remember the transition all that much. I don't think that the 
switch was too difficult, and now I don't play anything but 
electronics. What bothered me the most in the beginning was the hi 
hat situation. I've run through a lot of equipment since the early 
days, and have reached a certain level of (sliding) satisfaction, but 
the hi hat quest took the longest for any kind of closure. 

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, rdamon@m... wrote:
> Ed,
> 
> Perhaps we need a special section in the photo albums for "Musical 
Kids",
> where proud parents can show off their prodigy's.
> 
> 
> OGD

Sounds good, as long as it's not their Hart Prodigies.

Ed,

Perhaps we need a special section in the photo albums for "Musical Kids",
where proud parents can show off their prodigy's.


OGD

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	liberatusvirus [SMTP:liberatusvirus@...]
> Sent:	Thursday, November 13, 2003 11:18 AM
> To:	DTXpress@yahoogroups.com
> Subject:	[DTXpress] Re: Greetings
> 
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "nteeman" <nteeman@p...> wrote:
> > --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
> > <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> 
> You won't be unhappy with the DTXpress kit. I always warn new users 
> to eat, sleep, and give extra attention to their loved ones whie they 
> can because they will be otherwise occupied for a while when their 
> kits arrive. It is a gas.
> 
> By the way, you too can be an obnoxious father like me. Check out the 
> pictures of my daughter playing e-drums in the new drum kits folder 
> in our Photo section. Mine are located under "Liberatafilia." Kids 
> and e-drums make fools of us all.
> 
> Later,
> Ed
> 
> 
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