Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Regards Thomann, I've never had a problem with them.
I've purchased quite a bit from them in fact.
Thanks to them I've managed to get a DTXpress III module to sideline the mk
1 module I've been using.

I wanted to improve the cymbals sounds, and yes there are improvements, a
few new sounds here and there, but the improvements are marginal.
As I've never had the chance to play a mk II module, so I don't know if the
LCD screen shows trigger activity as bar graphs, quite handy.
I do know that the key / menu system changed on the mk II, and it's the same
(as far as I know) on the mk III.
It took a bit of getting used to having used the original module so long.
Some of the bad stuff remains from the original module, the play-along-tunes
are still cheesy, but there's
enough interesting new stuff to keep me occupied.
If I had the opportunity to try before I bought it, I have to say I probably
wouldn't have done so. Still, I don't regret getting the unit.

So if you can - Try before you buy.

I've also managed to buy a couple of Pintech's ZB1 zymbols, as many on the
list praise them.
Sadly I'm finding that there a little temperamental with both the DTX
modules.
Them seem to multi trigger, I've tried various gain levels, rejection
settings, and so forth, but I never get satisfactory results.
Thankfully they work well with my Roland Octapad II, so all is not lost.
When I ordered the module form Thomann, I asked if the new Yamaha cymbal
pads would be available from them, and I received a reply saying that they
would be soon time soon - so watch this space.

Going back to the Octapad a sec,
I've found that the Yamaha pads (TP-65s I think) are not quite as compatible
as I thought. They work , but have strange velocity sensitivity (no real
soft triggering).
Oddly, the old Yamaha cymbal wedges seem to work better.
I tried a little experiment - I made up a cable that reversed the wiring.
However the results where much the same.

To finish up:
One thing to note about the module, it came with a rounded 2 pinned power
supply for Europe (Euro Wall Wart), not a UK 3 square pinned supply. Anyone
in the UK will need to get a regulated 12V DC 700mA power supply (centre pin
is +ve).
Another important factor - if you have any problems, or heaven forbid, a
failure of any sort, Yamaha UK will not really be interested in helping, as
you've effectively purchased a 'grey import'.

> To finish up:
> One thing to note about the module, it came with a rounded 2 pinned
power
> supply for Europe (Euro Wall Wart), not a UK 3 square pinned supply.
Anyone
> in the UK will need to get a regulated 12V DC 700mA power supply
(centre pin
> is +ve).

I think the correct UK power supply for the DTXpress is the standard
Yamaha KPA3 power supply sold by everyone (eg Comet, Argos, music
shops etc) for Yamaha keyboards & DD55 so easy to get the correct
Yamaha one.

Keith.

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "S-E-A" <sonicenergyauthority@n...> 
wrote:
 
> I wanted to improve the cymbals sounds, and yes there are 
improvements, a
> few new sounds here and there, but the improvements are marginal.
> As I've never had the chance to play a mk II module, so I don't 
know if the
> LCD screen shows trigger activity as bar graphs, quite handy.
> I do know that the key / menu system changed on the mk II, and it's 
the same
> (as far as I know) on the mk III.
> It took a bit of getting used to having used the original module so 
long.
> Some of the bad stuff remains from the original module, the play-
along-tunes
> are still cheesy, but there's
> enough interesting new stuff to keep me occupied.
> If I had the opportunity to try before I bought it, I have to say I 
probably
> wouldn't have done so. Still, I don't regret getting the unit.

Thanks, SEA. Do you feel like describing a little more how the menu 
system changed? 
 
> I've also managed to buy a couple of Pintech's ZB1 zymbols, as many 
on the
> list praise them.
> Sadly I'm finding that there a little temperamental with both the 
DTX
> modules.
> Them seem to multi trigger, I've tried various gain levels, 
rejection
> settings, and so forth, but I never get satisfactory results.

We're going to have to address this Zenbal situation with the DTXP 
now that three people have been critical. When I did a head to head 
evaluation of the Roland CY-6, Pintech ZB2, and Yamaha PCY-80S 
through the DTXP a couple of years ago, the Zenbal made a favorable 
impression. It seems time to revisit it. Does anyone have successful 
trigger settings with the Pintech Zenbals that they'd be willing to 
share?

> Going back to the Octapad a sec,
> I've found that the Yamaha pads (TP-65s I think) are not quite as 
compatible
> as I thought. They work , but have strange velocity sensitivity (no 
real
> soft triggering).
> Oddly, the old Yamaha cymbal wedges seem to work better.

Even after adjusting the sensitivity knob at the bottom?