Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi all,

It seems I need a second module (until the magic box been invented), I think 
DDrum 4SE is perfect, but it takes only 10 inputs, which is not sufficient 
for me. Could you advice ?


Thanks.

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--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Abdulmalek Hamsho" <aa_mm_hh@h...> 
wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> It seems I need a second module (until the magic box been 
invented), I think 
> DDrum 4SE is perfect, but it takes only 10 inputs, which is not 
sufficient 
> for me. Could you advice ?

Hi,

I own a ddrum4 module and love it, despite its age-related 
disabilities. If you tell me why you think it might be perfect for 
you, I'd be happy to give you my opinion. 

Ed

Ddrum is perfect because:

1- I have DDrum triggers on my mesh heads.
2- I had a look at its features, it's just you can do everything you want 
with each dum sound.
3- It has a built in memory, so I can add my favorites-drummers kits.
4- In all of the reviews I've seen, whenever the DDrum module was mentioned, 
people said that there's no competitor for this product.

But two problems which made me not to go for it:

1- Only ten stereo inputs (not Dual).
2- Poor LCD display.
3- It's not worth it's price yet.

Am I correct?

But what about Roland TD-10 (would it work perfectly with DDrum triggers and 
DTXPress II pads)? How can I buy a DTXPress II module(module only)?

Thanks.

>From: "emf" <liberatusvirus@...>
>Reply-To: DTXpress@yahoogroups.com
>To: DTXpress@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [DTXpress] Re: Second Module.
>Date: Mon, 05 Apr 2004 22:21:15 -0000
>
>--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Abdulmalek Hamsho" <aa_mm_hh@h...>
>wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > It seems I need a second module (until the magic box been
>invented), I think
> > DDrum 4SE is perfect, but it takes only 10 inputs, which is not
>sufficient
> > for me. Could you advice ?
>
>Hi,
>
>I own a ddrum4 module and love it, despite its age-related
>disabilities. If you tell me why you think it might be perfect for
>you, I'd be happy to give you my opinion.
>
>Ed
>

_________________________________________________________________
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--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Abdulmalek Hamsho" <aa_mm_hh@h...> 
wrote:
> Ddrum is perfect because:
> 
> 1- I have DDrum triggers on my mesh heads.

That's one good reason.

> 2- I had a look at its features, it's just you can do everything 
you want 
> with each dum sound.

Actually, you can't do much with each individual sound beyond pitch 
and volume, because the point is that each sound is self-contained by 
virtue of its multisampling. You don't tweak voices as you do on 
Yamaha and Roland equipment. Many of the samples have their own 
reverb/delay, but the dry sounds require outboard effects.

> 3- It has a built in memory, so I can add my favorites-drummers 
kits.

The memory is severely limited. When you have the factory sounds 
loaded, the number of kits--factory-set and programmable--is pretty 
large, though many of the defaults aren't particularly useful. But 
the mega samples, which are far superior, take up so much room that 
one or two kits are all that can fit. Plus, the inputs are not 
expandable. You cannot add a trigger to MIDI interface because of the 
ten-note MIDI brickwall. A lot of people would also like to see a 
memory setting for sensitivity. Clavia's analog knob is definitely 
the right idea, but you can't store different sensitivities for 
different pads, kits, or uses on each input.

> 4- In all of the reviews I've seen, whenever the DDrum module was 
mentioned, 
> people said that there's no competitor for this product.

I certainly won't argue that point. What it does--that is, provide 
realistic drum and percussion sounds in a simple interface--it does 
better than any other drum module. But the small kit size, limited 
memory, eccentric MIDI functionality, and awkward (though effective) 
cymbals are not points in its favor. The design is ten years old. 
Clavia's compression on the samples is good, but it is prone to 
audible distortion. As far as sheer computing power goes, the ddrum 
module is way out of date. The community of ddrum users has been 
awaiting ddrum5 for years now, and rumors have had it coming as early 
as yesterday and as late as a few years from now.

> But two problems which made me not to go for it:
> 
> 1- Only ten stereo inputs (not Dual).

Its multisampling design for each voice eliminates the need for 
stereo or dual inputs. The snare, however, is a dual input for rim 
and head.

> 2- Poor LCD display.

It never bothered me, because there's not much to see, but it could 
be bigger. 

> 3- It's not worth it's price yet.

If it isn't by now, it never will be. Clavia is a small, dedicated 
company. You are unlikely ever to see a budget ddrum module, or one 
that doesn't exude quality. It's worth its price.
 
> But what about Roland TD-10 (would it work perfectly with DDrum 
triggers and 
> DTXPress II pads)? How can I buy a DTXPress II module(module only)?

The Roland probably would work with the Yamaha pads, but to me it 
seems like overkill in that setting, even though the price has 
dropped because of the TD-20. The ddrum triggers don't work with 
everything because of how the XLR pins are set (the redshots, 
however, don't have XLRs); I certainly wouldn't buy the Roland to use 
with them unless you know for sure. If you're looking for a second 
module to complement your other Yamaha equipment, why not a DTXPUIII? 
If you can afford a ddrum or TD-10, you can certainly afford an 
Xpress module. If you want another II, Musicians Friend or ebay might 
be a source, but I'd ask Ed Morin at Drumbalaya.com. 

I'm by no means trying to dissuade you from the ddrum module. After 
all, I am a happy owner; as far as I'm concerned, nothing compares 
for sound. But you should know what you're getting. 

Ed

Thanks a lot man, you're the only one (either in group or my friends) who 
gave me a complete picture and adviced me well.


>From: "emf" <liberatusvirus@...>
>Reply-To: DTXpress@yahoogroups.com
>To: DTXpress@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [DTXpress] Re: Second Module.
>Date: Tue, 06 Apr 2004 12:38:09 -0000
>
>--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Abdulmalek Hamsho" <aa_mm_hh@h...>
>wrote:
> > Ddrum is perfect because:
> >
> > 1- I have DDrum triggers on my mesh heads.
>
>That's one good reason.
>
> > 2- I had a look at its features, it's just you can do everything
>you want
> > with each dum sound.
>
>Actually, you can't do much with each individual sound beyond pitch
>and volume, because the point is that each sound is self-contained by
>virtue of its multisampling. You don't tweak voices as you do on
>Yamaha and Roland equipment. Many of the samples have their own
>reverb/delay, but the dry sounds require outboard effects.
>
> > 3- It has a built in memory, so I can add my favorites-drummers
>kits.
>
>The memory is severely limited. When you have the factory sounds
>loaded, the number of kits--factory-set and programmable--is pretty
>large, though many of the defaults aren't particularly useful. But
>the mega samples, which are far superior, take up so much room that
>one or two kits are all that can fit. Plus, the inputs are not
>expandable. You cannot add a trigger to MIDI interface because of the
>ten-note MIDI brickwall. A lot of people would also like to see a
>memory setting for sensitivity. Clavia's analog knob is definitely
>the right idea, but you can't store different sensitivities for
>different pads, kits, or uses on each input.
>
> > 4- In all of the reviews I've seen, whenever the DDrum module was
>mentioned,
> > people said that there's no competitor for this product.
>
>I certainly won't argue that point. What it does--that is, provide
>realistic drum and percussion sounds in a simple interface--it does
>better than any other drum module. But the small kit size, limited
>memory, eccentric MIDI functionality, and awkward (though effective)
>cymbals are not points in its favor. The design is ten years old.
>Clavia's compression on the samples is good, but it is prone to
>audible distortion. As far as sheer computing power goes, the ddrum
>module is way out of date. The community of ddrum users has been
>awaiting ddrum5 for years now, and rumors have had it coming as early
>as yesterday and as late as a few years from now.
>
> > But two problems which made me not to go for it:
> >
> > 1- Only ten stereo inputs (not Dual).
>
>Its multisampling design for each voice eliminates the need for
>stereo or dual inputs. The snare, however, is a dual input for rim
>and head.
>
> > 2- Poor LCD display.
>
>It never bothered me, because there's not much to see, but it could
>be bigger.
>
> > 3- It's not worth it's price yet.
>
>If it isn't by now, it never will be. Clavia is a small, dedicated
>company. You are unlikely ever to see a budget ddrum module, or one
>that doesn't exude quality. It's worth its price.
>
> > But what about Roland TD-10 (would it work perfectly with DDrum
>triggers and
> > DTXPress II pads)? How can I buy a DTXPress II module(module only)?
>
>The Roland probably would work with the Yamaha pads, but to me it
>seems like overkill in that setting, even though the price has
>dropped because of the TD-20. The ddrum triggers don't work with
>everything because of how the XLR pins are set (the redshots,
>however, don't have XLRs); I certainly wouldn't buy the Roland to use
>with them unless you know for sure. If you're looking for a second
>module to complement your other Yamaha equipment, why not a DTXPUIII?
>If you can afford a ddrum or TD-10, you can certainly afford an
>Xpress module. If you want another II, Musicians Friend or ebay might
>be a source, but I'd ask Ed Morin at Drumbalaya.com.
>
>I'm by no means trying to dissuade you from the ddrum module. After
>all, I am a happy owner; as far as I'm concerned, nothing compares
>for sound. But you should know what you're getting.
>
>Ed
>

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The DTXpress and DTXtreme modules are available at drumbalaya. The 
xpress is arounmd $500 and the Xtreme is around $1000, unless I'm 
mistaken.

> I own a ddrum4 module and love it, despite its age-related 
> disabilities. 


hello ed hope you are well.

just have some quick questions regarding the ddrum4 brain. how long 
does it take to upload a mega kit to the brain? and how many mega 
kits can it hold at any one time? heard any news of a ddrum5??

cheers
PT

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "peterpan" <malakies2000@y...> wrote:
> 
> > I own a ddrum4 module and love it, despite its age-related 
> > disabilities. 
> 
> 
> hello ed hope you are well.
> 
> just have some quick questions regarding the ddrum4 brain. how long 
> does it take to upload a mega kit to the brain? and how many mega 
> kits can it hold at any one time? heard any news of a ddrum5??

Hi Pete,

Thank you, and you too. It doesn't take long to upload a megakit. If 
memory serves, I don't think you can expect to get more than 3, maybe 
only 2, megakits at a time. But if your PC is nearby, you can swap to 
your heart's content. Unofficial news of the ddrum5 is constant. 
Innumerable reliable sources spring up almost daily to say that it is 
coming anytime from yesterday to a year or more from now. There is 
certainly enough evidence that the ddrum5 is in some state of 
production, but Clavia is a small company with only limited resources 
for R&D and a far greater commitment to its keyboard dept. than its 
drum dept. Whether the company remains mute on the subject officially 
because it has too much ddrum4 yet to sell, doesn't want to tip its 
hand to the competition, or simply doesn't consider its e-drum 
technology a priority remains something of a mystery. I suspect that 
some combination of all these reasons is at work. But if you can live 
with its slightly outdated engine, the ddrum4 module can be very 
rewarding. Ask Stewart, who got to whack mine around for only a 
moment or two last month and came away a believer.

Ed