Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi, I'm a newby here with a brain upgrade question. I currently have 
a DTXII and am thinking about upgrading the brain to a DTXIII. 
Anybody know who sells just the brains? Would the DTXIII be 
compatible with the trigger pads that came with the DTXII kit (TP65, 
PCY65, etc)? And last but most important would the sounds be 
significantly better? I understand the cymbals are supposed to be 
improved. I'm also hoping there are some improvements to the tom 
sounds. I don't seem to be getting a good sharp stick-impact 
punchiness out of the DTXII presets. Any chance that's been improved 
in the DTXIII? Any advice here would be appreciated.

--- bbdude22004 wrote:
> I currently have a DTXII and am thinking about upgrading
> the brain to a DTXIII.

> Anybody know who sells just the brains?

Drumbalaya.

> Would the DTXIII be compatible with the trigger pads
> that came with the DTXII kit...

They are the same pads.

> And last but most important would the sounds be 
> significantly better?

I have not heard it, but I frankly doubt the improvement would 
warrant the cost of the upgrade. You need to listen to it yourself to 
make that judgement.

> I don't seem to be getting a good sharp stick-impact 
> punchiness out of the DTXII presets.

Have you programmed any kits of your own? If not, you should 
investigate layering to give you what you need. The toms are the part 
of the DTXPU2 with which I'm happiest (measured in terms of how often 
I tweak them). My "standard" tom sounds are MapleXX for warmth 
layered with Room1XX for attack. Most of my kits just change the 
proportion of these.

Stewart

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "moosetication" <moosetication@y...> 
wrote:
> --- bbdude22004 wrote:
> > I currently have a DTXII and am thinking about upgrading
> > the brain to a DTXIII.
> 
> > Anybody know who sells just the brains?
> 
> Drumbalaya.
> 
> > Would the DTXIII be compatible with the trigger pads
> > that came with the DTXII kit...
> 
> They are the same pads.
> 
> > And last but most important would the sounds be 
> > significantly better?
> 
> I have not heard it, but I frankly doubt the improvement would 
> warrant the cost of the upgrade. You need to listen to it yourself 
to 
> make that judgement.
> 
> > I don't seem to be getting a good sharp stick-impact 
> > punchiness out of the DTXII presets.
> 
> Have you programmed any kits of your own? If not, you should 
> investigate layering to give you what you need. The toms are the 
part 
> of the DTXPU2 with which I'm happiest (measured in terms of how 
often 
> I tweak them). My "standard" tom sounds are MapleXX for warmth 
> layered with Room1XX for attack. Most of my kits just change the 
> proportion of these.
> 
> Stewart

Hey thanks Stewart,
Guess I need to learn more about how to do layering. DO you have a 
favorite recipe for toms; ie which MapleXX and Room1XX sounds & how 
much of each. I'm looking for something that really cuts through the 
mix well with sort of a hardwood tone to it.