Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hello,

My experience with edrums is non-existent.  I am looking for a module 
that reproduces natural acoustic sounds well.  The DM5, DTXPU, and 
the TD5 are all in about the price range for me.  Has anyone had 
working experience with any combination of these to give an opinion 
on quality of sounds and capabilities?  Thank you for your time.

Todd

TD 7 is an old hand, reliable and sturdy, but seriously outdated compared to
modern competition.  The sounds are good, but the additions over the old TD
5 are mostly of the bizare nature.  The cheaper TD-5 is a much better buy
than the TD-7 (IMHO)

Alesis DM5 - good brain, nice attempt at natural variation reproduction, the
box changes the sound each time you hit a pad, not a lot, but just a
fraction to try to simulate variations from acoustic kits.  Short on
inputs - 12, all of which are mono and you'll probably lose one to a hi hat
controller leaving 11 for bass, tom1, tom2, tom3, hi-hat, crash1(single),
crash2(single), ride, ride bell, snare & snare rim. The limitation of this
is if you later want to add a dual zone pad, like a chokeable cymbal or
second snare with rim trigger, then you have to lose one of the other pads.
Alesis are known for producing top rate modules with great built in sounds,
the DM Pro is a much more accomplished machine though, because of its 16
inputs and the addition of  a type II PC card slot which allows for new
sounds to be loaded up easily.

Yamaha DTXpress (DTXPU?) good range of sounds, but some terrible samples and
loops which just waste space.  Each voice can be dual layered to add depth
and realism.  Again too few inputs for some, only 9! but the first 8 are all
stereo and the last one is actually a shared 9/10 socket which can easily be
split into two inputs using a Y-cable.  Unlike the Alesis, there is a
separate Hi hat control input and the stereo inputs let you trigger a stereo
pad as snare and rim through one socket, so you could argue that the basic
set up gives the same number of pads as the Alesis, the advantage is all the
stereo sockets, because you can upgrade to stereo cymbal pads to give you a
chokeable crash or separate ride and bell all on one pad and in one socket.
The biggest let down of the DTXpress is the poor operating system.  It is
user friendly and does everything you really need easily, but when you try
to get a little technical with it, the system becomes very complex and
awkward.

All in all I looked at these three brains when I was buying and I settled
for the Yamaha DTXpress.  I have however always regretted not going for a
DMPro or Roland TD-10.  But the grass is always greener, as they say.

-----Original Message-----
From: frosted_funks@... <frosted_funks@...>
To: DTXpress@yahoogroups.com <DTXpress@yahoogroups.com>
Date: 23 February 2001 15:37

Subject: [DTXpress] Compare Alesis DM5, Yamaha DTXPU and Roland TD7


>Hello,
>
>My experience with edrums is non-existent.  I am looking for a module
>that reproduces natural acoustic sounds well.  The DM5, DTXPU, and
>the TD5 are all in about the price range for me.  Has anyone had
>working experience with any combination of these to give an opinion
>on quality of sounds and capabilities?  Thank you for your time.
>
>Todd
>
>
>
>
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>
>

Todd,
Here's what I have owned and my opinions:

Alesis D4 $200:  My first module!  Some nice acoustic drums sounds 
but somewhat dry and lacking on features.  No variable hi-hat and 
downright crappy cymbals.  No line-in for playing along with CD's.  
Easy to find used though.

Alesis DM5 $350:  Cleaner sounds than the D4 and better triggering 
but the sounds are VERY dry and require an external EQ like the 
Nanoverb to be bearable.  Still no variable hi-hat or cymbal choking 
capability.

Yamaha DTX2U $380:  Great module for the price (always on eBay).  
Loaded with features:  Variable hi-hat, Cymbal choking, stereo 
inputs, sequencer, Line-in, layering, EQ etc...  I really liked this 
module - it has everything.  If you're using Yamaha pads it's almost 
a no-brainer.

Roland TD8 $685:  I finally had to break the bank when I started 
using mesh heads.  The other modules I've listed took forever to get 
working right with mesh heads and even the DTX2 never really did a 
great job.  The TD8 has more features than I can list and the 
sensitivity when used with mesh heads is amazing.  Nearly as good as 
the TD10ex at half the price.

For the most bang for the buck I'd vote for the DTX2U, but I always 
regret not getting the TD8 from the start.  Keep in mind that these 
are only my opinions and your decision should be based on which 
module suits your needs and ears. Sorry to be so long-winded, hope it 
helps,
Mike