Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, Brian LaRue <technodrumguy@y...> 
wrote:

> Join the PINTECH/VISULITE Group..............But only
> if you promise not to SPAM us..........

By all means, join the Pintech/Visu-lite Electronic Percussion Group 
at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/pintech_visulite/. For one 
thing, Pintech mesh pads, cymbals, et al. are THE logical upgrade 
path for many people who own Yamaha DTX modules. For another, you'll 
have direct access to industry developments and inside tips, because 
Mr. LaRue, aka techodrumguy, is a moderator there, and you can pick 
his brain (or what's left of it) mercilessly for information. He's 
even threatening to hold a chat. Brian's got some Yamaha-compatible 
bell/bow/edge cymbals up his sleeve in the Zenbal line (and maybe 
shortly in the PC line), not to mention the exquisite Visu-lite 
cymbals that I've raved about for a long time. I wouldn't be 
surprised if he weren't too reluctant to discuss them. How far behind 
can the Pintech/Visu-lite Bar & Grill be?

On Thu June 17 2004 8:02 am, emf wrote:
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, Brian LaRue <technodrumguy@y...>

Is it true that the PinTech equipment is compatible with the DTXpress II 
module?  I don't see that on the web site.

-- 
Stephanie AKA Deaf Drummer

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, Stephanie Ellison <deafdrummer@a...> 
wrote:
> On Thu June 17 2004 8:02 am, emf wrote:
> > --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, Brian LaRue <technodrumguy@y...>
> 
> Is it true that the PinTech equipment is compatible with the 
DTXpress II 
> module?  I don't see that on the web site.

Hi Steph,

Two things may be at work here: Yamaha has always been a world apart 
in the e-drum world, in that most independents have manufactured 
mainly with Roland compatibility in mind because of Roland's market 
dominance (though some have allied with Alesis because of its 
relative independence as well). Pintech has a natural relationship 
with Roland because of its license from Roland to do center-mounted 
mesh pads. Roland and Yamaha aren't exactly best buds, especially 
since Roland has thwarted Yamaha's attempt to get into the silent-
head business. But being barred from manufacturing its own version of 
woven heads means that Yamaha is also at least one step removed from 
people who use them. I think that Yamaha and Pintech have established 
contact, largely to keep Yamaha in that game without explicitly 
bowing and scraping to (or paying) Roland for the privilege of 
selling center-mounted mesh heads. I recall something of a module-
distribution deal between Yamaha and Pintech in the works, ostensibly 
to give mesh users the idea that Yamaha modules are not out of the 
question for them.  As you note, however, Yamaha is not represented 
on Pintech's module page, though ddrum is, and ddrum is in a similar 
position to Yamaha regarding Roland patents (I've learned that the 
patent situation is more complicated than I originally thought). My 
guess is that if Yamaha is missing from Pintech's site, Pintech's 
deal with Roland is the reason. This might be a tricky subject for 
Brian to discuss in public, but the matter of compatibility is not. 
We've discussed its ins and outs and whys and wherefores on this 
board many times. Yamaha's modules are traditionally the toughest 
match for other companies' pads, but the situation is getting better, 
and Brian has become more and more sensitive to it. We should address 
this issue directly.