Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi all:

I've personally never played an acoustic drumset where the heads 
felt like the mesh heads or rubber pads available on any e-drum. Of 
the different pads I've tried, I prefer the feel of the pads on the 
DTXtreme IIS. 

I don't view electronic keyboards as piano substitutes, neither do I 
view e-drums as an acoustic drumset substitute. E-drums are actually 
synthesizers set-up to be played like drums instead of a piano. An 
electronic keyboard, with its light keys, can't be played with the 
same technique one would use on a piano. Similarly, an e-drum can't 
be played like an acoustic kit. The touch must be lighter...the pad 
is merely a trigger and does not need to be played with the same 
force as an acoustic set. They are very much two separate playing 
techniques. You can just tap it...the sound will be there. I think 
then it is a matter of preference.

I find the mesh heads a bit too unrealistic. They are very 
forgiving, and I'm afraid cause drummers to develop lazy hands. I 
personally think the rubber pads are a good compromise. They are 
quiet, respond well, and if played with the right touch, are gentle 
on the joints.

As far as sounds go, again I must say that these kits, whether 
Roland or Yamaha, are not drum set substitutes. They are 
synthesizers. I've been very happy with the kits I've been able to 
design on my Yamaha DTX III and the DTXreme IIS. There really is no 
limit to the sounds one can create on these kits. I chose the 
DTXreme over the Roland because of the feel, sounds, price, sampler, 
expandability, and the support I get from Yamaha representatives.

Just my two cents worth.

Best Regards all,
John Anthony Martinez
www.johnanthonymartinez.com


--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "emf" <liberatusvirus@...> wrote:
>
> Nick,
> 
> It depends on your definition of "work."  Traditionally, Yamaha 
pads 
> have mated better with Yamaha electronics, and likewise on the 
Roland 
> side. Roland, however, usually accommodates Yamaha gum rubber 
better 
> that Yamaha does mesh heads, especially in the area of dynamic 
range.  
> If you're seriously considering a Roland brain, take one of your 
> Yamaha rubber pads to a Guitar Center or similar Roland outlet and 
> connect it with the TD-6V module to make your own assessment.
> 
> So far as mesh heads are concerned, superiority to rubber is not a 
> given.  The accuracy and feel of a mesh-head drum depends entirely 
on 
> which head is on it. The Roland heads always tended to be too 
springy 
> for many peoples' taste.  Hart's two-plies had far more champions 
> until Roland forced them from the market. Hart's single-ply 
> replacement might be worth a try if the Rolands don't do the 
trick. 
> Also, if you're not familiar with the pads in Yamaha's DTXtreme 
kit, 
> you should do yourself a favor a try them out before investing in 
a 
> mesh kit or snare. I personally have favored mesh for many years, 
but 
> the Xtreme pads are nothing like those that in the Xpress kits; 
they 
> have both give and feel. They are easily as playable and gentle on 
the 
> joints as Roland's stock meshes (as well as being quieter)
> 
> It's always entertaining to read a new installment in the "Roland 
> beats Yamaha hands-down" series. It's as old as this board. 
Usually, 
> it gets a firm reply from Yamaha people, but maybe those days are 
> gone. But the issue of which sounds are better is hugely 
subjective. 
> No one testimony should rule the day simply because it exists. I 
> happen to like the TD-6 sounds and module better than the higher 
end 
> Rolands, because of the way the samples are constructed. But I 
would 
> hardly suggest that everybody will find the Roland better than the 
> Yamaha in every, way, shape, or form. For instance, Yamaha has 
always 
> won the "bang for buck" award, and has alway been more accessible 
for 
> customer support.
> 
> How about it, all of you who have some experience with both Roland 
and 
> Yamaha products? How do you respond to Chris' challenge?
> 
> Ed
> 
> 
> 
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Chris . B." <mmhs@> wrote:
> >
> > Yeah, replacing the snare with the Roland meash head 
woulcertainly 
> > make a difference with your drumming, just as long as they
> > are compatible with each other. This I'm not sure about Nick.
> > Cheers,
> >          Chris.
>