Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

"Mark Owen" <mtowen@h...>  wrote:

> It appears that it would work, as long as it 
> really supports the DTXpress "adaptation"...
> or someone was willing to do the *real* programming. 

The DTXpress is probably simple enough (in SysEx terms) to be able to 
do an adaption for it. In fact, someone on the SoundDiver list asked 
that very question a day or two ago. From looking I couldn't find a 
PDF version of the DTX manual, but it may be worth forwarding the 
relevant sysex documentation to Michael Haydn (the main author of SD)
anyway.

> What system are you on? 

PC, Mac and Atari :)
(My Atari is most used for music...)

> Are sysex files still the 
> preferred media?

SoundDiver loads and saves in it's own "library" format, so you can 
save data from multiple devices in one library and sort them etc, but 
it can freely import and export both raw sysex files and midifiles 
containing sysex data. This makes it pretty flexible in handling 
sysex files from the net.

> when you say *edit* the kits, do you mean one is 
> able to expand upon the voices available in the 
> DTXpress or DTX 2 module? Or are you simply editing 
> on the computer instead of toggling pages and menus 
> on the panel of your module ? 

Editing from the computer. You can copy and paste individual items, 
like reordering and compiling custom banks of kits and other data, 
and you can (for example) get at the parameters of a kit and tweak 
them onscreen, which is *much* easier than doing it on the module 
(especially ones with typically Yamaha interfaces). You can't load 
new actual samples into either DTX kits, but you can edit the actual 
voice parameters (pitch, decay etc) if the relevant sound module 
supports it.

> How much is SoundDiver ?

Can't remember offhand, I was originally given a copy by Emagic (who 
are realy cool guys, BTW). I think it's between 150 and 200 pounds or 
dollars, whichever's your native currency...

This may make it expensive if you only plan on using it with one 
device, but if you have a range of MIDI devices in your rig it starts 
to become quite cost effective...

> I've been seeking a Mac solution...haven't gotten 
> very far. Too busy playing (when time allows) to 
> try and tax my brain. Emagic appears to be very 
> crossplatform, even Atari!

They don't really support the Atari anymore, but their core products, 
Logic and SoundDiver are virtually identical on both the Mac and PC.

It may be worth hanging around on the SoundDiver list - the main 
author and a number of other module programmers and Emagic staff are 
there. Michael's support and accessibility is fantastic and a rare 
thing - and a bit of interest in getting DTXpress support will 
probably be worth it...

(Sorry for the semi-offtopic long posts...)
All the best,

Ben Hall
www.benhall.co.uk
Akai DPS12 FAQ, Wavestation Info & Sounds