Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "jonddf" <jonddf@a...> wrote:
> Anyone seen a proper review of the DTX3 (standard) yet? Also, pound 
> for pound (or dollar for dollar) in your experience, which IS the 
> best kit? Yamaha DTX or Roland TD8KV?

Jon,

On a level playing field (discounting price and subjective reaction 
to particular sounds), the TD8K without question has more to offer 
than either of the new DTXpressIII kits, though I'd definitely prefer 
the DTXtremeIIS, which is more in its league. I won't bother listing 
the Roland's advantages over the Xpress or the DTXTIIS' over the 
Roland. But when you bring the dollar for dollar criterion into it, 
the Roland starts to get shaky. For anyone willing to sacrifice the 
TD-8's positional sensing and mesh pads, the DTXpressIIISP is a 
better value; so is the XtremeIIS (I don't know anything about its 
positional capabilities). Personally, I always pause before shelling 
out for any Roland equipment. It's too expensive in general, and good 
alternatives always exist. 

As far as a proper review of the DTXPIII is concerned, nothing seems 
to have emerged so far, but Brian LaRue of Pintech volunteered to me 
that the new sounds were impressive. He heard them behind the scenes 
at Music Live. If he sees this message, maybe he'll have something to 
add. 

Ed