Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

Thread

DTXplorer upgrade queries

2009-09-28 by Jagdeesh Subramanian

Hi group,

I have a DTXplorer kit bought a little more than 3 yrs back. I misplaced my module during my move last year so picked up a DTXpress III module coz that was the only one available then, cheap and quick on eBay. Now I am trying to look for deals on expanding the kit, starting with replacing the existing snare pad (TP65) with triple zone pads (TP65S). Similarly I want to go for a dual zone cymbal pad (PCY65S) either replacing the existing PCY65 or add as a third cymbal.
Ofcourse that would mean buying the hardware (cymbal mounting rod and clamp) which is pretty expensive.

Everything on the DTXplorer stock kit is single zone currently. So here are my queries:

Will I require extra cables firstly to have the 3-zone snare and 2-zone cymbal working?

Will I have enough inputs to do a 3-zone snare, hi-hat, 3 toms, kick drum, 2 single-zone cymbals and 1 dual-zone cymbal?

I have the pie-shaped TP65 cymbals that come with DTXplorer. How are the PCY130's 150's better apart from looking like the real cymbals. They are way too expensive right now for me to afford but my alternate thought process was to maybe use the Zildjan cymbals from my acoustic kit instead of putting in $300+ for those pads. I have had qualms about how "electronic" the cymbals sound on the electric kit. Maybe its me but I felt my Xplorer cymbal samples sounded better. Any views on the how to get more than 1 zone and the ability to choke cymbals and not put a big dent on the wallet ;)

Also how do pads from other companies like Alesis, Pintech etc fit onto Yamaha kits. I presume mounting them would be tough, then the trigger sensitivity maybe an issue. Comments welcome.

Jags

Re: DTXplorer upgrade queries

2009-09-28 by keith1200rs

Jags,

>>Will I require extra cables firstly to have the 3-zone snare and 2-zone cymbal working?

Pads with more than one zone will require stereo cables.  I don't know what came with the DTXplorer, so you will need to check.

>>Will I have enough inputs to do a 3-zone snare, hi-hat, 3 toms, kick drum, 2 single-zone cymbals and 1 dual-zone cymbal?

Yes.  That is 9 pads - the DTXpress can do 10.  

>>How are the PCY130's 150's better apart from looking like the real cymbals

Looks and "behaviour" I think.  They can "swing" a bit like a real cymbal.  Also, you cannot get a 3 zone pie shaped cymbal.

>>Maybe its me but I felt my Xplorer cymbal samples sounded better

It is possible, I am not sure.  The DTXplorer has some sounds in common with the DTXpress IV which was an improvement on the DTXpress III.  

>>Also how do pads from other companies like Alesis, Pintech etc fit onto Yamaha kits

There can be issues of sensitivity.  You will have to play around with the trigger settings in the module.  A 100k pot can be helpful as well.  Also, a 2 zone pad from another company (other than Roland) is unlikely to use a single piezo and rim switch.  This would therefore require either two input to get the two zones or some DIY electronics.

If you want to save money, there is plenty of information around about making your own pads or converting acoustic kits/cymbals to electronic.  Try http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/DIY-edrums/ and http://www.toontrack.com/edrum_for_free.asp

Keith.

Re: [DTXpress] Re: DTXplorer upgrade queries

2009-09-28 by Ron Benefield

I have dtxplorer kit too. The cables that comes with the dtxplorer are
stereo so there is no need of worrying or going out to buy stereo
cables. Yes and the dtxplorer will support the 3 zone pad and 2 zone
pads you will have go into the dtxplorer and change the pad type. As
far as alesis and other pad manfactueres will have to see yamaha use
different triggering elements. Pintech pads works well with yamahas
modules. Best of luck with everything.

Show quoted textHide quoted text

On 9/28/09, keith1200rs <keith@...> wrote:
> Jags,
>
>>>Will I require extra cables firstly to have the 3-zone snare and 2-zone
>>> cymbal working?
>
> Pads with more than one zone will require stereo cables.  I don't know what
> came with the DTXplorer, so you will need to check.
>
>>>Will I have enough inputs to do a 3-zone snare, hi-hat, 3 toms, kick drum,
>>> 2 single-zone cymbals and 1 dual-zone cymbal?
>
> Yes.  That is 9 pads - the DTXpress can do 10.
>
>>>How are the PCY130's 150's better apart from looking like the real cymbals
>
> Looks and "behaviour" I think.  They can "swing" a bit like a real cymbal.
> Also, you cannot get a 3 zone pie shaped cymbal.
>
>>>Maybe its me but I felt my Xplorer cymbal samples sounded better
>
> It is possible, I am not sure.  The DTXplorer has some sounds in common with
> the DTXpress IV which was an improvement on the DTXpress III.
>
>>>Also how do pads from other companies like Alesis, Pintech etc fit onto
>>> Yamaha kits
>
> There can be issues of sensitivity.  You will have to play around with the
> trigger settings in the module.  A 100k pot can be helpful as well.  Also, a
> 2 zone pad from another company (other than Roland) is unlikely to use a
> single piezo and rim switch.  This would therefore require either two input
> to get the two zones or some DIY electronics.
>
> If you want to save money, there is plenty of information around about
> making your own pads or converting acoustic kits/cymbals to electronic.  Try
> http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/DIY-edrums/ and
> http://www.toontrack.com/edrum_for_free.asp
>
> Keith.
>
>
>

Re: DTXplorer upgrade queries

2009-09-30 by Jagdeesh Subramanian

Thanks Ron and Keith for the suggestions. Let me shop around to see what I can find.

Jags


--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "keith1200rs" <keith@...> wrote:

Show quoted textHide quoted text

>
> Jags,
> 
> >>Will I require extra cables firstly to have the 3-zone snare and 2-zone cymbal working?
> 
> Pads with more than one zone will require stereo cables.  I don't know what came with the DTXplorer, so you will need to check.
> 
> >>Will I have enough inputs to do a 3-zone snare, hi-hat, 3 toms, kick drum, 2 single-zone cymbals and 1 dual-zone cymbal?
> 
> Yes.  That is 9 pads - the DTXpress can do 10.  
> 
> >>How are the PCY130's 150's better apart from looking like the real cymbals
> 
> Looks and "behaviour" I think.  They can "swing" a bit like a real cymbal.  Also, you cannot get a 3 zone pie shaped cymbal.
> 
> >>Maybe its me but I felt my Xplorer cymbal samples sounded better
> 
> It is possible, I am not sure.  The DTXplorer has some sounds in common with the DTXpress IV which was an improvement on the DTXpress III.  
> 
> >>Also how do pads from other companies like Alesis, Pintech etc fit onto Yamaha kits
> 
> There can be issues of sensitivity.  You will have to play around with the trigger settings in the module.  A 100k pot can be helpful as well.  Also, a 2 zone pad from another company (other than Roland) is unlikely to use a single piezo and rim switch.  This would therefore require either two input to get the two zones or some DIY electronics.
> 
> If you want to save money, there is plenty of information around about making your own pads or converting acoustic kits/cymbals to electronic.  Try http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/DIY-edrums/ and http://www.toontrack.com/edrum_for_free.asp
> 
> Keith.
>

Re: [DTXpress] Re: DTXplorer upgrade queries

2009-09-30 by claude mall

Ron and keith? where are Mick and Charlie?
sorry....

cheers
MC

Jagdeesh Subramanian a \ufffdcrit :

Show quoted textHide quoted text

>  
>
> Thanks Ron and Keith for the suggestions. Let me shop around to see 
> what I can find.
>
> Jags
>
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com <mailto:DTXpress%40yahoogroups.com>, 
> "keith1200rs" <keith@...> wrote:
> >
> > Jags,
> >
> > >>Will I require extra cables firstly to have the 3-zone snare and 
> 2-zone cymbal working?
> >
> > Pads with more than one zone will require stereo cables. I don't 
> know what came with the DTXplorer, so you will need to check.
> >
> > >>Will I have enough inputs to do a 3-zone snare, hi-hat, 3 toms, 
> kick drum, 2 single-zone cymbals and 1 dual-zone cymbal?
> >
> > Yes. That is 9 pads - the DTXpress can do 10.
> >
> > >>How are the PCY130's 150's better apart from looking like the real 
> cymbals
> >
> > Looks and "behaviour" I think. They can "swing" a bit like a real 
> cymbal. Also, you cannot get a 3 zone pie shaped cymbal.
> >
> > >>Maybe its me but I felt my Xplorer cymbal samples sounded better
> >
> > It is possible, I am not sure. The DTXplorer has some sounds in 
> common with the DTXpress IV which was an improvement on the DTXpress III.
> >
> > >>Also how do pads from other companies like Alesis, Pintech etc fit 
> onto Yamaha kits
> >
> > There can be issues of sensitivity. You will have to play around 
> with the trigger settings in the module. A 100k pot can be helpful as 
> well. Also, a 2 zone pad from another company (other than Roland) is 
> unlikely to use a single piezo and rim switch. This would therefore 
> require either two input to get the two zones or some DIY electronics.
> >
> > If you want to save money, there is plenty of information around 
> about making your own pads or converting acoustic kits/cymbals to 
> electronic. Try http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/DIY-edrums/ 
> <http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/DIY-edrums/> and 
> http://www.toontrack.com/edrum_for_free.asp 
> <http://www.toontrack.com/edrum_for_free.asp>
> >
> > Keith.
> >
>
>

Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

DTXplorer upgrade queries

DTXplorer upgrade queries

Re: DTXplorer upgrade queries

Re: [DTXpress] Re: DTXplorer upgrade queries

Re: DTXplorer upgrade queries

Re: [DTXpress] Re: DTXplorer upgrade queries

Move to quarantaine