Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hey all,
   I'm totally new to the whole MIDI scene.. I was wondering if 
someone could suggest some recording equipment to supplement general 
insturments (guitar, bass) and my DTXpress.  If someone could lead me 
in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you!,
  Scott

I was still wondering about how to do rimshots.  If
someone could help me out, I am cluess.  My questions
is how, and do I need anything that didn't come with
my set?

=====
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Hello Mario,
You need a dual zone pad for this : if you've got a normal DTXpress, 
it is not included. You need to buy this special pad (TP80S with 
stereo cable). Price is around 130 to 150 US$. Plug into input 9/10.

Erick FP

--- In DTXpress@y..., MARIO MARIO <luigishoulddie@y...> wrote:

> I was still wondering about how to do rimshots.  If
> someone could help me out, I am cluess.  My questions
> is how, and do I need anything that didn't come with
> my set?
> 
> =====
> HIGHLY FLAMABLE
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
> http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/

Hello Mario,
You do need a dual zone pad but if you buy the TP80S you can plug it 
into port 2 of the DTXpress with a stereo cable not wasting a port.
If you buy a true dual zone pad (Pintech CC102ST/about $100.00) you 
will need to use two Ports like 9/10 with a stereo cable. I have a 
Pintech CC102ST and use ports 2 and 10 so that all 48 preset drum 
kits work with port 2 as the snare drum. With this setup you will 
need two monaural cables two Y's, stereo Male(1)/monaural female(2)to 
split port 9/10. I use port 10 for an additional tom.

Hope this helps, Paul

--- In DTXpress@y..., "efp44fr" <efp@w...> wrote:
> Hello Mario,
> You need a dual zone pad for this : if you've got a normal 
DTXpress, 

> it is not included. You need to buy this special pad (TP80S with 
> stereo cable). Price is around 130 to 150 US$. Plug into input 9/10.
> 
> Erick FP
> 
> --- In DTXpress@y..., MARIO MARIO <luigishoulddie@y...> wrote:
> > I was still wondering about how to do rimshots.  If
> > someone could help me out, I am cluess.  My questions
> > is how, and do I need anything that didn't come with
> > my set?
> > 
> > =====
> > HIGHLY FLAMABLE
> > 
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
> > http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/

How much do you want to spend? How "pro" do you want the results to 
sound? The latter will take know-how as well as gear. In general, 
pick a sequencer (Logic Audio, Cubase, Sonar and Smaplitude are the 
big ones, but there are others), get the most powerful hardware you 
can find which runs that sequencer, get a soundcard and midi 
interface, add whatever other plugs ins, mixers, microphones and 
outboard gear you want (the sky is the limit), and welcome to the 
wonderful world of computer based recording. Otherwise, a dedicated 
hardware recorder may be less hassle, but (initially at least) more 
expensive. Roland, Yamaha, Tascam etc etc all make good units. But 
whatever you choose, know that in a short while (if you stick with 
the recording caper) whatever you have is never enough.
Give me some more details and I'll suggest something more specific.
cheers
tomr
--- In DTXpress@y..., "scott_klassen" <sklassen@u...> wrote:
> Hey all,
>    I'm totally new to the whole MIDI scene.. I was wondering if 
> someone could suggest some recording equipment to supplement 
general 
> insturments (guitar, bass) and my DTXpress.  If someone could lead 
me 

> in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. 
> 
> Thank you!,
>   Scott

Thanks Tom!   
   It's really hard for me to say how much I want to spend.  Since I 
don't know the equipment I'll need and their associated prices.  I'd 
like to get some equipment that would be good enough to lay demo's 
down.  I'm not looking to build the next great recording studio.  I 
would just something better than the low end, but not too expensive, 
somewhere in the middle.
From reading your email, the main components are the (correct me if 
I'm wrong):  The sequencer (software?), the soundcard and the midi 
interface?  I've got all the outboard gear I'll probably need: 
microphones, bass, guitar, oh and the DTXPRESS (don't wanna forget 
that! :) )  Hope I gave you some more info to work with.  Thanks a 
bunch!!

-Scott

--- In DTXpress@y..., "tom_snoot" <tom_snoot@y...> wrote:
> How much do you want to spend? How "pro" do you want the results to 
> sound? The latter will take know-how as well as gear. In general, 
> pick a sequencer (Logic Audio, Cubase, Sonar and Smaplitude are the 
> big ones, but there are others), get the most powerful hardware you 
> can find which runs that sequencer, get a soundcard and midi 
> interface, add whatever other plugs ins, mixers, microphones and 
> outboard gear you want (the sky is the limit), and welcome to the 
> wonderful world of computer based recording. Otherwise, a dedicated 
> hardware recorder may be less hassle, but (initially at least) more 
> expensive. Roland, Yamaha, Tascam etc etc all make good units. But 
> whatever you choose, know that in a short while (if you stick with 
> the recording caper) whatever you have is never enough.
> Give me some more details and I'll suggest something more specific.
> cheers
> tomr
> --- In DTXpress@y..., "scott_klassen" <sklassen@u...> wrote:
> > Hey all,
> >    I'm totally new to the whole MIDI scene.. I was wondering if 
> > someone could suggest some recording equipment to supplement 
> general 
> > insturments (guitar, bass) and my DTXpress.  If someone could 
lead 

> me 
> > in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. 
> > 
> > Thank you!,
> >   Scott

Scott,
You can record guitars, voice etc only as audio. The DTXpress, most 
keyboards and various other devices can be recorded as audio or as 
MIDI (and then converted to audio for mixing). If you just want 
straight audio, you could consider a stand-lone unit like the Roland 
VS2480 or a Yamaha AW 4416. Initially expensive, but they do a lot 
with one box, so easy to set up and keep going. What they don't 
really do is MIDI. Assuming you want to do some MIDI recording (I use 
my DTXpress a MIDI controller in the "studio" a lot) then you need 
the power and flexibility of a computer based recording setup. This 
makes editing and managing your setup far easier, and is able to be 
configured to suit you.It can be cheaper to set up initially as well. 
The down side is that it can be a pain to get the system tweaked and 
working well and to keep it like that (no letting kids install that 
lastest cracked game on the Digital Audio Workstation!). You can, of 
course, use a Mac or PC as a DAW (I know nothing about Macs, though). 
Whichever you choose, get the fastest processor you can afford (not 
necessarily the fastest on the market - bang for the buck is 
important). More processor power = more audio tracks and more FX. 
Currently the Athlons are generally seen as better value for audio 
than Pentium IVs, but in six months? Choose a motherboard that siuts 
your CPU AND soundcard (some cards eg Creamware stuff has problmes 
with SOME Via chipsets). You'll need to research this. Then get as 
much DDR memory as you can stuff into the machine.
OK, software. I'm a Logic Audio user, but its not for everyone. Try 
to get a demo from magazines or off the sites of the main companies. 
Each company usually has a range of products from beginer to pro 
(with prices to match, say $100 - $700, but check a big store web 
site or catalogue for actual prices). Each program has its fans, but 
they all do fairly similar things, though in different ways, so its 
up to you to see what suits you. If you are serious though, none of 
the programs will be mastered overnight. RTFM!
Soundcards - the going standard is now really 24-bit (44.1 or 48kHz -
96kHz is too much outside a pro studio). There are new cards every 
month. How many inputs and outputs do you need? Depends on whether 
you intend to have a whole band record at once, or just one 
instrument. Also, how many external FX you want to run. More 
instruments or FX at once = more I/O. I work alone and find stereo 
I/O is usually sufficient. The Hoontech cards have good reports,  I 
have a Creamware Luna which I like, but avoid Soundblaster and 
clones - look to spending $300-400 up on a good card.
Lastly, if you have more than one MIDI device, get a MIDI interface 
(AMT8 from Emagic?), then get a mixing desk, then a patch bay, 
cables, software plug-ins, soft synths, a sampler, a bigger computer, 
a new house, new neighbours....
Welcome to home reccing!
cheers
tomr
--- In DTXpress@y..., "scott_klassen" <sklassen@u...> wrote:
> Thanks Tom!   
>    It's really hard for me to say how much I want to spend.  Since 
I 
> don't know the equipment I'll need and their associated prices.  
I'd 
> like to get some equipment that would be good enough to lay demo's 
> down.  I'm not looking to build the next great recording studio.  I 
> would just something better than the low end, but not too 
expensive, 

> somewhere in the middle.
> From reading your email, the main components are the (correct me if 
> I'm wrong):  The sequencer (software?), the soundcard and the midi 
> interface?  I've got all the outboard gear I'll probably need: 
> microphones, bass, guitar, oh and the DTXPRESS (don't wanna forget 
> that! :) )  Hope I gave you some more info to work with.  Thanks a 
> bunch!!
> 
> -Scott

Scott,

This is an enormously complicated area, I suggest you get hold of a  
recent copy of Computer Music magazine, which might help enormously.  
The URL is

http://www.computermusic.co.uk/

good luck,

Simon

--- In DTXpress@y..., "tom_snoot" <tom_snoot@y...> wrote:
> Scott,
> You can record guitars, voice etc only as audio. The DTXpress, most 
> keyboards and various other devices can be recorded as audio or as 
> MIDI (and then converted to audio for mixing). If you just want 
> straight audio, you could consider a stand-lone unit like the 
Roland 
> VS2480 or a Yamaha AW 4416. Initially expensive, but they do a lot 
> with one box, so easy to set up and keep going. What they don't 
> really do is MIDI. Assuming you want to do some MIDI recording (I 
use 
> my DTXpress a MIDI controller in the "studio" a lot) then you need 
> the power and flexibility of a computer based recording setup. This 
> makes editing and managing your setup far easier, and is able to be 
> configured to suit you.It can be cheaper to set up initially as 
well. 
> The down side is that it can be a pain to get the system tweaked 
and 
> working well and to keep it like that (no letting kids install that 
> lastest cracked game on the Digital Audio Workstation!). You can, 
of 
> course, use a Mac or PC as a DAW (I know nothing about Macs, 
though). 
> Whichever you choose, get the fastest processor you can afford (not 
> necessarily the fastest on the market - bang for the buck is 
> important). More processor power = more audio tracks and more FX. 
> Currently the Athlons are generally seen as better value for audio 
> than Pentium IVs, but in six months? Choose a motherboard that 
siuts 
> your CPU AND soundcard (some cards eg Creamware stuff has problmes 
> with SOME Via chipsets). You'll need to research this. Then get as 
> much DDR memory as you can stuff into the machine.
> OK, software. I'm a Logic Audio user, but its not for everyone. Try 
> to get a demo from magazines or off the sites of the main 
companies. 
> Each company usually has a range of products from beginer to pro 
> (with prices to match, say $100 - $700, but check a big store web 
> site or catalogue for actual prices). Each program has its fans, 
but 
> they all do fairly similar things, though in different ways, so its 
> up to you to see what suits you. If you are serious though, none of 
> the programs will be mastered overnight. RTFM!
> Soundcards - the going standard is now really 24-bit (44.1 or 
48kHz -
> 96kHz is too much outside a pro studio). There are new cards every 
> month. How many inputs and outputs do you need? Depends on whether 
> you intend to have a whole band record at once, or just one 
> instrument. Also, how many external FX you want to run. More 
> instruments or FX at once = more I/O. I work alone and find stereo 
> I/O is usually sufficient. The Hoontech cards have good reports,  I 
> have a Creamware Luna which I like, but avoid Soundblaster and 
> clones - look to spending $300-400 up on a good card.
> Lastly, if you have more than one MIDI device, get a MIDI interface 
> (AMT8 from Emagic?), then get a mixing desk, then a patch bay, 
> cables, software plug-ins, soft synths, a sampler, a bigger 
computer, 
> a new house, new neighbours....
> Welcome to home reccing!
> cheers
> tomr
> --- In DTXpress@y..., "scott_klassen" <sklassen@u...> wrote:
> > Thanks Tom!   
> >    It's really hard for me to say how much I want to spend.  
Since 
> I 
> > don't know the equipment I'll need and their associated prices.  
> I'd 
> > like to get some equipment that would be good enough to lay 
demo's 
> > down.  I'm not looking to build the next great recording studio.  
I 
> > would just something better than the low end, but not too 
> expensive, 
> > somewhere in the middle.
> > From reading your email, the main components are the (correct me 
if 
> > I'm wrong):  The sequencer (software?), the soundcard and the 
midi 
> > interface?  I've got all the outboard gear I'll probably need: 
> > microphones, bass, guitar, oh and the DTXPRESS (don't wanna 
forget 
> > that! :) )  Hope I gave you some more info to work with.  Thanks 
a 

> > bunch!!
> > 
> > -Scott

Saw your question about getting a midi studio together and remembered 
how tough it was to wade through all the equipment and jargon.
Since I'm a penny pincher, here is what I would do.

you will need a good software program I use and recommend Sonar XL 
$399 

you will need a good soundcard that has as many ins and outs as you 
can afford. I like the Delta cards. I have the Delta 44 (4 ins and 4 
outs). I need the Delta 8/8 or 10/10. range of $299 to $499

You will need a good set of studio monitors. I have a set of the 
smaller Yamahas. Range of $300 up to several $K.

You will need a port device for your Midi instuments. I a midiman 
midisport 2x2 as I only have 2 midi instruments a Korg N1 and the 
DTXpress drums. $50

You will need enough cables to hook it all together. DO NOT skimp on 
the cables buy quality. Also dont buy any longer than you need. $200 
to $300

You will want to have a midi keyboard that is at least of medium 
grade. You don't need one with a lot of doodads because the SONAR 
sofware is packed with them. Do get one that has good quality sounds.

You may want a pair of head phones. $29 to $150.

If you don't have any amps for your guitar, just get a preamp. I have 
a midiman Audio Buddy. $150 ???

The preamp will also be nessessary if you want to use a microphone.

You will want a mic or two. I like the Shure sm57 ($69) for an all 
around. A good instrument mic is the Oktava MC 012-01. $150

Mic Stands $25 to $60.

Lastly, you will need a way to be able to get all of your instruments 
and the sound from the sound card into the speakers. I think there 
are various ways to do this. I use a Mackie 1202VLZ $350. You can get 
used mixers all over the place. Get one that has a "send" for each 
channel on the board (mine doesn't). This is important if you have 
alot of non midi instruments ie guitars and mics. This is because you 
want a way to hear the instruments when the midi is not being 
utilized. Also a powered boars will provide the amps you need to get 
sound from your mics. This will eliminate the need for the afor 
mentioned preamp.

That is it. Good Luck