Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Everyone, 

I ran across some interesting information in the Feb./March issue of
DRUM! magazine regarding the DTXPRESS and other related issues.  From the
"Single Strokes" section:

"Yamaha launched a multifaceted Customer Support Program last winter that
provides assistance to customers around the clock.  The program provides
three years of free application phone support for buyers of new products
from Yamaha's Pro Audio & Combo Division...And everyone has unlimited
free access to the new Yamaha Service & Support Website
(www.yamaha.com/service.htm)...Yamaha's Tele-Support team of product
EXPERTS can be reached via the internet...or by phone..." (p. 31 [my
emphasis on 'experts']).

I'm not sure who wrote this article, but he/she obviously hasn't dealt
with Yamaha Customer Service in the past.  If that person had, the
article might not have read so optimistically.  Anyway, on a more serious
note and also from the "Single Strokes" section:

"Master monster drummer Russ Miller updated his book 'The Drum Set Crash
Course' to interact with the unique capabilities of the Yamaha DTXPRESS
electronic drum set.  The book now comes with a CD-ROM packed with MIDI
files for more than 60 drum-set grooves and 18 songs.  Unlike traditional
'play-along' learning systems, 'The Drum Set Crash Course DTXPRESS
Edition' lets players control tempos and mute tracks for customized
learning.  The book is available through Warner Bros. Publications and
Yamaha..." (p.32).

Now they're telling me something!  Has anyone seen this book?  If I
remember right, "The Drum Set Crash Course" is pretty basic stuff.  Let
us know if you happen across this new edition.  And also from the same
section:

"Tired of .com stuff?  Well, you'd better get used to it.  There's no end
in sight.  And now Yamaha has launched a totally redesigned Website at
www.yamahadrums.com, which has all sorts of nifty bells and whistles,
including shockwave audio files of Yamaha drums, a Quick Time factory
tour, artist interviews, product reviews, and more" (p.32).

Has anyone seen this site?  I haven't had time.  Let us know if it's
worth checking out and how well developed the DTXPRESS area is.  That's
it for now,

Aaron

In a message dated 22/1/2000 17:43:58, thoughtwar@... writes:

<<Has anyone seen this site?>>

Hi there,

Yes it was one of the places I went to to check the kit out.
At the time I could not find any store that had not sold out and I want to 
hear what all the fuss was about.

I was able to hear sounds via shockwave and they were instrumental, along 
with this site and Giles great site, in me taking the 150 mile round trip to 
play the nearest kit.
The rest is history now as I came home with one as you all know :0)

It has potential as a site, but right now, is just an advertising tool.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Graham

Good news for the USA on the 24hr a day support lines.
Here in the UK we have to rely on "Yamaha Kemble" for our support.  The USA guys aren't interested in helping.
I e-mailed them once and all I got back was the phone number for Yamaha Kemble.
I was realy frustrated, I like e-mailing my questions out to people, but Kemble only have a phone line, so now for answers to problems I have to hang on the end of a phone for half an hour.
Having said that, the guys at Kemble are realy good, they are supportive and will dig out odd bits of literature for you.  I had the guy send me a section of the electrical installation diagrams.
I just wish Yamaha USA would give answers to e-mails from other countries, maybe if I change my e-mail address to an internet based site and didn't give any contact information they may not realise I'm from the UK and so answer my questions anyway....
It's a long shot, but it might just work.

As for my gig, well the audience that stayed ( dropped from eighty to fifty or so during the set ) seemed to realy enjoy it, and I know the band got a real buzz out of it.
So generally we all had a good time.  I think there was a measure of dissapointment arround the audience, because the music came over more thrashy than industrial or techno, and I know our sound engineer was furious with himself.  But all in all the rest of the band seemed to have fun, the vocalist still needs a heavy dose of confidence, and I need more time playing to click tracks, we'll see today what the band realy thought, this will be our first rehersal since the gig, should be interesting.

Keep on posting
	Andy 

----------

From: 	AARON M CRIM
Sent: 	22 January 2000 17:34
To: 	DTXpress@onelist.com
Subject: 	[DTXpress] DRUM! magazine, Yamaha, and DTXpress

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