Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

I[m trying find out if any one else is having problems with their KP 
60 base module dropping at different times,  I've tried a soft 
beater then went to a hard one and I'm getting the same results

Jackie

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Jackie Harkins" 
<jackieharkins@y...> wrote:
> I[m trying find out if any one else is having problems with their 
KP 
> 60 base module dropping at different times,  I've tried a soft 
> beater then went to a hard one and I'm getting the same results

Hi Jackie,

You have stumbled onto one of the most common and aggravating 
problems with the early DTXpress kit; the archives of this forum are 
littered with it. The KP60 simply did not perform well. Mine 
misbehaved just like yours. I talked to Yamaha about it, opened it 
up, and re-soldered every connection in sight--all to no avail. 
Yamaha was very accommodating, sending me a brand new one, but the 
new one wasn't satisfactory either.  Rather than go through the 
frustrating process of reconstructing it, I simply switched to 
another brand. I thought that the unit as a whole was a flawed design.

You can try the re-soldering process; maybe you'll have more luck 
than most. If you don't want to ditch it, you could do a makeover. 
Creighton Higgins, a long-time member of this group, followed 
instructions from a DIY site call electronicdrums.com to create a 
much more reliable kick with a larger playing surface from his KP60. 
In response to another member's request to copy it, Creighton is 
about to post pictures. In the meantime, you could run a search of 
the KP60 in the archives (many of the posts will be mine) and/or look 
there for Creighton's description of his design. Alternatively, you 
could join electronicdrums and do it yourself. It's a great site in 
its own right that can save e-drummers on a budget a lot of money, 
though it has a small initiation fee.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "emf" <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Jackie Harkins" 
> <jackieharkins@y...> wrote:
> > I[m trying find out if any one else is having problems with their 
> KP 
> > 60 base module dropping at different times,  I've tried a soft 
> > beater then went to a hard one and I'm getting the same results
> 
> Hi Jackie,
> 
> You have stumbled onto one of the most common and aggravating 
> problems with the early DTXpress kit; the archives of this forum
are 
> littered with it. The KP60 simply did not perform well. Mine 
> misbehaved just like yours. I talked to Yamaha about it, opened it 
> up, and re-soldered every connection in sight--all to no avail. 
> Yamaha was very accommodating, sending me a brand new one, but the 
> new one wasn't satisfactory either.  Rather than go through the 
> frustrating process of reconstructing it, I simply switched to 
> another brand. I thought that the unit as a whole was a flawed
design.
> 
> You can try the re-soldering process; 

I may be wrong - I haven't seen the piezos inside the drum pads, but
if you are planning to solder to them it may be wise to use a solder
with some silver in it.  I read somewhere that where the electrodes
are silver (rather than nickel) then using just a lead/tin sodler can
remove the silver plating.  I can confirm this is true because I have
seen the plating disappear when I used ordinary solder! (but not on an
e-drum).

Keith.

does the same trigger problem exist with the dtxII?

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--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, alex sobolev <xelavelobos@y...> 
wrote:
> does the same trigger problem exist with the dtxII?
> 
Alex,

Apparently not. A comparison of the number of complaints generated by 
the KP60 vs. those for the 65 would suggest that the problem didn't 
persist into the new generation. 

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ken" <boomer17@a...> wrote:
> You don't have to join to get the plans for the modified Remo pad. 
Just yesterday I went to my local Guitar Center and purchased an 8" 
Remo practice pad for about $15. The plans call for a 10" pad but I 
figured the 8" would be just about right for a double bass setup. 
Next stop was Radio Shack for the rest of the hardware. In about 2 
hours I had the thing done. Now all I have to do is modify the 
existing kick tower and mount it. I tested it with the snare output 
(2) and it is unbelievable. It feels more like an acoustic drum than 
the rubber pad. I will probably make another to use for the snare and 
use the snare pad for another cymbal. I am waiting for the photos to 
see how Creighton did it. The toughest part of this project was 
getting the piezo element out of the plastic case without "injuring" 
it. A utility knife, pliers, and a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel 
made it quite easy. If you goof it up, get another. They only cost 
$1.79. I bought 2 just in case. 


Im also very interested in doing this for that exact purpose.  And 
hoping to get a slightly better feel out of the kick pad.  How much 
was it for all the parts, i have the tools mentioned. .

What density of foam is best?  There's vacuumed foam that is 
extremely dense and heavy.  This might give a "tight" feel/high 
response, whereas less-dense-foam would yield visa versa.  I'm mostly 
interested in replacing the kicker pad on my KP65 (wore through front 
before putting Kevlar patch on it).  Don't think I want high bounce 
on my kicker.  Electronicdrums.com said to use the same as Remo, but 
I don't know Remo's foam.

Bill

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Ken" <boomer17@a...> wrote:
> Remo 8" tunable practice pad was $15 at Guitar Center. (make sure 
you get the Remo)
> Check it out here
> 
> 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/search/detail/base_id/39114/src=00
631
> 
> Piezo was $1.79 at Radio Shack.
> RCA jack was $3.99 (I think) for a pack of 4 at Radio Shack.
> I used 2 pieces of 1/2" thick foam that I had on hand. When you 
take it apart, there is only one 1/2" piece of foam in there but the 
two piece "sandwich" fits well. It's tight but I think that makes for 
the great feel and rebound when used as a snare. 
> 
> Ken

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Jackie Harkins" 
<jackieharkins@y...> wrote:
> I[m trying find out if any one else is having problems with their 
KP 
> 60 base module dropping at different times,  I've tried a soft 
> beater then went to a hard one and I'm getting the same results
> 
> Jackie

I had this same problem at band practice the other day - I fixed the 
problem by flicking the switch on the tower from "B" to "A" 
Polarity. It fixed it immediately, and I got a better sound as well.

Nick.