Yamaha DTXpress VI Special

[BuzzHaze]

I am about to purchase this kit. Anyone had any experience with the DTXpress series?

The "special" includes full rounded cymbals and a proper looking hi-hat stand, plus another pad or something. It retails for about $1600 here in Canada.

[KineticSound]

No offense to Yamaha drum kits (they make excellent acoustic kits), but these days the DTX seems so far behind the Roland V-Drums, I couldn't see investing in one.

[BuzzHaze]

I tried the Rolands. The ones in the same price range (TD-9s) were not as nice as the Yamaha set. The Roland TD-9sx was $2500 and it was nice...but it's almost 2x the price.

That's why I started looking at the Yammy sets.

[solaris1982]

If you're only using it to record, you really don't need a really nice kit with all of the drum plug-ins out there. I have an old Yamaha DTXplorer II that I've experiemented with EZ Drummer (no recordings, as the drum set is at my church and my computer is at home). As long as the kit brain has a MIDI out, it's pretty simple to get good sounds onto a recording.

[BuzzHaze]

It is only for recording at my small home studio. I haven't played drums live in 15 years...lol

When I tried out the Yamaha's "DTXpress IV Special", I was really impressed with the studio kits. They were light-years ahead of the electronic drums from 10-15 years ago that's for sure...and at $1600, it seems like a great buy.

It's a tough call because I can afford the Rolands if I really want them but I feel I could spend the money on other bits for the studio that would have more overall impact on my recordings...like some nice pre-amps for example.

[KineticSound]

Buzz,
I hope I didn't give offense to you or your desire for the DTX - that was not my intent.

As a professional drummer, I likely have different needs out of my kit. For my purposes, the Roland sound library is superior, and it's quick and easy to edit the sample sounds to something that is familiar and comfortable for me.

Honestly, I had not looked at the new DTX kit in-person until I read your post. It looks like a quality kit and one that would probably serve you well.

I dunno... perhaps some of us are "once a Roland guy... always a Roland guy". Maybe I'm just protective of my V-Drums.

[BuzzHaze]

Please, no offence taken what so ever. I appreciate the input seeing I am just putting this studio together and I'm also inexperience with drum purchases. I love spending time researching new equipment so it will be a lot of fun going back to try out the Rolands a few more times. I can always upgrade to them once I become a better drummer. I wouldn't lose much on the purchase since I could get half the money back selling used. I also have a son who would be glad to take them off my hands....lol

Oh, check out this vid of the DTXpress VI Specials. It really impressed me with the sound...I wish I could play like this guy
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/ya...ion/2966957214


One notable bit of trivia. Yamaha is the only company that produces both acoustic and electronic drums. Interesting.

[Elton Bear]

I haven't played around with one myself, but the new Yamaha top-of-range (is that the DTX?) sounded amazing when someone was demo'ing it in my local store. I mean, REALLY amazing, and I'm a "Once a roland..." kind of drummer.

[BuzzHaze]

The top of the line is the DT "XtremeIII" series. They retail for around $3500 I think.

The DTXpress is a stripped down version but still carries a lot of the same pre-loaded drum kits plus it has the proper hi-hat stand and full 3 zone cymbals & snare.

The DTXpress IV specials seem to have the best bang for the buck....especially for my requirements and abilities.

[Elton Bear]

Unless you're using it live and NEED a huge amount of control/every drum sound ever invented at the touch of a button, I'd say go for the DTXpress, which it sounds like you're doing anyway. Hope you like it!

[tango44]

I own one in my home studio. It's a great kit. I get alot of mileage out of it. I've also invested in BFD and ezdrummer and will sometimes run the midi out of the set into my puter to access even more great sounds for recording in realtime. For me and my space, AND my mic'ing talents lol, it beats the crap outta a real set for my small purposes. i love the dual zone pads and 3 zone cymbals. the further you strike from the bell the diff. the sounds change. Just my two cents.



Eric

[BuzzHaze]

Well, I did order the DTXpress IV Specials, so I should have them in less than 2 weeks. I took another look at the upper crust Roland kits. I kind of like the mesh snare more than the Yamaha, plus they seem to have a warmer tom sound....BUT and it's a huge but...the cymbals and hats on the Roland Td20 are inferior in my opinion. The cymbals sounded cheap and fake, the hats were not as smooth as the yamaha's either. Hummmm didn't expect that from a $5000 kit. Granted the module on the Roland looks excellent, lots of bells and whistles which would come in handy as I became better, but I figure I also may be able to upgrade my module at some point...maybe get one of those nice mesh pads for a snare.

I can't wait to get the kit in. It will also act as my newest piece of gym equipment. It's gonna be a work out for this old man...lol