yamaha dtxpress questions help!

[wfaraoni]

Hi, I just got one of these sets and I have a few questions.
Should I... output to an amp and mic it ....or go direct through my preamp ....Or use the midi outputs?

2: if I use the midi is there a way to get the kits as set up loaded over as well?. without added equipment.

3: What can be done with the cymbals to get a usable sound?

Thanks
Bill

[mikeh]

Normally, it is best to take the audio signal direct from the module to the board - or to your pre-amp(s). This gives you the best control over the stereo panning.

Some people send e-drum sounds through speakers into a room and then record the room sond to get some ambience - but then you lose the stereo panning control (unless you combine the ambiance with the direct signal). However, if you don't have a decent sounding room this can be more of a problem than a solution.

I don't understand your 2nd question - but it is normal - and preferrable to record the MIDI signal and then use that to trigger the module - this provides the greatest flexibility in deciding when to commit actual audio to your recording medium.

Electronic cymbal sounds suck - always have and probably always will. Selective use of reverb (in particular "warmer" reverb settings) can help - but it won't make them sound like real cymbals. I have found you simply have to be selective in how often the cymbals are hit (avoid useing them when possible) and keep them low in the mix (cymbals are a color - that should be lower in the mix anyway).

Many people use real cymbals (even with e-drums) but that requires more mics, more channels, a decent sounding room, etc. etc. etc.

[wfaraoni]

mikeh: Thank you for your response. I guess the cymbal question is well answered, as is the direct audio input question.

The midi question is still very unclear to me. You mentioned trigger the module???

If I output the midi to the program I use (sonar 2) I do not get the sounds which I hear, output through the headphones, due to a difference in soundfonts. for instance the bass drum in most of the kits comes across as a "CLICK" instead of a bassdrum sound, though most of the others pads are somewhat similar. I tried to load different sound banks but none, including general midi emulate the sounds stored in the dtx's kits.

I am definitely missing something BIG here, Im not quite sure how to use the Dtx's selected kits as the instrument sound for the soundfont for each individual pad, so that what I hear is like what the midi will sound like.

I know this is a deep and confusing subject, but if you could point me in the right direction It would be a great help.

I have used soundfonts with a drum machine or a midi drum program, fruityloops, and I know how to split each sound , (from each pad for instance),and apply desired sound to that pad. But thats a LOT of work . Is there a way to get,, either copy the kits as a soundfont bank, or get a midi program to use the kit thats in the unit as selected?

By the way the yamaha manual really is terrible and totally confusing and I'm not that bad usually, at interpreting manuals


All replies appreciated
Peace and prosperity
Bill

[mikeh]

I don't use sound fonts or any computer sound cards (I only use various modules) - so I'm not sure I'm the best person to address your MIDI question - however, I will try.

If I understand correctly you are sending MIDI performance from the DTX to Sonar - and are trying to use sound fonts within Sonar to "monitor" the MIDI performance.

If my understanding is correct - I must first suspect that no sounds in the computer coming from a sound card will emulate the DTX sounds. If I do understand your approach - I question why you would want to use sound fonts instead of the sounds from the DTX.

When I reference "trigger the module" I mean feed the MIDI data back to the DTX and then send the analog signal (sounds) from the DTX to whatever D/A interface you are using with Sonar. This way the computer is triggering the DTX sounds rather than triggering sound fonts from the computer.

Or am I not understanding what you are saying???

[wfaraoni]

mikeh:
"If I understand correctly you are sending MIDI performance from the DTX to Sonar - and are trying to use sound fonts within Sonar to "monitor" the MIDI performance."

yes: the midi data sent into the program contains all the info that the dtx sends out in the equvilent of numerical form. The actual voice that these values is used on is the sound font bank which is loaded. If you do not have the exact soundfont bank loaded the sounds can be anything that relates to that # voice.
There is no standard!!

"If my understanding is correct - I must first suspect that no sounds in the computer coming from a sound card will emulate the DTX sounds. If I do understand your approach - I question why you would want to use sound fonts instead of the sounds from the DTX.
"

I do want to use the sounds which are in the dtx, but as noted above that VOICE is not included with the transmitted midi info to the computer therefore I need to know how to get those midi "voices" ie soundfonts over to be loaded for each pad.

Yes, I can output the analog to the program as well but that does not give me the capabilities available with midi editing which is what I desire to do.

I hope this explains why it is not working and what Im trying to do
Peace
Bill

[mikeh]

I'm not able to offer any advise on the sound font issue. I'm not aware of any way to get the DTX sounds into a computer other than the analog signal.

I am not aware of MIDI sending "sound font" data. MIDI sends performace data not sound.

The only thing I coould think of would be something in the DTX exclusive MIDI data that could instruct the Sonar to look for some specifc information.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Good Luck!!

[wfaraoni]

Im going to use a drum map as suggested by james argo , but boy thats a LOT of work because you have to set one up for each preset in the yamaha drum unit

Whats wrong with these manufacturers! I called yamaha and spoke to a so called specialist and asked about, instrument definitions, and he said they did not provide any for the elctronic drum unit which sells for over $1000

He suggested that I can go in and remap each voice. some expert eh!

Anyone who has a better method it is appreciated

Thanks
Peace
Bill