Yamaha DTXpress Drums?

Higgs F. Boson · March 27th, 2008, 05:31 PM

So, the biggest weakness in my "home studio" setup is drums. I've never been remotely satisfied with using pre-recorded samples, and using a MIDI keyboard to play drums just doesn't work for me.

I'm thinking about getting this $700 Yamaha electronic drum set. I've got decent drum chops (it was my first instrument, actually) and I think this would improve my home recordings immensely.

Anybody got one? Is the triggering decent?

Is it possible to get a decent drum sound running one of these things direct into a firewire interface? I plug into a Presonus Inspire interface and record with Garageband - about the simplest set-up imaginable.

Daddydex · March 27th, 2008, 05:58 PM

I have no experience with this whatsoever but in my research I have found that people will run electronic kits through EZ Drummer to get good sounds. I guess some are not particularly happy with recorded drum sounds alone. So with a kit like you are talking about and another 80 bucks for EZ Drummer I think you would be set.

Good luck

Dan

4mal · April 2nd, 2008, 11:02 PM

I have the DTExpress II in my project studio. I would recommend it with some reservations. For the most part, electronic cymbals are ... well, bad is a polite was to put it. These do not sound like acoustic drums. They sound like a recorded kit. That takes some getting used to as things are already pre-compressed. If you're looking for pro studio quality - well this isn't it ...

Still these are way, way useful. You rough in a track get the guitar's and basses, e-drums and vocals roughed out - then you can go to a $25 an hour room where there is a good acoustic kit already mic'ed up and have your drummer re-cut the track if you're looking for big time production values.

All the arranging, writing and sorting out happens at your place for no hourly rate...

The other thing I dig is that I can actually reherse a 4 piece band with live drums, key's, guitar and bass - through phones and not disturb anyone else in the house past the sound of singing ... Does a POD sound like a Princeton Reverb all wound up ? Do the drums sound like Ansley Dunbar came to visit ? Of course not - is getting in a quick couple of hours of play time without bothering anyone else useful ? You bet!

Oh - I take mine to my interface as left & right audio. A pair of guitar cables. On the DTExpress you can setup a stereo image on the kit withhte HH - hard left, light carsh, med - left, snare slight left, floor tom hard right kick centered - that sort of thing ...

oh yeah... I have this drummer I work with from time to time. I won't go into a building where he's playing an acoustic kit without hearing protection. He is one LOUD mofo ... but a good time keeper. So I've done some real low volume gig's with hime. He just brings his DTExpress kit - he's where I got the idea for mine ...

and of course as these things are fully midi compliant - you can send them GMII and they'll play the track back for ya, take the midi out and trigger samples within the 'sample of the month club' new kit ... all the typical stuff that the e-music set like to do...

My stuff is all surf and roots rock stuff. Me being a bassist first I just like the feel of a human being on a kit as opposed to a drum loop...

March 27th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Higgs F. Boson TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Age: 34 Posts: 69	Yamaha DTXpress Drums? So, the biggest weakness in my "home studio" setup is drums. I've never been remotely satisfied with using pre-recorded samples, and using a MIDI keyboard to play drums just doesn't work for me. I'm thinking about getting this $700 Yamaha electronic drum set. I've got decent drum chops (it was my first instrument, actually) and I think this would improve my home recordings immensely. Anybody got one? Is the triggering decent? Is it possible to get a decent drum sound running one of these things direct into a firewire interface? I plug into a Presonus Inspire interface and record with Garageband - about the simplest set-up imaginable.

March 27th, 2008, 05:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Daddydex Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,722	I have no experience with this whatsoever but in my research I have found that people will run electronic kits through EZ Drummer to get good sounds. I guess some are not particularly happy with recorded drum sounds alone. So with a kit like you are talking about and another 80 bucks for EZ Drummer I think you would be set. Good luck Dan __________________ Teles are like Mr. Potato head

April 2nd, 2008, 11:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,149	I have the DTExpress II in my project studio. I would recommend it with some reservations. For the most part, electronic cymbals are ... well, bad is a polite was to put it. These do not sound like acoustic drums. They sound like a recorded kit. That takes some getting used to as things are already pre-compressed. If you're looking for pro studio quality - well this isn't it ... Still these are way, way useful. You rough in a track get the guitar's and basses, e-drums and vocals roughed out - then you can go to a $25 an hour room where there is a good acoustic kit already mic'ed up and have your drummer re-cut the track if you're looking for big time production values. All the arranging, writing and sorting out happens at your place for no hourly rate... The other thing I dig is that I can actually reherse a 4 piece band with live drums, key's, guitar and bass - through phones and not disturb anyone else in the house past the sound of singing ... Does a POD sound like a Princeton Reverb all wound up ? Do the drums sound like Ansley Dunbar came to visit ? Of course not - is getting in a quick couple of hours of play time without bothering anyone else useful ? You bet! Oh - I take mine to my interface as left & right audio. A pair of guitar cables. On the DTExpress you can setup a stereo image on the kit withhte HH - hard left, light carsh, med - left, snare slight left, floor tom hard right kick centered - that sort of thing ... oh yeah... I have this drummer I work with from time to time. I won't go into a building where he's playing an acoustic kit without hearing protection. He is one LOUD mofo ... but a good time keeper. So I've done some real low volume gig's with hime. He just brings his DTExpress kit - he's where I got the idea for mine ... and of course as these things are fully midi compliant - you can send them GMII and they'll play the track back for ya, take the midi out and trigger samples within the 'sample of the month club' new kit ... all the typical stuff that the e-music set like to do... My stuff is all surf and roots rock stuff. Me being a bassist first I just like the feel of a human being on a kit as opposed to a drum loop...