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Older Yamaha ekits

snoopersize - Sun, 03/07/2010 - 19:49 | 4,389 views

Hi all,

I am researching a budget Yamaha electronic kit at the moment and until recently had decided on a DTXpress 2 (or 3 if they come up on eBay cheap enough ;-) ) but have recently seen an ad for a DTX V2.0. From the limited info I can find on the web, these were around before Yamaha decided to split into making the Xpress (budget) and Xtremes (high end) and seem to be reasonably good quality and spec. However I wanted to be sure before I make any more enquiries. Does anyone know much about these kits?

The main things I am interested in would be whether the pads compare to the 3 zone snare pad of a Xpress 2 and whether the odd looking cymbals complete with bells are any good. Also, as I am likely to start off playing it straight out of the box (rather than through a PC etc), what are the sounds like?

Your help is greatly appreciated, cheers folks!

Drummer Comments (3)

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DISARRAY Says Re: Older Yamaha ekits

Submitted On: Monday, Jun 7, 2010 - 10:16 AM

the dtx2/vs modules are fine. its just finding one with all working pads thats hard. any new type pad inc. mesh have worked for me. no info on 3 zone though. sorry. if you are to trigger acoustics with a module, i get as new as possable. im having issues with mine in that aspect. as an e kit, its great. keith

Barefoot Says Re: Older Yamaha ekits

Submitted On: Monday, Mar 8, 2010 - 11:08 PM

I dont think I would look at anything before the DTXpress/DXTreme lines for a couple of reasons. First, Im thinking it might be harder to find tech support/parts/documentation for sets before the Xpress/Xtreme lines. Second, the Xpress2 is an excellent choice with very affordable pricing and good availability. I know from XG-series keybds (pre-DTX), Yamaha has had the ultra-fidelity drum modeling down for a very long time. My setup just happen to have great pricing at the time I was ready to buy. But I would not hesitate to get the Xpress2 or 3 if they are within your price range. If you can get the specific model number of the cyms, Yamaha does have quite a selection of documentation online that would probably have specific info on capabilities. I would be very surprised if all DTX pads are not completely compatible. Hope you can get a deal and lets us know... Bobby

dannyboy Says Older Yamaha ekits

Submitted On: Monday, Mar 8, 2010 - 1:39 PM

hey. i used the DTXpress 2 for the best part of 5 years and without it, id never be the drummer i am today. it may take a little while to get used to the rebound off the pads but its definatly worthit. the pads are nice and soft and they have a good range of kits too. you can even customise your kits. playing along to cds was my favourite. you can get a great mix between the kit and the record. i would recommend the DTXpress 2. they are nice and comfortable to play which is the main point. hope this helps you. AS for the bell of the ride....on the right hand cymbal pad, you can programme it to have a bell on the majotity of the pad. Then programme it to also have a crash. For the crash, you will need to hit the last one or two inches of the pad to get the crash sound.
The kits themselves sound fine. they have a range of rock, funk, hip-hop, swing, latin and reggae kits so you should easily be able to find what you want. If not, the library for each pad is very extensive. im sure you will be able to find what you are after, and if it is the wrong pitch, you will be able to adjust the tuning to what you want. good luck. let me know how it goes.