The new Yamaha DTX-MULTI 12 is the all-in-one percussion pad that suits anyone from a beginner to an expert, accommodating different levels of playing, a wide variety of playing styles and performance situations. The pads are easily seen even on a dark stage. You can use the DTX-MULTI 12 in a variety of ways, such as using the percussion pad in combination with acoustic drums and percussion to accent music with a rich variety of voices, transferring data to the connected computer where you can compose music with the included "Cubase AI 5" program, and connecting a kick pedal (sold separately) to create as a compact drum set.

It includes not only digital sounds but also DJ sounds and a rich variety of voices from percussion, chromatic percussion, folk, and acoustic drum instruments.

You can also import WAV and AIFF audio files from a USB memory device and use them as voices.

It functions as a sample playback device with 64MB of battery backed Flash ROM.

Together with great-sounding reverb and chorus effects that can be applied to entire drum kits, the DTX-MULTI 12 also features a Variation effect unit that can be used to enhance individual voices in many exciting ways.

The DTX-MULTI 12 comes complete with 128 different MIDI playing patterns (including 3 demo patterns) from a world-wide range of musical genres including folk music, rock, and house.

You can easily start and stop patterns by simply striking the pads. In addition, you can record your own performances as patterns or create patterns on a PC. These patterns can then be assigned to pads.

Using the Tap Tempo function, you can set the tempo for patterns and the click track by simply striking pads. In this way, you can conveniently and intuitively set the tempo that you need.

In addition to the MIDI In/Out port, the DTX-MULTI 12 is equipped with a USB TO HOST port that can be connected to a PC with a USB cable (sold separately) and a USB TO DEVICE port that can be save the user kit data on a USB memory. This connection can be used in a variety of ways. For example, those who have difficulty playing a keyboard can input MIDI data directly to DAW software, and others can play computer software synthesizer sounds by striking the DTX-MULTI 12. "Cubase AI 5" by Steinberg, a DAW software application, is bundled with the DTX-MULTI 12. You can begin modifying the pitch and rhythm of the MIDI data that you input using the DTX-MULTI 12 and begin composing elaborate pieces of music on the same day you buy the DTX-MULTI 12. By installing the DTX-MULTI 12 Extension (planned for future release on Yamaha's Web site), you will be able to control Cubase AI 5 directly from the DTX-MULTI 12 front panel. This extension will dramatically improve your efficiency in music composition.

There are also foot controllers like pedals as well as traditional drumset triggers like a hi-hat controller

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This unit sounds spectacular and it's sleek design fits seemlessly into your existing kit. It's cool that you can use sticks, your hands or even fingers for more intricate work. But I don't like that this is only PC based (once again those of us with Macs are left out in the cold). The other thing I noticed was how much the unit moved around on the stand, I think they could have done a better job with a studier mounting system. But all in all, at the price points I've seen, this is a must have for anyone who wants some beef up their kit with some extra sounds or the percussionist who dislikes clutter but wants a big sound.

Final grade for this product is 4.25 out of 5 stars.

Here is the direct link to the DTX-MULTI 12 for you to see and hear it for yourself.

http://www.yamahasynth.com/products/electronic_drums/dtx_multi12/#feature-anchor

Guitar Center sells this for $699.99 ($899.99 list)

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-DTX-Multi-12-Digital-Percussion-Pad-105766828-i1501348.gc