Thinking About Buying a DTXplorer

Spekio · 08-31-2007, 04:32 PM

I was thinking about buying a DTXplorer for DrumMania. Is there anything I should know before going out and buying it? I really don't know anything about drum kits and I don't want to end up with something that doesn't work with the game. Also, any suggestions on where to buy it? I know it's expensive, but looking online I see places selling them for $800-$1200, but I'd rather buy from a store near me in case there are problems. I'd love to hear from people who have already bought the drum set to play DrumMania.

defiled · 08-31-2007, 06:08 PM

If you haven't looked already, I'd say check your local craigslist for a DTX/DTX 2.0/or a DTXpress kit.

The DTXplorer (at retail price) is a ripoff, not just for Drummania, but for actual drumming as well (the module is crap compared to a first gen DTXpress)

The DTXpress series has been around since '99, and I've seen DTXpress Is and IIs being sold off on craigslist where I live for $500, which is a lot better than the $800 price tag on the Xplorer.

Off craigslist they'd be used kits, sure, but Yamaha pads last and I mean it. Unless the previous owner was playing with sledgehammers, the kit would be as good as new.

Other than that, just get the Yamaha UX-16 midi-usb cable and you're good to go.

DeusExMachina · 09-03-2007, 03:18 AM

Personally I'd ask DJ Dao if hes willing to sell his dummania controller. It looks a lot nicer, cheaper and a closer experience to playing drummania. Unless you have other uses for a DTXplorer. And Yes the DTXpress II and III are much better than the DTxplorer.

AdamW · 09-04-2007, 01:59 AM

"Personally I'd ask DJ Dao if hes willing to sell his dummania controller."

Um, well, that's kinda the *point*. Selling high-end rhythm game controllers is dj dao's profession.

jouva · 09-05-2007, 01:37 PM

Yeah he's making them for selling. He's just not finished yet with it.

LouieT · 09-05-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by defiled

The DTXplorer (at retail price) is a ripoff, not just for Drummania, but for actual drumming as well (the module is crap compared to a first gen DTXpress)

In what way is it crappy?
I might get one soon and no one close by is selling used drumkits. :/

defiled · 09-05-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouieT

In what way is it crappy?
I might get one soon and no one close by is selling used drumkits. :/

It's crappy in terms of actual drumming. If you're just using gonna utilize it for Drummania and nothing more, then it's perfectly adequate.

But if you wanna do more beyond Drummania, consider a few things:

1) The Xplorer's got a very limited number of voices not just in terms of general midi notes but also overall percussion. (The Xplorer has 214, the Xpress has +900)

2) There's not as many trigger inputs on the Xplorer. There's only 8 or so inputs on the Xplorer, most of them being mono only. The Xpress has atleast 9 trigger inputs, all of them stereo. A stereo input means that TWO pads can be hooked up to one input, with the use of a Y-cable. So you can add more pads to your set than it would physically appear to allow you. And on top of that...

3) The Xpress has a MIDI-In port, meaning you can expand your drum set further by attaching another drum trigger module (through that module's MIDI-Out connection) to allow more pads to be hooked up to your overall set.

There's plenty more differences, but if you were interested in actual drumming, that should be a good enough reason for you to consider an Xpress.

The beauty of an electronic kit is you get to do A LOT of things you normally can't do on an acoustic set, but the Xplorer IMO is just way too limited in that regard.

Spekio · 09-06-2007, 07:11 PM

I'm really only planning on using it for Drummania so I'd rather not pay so much extra for the Express. I'm a bit confused with what exactly I'm supposed to buy though. I know I need the Drumkit and midi cables, but is there anything else? I was told hooking it up to a PC requires a "Brain" but I don't really know what that is. IS the brain that box attached to the metal bars on the left side of the drumset? (Pic: Buy Yamaha DTXPLORER Electronic Drum Set with Bass Drum Pedal At Sam Ash )

defiled · 09-07-2007, 12:02 AM

Yes, it's that box.

To use an electronic drum set period, you NEED the brain. The brain, (or module as I referred to it in my previous posts), is the little computer that all the drum pads hook up to. That's how the whole thing works.

A complete set, like the one you linked to, is going to include the brain/module so don't worry about missing out on necessary parts.