Major difference between the Dtxtreme 2 and 3?

[Sizzle]

Can anyone explain the major differences between the DXTreme 2 and 3 kits, the pads seem to be the same except for the kick, cymbals.. yes?
How much better is the new module then the 2?
Thanks

[Scorch Whammin]

Can anyone explain the major differences between the DXTreme 2 and 3 kits, the pads seem to be the same except for the kick, cymbals.. yes?
How much better is the new module then the 2?
Thanks

If you get the IIISP, then also the rack is quite different and much better, as the hex rack is really designed to support acoustic drums and is a great piece of gear....The module is a complete redesign.....much better interface (IMO), much better sounds, more sampling capacity, etc....I used to have the original DTXtreme module (and also td-10exp.) and to me there's no comparison....:).

[Sizzle]

Thanks, so the pads are the same, module is much better?
I've seen the new rack and its very nice but don't really need it.
I'm thinking of switching from Roland, i prefer the rubber pads to the mesh heads.
Is the rubber on the Yamaha similar to Roland's Pd 8's?
When i get a chance I'm going to GC to check them out, just looking for a little feedback from you Yamaha guys!

[TAKnipe]

hey Sizzle, The rubber on the tp100 and 120 pads is very thick and soft. Even on the tp 65 & 65s they are softer than the equivalent Roland pd series pads. I have had the pads for many years and suprisingly they stay soft. I like them alot, I have always wished that they came out with the rubber pads in a drum shell. Good luck with your purchase, Tom

And welcome to EDF

[Sizzle]

Thanks Tom, i tried to glue rubber to a mesh once with unsatisfactory results, so i agree with you it would be nice to have one with a shell.
I know your older like me and i seem to recall someone made a rubber based drum head for acoustics sometime in the seventies?
Thanks for the input and its nice to be here.

[CaTaPulT]

Hi Sizzle.
The pad differences on the DTXtreme III.....
New hihat, new kick drum, new crash and ride cymbals and of course that fancy Hex rack that comes with the "Special" kit, the "Standard" kit has a aluminum rack similar to the IIs but a little smaller. The snare (TP-120sd) and tom pads (TP-100) are the same as the IIs.
The DTXtreme III module is a big improvement over the IIs in my opinion just based on the quality of the sounds and I find the dynamics of the III a tad better also. The III is just as complex if not more so as far as being able to shape the sounds to your liking, the III also has way more effects than the IIs, in example, various compressors, flangers, you can even make the kit sound like it's playing on a scratched old vinyl record. The 4 extra inputs on the III can handle 3 zone pads, but these inputs are not splittable like the IIs was (two mono pads per input using a Y-adapter). As mentioned, the III can do sampling as well, the IIs has built 8 megs or sampling memory, the III can go up to 512 megs but the ram is an option and you have to purchase and install that separately, the the III is very fussy about the DIMMs you install into it.
I gave up on mesh heads and went back to Yamaha's rubber pads a little over a year ago, I've not looked back since.
As far as getting bang for the buck, the DTXtreme III is pretty impressive in my opinion.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Oh, word of warning, if you try a Yamaha kit at Guitar Center, expect it to sound like hell or even be incomplete, I've heard many horror stories about Guitar Center stores (not all) crippling the Yamaha kits to make the Rolands look better so they can sell the Roland and make a higher commission since the Roland kit are quite a bit more expensive.
If there's a Yamaha only dealer in your area, go there, chances are they will have it setup properly, if at Guitar Center and the kit sounds messed up, ask the sales people to do a factory reset on the module then give it a try, there are hardware ways of screwing up the kit as well though...(not adjusting the hihat properly, turning the onboard gain on the pads too high or too low thus messing with the dynamics of the pads, etc).
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[Sizzle]

Hey thanks Jack, just what i needed to know, so buying a 2 and adding the new module would not be the same due to the better cymbals and hihat that comes with the 3.
I agree with the Guitar Center thing, even the Roland's don't sound the same.
Joe

[WildWes]

If you really need to have rubber pads in your life, the TP-100/120 series are the best. I play mesh, but if I had to use rubber pads, these would be the ones I'd get. Well, I guess that solves that - hahahaha.

IMO, the 135/155 PCY series is not much of an upgrade to the 130cs/150 PCY series, but the RHH-135 hi-hat is a big upgrade to the RHH-130 hi-hat. Good luck with your choice. WW

[WildWes]

The standard DTX III kit for $1599.00. It wasn't too long ago some dealers were selling the module for that price. Wonder what Yamaha's up too?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMDTX3STD