DTX / Tips & Tricks
DTX Live
This year, at the 2012 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA, Yamaha unveiled the new DXR and DXS series of loudspeakers. These new powered speakers can handle any audio application, but they have some particular features that make them a great choice for drummers to amplify their DTX electronic drums - or acoustic drums when using microphones and a mixer.
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DTX Studio
CubaseAI is included in the DTX-MULTI 12, DTX700, and DTX900, and by installing the free system extension you can use the buttons on the front panel to remotely control the software from buttons on the front panel. Download the software for your DTX device here:
http://download.yamaha.com/top/
Did you know there are “patch name scripts” available for the DTX-MULTI 12, DTX700 and DTX900? A patch name script is a way for you to select DTX kits and melodic sounds quickly and conveniently from a drop-down menu within the Cubase track inspector. You can find the patch name scripts for these DTX instruments plus instructions on how to install them here:
DTX_PATCHNAME_SCRIPTS_JAN2012.zip
TRIGGER TIP: When using triggers on your acoustic drums it is important for the drum head to remain in contact with the sensor as the membrane vibrates after a strike. If you prefer to tune your top head with a loose feel, the head might move off and on the sensor, causing false triggers after your strokes.
To solve this you need to either apply more pressure from the sensor onto the head, or place some material on the head just under the trigger so that contact is not lost as the head vibrates. Some acoustic drum triggers have adjustable sensors that allow you to adjust the sensor for more or less pressure on the head. Whatever your case, try to keep contact between the head and the sensor so that the extra vibrations of the head aren't triggered as separate hits.
DTX / Artist News
The annual winter NAMM show was once again held in Anaheim, California this past January. There were DTX kits throughout the convention center in booths other than Yamaha's. Many of the kits were used to demonstrate software. The GEN 16 booth featured Yamaha and DTX artist Russ Miller, who played the GEN 16 Acoustic-Electric cymbals with his customized DTX kit.
Meanwhile, the Yamaha booth located in the Marriott Marquis Ballroom was buzzing with celebrities and artists. The DTX electronic drums area was on fire with activity. This year we set up an area that we called, 'The DTX Artist Lounge' where our artists could come and hang out. Yours truly conducted interviews with many of our artists that attended the show including Kenny Aronoff, Ray Luzier, John Blackwell, Matt Sorum, Russ Miller, Alan White, Nick Mason, Ravi Jakhotia, John Mahon and many more. See The DTX Artist Lounge videos and more on the NAMM 2012 Media page. They are entertaining to say the least!
Here are just a few photos from around the DTX electronic drum booth.
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GEN16 Booth/Russ Miller
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Matt Sorum and Bob Terry
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John Blackwell and Tom Griffin
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Athan Billias and John Blackwell
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Abel Vallejo, Bob Terry,
and Ray Luzier
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Russ Miller
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Jimmy Keegan / Spock's Beard
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Nick Mason / Street Drum Corps.
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GEN16 Booth/Russ Miller
Matt Sorum and Bob Terry
John Blackwell and Tom Griffin
Athan Billias and John Blackwell
Abel Vallejo, Bob Terry, and Ray Luzier
Russ Miller
Jimmy Keegan / Spock's Beard
Nick Mason / Street Drum Corps.
DTX / Other Artist News
Thomas Pridgen
Big News! DTX Drums is very pleased to announce the signing of Thomas Pridgen to the family of DTX artists. Thomas contacted us after playing a DTX950K kit and said that the new DTX pads were the best playing pads that he's ever played and wanted to order a kit right away for his next project. Thomas has formed a new band called The Memorials, which you will be hearing a lot about very soon. Welcome aboard Thomas!
The busiest man in show business, Kenny Aronoff has been seen out on tour with Chickenfoot as well as in the studio with John Fogerty, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. He'll soon be appearing on American Idol and just did an appearance on The Tonight Show with Chickenfoot. He's also booked for another Kennedy Honor Award Show. BTW… Happy Birthday, Kenny!
Matt Sorum has been busy on several fronts. He's just finished tracks for the upcoming Diamond Baby Band Album. He's also going to be headed out on a tour of South America with Matt Sorum's Rock N Roll Allstars, which will include: Gene Simmons, Joe Elliott, Duff McKagen, Sebastion Bach, Gilby Clark, Billy Duffy, Glenn Hughes, Ed Roland, Steve Stevens and Mike Inez. Matt is also involved in a charity that involves his support of music in public schools called Adopt the Arts. Matt will be performing at a charity benefit in Los Angeles with his Magnificent Seven band.
Mr. John Blackwell recently called in and ordered a DTX900K kit along with a MOTIF XF. John is in the studio writing for the next John Blackwell Project CD in between Prince tours. Mr. Blackwell says, "WHICH PATCH IS THE CHICK COREA RHODES? I'VE BEEN HERE FOR HOURS HAVING A BLAST EXPLORING ALL THE SOUNDS AND IT'S OPENED MY MIND TO NEW IDEAS FOR NEW SONGS TO WRITE. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU CAN USE THAT AS A QUOTE IF YOU LIKE." (So, we did!)
Shauneybaby
Shauneybaby was seen in Europe with Natalia Kills with her DTX rig. She says the sub-zero temperatures did not bother her or the DTX gear.
Richie Bravo
Latin Percussion extraordinaire, Richie Bravo collected 10 GRAMMY certificates this year for his contribution to countless GRAMMY award-winning recordings. Here's a shot of Richie's rig for the current Barry Gibb tour. Richie is using a DTX-MULTI 12 along with two XP100T DTX pads suspended over his rig.
Alan White is out on tour with YES.
Ray Luzier is out on tour with KORN.
Bobby Blotzer of RATT is in the studio doing pre-production on a DTX900K.
We just received a call from the Russ Miller that he will be seen on American Idol in the "mentor" sessions where he is using some of his DTX gear. Evidently, they needed some volume control so Jimmy Iovine could talk while the band was still playing. Russ has also been in the studio doing some work for Glee as well as a bunch of new movie soundtracks.
Donny Gruendler checked in to let us know that he has a new title at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. Donny just accepted a promotion and is now the Director of Undergraduate Performance Programs. This hasn't seemed to take any of his time away from the drums though. He has just completed soundtracks for the new Kevin Spacey Film, Father of Invention and played on the score for Chicago Overcoat and The Great Gatsby film. If that's not enough, his band, Rhett Frazier Inc., has just completed and released their second CD
Jimmy Keegan was just in Los Angeles laying down some great tracks for the new Spock's Beard record.
I Love My Son! Commercial
I Love My Son! Commercial
I Love My Son! Check out the new commercial video with child prodigy, Cole Marcus and his dad, Jerry.
The Beginners Guide to Electronic Drums is a just-released book written by our own Bob Terry. The new release was launched at PASIC by the Hal Leonard Corporation. This beginner's guide to electronic drumming features Yamaha DTX Electronic Drums.
Donnell Spencer Jr.
Donnell Spencer Jr. has been touring Asia with pop stars Jane Zhang and Jolin Tsai. Here Donnell shows off his DTX-MULTI 12.
Nick Mason
Newly signed artist, Nick Mason, has been busy in the studio and with Street Drum Corps. Here's a shot of Nick with his Yamaha Rebel tour kit and DTX gear.