Yamaha DTX PRO and PROX. How to use Stack/Alt to layer sounds

Simon Edgoose looks at how you can stack, layer and alternate sounds on the new Yamaha PRO and PROX modules that come with the DTX6, DTX8 (PRO) and DTX10 (PROX).

[@piotrkachny7100]

This is very useful, helpful and great video for everybody who wants to know more about using the Yamaha Dtx Pro and Pro X

[@stevenwilson1342]

Thanks for the detailed instructions with velocity stacking :) Amazing technology presented in an easy to follow format.

[@edruminfo]

No problem. Thanks Steven

[@iplaywithsticks6194]

Thank you Simon!

[@edruminfo]

No problem. Thank you

[@danieltaylor4728]

Great video. I appreciate this is a new kit but there seems to be a shortage of in depth videos on the kit. I've been thinking of upgrading my Roland but the TD50 seems crazily expensive. This looks and appears to sound just as good, if not better. Anyone got any views? Thanks

[@edruminfo]

Because of global shipping problems and C19 there is a shortage of available stock, and those that have gone to stores have sold already. New stock will be coming soon. Thanks for the kind words

[@3qgc]

Daniel, I’ve been thinking the same thing about the Roland but the ProX module to my ears blow away the Roland modules. For me, it’s the Yamaha’s all the way!

[@danieltaylor4728]

@@3qgc Yep, I agree. Just need to see a few more in-depth videos to be sure.

[@3qgc]

@@danieltaylor4728 Everyone seems to be doing the same thing according to Erik Hamm at Edrumcenter in Knoxville, TN. One thing that’s not really in question is that the ProX module sounds amazing. I think I’m going to pre-order with Edrumcenter this week and get the TCS version.

[@steenwaldorf4782]

So great with these tutorials Simon. Thanks😉 Would it be possible to make a Tutorial on how to have both Rimshot and Sidestick articulation at the same time?

[@edruminfo]

Hi again Steen. Yes, I'll do something. Its quite easy.

[@mrtc29]

The master 👍

[@Jennyshalfmusic]

Ha yes. Excellent. I presume this is how you can make imported samples be more round Robin rather than machine gun by alt layers. Thank for your time.

[@timjoseph887]

Are any of the presets using sample stacking or velocity stacked or all the kits using single layers? I ask because I don’t want to bother with importing thousands of samples. Considering maybe a drum-etc sample library for this .

[@edruminfo]

All the internal drum and cymbal sounds are multi layer samples, so they change depending on how hard you play - different sounds for different velocities.

[@laloadler8044]

I have 40 snare samples from quiet to loud but when I imported them and assign them to each user voice,10 each, and then I assigned them the velocity ranges the sound I get is not right, I get quiet and loud all mixed, I changed to alt but I don’t know why didn’t work for me, do I need to do something after I import the samples, I see there are several functions in the wave menu like “split” but I don’t know what it does. Can you help me please?

[@edruminfo]

Hi Lalo. I did an official Yamaha video in Berlin 2 weeks ago which shows and describes how this is done. It should be out soon. It goes through every step.

[@marinusjm]

Hi Simon, if I buy an extra cymbalpad (dtx10) and connect it to the kickpad, can I assign other sounds to it, and if its tweakable on the module? Greetings Marinus

[@edruminfo]

Hi Marinus. Yes, any pad can be any sound - the choice is yours. However, if you have an extra cymbal pad, plug it into input 14 and then you will have a 3 zone cymbal pad and every zone can be a different sound if required. If you plug a cymbal pad into the bass drum input, then the pad will only be mono (single sound). But still, it can be ANY sound.

[@marinusjm]

@@edruminfo Thank hou, Simon👍

[@edruminfo]

@@marinusjm no problem!

[@DivisionStreetDrums]

Simon, is there an issue formatting usb drives on the module, i purchased an approved usb drive and keep getting a error. Is there a way to do this on the pc? Yamaha does not list the format parameters anywhere I have found. Any help is appreciated. Thank You

[@edruminfo]

No, no issue, but how big is the drive you are trying? Its a FAT formatted drive so larger drives won't be seen. Try something smaller if you are trying something really big.

[@DivisionStreetDrums]

@Simon Edgoose it's a 32gb SanDisk, I purchased it and it was on the approved USB list, something may be wrong with the module. I contacted Sweetwater and hopefully between customer support and Yamaha they can figure it out. I appreciate your quick response.

[@edruminfo]

@@DivisionStreetDrums If you read at the top of the list, there's no guarantee that that drive will work as manufacturers change the specs of their drives all the time. I don't use anything over 4GB as I've had issues in the past with larger drives. I doubt its the EAD as that would be a first. Try a smaller drive. Do you really need 32GB? Thats more than 2 days of constant music which is a lot!

[@piotrkachny7100]

Hi Simon, I really like Yamaha DTX PRO, but somehow multilayer samples don't work on my module. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Is there any more detaliled instruction how to make my wave files layered? After doing step by step on this video my wave files still behave artificial. I mean, when I hit the pad lightly the voice is the same, when I hit stronger, the voice is still the same, when I hit strong, the voice is still the same although I put 4 layers of the sound (light, strong, stronger and the strongest). Where can I find any help how to do it correctly?

[@edruminfo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4PNf6iomduoh8U

[@edruminfo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJamhaeGZqaGn9U

[@piotrkachny7100]

@@edruminfo Thank You so much Simon. You are making GREAT job :-) It was really helpful. Now I managed to make the multi layer samples on my DTX PRO

[@howiethedrummer]

Will they eventually come out with an iPad/iPhone app to program it. The iPad app for the multi 12 amazing I don’t use the multi 12 without it. It is seriously the only way I can wrap my head around programming/using the multi 12. Make an app for this like the multi 12 please!!!

[@edruminfo]

It's already in the works. However, it was seriously held up by C19 so I don't know when it will be released, but it is coming!

[@nquiz2]

@@edruminfo Any progress on this? The dtx-pro settings vastly exceed my technical knowledge. It shouldn't have to be this difficult. An app to keep track of and change settings would be a major help and would only enhance the value of the module. Even if imperfect please put something out.

[@edruminfo]

@@nquiz2 It's on the way. I don't have a date, but it is progressing.

[@breezyamar]

Hi Simon, I'm having an issue with stacking on the DTX Pro. For example on my kick pad I have a different kick voice on layers A and B. The setting is set to Stack. The curve is set to normal. Both voices are set as VelLo 0, VelHi 127. Layer A plays as it should, but layer B gives a loud velocity when I play a ghost note. If I play a bit harder, thats when it appears the curve starts as it should, eg gradually gives a higher velocity as I play harder. It is the same issue on a different pad. Any ideas why this is happening? Is it a bug?

[@edruminfo]

Hi. It sounds like your trigger settings may be set up wrong, but before we get into that, can you change the Stack setting on the bass drum to Alternate and then see what happens? Do the layers alternate with the correct dynamics? Have you changed the transient adjustment dramatically? Theres no bug as far as I am concerned as I can stack sounds on my DTXpro absolutely fine with no issue, so we just have to find where the setting is wrong for you. What firmware are you running? You can check at Menu / Version

[@breezyamar]

@@edruminfo using the latest version 1.03. transient settings have not been changed on those pads (but have been on others). When I set it to Alt, I can hear the velocities on both layers play correctly. It is only when they are stacked the issue happens. And it is only an issue on layer B (I turned down the volume of layer A to confirm this). Also, if I change layer A to 'No assign', layer B starts to work as it should. So it's only an issue when they are combined.

[@edruminfo]

@@breezyamar OK, thanks for checking. Do you know how to do a Save All file? This takes a snap shot of your module how it is at the moment. If you can then email me the file at simon@ the name in the watermark at the bottom right corner of the video, I'll take a look at it. If you can tell me which kit it is, I'll see if it happens on mine and if there are any obvious issues. Simon

[@breezyamar]

@@edruminfo wow that's so kind of you! I'll be able to sent that you tomorrow (what an awesome feature!). Cheers!

[@edruminfo]

@@breezyamar Thst feature has been available for probably the last 10-12 years. Very useful. I don’t have to travel with modules - I just take a usb stick with all my kits and settings on it. It also means you can have limitless kits - fill it up and start again. Yes, send it to me when you can and I’ll get back to you. If there is an issue, I’ll talk to Japan about it.

[@natestewart1975]

Can you show us the ProX with an XP100 or 120 pad?

[@edruminfo]

Hi Nate, will do, as soon as I get some time.

[@cacawachi]

Chef Ramsey plays drums?!?

[@edruminfo]

I don't swear that much!

[@Frontdesk99]

Great modules, but please Yamaha... 1988 called. They want their "quality displays" back And why is that display so ridiculously small??? How about a proper touch-sensitive screen? Why all the knobs and dials? If I spend this kind of money on a drumkit, I expect a LOT more