Spotlight on the DTX8/DTX10

The newest members of the Yamaha family of electronic drum kits have just been unveiled: the DTX8 Series and flagship DTX10 Series. Both offer high-quality sounds and a realistic playing experience wrapped up in beautiful acoustic drum shells with premium finishes, making them a perfect fit for touring and recording musicians who want superior performance, functionality and reliability.

Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in.

DTX-PROX and DTX-PRO

The heart of the DTX8 is the DTX-PRO drum module, while the DTX10 Series is powered by the new DTX-PROX. Both modules provide 14 trigger inputs, 256-note polyphony, more than 700 new voices and the ability to layer up to four sounds per pad. The DTX-PRO offers 512 megabytes of WAV ROM, and the DTX-PROX offers a full gigabyte of WAV ROM.

Acoustic drum sounds for the DTX-PRO and DTX-PROX were recorded in CD-quality (44.1 kHz/16-bit) stereo by professional engineers at some of the world’s top recording studios, with the resultant samples incorporating the natural ambience of those studios. The DTX-PRO comes standard with 40 new preset drum kits, while the DTX-PROX delivers 70 new kits, plus you can build up to 200 of your own custom user kits.

Onboard effects such as Gated Reverb, Early Reflections, Tempo Delays, Chorus, Flanger and Pitch Change can be added to specific instruments via two independent processors, while Analog Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Overdrive, Bit Crusher and Lo-Fi can be added to the entire kit using a Master Effects processor (MFX).

Editing Made Easy

The DTX-PRO and DTX-PROX make it easy to modify your drum sounds on the fly with the use of a three-knob Kit Modifier, and the DTX-PROX takes tweaking to the next level with its additional Fader Select functions.

Kit Modifier

The Kit Modifier is a set of three front-panel rotary controls (surrounded by easy-to-view LED light circles) that provide instant access to three main drum kit parameters: Ambience, Comp (compressor) and Effect. For more information, see this blog posting.

Fader Select

The DTX-PROX Fader Select knob, combined with a set of seven LED Rotary Faders, gives you an even more extensive means of editing drum kits.

The function of the LED Rotary Faders is determined by the Fader Select knob. For example, when the Fader Select knob is set to Mixer, the faders control volume level for their respective Instruments (INST). But if the Fader Select knob is changed to TUNING, the faders are instead used to change the tuning of each instrument. These controls make it possible to quickly edit your sounds, even during live performance.

Training Tools and File Sharing

The DTX-PRO and DTX-PROX provide numerous practice tools that help you become a better drummer, faster! A programmable click can be edited for sound, note value and individual note volume — you can even import your own WAV file to use as a custom click. In addition, 10 different training tools are available to help you practice, including 37 Training Songs with original drum parts that can be muted or unmuted. For more information about DTX Training tools, see this blog posting.

Both modules are also compatible with Yamaha Rec’n’Share, a free app that runs on iOS and Android™ devices, enabling you to record audio and video of your drumming performances. Once a track has been recorded, you can email the file to friends or bandmates, upload it to a file-sharing app, or post the file directly to social media. For more information, check out this blog post.

Get Connected

There are also extensive connectivity options for a wide range of applications. For example, the DTX-PROX allows each Instrument (kick, snare, toms, etc.) to be routed to any of eight individual audio outputs so they can be recorded to separate audio tracks and/or EQ’d individually on a mixer.

A USB TO HOST port enables you to connect to a PC via a standard USB cable so you can stream audio and MIDI data between the DTX-PRO / DTX-PROX and any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software. Both modules also come bundled with Steinberg Cubase AI music production software, so you’ll be recording and editing your drum performances in no time.

Alternatively, you can record to the internal recorder, which captures audio at 44.1 kHz/16-bit resolution. Recordings up to 90 minutes long can be named, stored and recalled onto a USB flash drive connected to the USB TO DEVICE port. A USB flash drive can also be loaded with your favorite accompaniment or practice songs as stereo WAV files (44.1 kHz/16-bit) for playback using the internal recorder. You can play along with these files or overdub your performance to a song — a great learning tool. The mix between the song and the drums can be adjusted using the DTX-PROX Sliders, which give you separate volume control for AUX IN, Audio, Click, Output and Phones.

Additional connections on the DTX-PROX include MIDI In and MIDI Out, 1/8″ and 1/4″ headphone jacks powered by a high-quality headphone amplifier, and an AUX IN that can accept a 1/8″ cable, enabling connection to any music player. The DTX-PROX can also connect wirelessly to a smart device via Bluetooth^®.

Pads That Look and Feel Like Real Drums

DTX8 and DTX10 Series drum pads utilize a newly designed shell constructed from high-quality birch ply, manufactured at the Yamaha acoustic drum factory. The pads are available in Black Forest or Real Wood finishes, adding the beauty and presence of acoustic drums, and can be ordered with a choice of TCS (Textured Cellular Silicone) or two-ply mesh heads by REMO^® for optimum playing action.

TCS heads feature a unique construction that gives the rebound of an acoustic drumhead and has a treated surface that prevents sticks from sliding. The result is a natural drum feel that makes you want to keep playing.

Mesh heads can be tuned to your preference and provide excellent noise reduction, a high degree of durability, and great rebound for comfortable playing.

The new XP125SD 12-inch snare drum pad utilizes three sensors that respond precisely to delicate stick work, and has hit-point detection for maximum expressiveness. The XP105T 10-inch and XP125T 12-inch toms are two-zone pads that mount using standard Yamaha hardware.

DTX10 Series kits come with the new Yamaha KP128 12-inch kick drum pad, which features a durable 2-ply REMO mesh head and easily accommodates double pedals. DTX8 Series kits utilize the KP90 7.5-inch rubber pad, which is large enough for two beaters, allows connection of an additional external pad and offers adjustable output level for optimum sensitivity.

All cymbal pads supplied with DTX8 and DTX10 kits are three-zone pads with hit-point detection that produces bow, edge and bell sounds. DTX10 kits are supplied with the new PCY175 17-inch ride cymbal pad, while DTX8 kits come with the 15-inch PCY155 ride cymbal pad. Crash cymbals are 13-inch PCY135 pads. All of these permit choking by grabbing the edge of the pad.

DTX8 and DTX10 Series kits use genuine Yamaha hardware that stands up to the most enthusiastic players. Snare drum pads are supported using the Yamaha SS662 snare stand, a lightweight, compact design with a snare basket that holds drums up to 12 inches in diameter. Toms mount securely to the rack using the iconic Yamaha CL-940B ball clamp, which allows a wide range of positions. DTX8 kits are equipped with the HS650A hi-hat stand, while DTX10 kits ship with the HS740A hi-hat stand, ensuring reliable, smooth action. Both Series employ CH755 long boom cymbal holders so you can place your cymbals precisely where you want them.

Maximum Stability

DTX8 kits use a Yamaha RS8 rack, while DTX10 kits utilize the RS10-HXR rack system. Both have horizontal legs for increased stability, plus sufficient space on the left side to accommodate a hi-hat stand and/or double foot pedal. The RS8 features a newly-designed clamp for the cymbal holders; this enables a wider range of positions while preventing unwanted movement.

The RS10-HXR hex rack used in DTX10 Series kits is based on the popular Yamaha HEXRACKII. Constructed from a strong, lightweight aluminum alloy, the RS10-HXR provides tremendous flexibility for positioning while keeping toms and cymbals locked in place throughout a performance or recording session.

The new DTX8 and DTX10 Series electronic drums offer a terrific combination of great sounds, functionality and stage presence. If you’re looking for superior performance during rehearsal, live performance or studio recording, you owe it to yourself to check them out.