I finally pulled the trigger and upgraded my TD-12 module with the "Power Series" pack from vexpressionsltd.com, something I've intended to do since purchasing the module back in January. The process from purchase to playing was smooth and easy. I tried to aide the process by being prepared. Before making my purchase I had already procured a Roland UM-ONE mk2 midi cable, loaded it with the latest driver, downloaded VdrumLib (which is an excellent utility), upgraded my module to v 1.11, and read up as much as possible on the steps involved. My total spend was $90 bucks ($30 for the vex pack, $20 for VdrumLib, and $40 for the UM-ONE cable). From the moment my module screen lit up with the words "Live Rok", I've been grinning from ear to ear.
I tried very hard not to let my expectations get out of hand. After all, "VEX" packs are configurations (freaking awesome configurations, mind you) of sounds already in the module. I'll allow someone with more discerning ears to give you a review of the "Power Series" pack itself but I will say this; if you close your eyes you'll swear you've been transported to a concert venue and are immersed in a solo sound check behind an amazing acoustic kit, or 32 kits as it were. Chris has done an excellent job of doing exactly what I wish I could do, but could not do, given that I don't have the ears for it, the sound engineering experience, or even the time to spend at doing it if did. Well done sir.
With that said, I'd like to offer my two cents about why it has taken me so long to actually make a purchase. Perhaps others share my viewpoint and it might benefit the vexpressionsltd.com staff to have some feedback. I want to make it clear that I'm a huge fan, and I am making no complaint against this company, it's staff, or it's products. The folks at vexpressionsltd.com offer us a much needed service and do so exceedingly well, rather I'm offering suggestions that could make the experience that much more appealing.
The biggest deterrent for me was the initial investment. I contacted Alan via PM and I described the type of music and typical venue in which I play. Alan suggested I purchase the "Producer's Pack". He wasn't attempting to up sell me, he was just suggesting the best combo for the money spent. At $100 it would be a great value, but at the same time it was an amount that gave me pause. With the "Power Series", the $30 price tag made it possible to try "VEX" packs with a minimum initial investment. I'm not suggesting that "VEX" packs are overpriced at all. They are worth every penny and then some. It's just that I've been spending my funds on building a kit, purchasing equipment and DIY materials, and being forced to settle for the stock kits. Building the kit simply took financial priority. Only after completion of my kit am I back to improving the sounds.
If you are the proud owner of a TD-12 module like myself, you'll find no less than 13 "packs", each containing up to 50 kits, for you to choose from. The "packs" and bundles range in price from $30 to more than $200. The more you buy the better "per kit" pricing you get. If you can't purchase them all at once, it makes for an overwhelming decision. I've listened to the samples over and over, and they are all so tempting, which makes it hard to narrow it down. Then, let's say you bought several of the packs and ended up with 200 kits. For the TD-12 at least, only 50 kits can be loaded at once. Then you'll have a process of choosing the best 50 from all your choices. I can't speak for everyone, but for me it's a bit like buying entire albums versus buying only your favorite tracks from different albums. With the advent of single track purchases, I'm allowed to have a large library of varied music, because I only purchase the individual tracks that really speak to me. In the past, when music was only available to purchase by the album, I had to choose albums that gave me the most "good" tracks, to justify the purchase.
While every kit in every "VEX" pack is very well done, it isn't likely that every user will enjoy every kit in every pack. If it were possible for the team at vexpressionsltd.com to offer single kit purchases, I believe it would make the entire process more appealing, and perhaps more profitable for them as well. It might be awhile before I am able to purchase another "pack" or bundle, simply because it will cost $50+ to do so. I would be more likely to purchase 2-3 kits at a time many times throughout the year if such a service were available. I realize this would be a large undertaking to say the least, and therefore I'm just planting some seeds in hopes of what the future might yield. Honestly, I'd like to be able to preview a sample or samples of each kit. Kits could be priced and sold individually or perhaps grouped together in user defined "packs". If done this way, individual kits could be released as they they are completed rather than waiting for an entire pack to be produced. I certainly don't understand the process the vexpressionsltd.com team goes through to bring us their offerings, which explains why I'm making a Santa Claus type wish list here.
I'm somewhat hesitant to even post for fear of sounding negative toward a great company. Overall, I simply wish to convey that I'm yet another satisfied vexpressionsltd.com customer, and I'm certain that they've earned repeat business from me. To quote fulrmr(Daniel), "I'm forever VEXED". The question is simply, will I have to wait to justify pulling the trigger on a bundle to build my library, or will I, at some point, be able to compile a library of the best (IMHO) "VEX" kits, one kit at a time or in "packs" of my own choosing?
I tried very hard not to let my expectations get out of hand. After all, "VEX" packs are configurations (freaking awesome configurations, mind you) of sounds already in the module. I'll allow someone with more discerning ears to give you a review of the "Power Series" pack itself but I will say this; if you close your eyes you'll swear you've been transported to a concert venue and are immersed in a solo sound check behind an amazing acoustic kit, or 32 kits as it were. Chris has done an excellent job of doing exactly what I wish I could do, but could not do, given that I don't have the ears for it, the sound engineering experience, or even the time to spend at doing it if did. Well done sir.
With that said, I'd like to offer my two cents about why it has taken me so long to actually make a purchase. Perhaps others share my viewpoint and it might benefit the vexpressionsltd.com staff to have some feedback. I want to make it clear that I'm a huge fan, and I am making no complaint against this company, it's staff, or it's products. The folks at vexpressionsltd.com offer us a much needed service and do so exceedingly well, rather I'm offering suggestions that could make the experience that much more appealing.
The biggest deterrent for me was the initial investment. I contacted Alan via PM and I described the type of music and typical venue in which I play. Alan suggested I purchase the "Producer's Pack". He wasn't attempting to up sell me, he was just suggesting the best combo for the money spent. At $100 it would be a great value, but at the same time it was an amount that gave me pause. With the "Power Series", the $30 price tag made it possible to try "VEX" packs with a minimum initial investment. I'm not suggesting that "VEX" packs are overpriced at all. They are worth every penny and then some. It's just that I've been spending my funds on building a kit, purchasing equipment and DIY materials, and being forced to settle for the stock kits. Building the kit simply took financial priority. Only after completion of my kit am I back to improving the sounds.
If you are the proud owner of a TD-12 module like myself, you'll find no less than 13 "packs", each containing up to 50 kits, for you to choose from. The "packs" and bundles range in price from $30 to more than $200. The more you buy the better "per kit" pricing you get. If you can't purchase them all at once, it makes for an overwhelming decision. I've listened to the samples over and over, and they are all so tempting, which makes it hard to narrow it down. Then, let's say you bought several of the packs and ended up with 200 kits. For the TD-12 at least, only 50 kits can be loaded at once. Then you'll have a process of choosing the best 50 from all your choices. I can't speak for everyone, but for me it's a bit like buying entire albums versus buying only your favorite tracks from different albums. With the advent of single track purchases, I'm allowed to have a large library of varied music, because I only purchase the individual tracks that really speak to me. In the past, when music was only available to purchase by the album, I had to choose albums that gave me the most "good" tracks, to justify the purchase.
While every kit in every "VEX" pack is very well done, it isn't likely that every user will enjoy every kit in every pack. If it were possible for the team at vexpressionsltd.com to offer single kit purchases, I believe it would make the entire process more appealing, and perhaps more profitable for them as well. It might be awhile before I am able to purchase another "pack" or bundle, simply because it will cost $50+ to do so. I would be more likely to purchase 2-3 kits at a time many times throughout the year if such a service were available. I realize this would be a large undertaking to say the least, and therefore I'm just planting some seeds in hopes of what the future might yield. Honestly, I'd like to be able to preview a sample or samples of each kit. Kits could be priced and sold individually or perhaps grouped together in user defined "packs". If done this way, individual kits could be released as they they are completed rather than waiting for an entire pack to be produced. I certainly don't understand the process the vexpressionsltd.com team goes through to bring us their offerings, which explains why I'm making a Santa Claus type wish list here.
I'm somewhat hesitant to even post for fear of sounding negative toward a great company. Overall, I simply wish to convey that I'm yet another satisfied vexpressionsltd.com customer, and I'm certain that they've earned repeat business from me. To quote fulrmr(Daniel), "I'm forever VEXED". The question is simply, will I have to wait to justify pulling the trigger on a bundle to build my library, or will I, at some point, be able to compile a library of the best (IMHO) "VEX" kits, one kit at a time or in "packs" of my own choosing?
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