I had the chance today to sit down and demo the new Club Kit and have a good look at the manual for about 45 minutes today, and I'll get right to the point: this set kicks ass! It's not just "good for the money", it's good, period. I'll try to hit on some of the main features while my memory's still fresh:
First of all, the CY-6 cymbal pads are just as good (and cheaper, of course) than the CY-14s. If anyone out there is planning on getting the CY-14s, DON'T do it until you've had a chance to try out the CY-6s. The striking surface is identical, as are the choke function, trigger quality, mounting hardware, and dual-trigger capability. I had planned on purchasing the CY-14s myself, but the CY-6s are now at the top of my list. Don't let the appearance of the pads fool you; they're sturdy.
The rack, however, is not. But we all know that Gibraltar rules, so that's kind of a moot point to me!
The PD-6 pads are basically just single-trigger PD-7s (although they're actually 8" in diameter). They look cool and work like a charm. The mounting hardware is the same as that used on the PD-80s.
It might interest some of you to know that I actually preferred the FD-6 hi-hat controller to the FD-7. It seemed to have a more natural throw to it (the absence of that annoying, friction-producing rod probably had something to do with that), and I think the guys out there that like the older Yamaha hi-hat controller will really dig this one, too.
The TD-6 module is blue. And you know what? Who gives a ****. It's a good piece of gear. Based on everything it can do for the price, I wouldn't care if it was shaped like a pink pyramid. The TD-6 is essentially a clone of the TD-8 module in just about every respect. Harlock (cheers to you, man) put out a rather lengthy post a while back detailing some of the differences between the TD-6 and the TD-8, so I won't tread over old ground there, but I do want to make one point emphatically clear: the kits and sounds are editable using basically the same available parameters as found on the older TD-7 module. No, there are no V-editable sounds, but that didn't strike me as that big of a deal all things considered. As far as the number, type, and quality of the sounds in the TD-6, if you've got the TD-8, then you've heard every damn one of them--they're about 99% identical. The module control layout, although it appears quite basic, is actually quite deep and user-friendly. It took me about two minutes to figure it out. Also, the preset kits on the TD-6 struck me as being more usable out of the box than the ones on the TD-8. It's even got alternating pan, which to me is one of the coolest features of the TD-8. Now if you're one of those players that needs a multiple-output module like some of us need sex, then the TD-6 is definitely not for you. Otherwise, A+.
(On a side note: for those of you out there that have *****ed on this site about the headphone outputs not being loud enough on the TD-8/10, rest assured that you will not have that problem with the TD-6. I gave it "the test" and....well....let's just say my balls are still unshriveling....)
And, lastly, the manual. Simple yet detailed, and quite a bit thicker than you might expect. One extremely noteworthy feature of the manual was (listen up, newbies!) a page showing all the recommended trigger settings for all the different types of Roland pads with the TD-6, including the CY cymbal pads. Nice touch, Roland.....
So there you have it. Is this a kit that is meant for serious audiophile-MIDI-techno-gearhead junkies? Absolutely not. But it is a kit that I wouldn't be the least bit afraid to use live or for recording purposes (without the Roland rack, of course). If anyone on this site has a chance to check the Club Kit out and hasn't done so, do yourself a favor and give it a test drive. I think you'll be pleasantly shocked. If anyone out there has any specific questions regarding anything I haven't covered on this, feel free to post or e-mail me. I'd be happy to help.
P.S.: Step aside DTXpress, you just got wasted.
Cheers!
Mick
[This message has been edited by Mick Wade (edited June 07, 2001).]
First of all, the CY-6 cymbal pads are just as good (and cheaper, of course) than the CY-14s. If anyone out there is planning on getting the CY-14s, DON'T do it until you've had a chance to try out the CY-6s. The striking surface is identical, as are the choke function, trigger quality, mounting hardware, and dual-trigger capability. I had planned on purchasing the CY-14s myself, but the CY-6s are now at the top of my list. Don't let the appearance of the pads fool you; they're sturdy.
The rack, however, is not. But we all know that Gibraltar rules, so that's kind of a moot point to me!
The PD-6 pads are basically just single-trigger PD-7s (although they're actually 8" in diameter). They look cool and work like a charm. The mounting hardware is the same as that used on the PD-80s.
It might interest some of you to know that I actually preferred the FD-6 hi-hat controller to the FD-7. It seemed to have a more natural throw to it (the absence of that annoying, friction-producing rod probably had something to do with that), and I think the guys out there that like the older Yamaha hi-hat controller will really dig this one, too.
The TD-6 module is blue. And you know what? Who gives a ****. It's a good piece of gear. Based on everything it can do for the price, I wouldn't care if it was shaped like a pink pyramid. The TD-6 is essentially a clone of the TD-8 module in just about every respect. Harlock (cheers to you, man) put out a rather lengthy post a while back detailing some of the differences between the TD-6 and the TD-8, so I won't tread over old ground there, but I do want to make one point emphatically clear: the kits and sounds are editable using basically the same available parameters as found on the older TD-7 module. No, there are no V-editable sounds, but that didn't strike me as that big of a deal all things considered. As far as the number, type, and quality of the sounds in the TD-6, if you've got the TD-8, then you've heard every damn one of them--they're about 99% identical. The module control layout, although it appears quite basic, is actually quite deep and user-friendly. It took me about two minutes to figure it out. Also, the preset kits on the TD-6 struck me as being more usable out of the box than the ones on the TD-8. It's even got alternating pan, which to me is one of the coolest features of the TD-8. Now if you're one of those players that needs a multiple-output module like some of us need sex, then the TD-6 is definitely not for you. Otherwise, A+.
(On a side note: for those of you out there that have *****ed on this site about the headphone outputs not being loud enough on the TD-8/10, rest assured that you will not have that problem with the TD-6. I gave it "the test" and....well....let's just say my balls are still unshriveling....)
And, lastly, the manual. Simple yet detailed, and quite a bit thicker than you might expect. One extremely noteworthy feature of the manual was (listen up, newbies!) a page showing all the recommended trigger settings for all the different types of Roland pads with the TD-6, including the CY cymbal pads. Nice touch, Roland.....
So there you have it. Is this a kit that is meant for serious audiophile-MIDI-techno-gearhead junkies? Absolutely not. But it is a kit that I wouldn't be the least bit afraid to use live or for recording purposes (without the Roland rack, of course). If anyone on this site has a chance to check the Club Kit out and hasn't done so, do yourself a favor and give it a test drive. I think you'll be pleasantly shocked. If anyone out there has any specific questions regarding anything I haven't covered on this, feel free to post or e-mail me. I'd be happy to help.
P.S.: Step aside DTXpress, you just got wasted.
Cheers!
Mick
[This message has been edited by Mick Wade (edited June 07, 2001).]
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