Yamaha Silicone Pads and Roland Module

[techtrax]

Does anyone know if the newer Yamaha Silicone pads work with any of the Roland modules?

I want to put together a compact practice e-kit that I can pack around easily (snare/hat/ride/bass). I already own a TD-9KX kit but I'm thinking of switching to another module for better sound quality and/or portability (DTX multi12, SPD-30, SPD-SX, TD-12, DTXtreme) - I really want to base the setup around a Yamaha silicone snare pad though, so knowing a bit about compatibility would be awesome. Thanks in advance!

[hairmetal-81]

Welcome to the forum, techtrax!

You'll get the very minimum - one zone, head only - out of a Yamaha XP120 pad on a Roland module.
While Roland uses Piezo/Piezo for both head and rim on its' dual-zone pads, Yamaha uses Piezo/Switch. Piezo for the head-zone, rim-switches for zones 2 and 3 (i.e. cross-stick & rimshot.)


HTH

[techtrax]

Thank you very much for the quick, specific, and helpful response! Looks like I'll have to go with a Yamaha module.

[hairmetal-81]

Not necessarily...
Have you considered using your existing TD-9 module for triggering VST-software? ...before spending money on a (new) module ...that in 9 times out of 10 can't match the sound-quality of software IMO.


HTH

[techtrax]

The thing is, I'd really love to have a minimalist electronic kit that feels good to play on and has all of the essential elements so I can set it up quickly in a small space and work on ideas when I don't have access to my acoustic kit. Something simple, easy, and elegant with decent sound quality. I'd really love to be able to fit it all into a suitcase.

I'm cool with triggering VSTs (I've actually got Steven Slate Platinum and DFH Superior), but I've never been able to get them feeling just right. Usually it is the hi-hat that just lacks expression or won't behave for me. The sound quality is way better than the module, but to me there has been a huge tradeoff in hi-hat feel. Also, I prefer acoustic drums (even to pro multisamples) because I feel more connected to the instrument. I do understand though, that there is always more to be tweaked so I might have to investigate this further.

I strongly prefer the feel of Yamaha's silicone pads to Roland's mesh pads. I haven't tried the previous gen. Yamaha pads, but I'd like to. The feel of the mesh is just not close enough to my actual drums for me to be happy with it. If I liked the mesh pads more, I think sticking with the TD-9 would be the way to go (like you suggested).

If you have any ideas about other options I'd love to hear them!

[campster]

Our band reheases at the bass player's house and he has a TD9. Not long after playing it i bought a Yamaha DTX750 kit because i preferred the silicon pads. Then I played the TD30 with the big mesh pads (12"/10" vs 10"/8") and I was sold...the bigger mesh heads feel so much better over the smaller ones

[hairmetal-81]

Then of course, there is yet another option in the form of the Aquarian 'OnHeads'. ...But you would need some form of cut shell to place them in, like a 'Rhythm Traveler' kit.

Seeing that you'd like to be able to fit it all into a suitcase, how about we talk about a 'mini-kit', based around a multi-pad?

Like...







...or...





I really like these!
(They are kits from members 'Tazed' and 'Kurth83', respectively.)



HTH

[techtrax]

Campster - I have put some time in on the TD-20 and although the larger pads felt better, I still didn't like them as much as the Yamaha pads. I do agree though, larger mesh pads are much better feeling than the smaller ones - it's even noticeable for me going between 10" and 8" pads. Another thing that I don't like about the mesh pads (at least the ones that I have) is they have a real hotspot in the middle of the head. Also, larger pads will increase the overall size and reduce portability of the kit, so I'd like to keep them fairly small.

HM - I really like the mini kits! In particular, that Octapad rig is very similar to how I'd like to be set up.

This is actually how I've had my TD-9 set up for the last couple of years; although putting the snare on a separate stand allows for slightly better positioning. The feel of the CY-5/FD-8/KD-8 are decent, but the snare just doesn't work for me. I also don't like how the TD-9 module uses a snake instead of separate trigger inputs. In order to conserve space, I'm thinking about going to a KD-7 or KD-5 with a wire-base pedal instead of the KD-8.

I wasn't aware of these aquarian products. The onhead looks awesome. Great feeling and responsive rimshots, ghost notes, and cross sticking is important to me so I'll definitely look into going that route. Thanks very much for your responses, they've been really helpful!

[campster]

Fair enough, and I know where you're coming from. I must admit I do miss the yamaha pads...if only the yamaha had the positional sensing/nuance the TD30 has, I'd switch in an instant!