The DTX 12 is a work of art in many ways. First: it's really easy to use one you get started. Second: you can load samples via USB with a computer, or drop all your samples on a flashdrive for entry or backup. Third: the pads feel great, and have a pretty good longevity; I've rarely seen these pads go out. The samples that come on board this pad sound really great, as well as some of the pre set grooves; lots of fun right out of the box.

Georgeous

Indianapolis, IN

It's everything I dreamed of, audio quality is studio grade, no noise, well built unit, sexy, easy to operate. I loaded in mega-batches of my own Deadmau samples via USB stick in one operation, assigned them to pads and wah-la! I was in heaven! Also plays up to 23sec sample loops and stored MIDI patterns in perfect midi sync to your DAW's tempo(via USB). Main pads are very expressive...drum rolls come out fine, no formidable latency. 11.4 minutes of user stereo sample time available for programming. You can also load in 50 user midi patterns (.mid) via USB! My gripes: 1) You can only load in samples at 16bit/44.1kHz, so you have to convert your 24-bit samples to 16/44.1 beforehand on a computer. 2) The rim pads are not as sensitive as the flat ones, you cannot effectively play rolls, you must whack them harder to get anything out. But the flat pads are really expressive. I can make it work for me! Thanks, Yamaha!

PsyJim

Los Angeles

I am using the unit to play my own sick percussion samples at live shows. Also as a midi pad-controller in the studio. PROS: Awesome unit in all respects. Spectacular sound, high quality D/A converters. I loaded in my own kick and a cymbal samples with a USB memory stick (very easy), and studio-tested them head to head with the same samples played directly through my computer/RMEsoundcard, ...EXACTLY the same!!! No perceived Latency (audio triggers on the mark!). Sweet for high speed drum rolls. Drum pads have excellent response to sticks and hands. CONS: The default sample library that comes with this unit is nothing special, and has slow attacks. At first I thought the unit sounded muddy and had horrible latency...But then I loaded in batches of my own drum samples via computer to a USB stick, and wholly molley, this beast came ALIVE. It was the factory samples, NOT the machine! Now I have a deep sense of respect for this unit!! Gripe #2-You can ONLY load in 16bit/44.1kHz sample files(.WAV/.AIFF)up to 9sec long, so you must convert all your 24-bit or .mp3 files to this resolution on your computer with a sample rate converter. Also on the thin rim pads(1-3,10-12)you have to whack a bit harder, and drum-rolls don't quite come through...Fine for stick hits, cowbells...things at 1/2 beat resolution. Navigation through the menu is easy, a little slow with just + or - keys, a spinning dial would have been faster, but hey, less stuff to bash!!

Psytrance Jim

Topanga, CA