Yamaha DTX-Multi 12From real comments

Verdict distilled from 27 mentions across 15 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment44%
PROS 44%
CONS 56%

Rank based on 27 mentions across 15 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a compact, hand-playable percussion pad with layered sound design options
  • You're comfortable using the iPad app to work around the clunky onboard menus
  • You need a budget-friendly used unit for recording or portable percussion work

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need Android/Windows app support instead of iPad-only
  • You want modern multi-zone mesh pads and a refined touchscreen UI
  • You can't tolerate a steep learning curve with limited built-in tutorials

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
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Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
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Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
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Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
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MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
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Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
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Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Yamaha DTX-Multi 12
iPad app improves usabilityFlexible 12-pad layout for full kitsGood value usedClunky, unfriendly menu systemTrigger and dual-zone recognition issuesNo Android or Windows app support
Yamaha DTX-Multi 12
iPad app improves usability
Flexible 12-pad layout for full kits
Good value used
Clunky, unfriendly menu system
Trigger and dual-zone recognition issues
No Android or Windows app support

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound design and layering set the DTX-Multi 12 apart from rivals. Users highlight the ability to layer up to four sounds per pad with independent ADSR envelope control, calling it a powerful percussive sound creation tool. The Yamaha loops also adjust for tempo, unlike competing Alesis units which are tempo-locked and rely on non-dynamic single-shot samples. The onboard MIDI tone generator adds a bonus: playing keyboard sounds simultaneously with drum sounds, a unique feature for a drum multipad.

The iPad app is essential but access is limited to Apple users. Multiple commenters describe the iPad app as a game changer that makes programming far more manageable than the unit's native menus, enabling features like sound layering and backing track playback. However, several users are frustrated that there's no Android or Windows equivalent, calling this omission sad, and others struggle simply to get the iPad connected to the module via USB in the first place.

Trigger handling and interface quirks frustrate many owners. Users report cross-talk issues, dual-zone triggers not registering correctly (rim sounds swapped or missing), and only three-step hi-hat pedal response even with software like AD2. Others complain about audio skipping during rapid tapping and a lack of quick navigation controls like a touchpad or rotary knob for changing settings, calling the plus-button-only navigation a major flaw.

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