Yamaha DTX6chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

By far the most repeated complaint: the 8in pads and small snare feel undersized for the price, with several commenters directly unfavorably comparing them to their own practice pads and wishing for at least 10in-12in options.

@cjxj2202

I'm looking at saving a bit of money and getting the K2 with the rubber tom pads. The two zone silicone toms for me don't justify a nearly $500 price hike and I'm fine with having single zone.\n\nI need something that is compact and this is the only kit that still has three zones on the snare and the ride cymbal, even the crashes.\n\nI would prefer a 12 or even 10\" snare but I'm willing to live with 8\" as a trade-off for everything else.\n\nThanks for the info!launch

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November 23, 2025

@66meikou

Is that Craig Blundell?\n\nThe double input jack on the kick go back to the DTXtreme original kick. I still have one in a crate as I replaced it with the later mesh head larger version.\n\nYamaha has for reason's I've never figured out, always been one or two steps behind on things. I question why they offer such small cymbals. It cant cost that much extra to add a couple of inches in terms of materials\n\nI was going to buy the 10\" TOTL kit but the price was just nuts. I got the same amount of kit by going with eFnote 3X and everything is bigger.\n\nIf anyone should be interested in and expanded DTXtreme kit with extra pads and cymbals as well as the original module and a dtx500 module, make me an offer. I also have a load of rack hardware parts to include.launch

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February 13, 2025

@TjBruce817

Thx for the break down on this kit, i was looking for a decent quality set that was apartment friendly and the size and quality of this set was perfect for my needs. I checked it out and played around with the competition in store and I definitely liked the way this felt and sounded the best. Only wish the snare was a little bigger, but like you said i can always get a bigger one down the road.launch

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April 23, 2022

@saltygh0st124

You nailed it with the snare size, I feel like this would be better received if it came with at least a 10 inch snare. I recently sold my Alesis Strike Pro SE after 2 ride cymbal replacements, and had my eye on this one. I considered the DTX720k for the larger pads, but it's a shame it comes with one less cymbal.launch

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May 12, 2021

Multiple commenters call the DTX6 overpriced relative to Roland, Alesis, or Efnote alternatives with bigger pads for less money, and one notes the pricing seems aimed more at the Japanese arcade-game market.

@IlRAVElI

Roland has effectively vacated this price range after the 2020 price increases and the introduction of newer models featuring undersized pads, no real hi-hat, one cymbal less, and rather artificial sounds. At around €1,500 — often even less — this segment is now wide open, and that will (and already is) benefiting the market overall.launch

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January 23, 2026

@JakeStaffin

I haven’t been able to try out any Yamaha electronic kits in a few years but I remember being super impressed with the revamped DTX 8 and 10 when those were revealed. This kit seems like it has what I’d be looking for at this price point, similar to the 8 but with fewer bells and whistles which I’m ok with and much better value IMO than other Yamahas at this price point. I’d be curious to see how this compares to other kits currently available in its price range from other brands- Roland, Alesis, etc as this $1500-$2000 price range is one that I think will generate a lot of popularity. Larger pad sizes without being the highest end price point is something that I think a lot of people will like.launch

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February 15, 2025

@dasenase

The premium set doesn't feel premium to the west, but in Japan they'll pay extra because it matches the set for an arcade game, DrumMania, which uses a modified DTX with the same pad type. They really should adjust the pricing for the western market, but it does make sense for Japan, since DTX has a big audience of rhythm gamers.launch

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February 13, 2025

@MidwestFLMan

The Yamaha desert has been rough, so glad to see new products starting to trickle out! Now looking at the DTX6K5-M vs DTX8K Mesh, the price difference just blows me away. $1,699 vs $3,299 for largely the same experience. I think I'm just gonna sit tight and see what the market does with the next year or so. I don't wanna jump on anything just yet.launch

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February 12, 2025

Not every reviewer was impressed by the factory sounds; several found the toms and kick tinny, processed, or drum-machine-like, especially compared favorably to older Yamaha modules or acoustic references.

@raymondorzecki8660

I tried one of these DTX6K3 kits in the shop and was very disappointed with the factory sounds playing through headphones. Sounded tinny, especially the kick drum and the toms didn't impress either \n For comparisons I played the Roland TD17KVX that sounded better but I felt with the Roland I'm buying old Technology as in the brain and only 2 stage cymbals 🥱 and a weak frame.\n I'll stick with my trusty built like a tank compact 2010 DTX500 which is optioned up with additional genuine Yamaha parts kit and sounds more realistic than these new kits. \n As they say, they don't build them like they used to.launch

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June 23, 2022

@DuroSamples

I cant belive that after all these years of tech leaps, we still have mediocre drum kits in these modules with 2 or 3 layers of drum velocity.\nThey can easily add plenty memory in SSD format and have a snare drum that sounds more natural. \nThe tom toms sound like a drum machine. Etc. Sounds unnatural.\n\nYAMAHA! Add proper memory to be able to load the necesary samples to justify these ridiculous prices on your electric drums.\nI rather have a triggering kit and play my own personal multi sample drums VST that sound way more realistc. My snare drum VST has 25 layers. \n\nTime to step it up Yamaha.\nYour prices do not justify the value.\n\n12:55 that cymbal sounds just like the one on my RY30 drum machine from millenia ago. Lots of recycled samples.launch

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July 29, 2021

@chrischros3192

Hey Simon, first of all thanks for this really informative and well structured Video😃\n\nDuring the video I noticed, that the cymbals sound very hard when you hit them. I always played acoustic kits and real cymbals have a specific way of how the sound builds up when you hit them.\n\nCan you tune the sound to make for example the Ride cymbal sound more like a big ‚washy‘ sounding Jazz Ride to reproduce a more realistic cymbal sound?🤔launch

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May 8, 2021

@DerFrange1

I had a Yamaha DTX582 for a couple of months. I did like the pads, but the sounds were just not great imho. Especially the Toms sounded artificial and just too processed for my liking and it unfortunately seems to be the same here. Definitely not for me so I will probably look at either Efnote or ATV when the time comes to get an electronic set again. Plus, lie you mentioned multiple times, those pads are tiny, my practice pad is larger than the snare :Dlaunch

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April 18, 2021

Reviewers point out the flagship RHH135 hi-hat is over a decade old with no bell zone, and want Yamaha to modernize the hi-hat and cymbal lineup to rival newer digital designs.

@aaron_hits_stuff

\"These are the same cymbals they've had forever\". Dude, truer words were never spoken. Yamaha really needs to update their shit, their offerings are starting to look terribly stale. The RHH135 - their flagship hihat, the lynchpin of all e-drum gear, is more than 10 YEARS OLD.launch

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May 22, 2025

@ThePowerchimp

great work justin! question - since this title is 'first impressions' does that mean there's a more in depth hands-on review coming in the future? or is this your final word on this kit? Its good to have a Yamaha kit I can recommend without having to make any excuses about. In my view, this kit is the perfect balance of: overall compact footprint, but with full size playing surfaces, amazing sounds, user friendly module WITH deep dive controls via the app, solid kick, nuanced ride, all at a respectable price. Where Yamaha really needs to innovate now, is in the hi-hat - lighter, thinner, less noisy and advanced pedal nuance - something to rival Rolands digital hats. If they partnered with Zildjian on a DTX-compatible Alchem-E hi-hat, that would sell like hotcakes.launch

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February 15, 2025

@jamessullenriot

Yamaha holding on to the title of the most frustrating e drum company. Their stuff is really good and solid, but I feel this kit should have come out 5 years ago and this should be the iteration. For example, I don't care about bluetooth, but the fact that it's 2025 and Donner has bluetooth makes this unacceptable.launch

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February 12, 2025

Long-time users describe the module's menus as spread across multiple confusing sections, making tuning and voice editing require jumping between areas that should logically be unified.

@stevend984

I'm trying to find the video that directly relates to one of my issues...meanwhile I'll keep looking and posting and maybe something will pop up. I have the basic DTX6K-X but it does have the TCS 3-Zone snare pad. I believe this to mean I should have three different zones on the pad which I can create three different settings and parameters for. Although I have been able to identify each of these zones...Head...OP Head/Rim...CL-Rim. When struck, they all sound as designated but I have yet to discover how or where to create the individual parameter setting options. There's a section for rim level and head/rim balance but these have no affect on the pad. Is there some secret switch somewhere I have overlooked that activates this option? It just seems like the further I dig into this enormous MAZE of configurations the more complicated it becomes. I would really like to take advantage of the potential of this unit...but I just want to get some tracks recorded before I DIE! Does it really have to be this complicated?launch

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January 29, 2024

@wuffb

Okay . . . so now I have had the module for about a month now . . . and here are my current observations . . . 1) XP80 pads are FAR more enjoyable to play than the rubber or XP70s. Now the XP80s are THREE Zone, so when you connect them to the TOM inputs, expect some MULTI Voice triggering . . . no problem, just use the INDV Voice in the Voice edit menu and set the Rims to (No Assign). Then the XP80 will function like a regular XP70 tom. 2) I stand by my first comment in that the silicone pads are NOT as comfortable to play as the Roland Mesh Pads. If you play light, you will LOVE the silicone pads for their response, feel and comfort, but if you try to ROCK OUT, the shock from harder strokes on the rims really become fatiguing almost painful after a about an 1/2 hour of play. 3) The KP90 is great IF you like to heel up and lay into your kick drum, but if you look closely at the pad, it \"bulges outward\" unlike the KP65 or 100 or Rolands . . . that \"bulge out\" can cause a bunch of double triggering EVEN when you have the \"MinLevel\" set to 10 or below. Have moved beater head location OFF CENTER and it seems to have greatly reduced the double triggers. 4) I have found that using the SAME voice at Different Tunings creates a far smoother tom group than following the Instrument SIZE differentials AHM 10 or 12 etc. 5) LOVE the Layering!!! You really can \"round out\" your INSTRUMENT sound by adding just a layer or two and tweaking the voice filters. 6) Have almost eliminated \"machine gunning\" of the snare and am SO happy with that vs. the Roland SuperNatural. It required layering of THREE snare sounds, setting different EQs for each, of course having \"humanize\" in ON position and setting sensitivities at different levels. It's like having the pad trigger three snares with different release and transients at the same time and the overlap creates just enough \"imperfection\" to sound real. It's still there a little, but you have to REALLY listen for it. 7) Dump \"The Rack\" right away, set up the pads and cymbals on \"stands\" so you can space the drums wider and closer to your acoustic setup. It really makes the kit more fun and natural to play. 8) The Roland CY-5 high hat works with the Yamaha HH Control pedal and is more comfortable to play than any of the Yamaha Hi Hat setups I tried. 9) Oh yeah, and be prepared to change ALL of these settings when you move from headphones to PA speakers LOL . . . but that's the same with all E-Kits. For Reference, I am using Sennheiser HD25 Headphones and EV ZLX-15BT Speakers. I have also used Roland Mesh Pads with this module . . . the key is NOT to use the Yamaha Cables with the Roland Pads, use regular guitar cables (eliminates the multi voice pad triggering, but also locks you into one voice per pad. Roland Ride Cymbal does NOT work with this module effectively because Roland uses different cables for Bell and Bow. Yamaha has one cable for both. Which by the way makes setting up for a gig easier. Can't tell you how many times in low light I put the wrong Roland cable in the wrong socket and had to redo the connection LOL!! Please note: I am NOT a product expert, I am a user who is just sharing what I have found from a \"user\" perspective!launch

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March 4, 2021

@wuffb

Okay . . . I've had this module for about two weeks now (and I own some Roland kits too) and some first impressions . . . 1) The customization capabilities are far beyond the 502 . . . that being said, they are pretty much close to the Roland TD-15 module of a few generations ago (although the Roland is synth voices, not sampled). The menus and not centralized which is very frustrating . . . you can tune a limited range from the INST menu at the top . . . but ALSO from the Voice menu which has it's OWN range?? Why not have TUNE be TUNE?? Instead of TWO different areas. 2) The EQ capabilities are EXCELLENT with both Voice, Kit and Headphone adjustments possible . . . but balancing the THREE messes with each other . . . uggh! 3) The recorded sample sounds are good, but very limited . . . it's the customizations that are the saving grace here . . . not the core samples . . . no Beech Custom, No PHX, No Maple Custom, No Recording Custom . . . pretty much JUST Absolute Hybrid . . . and a bunch of effects on the same core. Only a couple of snare core sounds . . . I REALLY hope they have plans to expand the core sound bank. 4) Simon is dead on . . . the Pad Lock button is VERY important . . . don't skip that step when customizing a voice / layers . . . oh, and don't forget to turn it off when your done LOL!!!. 5) Volume has it's own menu under kit edit for multiple things . . . but WHY?? Voice should be VOICE and EVERYTHING associated with modifying the VOICE which Roland makes much easier. To customize a pad, you have to go thru several menus back and forth to get what you want . . . in Roland, it's INSTRUMENT and ALL the instrument modifications are right there in one list. Then you go out modify global settings. Yamaha's are scattered under Utilities, Kit Edit, etc. By the way, the KP90 is WORTH THE UPGRADE !!! So much better than the old KP65!!! Even if you stay with a 502 . . . GET THE KP90 and your WHOLE Kit becomes SO much more fun . . . especially if you play \"heel up\" on your kick! 6) Stay AWAY from the KNOB adjustments UNTIL you have your User kit preferences dialed in!! They just ADD to the MESS!! Set EVERYTHING FLAT . . . select the voice closest to your liking for each pad . . . Then use VOICE EQ to make each voice as close to how you want it . . . THEN, set your voice volumes, THEN start your instrument effects . . . keep the global settings ALL neutral until your get that core sound . . . THEN start messing with the mix menu .. . LASTLY start putting in the effects and finally the full Kit EQ outputs. If you don't have a process for getting thru all of these settings, you will go crazy as every one affects the others . . . 7) The enclosed User manual is a JOKE . . . it's almost USELESS . . . Go get the REFERENCE MANUAL online, because it doesn't seem to come with the kit, and read THAT!!! Do I like this module . . . HELL YEAH! Is it easy to use right out of the box . . . yeah . . . but when you decide you really want to start making your own sounding kit . . . get ready for a LOT of tweaking!!!launch

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February 14, 2021

Owners of the KP90 kick pad report double-triggering problems even with sensitivity turned down, though swapping to a different brand's kick pad resolved the issue for at least one user.

@wuffb

Okay . . . another update!! Today I tried my Roland 120 Kick Pad with the Yamaha DTX module and it worked GREAT!!! NO double triggering at all like with the Yamaha KP90. No the REAL Funny part . . . I tried the Yamaha KP90 with my Roland TD-15 and it ALSO worked GREAT . . . with NO double triggering!!! So currently I would say the Roland Kick works BETTER with the Yamaha DTX Pro than the Yamaha KP90 . . . AND the KP90 works BETTER with the Roland Module than the Roland does!!! Just note, the voltage sends must be a little different . . . when using the KP90 with the Roland, turn the volume dial down a little (the one ON the Pad itself) . . . when using the Roland with the Yamaha, turn the volume up on the module one notch.launch

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March 17, 2021

@wuffb

Okay . . . so now I have had the module for about a month now . . . and here are my current observations . . . 1) XP80 pads are FAR more enjoyable to play than the rubber or XP70s. Now the XP80s are THREE Zone, so when you connect them to the TOM inputs, expect some MULTI Voice triggering . . . no problem, just use the INDV Voice in the Voice edit menu and set the Rims to (No Assign). Then the XP80 will function like a regular XP70 tom. 2) I stand by my first comment in that the silicone pads are NOT as comfortable to play as the Roland Mesh Pads. If you play light, you will LOVE the silicone pads for their response, feel and comfort, but if you try to ROCK OUT, the shock from harder strokes on the rims really become fatiguing almost painful after a about an 1/2 hour of play. 3) The KP90 is great IF you like to heel up and lay into your kick drum, but if you look closely at the pad, it \"bulges outward\" unlike the KP65 or 100 or Rolands . . . that \"bulge out\" can cause a bunch of double triggering EVEN when you have the \"MinLevel\" set to 10 or below. Have moved beater head location OFF CENTER and it seems to have greatly reduced the double triggers. 4) I have found that using the SAME voice at Different Tunings creates a far smoother tom group than following the Instrument SIZE differentials AHM 10 or 12 etc. 5) LOVE the Layering!!! You really can \"round out\" your INSTRUMENT sound by adding just a layer or two and tweaking the voice filters. 6) Have almost eliminated \"machine gunning\" of the snare and am SO happy with that vs. the Roland SuperNatural. It required layering of THREE snare sounds, setting different EQs for each, of course having \"humanize\" in ON position and setting sensitivities at different levels. It's like having the pad trigger three snares with different release and transients at the same time and the overlap creates just enough \"imperfection\" to sound real. It's still there a little, but you have to REALLY listen for it. 7) Dump \"The Rack\" right away, set up the pads and cymbals on \"stands\" so you can space the drums wider and closer to your acoustic setup. It really makes the kit more fun and natural to play. 8) The Roland CY-5 high hat works with the Yamaha HH Control pedal and is more comfortable to play than any of the Yamaha Hi Hat setups I tried. 9) Oh yeah, and be prepared to change ALL of these settings when you move from headphones to PA speakers LOL . . . but that's the same with all E-Kits. For Reference, I am using Sennheiser HD25 Headphones and EV ZLX-15BT Speakers. I have also used Roland Mesh Pads with this module . . . the key is NOT to use the Yamaha Cables with the Roland Pads, use regular guitar cables (eliminates the multi voice pad triggering, but also locks you into one voice per pad. Roland Ride Cymbal does NOT work with this module effectively because Roland uses different cables for Bell and Bow. Yamaha has one cable for both. Which by the way makes setting up for a gig easier. Can't tell you how many times in low light I put the wrong Roland cable in the wrong socket and had to redo the connection LOL!! Please note: I am NOT a product expert, I am a user who is just sharing what I have found from a \"user\" perspective!launch

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March 4, 2021

A left-handed player found the kit's audio channels stayed mapped for right-handed setups even after physically reversing the frame, unlike an older cheaper Yamaha model that allowed this.

@andrew2272kag

They're great provided you're not a lefty. Having purchased the kit and set the frame for a left handed user, I was very disappointed to find that the audio is backwards. As a lefty my hat is on my right and my floor tom on my left, yet the audio has them the other way round. This is a shame as the older, cheaper DTX4K had the ability to reverse this audio.\n\nFine if you're right handed, but at the price it would be nice to switch the audio. As it is, all I can do is wear cheapo iems, as good iems have ear hooks designed for the right ears, as do headphones.launch

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April 25, 2024

A blind user hoping the Touch app would provide a fully talking interface found it unusable despite Yamaha's claims, leaving them to memorize button presses manually.

@ntommy90

I got a DTX 10 mesh three years ago. I was overexcited for the release of the Touch app, as I am totally blind and was thinking, ok with a smartphone app, I can control the module via phone, having a fully talking interface. Unfortunately, the app is completely unusable despite Yamaha saying otherwise. So I'm stuck memorizing button presses for each menu, what a pity. But well, I understand this is a niche need that Yamaha probably will never care to address.launch

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September 1, 2025