Yamaha DTX550K centres on the fundamentals and also increases the customisation of adding additional set-ups. The compact configuration of the Yamaha DTX550K is something impressive. Yamaha’s DTX range is well acknowledged and this product is positioned in between the DTXpress and the DTX900 range. Needless to say, the word DTX has brought tremendous expectation to the crowd. The credit completely goes to the award winning “DTX PAD” technology, which is used in this product too. The pads are based on the cellular silicone face. The particles control the extent of rebound when struck and produce a great drumming effect. Owing to this, Yamaha DTX550K with the DTX pads is priced in the mid-range and a bit expensive than Roland.

Overview

Yamaha DTX550K Drum Set is a comprehensive mix of quality and precision. As stated earlier, the DTX pads offer great drumming experience. The Snare pad ‘XP100SD’ is developed by getting the inputs from top musicians. The textured cellular silicone head not only produces an acoustic drum effect but encourages the player to continue to play. The design set-up is compact and the tunings can be done at ease. Another highlight feature is the hi-hat RHH135, is of moving type. It also contains around 427 sounds, chosen precisely to cover all the genres. With in an in-built practice sessions of 63 varieties, the user indeed grows along with the instrument.

Yamaha DTX550K Drum Set

Design

The Yamaha DTX 550K Electronic Drum Kit rocks with a simple yet sophisticated look. Once the assembling is done, the drum set looks appealing and as it contains a two stand leg-stand, the design is still more compact and can be kept quietly in the corner of the room. The rack RS85A is made of metal and powder coated which prevents the rust formation. The rack as such is not heavy and is readily portable. The drum set with the moderate sized tubes forms a sturdy skeleton. The clamps assert a great grip and offers solid positioning. As such the design is compact, but once fitted with the pads and snare, the area and reach to deliver a hit is slightly hindered. Especially, it would be greatly realised by users accustomed with broad acoustic drum set. On the other hand, if it is aimed with the correct technique the issue is far less pronounced. The drum trigger module does not sync well with the rest of the sophistication as it sports an outdated look. Despite the simple appearance with eight buttons and double line LCD display, the device is rather spontaneous.

Set-up

The Yamaha DTX550K drum set is dismantled and packaged in to four sections, the electronic drum rack, pad set, trigger module and the three zone drum pad. The first step is the assembling of the electronic drum module. Primarily, the position of the pipe is fixed in the counterclockwise direction from the curved pipe. The knobs are tightly fastened in that angle. The pipes are to be moved and fitted in the counterclockwise direction and if it is done the opposite, the pipes are sensitive to collision and could bend. While inserting the rubber foot on the end of the pipe, the pipe is slid outwardly up to 7cm to the farthest and then the knobs are tightened. The intersection area of the rack is handled the same way with the pipes rotated in either clockwise or counterclockwise. Finally, the cymbal holder and the trigger module attachment are attached to the rack mount. The only area of concern in the rack set-up is the pipes must be aligned and fitted in the correct direction as demonstrated in the manual. Otherwise it could bend, and moreover the advisable approach in the set-up is when handling each area, the knobs are to the loosened first. The rack set-up might take some time depending on the expertise level, however once it is completed the user ought to the check the stability by shaking the upper area of the vertical pipe. In case of unstable finish, the knobs need to be fastened even more. The next step is simple and it involves the mounting of the pads and the trigger module.  The cymbal pads are placed on the holder by removing the wing nut and the washer from the holder. Once it is secured tightly, the wind nut can be bolted on to it. The user must be cautious not to replace the cymbal pad with Real hi-hat pad as the two of the pads strikes a close resemblance. The kick pad assembly comes in four parts viz, the base, body, wing nut and the washer. The base is set on the body and attached using the nut and the washer. Followed by the kick pad assembly, the Hi-hat and the trigger module are installed. Once, the pads are positioned it can be connected via the 9 channel snake cable to the rear side of the trigger module. The assembling part takes up some time and must ensure that the small wing nuts and washers are not misplaced.

Sound Effects

The Yamaha DTX550K Digital Drum Set equipped with the RHH135 hi-hat gives the better splash and bounce. The drumming is all the more great as it has a two zone construction enabling the drummer to play in a variety of styles. The snare pad benefits from the durable and floating structure that gives the great feel. On the other hand, the snare pad can be readily tuned and adjusted using the conveniently located control system. Though the sounds generated from the snare pads and the toms give a metallic effect, they are more or less in the right place.

Highlight Features

The highlight feature of the drum set is the in-built 427 sounds. The 50 preset sounds cover a wide spectrum of genre. Additionally it can store even up to twenty drum kits. It also offers a neat training program that uniquely blends the perfect 63 internal practice sessions. The user interface is also increased by functions such as mute drum part that gives a live on stage feeling. The drum set can be connected to music player to be practiced along with the preferable tune.

Package

Yamaha DTX550K is packed with electronic drum rack, pad set, three zone drum pad, and the trigger module.

Warranty

The product comes with one year warranty.

Verdict

Yamaha and Roland always goes for a neck to neck competition as both supply drum set in the mid price range. Yamaha DTX550K, though is bit expensive than Roland, the Yamaha beat and the feel would render a great drumming experience for the money invested.

Yamaha DTX550K Drum Set – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer Yamaha
Model Name Yamaha DTX 550K
Drum type Electronic
Dimensions (W x H x D) inches 252 mm x 52 mm x 147 mm
Weight 898 g
Colour Black
Audio Outputs AWM2
Number of Pads 6
Snare Pads 10-inch Snare Pad
Kick Pads KP65
Cymbal Pads 3 zone cymbal pad
Number of sounds 427
Module Trigger Inputs 9-pin D-sub for Included Snake Module
Maximum Polyphony 32
Note Capacity 16,000
Songs 41 practice songs and 20 user songs
Training Features Measure Break, Groove check and the Rhythm gate
Power 13.0W
Warranty One year

Other Drum Sets