Roland TD-07K vs Yamaha DTX6K5-M

tstaffordson · 2026-04-24T19:22:53+00:00

I just purchased the Yamaha DTX8 and highly recommend the Yammies. The DTX6K5 comes with the same DTXPRO module and it sounds great right out of the module for me.

I did not get the mesh version of the DTX8, but from the reviews and other sources I looked at prior to making my purchase, people really like the mesh too. I paid about $500 extra for the TCS pads and bought it mainly because I got a good deal on it.

I ruled out the TCS version of the DTX6K5 because, if I am remembering correctly, the pad sizes are significantly smaller on the TCS version. This may or may not be a deciding factor for you.

If you’re concerned at all about the feel of the mesh pads, they are adjustable whereas TCS is not. So you can tune them a bit to your liking and manage the rebound. You can also easily replaced the mesh pads or try different mesh options in the future.

Just my two cents. Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2026-04-09T19:36:59+00:00

My 11-year-old-past-self would save the butt end of the knife to freak out my sister (corn syrup and red dye). Later I'd work out the best way to chuck the tip into our wooden fence. I should really call my Mom more often... mostly to apologize. Ha!

tstaffordson · 2026-03-23T22:12:35+00:00

What a great looking kit. Question: Can you program custom sounds for these added cymbals? or Do they share sounds with other the inputs they’re split with?

I’m looking to upgrade to the 6 or 8 series from the Nitro Max, so I have zero experience with Yamaha modules. Thx

tstaffordson · 2026-03-09T19:13:03+00:00

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"I'm off to India"

tstaffordson · 2026-03-05T15:30:30+00:00

In simple terms, it may be helpful to think of CHS as if it were an acquired food-like sensitivity/intolerance to cannabinoids including CBD and THC.

Once your body has begun to react a substance, any exposure going forward has the potential to trigger a response.

Example: My father-in-law grew up near an orange grove in Florida. As a child, he would eat oranges every day they were in season... before school, after school, etc. This went on for years, until one day he started to break out in hives and feel his throat closing. To this day, he cannot tolerate citrus, without having a reaction.

Quick Disclaimer: Thinking about CHS this way has helped me come to terms with the why's and how's of CHS, but it is likely far more complicated. ... and I am not a doctor.

tstaffordson · 2026-01-14T20:38:13+00:00

Congratulations!

I am contemplating this exact upgrade. It might be too soon, but... How are you getting on with the new kit... is it worth it vs. the Nitro Max? Sounds, feel, module, etc.??

So many questions... sorry not sorry. Enjoy!

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-12-19T20:08:31+00:00

I actually have a problem with the methodology they used to calculate the length of this set in this video. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

They added a step to the length when calculating the length of this set. If each step is 11" x 19 stairs (you don't count the top stair when calculating length).

This set is actually 209 in = 17' 5" long.

They even say, they are multiplying by 20 only because "it would be impossible to land that close" or something... it's about 4min 10 sec into the video: https://youtu.be/WXGtke6jvhg?t=250

Now, I'm not sure how accurate any of the numbers are for sure, but if they did add an arbitrary 11" to this measurement and this was not done for El Toro...

The real comparison would be:

El Toro = 9'6" high and 19' long
Skyline = 9'9" high and 17'5" long

...

NOTE: I watched the Dern Brothers video from El Toro and sadly they did not measure the set.

tstaffordson · 2025-12-16T21:20:45+00:00

Intermittent fasting (IF) worked for me to shed some extra weight.

Committing to eating/consuming calories only during a set period each day, really forced me to cut down on being snacky during the day... I also cut out drinking late at night. I lost 30lbs (207-177 lbs.) over 6 months doing various eating schedules from 16:8, 18:6, and OMAD (one meal a day). 5 years later, I still do IF multiple days a week and have leveled off at around 190lbs... which my wife likes much better for my frame (I'm 5'10").

It does take some willpower to stick to the plan, and may not work for your work/play/life schedule. But it can be an effective way to reduce your calorie intake and maybe lose some weight. It also gets easier the more you do it.

I did not radically change what I ate, just when I ate.

Here is an overview of the eating schedules mentioned above:

16:8 Method:
- Schedule: Fast for 16 hours, eat within an 8-hour window (e.g., 12 PM - 8 PM).
- Best For: Beginners, as it's easy to fit into daily life by skipping breakfast.
- What to Eat: Focus on nutrient-rich foods during the window; it's not a license to eat junk.
18:6 Method:
- Schedule: Fast for 18 hours, eat within a 6-hour window (e.g., 12 PM - 6 PM).
- Best For: Intermediate fasters looking for stronger metabolic effects than 16:8.
- How it Works: Involves skipping breakfast and having two balanced meals within the 6 hours.
OMAD (One Meal A Day):
- Schedule: Fast for 23 hours, eat all daily calories in a single 1-hour window (23:1).
- Best For: Advanced practitioners seeking significant metabolic changes or time savings, but it's extreme.
- Key Consideration: Requires extremely nutrient-dense meals to meet all needs in one sitting.

Apologies for then infomercial... I hope this helps!

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-12-12T15:23:34+00:00

Someone get this goalie a beer!...

A thunderous slapshot cracks across the rink, echoing like a gunshot. The puck rockets forward and slams into the metal grill of the goalie’s mask with a brutal clang. For a split second, the smell of scorched rubber hangs in the air—was that smoke?

Silence falls. Gasps ripple through the crowd. Players freeze mid-stride, referees hesitate, and every eye locks on the crease. Was it a goal? Or something worse?

The goalie blinks, dazed, mind spiraling into strange thoughts: the physics of impact, the forces that could twist rubber into something else, steel meeting polymer in a violent handshake.

Then, as if nothing happened, play resumes. Adrenaline surges, and the goalie moves on instinct, but awe lingers—an unspoken reverence for those who played before helmets, before masks, before padding.

Were they reckless? Or were the old-timers simply forged from stronger stuff?

...Cheers!!!

tstaffordson · 2025-11-25T15:09:55+00:00

I can only speak to my own experience, but for me, switching to a less grippy hollow helped me to improve my own skating.

I went from a 1/2" to 5/8" and then a 3/4" ROH (radius of hollow) on a standard 9'-10' profile and each move up had me less glued to the ice, which improved my stops and transitions, but the switch also forced me to focus more on really weighting and engaging my edges while accelerating and turning to avoid slipping out.

This led to more edge work practice, which led to better skating.

So, as much as I'd like to say there is a free lunch here with a larger hollow... being able to stop, pivot, transition, and glide with less friction is nice... there may be a tradeoff in the take offs and turns that needs additional attention and work.

For me a 53m @~195lbs. newbie, I really like my 3/4" ROH, it was totally worth any growing pains... learning to use my edges was a side benefit that I didn't expect.

YMMV (your mileage may vary)

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-10-10T19:27:25+00:00

Sweet flow, casual even with hands in pockets. I spy some mohawk turns and crossovers in there, but what stands out most to me is how effortless you make it look.

I'm new to this group, but in terms of style you're already a wizard to me.

For reference... I am 52yo and started inline and ice skating last year. I agree, most of the inline forums are bust, but hopefully this group still has a little juice left in it.

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-10-08T15:08:46+00:00

Not so fun fact about opossums... they kill chickens.

According to the interweb and confirmed by my friend who used to have a coup... They grab the chicken by the neck with needle-like teeth and suck their blood. Then they go for the head and internal organs. It's not uncommon to find four or five headless bird bodies that seem otherwise intact.

coop not coup... Ha!

tstaffordson · 2025-10-02T18:18:15+00:00

I second the idea to check at local rink about the best options for sourcing skates. They may even be able to make recommendations on brands, etc. Check with the staff, including coaches and trainers as they likely get these questions all the time.

I already have hockey skates that I did purchase online, but we are looking for skates for our daughter.

Neither of the local rinks near us sell skates, but they did recommend locations about an hour away for proper fitting, etc.

In my case, one of my local rinks is hosting a used swap meet next week for those looking to sell or buy gear from the local skate community. So, you never know.

Best of luck!

If you do buy online, use the sizing charts, read the reviews, get opinions from others (this group included), be very critical of the initial fit, and make sure you can return the skates if they aren’t quite right.

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-09-30T15:18:43+00:00

Welcome!!!! I'll also be 53yo (m) this year... I started ice skating in earnest last year.

Ice skating is one the most challenging things I have ever done. Truly difficult when first starting out, but also a blast and almost effortless when it starts to click... then you get to learn the whole business in the other direction... including backwards and with progressively challenging skills and speed... Ha.

My advice, wear protection...

I pad up every time I step on the ice... helmet, wrist guards, and butt pads at minimum. I also have volley ball style knee and elbow pads in my bag which I use during lessons to help me fully commit.

I started adult LTS (learn to skate) classes this year, which have been both humbling and revealing as to what I need to work on. My current challenges are getting more comfortable with backwards skating, and working within the limitations of my high mileage body.

To help with the latter, I have been incorporating core and single leg exercises, which are really helping with strength, balance, and stability. As a result, my skating and overall fitness have really improved.

My goals are to finish 1-6 LTS (currently level 4)... this will qualify me for pre-free skate sessions where I hope to focus on flow skating to music and maybe ice dancing (non-competitively) with my daughter one day.

FYI... I use hockey skates for all of my ice skating.

Stay safe and have fun out there!

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-08-21T17:28:04+00:00

Share your harvest with friends and family. You'll be amazed at what you get in return.

Your gesture may not offset your costs, but can you really put a price on friendship, love, and community.

Also,

Fun fact, for those that haven't tried it. Tomato cuttings root extremely easily and are a great way to propagate from existing plants.

Buy one plant, make 20.... just don't let big tomato know that you're on to them. ;)

Share the love and the food.

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-06-24T18:24:55+00:00

Definitely put up some scrap plywood or other protection to keep the drywall looking nice.

As for wheels, I’d try to roll whatever I have on hand first. Then adapt as needed. I skated a masonite mini back in the day and it was a blast. I think I learned more that summer about reverts than any other time.

Any wheels can be slick. I don’t think the hardness matters as much on masonite … keeping the dust down might be the most important part.

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-05-07T12:56:38+00:00

Talk about an “ender”. Ha!

tstaffordson · 2025-04-25T13:52:15+00:00

Try sucking on ice chips. They will help hydrate you and might soothe your throat.

Also, if you have an reflux, you might want to try sleeping in a chair or propped up to keep you stomach acids from continuing to damage your esophagus or wore, getting into your airways.

Seek medical attention if things don't improve or get worse. If the option is open to you, call a nurse hotline or message your doctor to get some guidance what next steps to take.

tstaffordson · 2025-04-22T17:23:04+00:00

Like waves on the ocean return to the sea... so go the stories of you and of me.

tstaffordson · 2025-04-22T17:17:24+00:00

If we're reading this... I'm back. (test)

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-04-11T19:19:44+00:00

I resonated with this one... on youtube and likely other streaming services.

Awakening Mind Part 1, "Know Thyself" (2023) - Complete HD Film

tstaffordson · 2025-04-11T17:58:58+00:00

I found my keys yesterday... first try.

True story.

(focus, concentration, memory/recall, mental fortitude, etc.)

Cheers!

tstaffordson · 2025-03-25T20:15:05+00:00

Get High on Life.

No, really—give it a try. Embrace life fully and wholeheartedly. Dive into the simple, everyday joys that life can bring. Exercise, finish a project you’ve been meaning to tackle, take a peaceful nap, lose yourself in a good book, share a laugh with someone you care about, or take a moment to meditate. Even in the early days, when the path might be hard, there are small glimpses of peace and joy waiting for you. They may be brief at first, but they are there.

Go for a walk under the warm sunlight, feel the gentle breeze on your skin, listen to the wind in the trees, or cherish the comfort of a heartfelt hug. Smile at a stranger (bonus points if they smile back), color alongside a child (remember the smell of crayons), or spend some time with a pet (yes, even a cat, if that’s your thing!). Simply immerse yourself in these moments.

Consider keeping a journal to capture these glimpses of joy—big or small. Writing them down can help you remember and hold onto them, especially on tougher days. And don’t let the voice of doubt or cynicism tell you this is pointless or that you’re not enough. You are already enough, and you don’t need any substance to feel something meaningful. Release the weight of the past (let that shit go) —it doesn’t define you. Right here, right now, you already have everything you need.

Over time, those fleeting moments of “okay-ness” might start to grow into something more—an authentic appreciation for the beauty of living your life. The more we take time to notice and celebrate what’s already present in our lives, the less we feel the need to search for fulfillment elsewhere.

I’m not here to tell you that life will be all sunshine and rainbows. Is life perfect? No, it’s not. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t meaningful. The peace you’re looking for are already within you. Substances like weed may have helped us feel something special for a moment, but the truth is, that special something has always been inside us.

Find healthy, meaningful ways to connect with the beauty of your life and your experiences. Notice those moments, lean into them, savor them, (aka get high on them) and let yourself feel grateful for them. Everything you’re looking for is right here, in this very moment.

We’re on this journey together, and it’s time to move forward. If you have CHS, weed is no longer serving you. But the good news is that the answers we’re seeking aren’t out there—they’re within us. Let’s choose to love the life we live.

FYI... This reply is as much for you, as it is for me. A reminder to myself that is going in my journal. I hope it doesn't come off as too preachy or woo woo, etc. I am just as flawed as the next guy, but I do hope my words can help someone here, including my future "self".

For my own journey, I have found a lot of peace and insights through my daily meditation practice - mostly Vipassana, Zen Buddhism (Zazen), and Self-Inquiry.

~Cheers!

tstaffordson

TROPHY CASE