Yamaha Drums, the only company to make acoustic and electronic drums, has completely overhauled its flagship electronic kit and will introduce the DTXTREME III and DTXTREME III Special electronic Drum Sets at Winter NAMM 2008.

Shining examples of "technology powered by a drum company," the new DTXTREME III kits promise to set the standard for sound and function. In addition to redesigned cymbals, a new kick tower, and an all-new module, the sets use the same technology that powers the supercharged Yamaha MOTIF XS synthesizer.

In addition to over 1,000 onboard drum, percussion and special effect voices, the module includes over 100 General MIDI voices. With the optional memory installed, 512 MB of sampling allows players to trigger a large library of custom sounds. Combine the stacking and layering capabilities of 100 voices with other advanced features, and the DTXTREME III is a complete workstation for drummers. Both DTXTREME III versions include 3-zone drum and cymbal pads, USB connectivity and an advanced internal sequencer. "The DTXTREME III kit is amazing," said David Jewell, marketing manager, Yamaha Drums, Pro Audio & Combo Division. "We combined our electronic drum and digital music design teams to share technology and create the most powerful electronic drum kit on the market. The user-friendly features are unmatched by any other electronic set and the sounds will blow you away!"

Several Yamaha drum artists, including Tommy Aldridge, Akira Jimbo, Russ Miller, John "JR" Robinson and Tony Verderosa, among others, had a hand in designing the new DTXTREME III. The DTXTREME III Special comes with Yamaha's new Hex Rack System, the strongest and most versatile rack in the industry, which locks drums and cymbals firmly in place and offers limitless versatility for a completely customized set up.