General Music Chat

Keyboardists...

I need your opinions!

I am trying to figure out what my next keyboard will be. I had purchased a Roland Fantom x-6 used, from Guitar Center but found out it had the old operating system in it. They promised me to update it when the Roland guy came back through, but they kept forgetting and I got tired of waiting and took it back.

I want a keyboard with good acoustic instrument sounds, but also good synth sounds. I want a workstation. And yes, besides performing with it, I want it for composing and recording as well, so I want good arpeggiators in it, for a WIDE variety of projects. I am currently in a Southern Rock band, but I also write R&B, Blues, Techno, Gospel, etc...

Audio recording, like the Roland Fantom has, is a bonus, and also vocoder and harmonies like the Roland V-Synth GT has, are also bonuses.

I am torn between these boards....

Roland V-Synth GT
Roland Fantom X-6
Korg M3
Yamaha Motif XS6


I have watched HOURS of video demos of these boards and they ALL impress me in different ways. The new Korg has the entire KARMA system inside it, and is like getting 2 keyboards in one it seems. The color touch screen being able to become an x-y pad seems kind of cool, but I hear great things about the Motif as well, particularly for it's arpeggiations. I thought the Roland Fantom X was an amazingly versatile board. I used to own a Triton, so I like Korg's keyboards too.

I've even considered the Alesis Fusion, for bang for the buck, but I feel it probably is not on par yet, with the boards listed above.

What are your experiences and thoughts on this?

I'm a Roland devotee, and as such I would steer you toward the Fantom. I've never had a bad experience with their customer service so I can't explain yours. But one thing I've found with keyboards is that I'm not impressed anymore with how many sounds they can stack etc....its more a game of how clean their own machines are, and how innovative the presets and the system to modify them or make your own. I realize thats how these guys sell their enormously expensive keyboard systems ("you get this and this and this and this...") but in the end its more a case of how well you choose that one certain timbre.

I haven't bought a new keyboard in something like two years, because I've had experiences lately like, on a lark, starting up som older ones and chaining them up with my old SuperrJV and getting some stunning results. I'd go with whatever is cleanest and easiest to use, and don't be wowed with how many voices or tones the profess to allow you to stack.

Quote: [I am currently in a Southern Rock band, but I also write R&B, Blues, Techno, Gospel, etc...]

I have to ask what sound would you be using the most. From the list above I’d say; piano and Hammond B3, except for the Techno.

Korg has the some of best B3 sounds, IMO, but still not a Hammond and Korg has some descent piano sounds to, but I like weighted keys, so I have a Technic PX7 . I don’t know to much about the new Rolands, I have an old D-70 so that shows you how up to date I’m with Roland. I do have a newer Hammond XK2 /w a 145 Leslie, that I love, and I think of trading up to the new Hammond K3 /w the lower keys just like a B3. I think it real hard to get it all in 1 keyboard but that’s just me
Ron

I have to ask what sound would you be using the most. From the list above I’d say; piano and Hammond B3, except for the Techno.

For live stuff, definitely on target. I would say those are the two most important, a good acoustic piano, and absolutely a rockin' organ, like a Hammond with a good leslie effect, I supppose next would be Rhodes and strings. All those for live stuff.

But I have started getting more and more requests to write songs for people, and especially for the R&B and Hip Hop, etc... I need a really good arpeggiator with good synth sounds and beats.

One thing I don't like about the Motif though, and the Alesis Fusion is that the toggle switches (or wheels for those) go up and down. That's just retarded to me. It doesn't feel natural. I like right to left for bending electric guitar notes on keyboard. I guess I could learn to live with it though, if the board was the best board in other respects.

I really like the Roland Fantom X, and have always had several Korgs and like their synth sounds. But the Korg M3 is intriguing me, and so is the Motif. It seems the Motif is one of the more popular boards for Hip Hop tracks, is that true? I have seen comments from people as well, that Yamaha has the best acoustic sounds. Is that true? I never knew that.

Other than upright pianos, I have NO experience with Yamaha instruments. Anyone here have the Motif XS? What is your experience with it. Also, has anyone here had the Karma? I never got to play with one, cause I had a Triton that always kept me busy.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Well, I'm a guitar player and the sound of the Hammond B3 is truly legendary.

I'll never one day, for the rest of my life, EVER wish again to CARRY ONE OF THOSE HEAVY SOB's!!!! lol

But the sound...so...so....so...aw hell, there's no words for it.

Haven't heard it reproduced electronically ACCURATE yet. But...30 pounds is sure better than 250-300 pounds any day.

A keyboard player I recenetly was working with had Korg Triton and a Yamaha....grrr...can't remember the model...whatever came before the Motif. Gawd the sounds....

The Triton had some gorgeous layerings in the patches..
Like, playing Grand Piano..but if he held the keys the strings would come in underneath and then, if he held the chord a bit longer, there was this sound like tinkling crystal that would just sorta be there and then gone.

The guy I'm workin with now has a famtom 8 and again I say..OMG the sounds.
The synth sounds are incredible and the pianos are really accurate.
The strings are rich and full.

I'm just the guitar player who listens...so, for me, the listener, Yamaha, Roland or Korg are all good. I'm sure keyboardists can tell you more about feel, aftertouch, weighting, etc...
Motif or Triton Extreme

Craig, all the synths you have mentioned are of excellent quality sound and sequencer wise. It is allways good to get a few opinions and check out the promo vids, as you have already done. Both the Yam and Roland have excellent piano sounds if that is what you are looking for.
Basically what I have found when looking for a new synth and having to decide which one, the only thing to do (once you have recieved a few opinions) is to go to your local synth store and spend a day with the headphones on going through the banks of the machines you are interested in. Usually the samples of one particular machine will start to appeal to your own personal preference. Next thing which im sure you already will know is how does it play, how does it fit you, are the keys set at the right weight for your style of playing. You have already mentioned pitch bend and modulation wheels, in my opinion this is prob the most important physical part of a synth because it is the main impliment of expression and shaping of your sounds in real time.
Think the point im trying to make is that you really need to spend a day trying them out head to head. Good luck