Korg Forums

Hedegaard · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject:

I'd presume that 8 layers uses more resources than 4 layers?
(Not just switching that is going on)

That means the more petrol I put in the car, the less km distance I can drive?

Something about physics and resources I obviously don't understand here, perhaps you could explain a bit deeper for me please?

X-Trade · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:00 pm Post subject:

If crossfading is enabled, does that not use up two voices like it does on the M3? (because two samples are played and balanced out depending on the velocity)
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Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro

Randelph · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:48 pm Post subject:

Pepperpotty,
A PA2x eh? Still a lot of technology. My point about digital pianos like the Nord Stage (which has fantastically satisfying sounds and a super straightforward interface) is that you'll spend time learning to play the keyboard, not learning to play the features on the keyboard.

I had an arranger about 5 years ago, the Yamaha PSR 3000. I really liked the sound quality of the board. But unless you have one woman band aspirations, or want to practice to different musical styles, is not very interesting. Personally I get tired of the canned styles (they eventually sound canned if you hear them repeat enough times). And they require a fair amount of time to really take advantage of the many advanced features they possess. They're a workstation as well, just a specialized one for self-accompaniment.

Someone on this forum that might shed some light for you is Rob Sherratt. He has the PA2x as well as the M3 (which is comparable to the Kronos in terms of type of workstation). You might try describing what you want and asking his advice. From what he's written the PA2x is closer to the sound quality league as the Oayses (which means a step above the M3), and it sounds like he really enjoys his.

IF you're going to go the workstation route (either PA2x or the Kronos) and not the digital/stage piano route, I'd seriously consider the Kronos. If you're a geeker tweaker and are turned on by sound, it's going to be FANTABULOUS! Sound quality has been a major issue up until now (unless you had $8000 for an Oayses), and that'll be a non-issue with the Kronos. The user interface was another stumbling block, and with an 8" touchscreen, it'll be a joy to interact with the board. And judging by the M3's interface, Korg has the most? musician friendly system.

So what this means is with 9 virtual engines in the Kronos, and a big ass screen, you'll be able to tweak sounds with virtual patchcords and all kinds of visual assist- and they'll be super quality sounds. And building up a combi on this will be a dream: starting with those high quality sounds, you've got 16 different voices you can easily layer/split, which means some massive sonic mayhem and Voice of God sounds! And on and on- it's a great time to be in the market for a keyboard!

But seriously- if you haven't got your keyboard chops up yet, and want to get that in place before getting distracted by the current keyboard technology, you can find a used digital piano for less than $1,000 (600 pounds?) with decent weighted action, built-in speakers in some cases (which I love for quieter, personal practice sessions and instant portability), and decent piano sounds. I wouldn't want to give up my M3, but seriously, I often spend more time programming sounds than I do playing/practicing, which is easy to do with these boards.

Naviára · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject:

Pepperpotty · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Randelph,

You don't need to worry about me getting a cheap stage piano to get used to it before I buy something big. I've been playing the keyboard for 25 years so I think I'm ready to play with you blokes now! Although I have an old keyboard, that is only because I haven't been playing mine much because I've been learning to play the guitar for the last five years. I know for a fact that I don't want a workstation as I don't have a lot of patience and I'd get really bored really fast if I decided to make my own patches and sounds. I have bought more computer software than I can remember and they all end up gathering dust because i just don't enjoy creating music that way. The reason why I'm going for an arranger rather than a stage piano is for the auto accompliaments. Not to use them on stage, and certainly not for recording (I have quite a few computer programs I can use to create my own original drum track) but just for my own entertainment. I also want one of Korg's arrangers for the tc helicon voice effects. I love to sing so that's a big bonus for me.
You see, I don't play to make money, or to entertain other people. I just play for my own amusement. I'm gonna have a long go on my uncles pa1x next weekend so I'll know if the pa series is for me.

Thanks for the advice

Emma

synthguy · Platinum Member Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 661

Akos Janca · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:28 am Post subject:

vEddY · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 7:26 am Post subject:

KONNECTORAS · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:45 am Post subject:

synthguy · Platinum Member Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 661

vEddY · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:42 pm Post subject:

Randelph · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:08 pm Post subject:

vEddy,
Let's hope the Kronos drives down prices, but I really have no clue as to the dynamics of pricing and how that affects R&D and general viability for the maunfacturers.

For example, I imagine if this wasn't such a small market, we wouldn't have gotten so much rehash of old technology and ever improving romplers as our main diet for so long from the big 3. What I'm imagining is that only now that the price and level of computer technology is becoming powerful and affordable enough, that we're getting something like the Kronos that fulfills the promise of workstations. Look at the damn XS: not a synth engine in sight! And look at Open Labs and other companies that couldn't make a go of it in this small market.

And look at the pricing in other countries: why do Europeans and many people around the work pay a third? more than I do in the US? Whats up with that?

As for the Stage: Clavia doesn't control the final price sold- they sell it to AMS, who then provides warranty service and sells it for whatever they see fit, so who knows how much they mark it up.

As for the Stage- I can see how it seems over priced. It's certainly no workstation. My take on it is that being built in Sweden they're not realizing the cost savings of doing the engineering and then having a Chinese factory build it- they build it in Sweden. And I think in many ways they're very Apple like in how they're able to build a product that everyone else has made endlessly complicated, and they've managed to create something that is magnificently user friendly for the performing musician- and with a sound quality that satisfies.

I love my M3, and I love my Stage 88 for completely different reasons- they're both awesome boards. I would feel unprepared trying to perform with the M3 (or the XS that I sold) without spending weeks and weeks of looking for the best sounds, tweaking them, building combis, modifing the fx and controller routings, tediously building up set lists of sounds i want for a particular performance, etc.

With the Stage I don't have the total flexibility that the workstations do, but for bread and butter sounds, I arrive at much the same place as I do with the M3 but the prep time is almost non-existent. It's a brilliant board for what it is, and a superb complement to a workstation (and in this case, to the sounds of the M3).

Randelph

vEddY · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject:

Hedegaard · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:41 pm Post subject: