TR right for me?

chocojoe · Post by **chocojoe** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:59 pm

Hi, my name is Joe and I was wondering if you could help me decide what keyboard I should buy.
I'm looking into saving up for a keyboard and was wondering if the TR88 was the right one for me. I really like how it has aftertouch sensitivity and the RH2 graded keys. I was also looking at the Triton Extreme, but I think that's a little bit out of the budget for me. I'm basically looking for a good keyboard with good quality as well as a quantity of sounds that won't be too hard to learn to use by a keyboard newbie like me. (I have no problem reading manuals).

Tell Tommy · Post by **Tell Tommy** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:32 pm

When you buy any piece of equipment from keyboards to software, you should always ask yourself, "what will I need it for ?". When I went looking for keyboards, I needed a small, lightweight, durable machine because I planned on playing it in my band. Because I am the Bass player as well as the keyboard player, I needed multiple outputs so the keys could go to my keyboard amp and the bass could go to my bass amp. I wanted some form of sampling and sequencing capability so my band could expand in styles and sound. The TR did all that for me and, after two years, more than I expected. So, ask yourself what do you want to accomplish, then look at the products out there.

chocojoe · Post by **chocojoe** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:31 pm

Being that I'm young and won't be able to afford another keyboard anytime soon, I want something that will last me. Currently, the only thing I would use it for is for a few performances (just using piano sound) and playing around with it at home and trying to compose stuff. But I want something that will serve me well if I can get a band together. I heard the TR88 is a great performance instrument and if I eventually join a band it would help. What are your thoughts?

Tell Tommy · Post by **Tell Tommy** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:59 pm

I have a TR 61 and I can't see me out growing it any time soon. It's great on stage and I haven't had too many problems yet (some buttons stick a bit from time to time). As far as longevity is concerned, It's hard to say as I've only had mine for two years. Perhaps some of the other members on the forum could help you out with that. An 88 is far larger and a bit more to tote around, but if you feel you need the extra octaves, so be it. I enjoy the sequencing element with multiple outputs because one channel goes to my keys amp, another to my bass amp and a third to the drummer as a click track. Very versatile. I believe I got the best bang for the buck. I recommend it, but do some research of your own with other boards as well.

chocojoe · Post by **chocojoe** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 6:55 pm

Thanks for your help! 88 weighted key synths aren't going to be light anyway, are they?

Tell Tommy · Post by **Tell Tommy** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:05 pm

Not in comparison to the non weighted keys. But they are nice!

Fatalmasterpiece · Post by **Fatalmasterpiece** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:50 pm

If you are looking for good piano sounds, beyong buying a digital piano, which is rather limited in capability, I suggest buying some ram for your TR and downloading one of the great piano patches you can find online since the stock ones featured in the TR are decent but could be better IMO. However, be forwarned that you would need to load the sounds every time you turn on the TR and I found that I simply cannot wait 10 minutes for bootup everytime I play a gig since set up times are short. However, if you have time, it's great, and also for recording purposes.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:05 pm

I use a TR for live, and for the studio, and I'm quite pleased with it.
The Pianos could be better, but they will work just fine if you know how to use them.

chocojoe · Post by **chocojoe** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:05 am

Is buying RAM like buying RAM for a computer? And does it actually take 10 minutes to boot up?

Fatalmasterpiece · Post by **Fatalmasterpiece** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:13 am

Hi again.

The ram is the same as you might find in some OLD computers. It is dirt cheap, like 10 bucks a stick..

No, it doesn't always take that long, however, I have some very large sample packs, and so it takes some time. If you only had a few pianos or something, it might load them up within a matter of minutes or seconds. I am just giving you a worst case scenario since no one else seems to have and I want you to be well aware before you buy. Yeah, my samples take forever to load but they sound awesome on my recordings and are well worth it. I like my Korg. Also, keep in mind that you do not HAVE to load them up so I just do not when I play a show and then I am ready to go in seconds after set up. However, if I ever headline and have time, I do a full load. Other than that, I only see one down side to Korgs and that is the clipping after patch changes, but many keyboards do this and it can be avoided using creative playing.

There are large number of pros, like easy to use, great interphase, durability, price, size...

chocojoe · Post by **chocojoe** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:23 am

Thanks for your help, but what do you mean by "clipping"?

Fatalmasterpiece · Post by **Fatalmasterpiece** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:44 am

For example, if you are using one patch like strings and suddenly switch to a different patch, say for a switch in parts, the sound will not ring out. It will stop suddenly and switch to the new sound, cutting off your previous chord.

Mad Warrior · Post by **Mad Warrior** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:11 am

Fatalmasterpiece wrote:For example, if you are using one patch like strings and suddenly switch to a different patch, say for a switch in parts, the sound will not ring out. It will stop suddenly and switch to the new sound, cutting off your previous chord.

That happens only in COMBI mode. And all other keyboards have the same problem in multitimbral modes. Except Fantom G...

As for piano sound - I don't like it on TR. Actually I'm not sure that TR is the best among other boards of the same price...

Fatalmasterpiece · Post by **Fatalmasterpiece** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:27 am

I would say, the sequencing mode is decent and it has some good features for synth effects and arps.

A good point is though that you CAN change the sounds very easily which is a huge plus. If you don't like pianos, you can easily tweak the ones there or get ones online.

fischek · Post by **fischek** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:31 am

Mad Warrior wrote: I'm not sure that TR is the best among other boards of the same price...

What is a better option in your opinion?

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TR right for me?

TR right for me?

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