OASYS = scary! :-)

[cello]

Hi everyone

Am still in the flush of new ownership of my O and found myself wondering how many of you have had the same feelings as me...

Having played every sound many times, having edited several of them, created new combis, explored what everything can do, I find myself scared of my O! Crazy I know...

It's just the power and depth of the beast that gets me! It's like I'm the rabbit in the headlights, panicking as to what to do next... I'm so busy exploring the OASYS that I'm not actually creating music Yeh, yeh - I know, crazy

You'd think that with such a wonderful instrument, music would be pouring out of me... but it's not because I'm in 'technology' mode with her!

So any of you have similar experience? And if yes, please tell me how you got over it!!!

[Charlie]

LOL - nice problem you got yourself stuck into!

This might happen with any instrument (and even many other tools outside the music world ). For me (and most likely this won't work for everybody) it's a matter of consciously deciding, what I'm going to do:

- Create a song
- Record a song
- Practice my skills
- Program new sounds
- Learn technical aspects of an instrument
- Play around with a toy

I have the same issue on my piano. If I sit down with no plans in my head I usually enjoy a wonderfull time ... but quite often end up nowhere (except having had a great time - what is certainly ok ). But it's quite unlikely you'll be very productive (eg. creating a new song, finish a recording etc.). You can spend hours and hours, drowning in a sea of sounds and parameters. Nothing wrong with that - and you'll discover lot's of new things, create new ideas and so on. Great! Go on, have fun and enjoy the miracles our musical world offers!

But depending on your goals sooner or later you'll sense the conflict of aimless playing around and your original musical ambitions. I used to end up with many fragments of music and thousands of ideas (like small melodies, sound-scapes, bass-lines, interesting effects, nice chord-progressions etc.) - but no actual music/songs. One day I had enough of that and decided to stop creating fragments and focus on making music first. Time left over can be used for playing around. Now my Oasys is a tool which I use for making music - first things first.

[cello]

LOL - you're right, it's a nice problem! The O is just so MASSIVE...

And you're so right about music comes first, but when I go to my T3 or M3 (currently for sale, but still enjoying using it!) no problem - I can come up with new ideas that I record in my sketch pad area.

And your approach is more or less mine too - what am I going to do today? Then your list applies.

Then I go to the O, I'm just hit by a wall of WOW and never get passed that

[Synergy]

You'll get over it once you find the limitations of the sequencer and the PC integration.

Korg did a survey few years back. I was most vocal about the sequencer upgrades but just about everyone else favored newer sound upgrades over the sequencer. Hence Korg graciously gave them all the bells and whistles (no pun intended) they could ever dream of. But I knew from the get go they've not only castrated themselves in terms of the investment but also crippled what could've been a super workstation.
What's the point of working on an external sequencer when you lose the total recall of the settings on reverb, effects, eq, routing, joystick and so on. Not only that, what's the point of having eight tracks of audio recorders when you know you'll only going to rely on the external MIDI sync.

Without all these mundane functions, the Oasys is just as good as an oversized rack module with a permanent keybed attached to it.
What's even more kick in your groin is that Korg isn't willing to work with third party programers who is willing to put his own times and free wills to beef up the sequencer.

You'll understand what I mean if you traded your mistresses and a mortgage for your Oasys. If you find an urge to give an advice to Korg, I say don't do it. The Korg and the bedfellows will sing you Billy Jean over and over like a broken record for free.

[Charlie]

@cello: I see - well in that case I suggest you simply keep enjoying this phase of a "wall of WOW". You'll get past it once you get past it.

@synergy: You really traded your mistresses for your Oasys? Which shop accepted them as payment? (... just kidding ... hey, let Cello have his fun - it's good to have people here with some enthusiasm about their instrument)

[Akos Janca]

OASYS is huge and unique, based on decades of knowledge and experience. Certainly we can feel it scary - while it's unknown.

So let's use this great instrument, let's get familiar with it as much as possible. It takes patience and time, depending on how deep we want to go.

Practical advices:

Level 1. You can use the OASYS as it is, right out of the box, because it's similar to other Korg workstations, therefore enjoyable instantly. The sound itself is unparalleled!

Level 2. You can also explore a part of the OASYS quite easily because the user interface is logical, the touch screen shows a lot of information still understandably (= great user interface design). You can find out and learn many things by yourself.

Level 3. Furthermore, you can learn about the OASYS systematically. Choose the best sources:
a) the latest user manuals from korguser.net
b) Mike Conway's tutorial DVD
c) Stephen Kay's Media Player at Karma-Lab (OASYS and KARMA videos) - see also his Online Virtual GUI if you are far away from your OASYS
d) and certainly searching and asking each other at this great place, Korgforum.com

[t_tangent]

Also dont forget about the online help function. If you are looking at any particular page and want to know more about that page instantly, just click on the Help button to the left of the LCD screen under the Utility selection, and the relevent help page will show on the screen.

Lots more info also available on the net, for example try this link http://www.korguksupport.co.uk/page.cfm?pageid=582

Have fun

[cello]

@ t_tangent - that always such a useful reminder as the help function is easy to forget! I have used it and it is helpful. The only thing it doesn't help with is writing the music I do know however, that once I get round the 'WOW' wall, the music shall come

@ Akos - Use; Explore; Learn. Three little words which means the world! I think I've only scratched the surface of them all... You have summed the OASYS world in three little worlds - amazing!

I've been thinking a lot about what I said in my original post (which is all correct), but I think there is a little more detail about it all... My struggle is that because of the wonderful OASYS, I want to make my music more complex; like the O is. Does that make sense? With the M3 I was perfectly happy making 4 minute 'sensations'. Now I want to make 20 minute emotional explorations! And it's all because of the capability of the O.

And Akos, your three little words apply completely to my 20 minute works feeling - Use, Explore, Learn - get those right, and you get to add a fourth word - Create; but only if you get the first three right!

Thanks everyone for such great input - you've all helped a lot!

[TonyGen]

You'll get over it once you find the limitations of the sequencer and the PC integration.

Korg did a survey few years back. I was most vocal about the sequencer upgrades but just about everyone else favored newer sound upgrades over the sequencer. Hence Korg graciously gave them all the bells and whistles (no pun intended) they could ever dream of. But I knew from the get go they've not only castrated themselves in terms of the investment but also crippled what could've been a super workstation.
What's the point of working on an external sequencer when you lose the total recall of the settings on reverb, effects, eq, routing, joystick and so on. Not only that, what's the point of having eight tracks of audio recorders when you know you'll only going to rely on the external MIDI sync.

Without all these mundane functions, the Oasys is just as good as an oversized rack module with a permanent keybed attached to it.
What's even more kick in your groin is that Korg isn't willing to work with third party programers who is willing to put his own times and free wills to beef up the sequencer.

You'll understand what I mean if you traded your mistresses and a mortgage for your Oasys. If you find an urge to give an advice to Korg, I say don't do it. The Korg and the bedfellows will sing you Billy Jean over and over like a broken record for free.

My sentiments in a nutshell. To be honest I too would be overjoyed if I had only paid £3,000 (second hand) for my Oasys like some buyers will have done. As it happens I paid nearly £5,500 on a promise of open architecture future proof greatness only for Korg to now tell me they couldn't care less.

The Oasys is without doubt the best sounding keyboard I have ever owned. But it certainly wasn't worth anywhere near the asking price given what I/we now know.

Tony.

[Akos Janca]

@Charlie - I have similar experiences. Besides enjoying and exploring the OASYS I have to focus on making music (not easy ). I find the OASYS very inspirational: when I find a good sound and I start to play with it then very often I get nice fragments of music like you too (melodies, chord progressions, soundscapes, etc.). I try to record them - sometimes with the built-in HD-recorder or sequencer or just with my phone - I have to rush they are coming so fast. Later I will choose the best ones and use them in songs.

@cello - Thank you. I also found OASYS a bit "scary". And also thank you for the fourth word: Create! I think we don't have to wait, it's the best if we do it parallelly, in-between the other three: while using, exploring and learning the OASYS.

@Synergy - I understand your points. And it's interesting that for some reason only few guys voted to sequencer improvement. Now many are blaming it. What I think is the sequencer is simple and maybe because of that: good, strong, trusty. Yes, it could be better as in M3 for example - I hope we get a present from Korg someday - still it's capable of making No.1 hits. I have to ask myself the most important question: do I really need a better tool than OASYS or do I have to learn, practice and make better music with this workstation instead to achieve my ambitions? I think we all know the answer. For me it's the second.

@t_tangent - Thank you for mentioning the UK support page and the useful on-line Help that I forgot. (I wish I could drag and move the Help window while it's open to see what is behind it - it could be better sometimes.)

@TonyGen - I see your point. OASYS was also expensive for me (even more, comparing the gear prices and the salaries here). By the way, Cello wrote a good example about prices of real classical instruments. As you also write, OASYS is without doubt the best sounding keyboard you have ever owned. It's a premium instrument that is a result of decades of work and talent. (Some of the creators are listed here.) Since the start we got many additional functions for free and others for a price - see Dan's post. We also have to consider that OASYS is made in low-series production and already discontinued. It's a rarity therefore its value may rise. Anyhow, when I sit down to play music I can easily forget the price. Always.

[Naviára]

Having played every sound many times, having edited several of them, created new combis, explored what everything can do, I find myself scared of my O! Crazy I know...

It's because the beast has a soul....

greetings,
A.

[Synergy]

I have to ask myself the most important question: do I really need a better tool than OASYS or do I have to learn, practice and make better music with this workstation instead to achieve my ambitions? I think we all know the answer. For me it's the second.

Without a doubt yours is a lofty way to alleviate a debate. However if you insist I go along with your logic, why do we even need electricity for an instrument or a tool? Vivaldi made his masterpiece with horse tails. Mozart and Beethoven composed music relying soley on their perfect pitch and candel lights. Michelangelo carved sculptures without an Lithium-Ion powered chiesel.
If you bet your soul on your answer, why did you ever bought into what Korg advertisement has to say about Oasys when even a masterpiece can be achieved by Medieval tools, skillful hands and an inspiration. I invite all contructive debates but I'm afraid Kant and Hegel schools of thought have no place when it comes to software update due.

Yes, it could be better as in M3 for example - I hope we get a present from Korg someday - still it's capable of making No.1 hits.

Many others probably felt that it was not wise to aggrevate the Korg officials so to be cut off from their support. I myself and many others have done it. When Korg is pimping your investments as a hostage, you really don't have much choice but to act like a prison hoe. But all for what end? You know that the life expectancy of the CMOS battery and the capacitors in a motherboard and a power supply unit is about five years. The resale value of your Oasys is diving down faster than you really want to know. The only remedy is to be able to swap the board with the replacement ones but who really makes obsolete Pentium boards now. You can only bank on a modern board but if Korg is bold enough to kill the support for the Oasys, the chance on your replacement motherboard is dreadful to say the least.

I know those who defended Korg might feel like hookers without a pay. But you can't always act like a bunch of lemmings when you know Pied piper is leading you to no end. Ok, maybe it was a bit harsh. Korg could redeem their sin by at least giving us the opportunity to replace the board with the modern PC components. But again Korg might as well ignore it altogether because of those righteous men with an iron crotch.

[Akos Janca]

Hi Synergy,

I don't want to debate and originally this topic is about something else.

My point is: As a composer, orchestrator, studio musician and live player I cannot find a task for myself that couldn't be completed with OASYS at the highest level today. It's a tool so good in its category (let's not forget it's a keyboard workstation not else) that could be proudly used in any circumstances all over the whole world. A talent is also needed for sure, but it's coming from us and cannot be bought from Korg.

Let's not idolize gear. Tools are still tools even if they are different (some say better, others say not) than hundreds of years ago. OASYS is not perfect but it's a state-of-the-art product over the level that is needed to create masterpieces. Do we really need more? Probably Vivaldi, Mozart and Beethoven would like it, too. (Or a Kurzweil? )

I haven't bought into Korg advertisement. Of course, first I have heard and read about OASYS but then I have seen it, tried it myself and wanted it. Later I got lucky to buy it. I hope OASYS will last longer than 5 years, as I experienced with other keyboards. Getting a spare motherboard is a good idea.

I'm not defending Korg. I understand you are disappointed. I think we all are, more or less. Have you sold your OASYS?

Regards,
Akos

PS. Seriously, thank you for the interesting English words and idioms! A dictionary was needed.

[TonyGen]

We also have to consider that OASYS is made in low-series production and already discontinued. It's a rarity therefore its value may rise. Anyhow, when I sit down to play music I can easily forget the price. Always.

Not sure how the Oasys being discontinued and support all but finished should help me forget the price I paid originally

I thought (obviously incorrectly) that I paid a high price for the Oasys for it being future proofed and that there would be many years of sequencer improvements, system/sound updates, third party contributions....fair enough, I suppose a bit like an insurance policy to keep the Oasys ahead of the competition. More fool me.

I love the Oasys. I hate the price Korg conned me into paying for it, especially given the M3 is afforded more improvements (certainly sequencer-wise) than the supposed flagship

Surely they could pay a programmer a few yen now and again to keep their high price paying flagship customers happy

I said I won't buy Korg again and unless things change I mean it. I have purchased Roland gear recently. Very happy with it and a nice 3 year warranty. Is it better than the Oasys? Well it's not a workstation so not really comparable, but it was certainly affordable and it wasn't sold with any potentially unfulfillable promises either and as the advert says it does exactly what it says on the tin

Just for the record here's what I've bought from Korg over the years;

Minikorg 700s
MS20
VC10
Lamda ES50
Poly 6
Poly 61
M1
M3R
01W
Wavestation EX
Oasys 76

Thanks Korg.

[ozy]

Having played every sound many times, having edited several of them, created new combis, explored what everything can do, I find myself scared of my O!

boy, was that a huge negative ad aganinst Oasys...

You confirmed my worst prejudices.

I never bought the Oasys because I love to see my instruments like... well, INSTRUMENTS, specific and limited things whose sound is projected in a wide scenario, which is music, a room, a hall,, the horizon, the world.

THSE can be unlimited. Not the tools I use to explore them.

If the instrument itself becomes the Horizon, the scenario, if it encompasses and absorbes your attention and emotions... you're done.

No thanks, I'll go on using 20 synths, each of them knowable and mastered, each of them I can program with one hand tied behind my back...

This is also why I love MODULARITY (modular synths and synths going into vocoders, layering, overlapping, chaining): when an instrument gets in the way of creativity or unnerves me, I can get it out of the way, out of my eyes as well out of my ears, for a week or a month, then get back at it.

I can't sit in front of a Cathedral and have it dictate my inspiration.

I love exploring the unknown: but that's the MUSIC, not the TOOLS.