Any rumors about new stuff at NAMM 2012 ???

rrricky rrrecordo · Post by **rrricky rrrecordo** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:00 am

Progression synth

Bachus · Post by **Bachus** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:04 am

rrricky rrrecordo wrote:
Synthoid wrote:
rrricky rrrecordo wrote:It was a pleasant surprise to hear from Mike Martin that this is just the beginning of a Casio resurgence in the "pro" market. It will be interesting to watch how Casio moves forward in this regard.
Perhaps they will eventually introduce a full-blown workstation with touch screen and several synth engines... for under $1000.

It would be interesting to see what they could do at the $3000 price point.

Sadly that will never happen... as much as Yamaha will never produce an innovative synth anymore, Casio will never build an expensive Synth. Its not according to their core philossophy.

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:49 pm

I'm still waiting for Korg to update the EMX, ESX, and Radias/R3, but now Casio seems to have done it instead. The XW-P1 hits straight at the heart of the R3 target market, and the XW-G1 hits the combined features of the EMX+ESX market. The P1 is a 64 poly, 6 timbre synth with a pattern sequencer, apparently with a deeper engine that includes a larger waveform selection, although I'm waiting to see the details. The G1 seems to do most everything that the EMX+ESX can do, with sample looping in addition to the sequencer pattern looping. Korg sat on its laurels and ignored the success of these products for too long, now Casio has taken advantage of this in a big way.

The Kaossilator 2 looks to be a good update, but the miniKP2 is probably a no-go for me to serve instead of the KP3. So for 2012, I'll probably spend about $130 for Korg products and $450-$1,000 (as I buy all new products on sale for 10-20% below average street price). I never expected to buy Casio gear this year, but Korg has waited too long to update their gear for me to hold out hope any longer.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:04 pm

xmlguy wrote: I buy all new products on sale for 10-20% below average street price

I doubt if you'll find the XW-P1 for 20% less than its estimated street price of $499, but please let us know if you do... and where we can snap one up!

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:37 pm

Synthoid wrote:
xmlguy wrote: I buy all new products on sale for 10-20% below average street price
I doubt if you'll find the XW-P1 for 20% less than its estimated street price of $499, but please let us know if you do... and where we can snap one up!

I usually get around 20% off, as a rule. For example, Guitar Center had a $150 off of a $799 purchase just last week on new gear, which comes to an 18.8% discount. I can also use pricematch between GC, Sam Ash, and BestBuy Music Gear to squeeze a bit more out of the deal. A lot of BestBuy store deals like GiftCard bonuses and Rewards programs can be stacked on a pricematched product. I don't remember the last time that I bought new music gear for less than 20% off, since I'm willing to wait to get my price.

rob314159 · Post by **rob314159** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:05 pm

At Guitar Center, does that always work? I thought most of those deals don't end up applying to Korg, Roland, Yamaha, etc.

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:10 pm

In the Netherlands it was not possible to get something off (at least not when I tried).

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:11 pm

rob314159 wrote:At Guitar Center, does that always work? I thought most of those deals don't end up applying to Korg, Roland, Yamaha, etc.

Yeah they used to offer 20% off coupons, but now that's lowered to 15% (sometimes less). Their rules have changed over the last few years... more manufacturers are exempt, but you can still "wheel and deal," just takes some effort.

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:26 pm

rob314159 wrote:At Guitar Center, does that always work? I thought most of those deals don't end up applying to Korg, Roland, Yamaha, etc.

It depends on the manufacturer, sometimes on the model/item, but mostly it depends on the salesperson, their manager, and their sizing up whether the customer is someone who should be fleeced or not. But there's more than one way to combat them. I get my price, one way or another. I actually like Best Buy Music gear stores the best, at least for the fewer items they stock, since they've always seemed to be the most willing to deal. I know all the sales managers at the local stores, and they know I'm a serious buyer who doesn't waste their time or mine.

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:43 pm

michelkeijzers wrote:In the Netherlands it was not possible to get something off (at least not when I tried).

Paying full list price + VAT is the European way, right? (smile) But at least you have Cannabis coffee shops to make up for it.

rrricky rrrecordo · Post by **rrricky rrrecordo** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:20 pm

Bachus wrote:
rrricky rrrecordo wrote:
Synthoid wrote: Perhaps they will eventually introduce a full-blown workstation with touch screen and several synth engines... for under $1000.

It would be interesting to see what they could do at the $3000 price point.
Sadly that will never happen... as much as Yamaha will never produce an innovative synth anymore, Casio will never build an expensive Synth. Its not according to their core philossophy.

Casio released the MZ-2000 (an arranger with great synth capabilities) around the turn of the century which listed at 1750 USD, and I seem to recall a Canadian price of 1999 CDN back in the day. Apparently the street price went as low as 650 USD. Still, I wouldn't totally rule out a new flagship from them... they've only just stuck their toes back into the water at this point. Also, I'm not sure Yamaha innovation had completely dried just yet up

miden · Post by **miden** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:01 pm

rrricky rrrecordo wrote: Also, I'm not sure Yamaha innovation had completely dried just yet up

To be honest, I don't believe the motif line has any further development left.....very much like the Fantom series from Roland...

They keep flogging, same old same old....

And even the Karma is not that useful, as you MUST have a PC (or laptop) to be able to use it out of the studio!!!!

It won't run "stand-alone" on a Motif XS/XF synth at a gig!!!

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:41 pm

I think Yamaha are still in shock after the release of the Kronos, and are probably (hopefully!) reworking the 'ol Ex5 into a new beast that can actually compete with the Korg. This is probably the case with Roland as well. My guess is that their next workstation will incorporate a V-Synth

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:57 pm

miden wrote:
rrricky rrrecordo wrote: Also, I'm not sure Yamaha innovation had completely dried just yet up
To be honest, I don't believe the motif line has any further development left.....very much like the Fantom series from Roland...

They keep flogging, same old same old....

And even the Karma is not that useful, as you MUST have a PC (or laptop) to be able to use it out of the studio!!!!

It won't run "stand-alone" on a Motif XS/XF synth at a gig!!!

Stephen would like to have Karma inside a Roland or Yamaha, but it is delayed, I don't know if this is because of commercial reasons, but maybe the OS of the Roland/Yamaha is not suitable (enough) for easy development changes.

miden · Post by **miden** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:04 pm

Yes I believe that too (re Stephens desire to get it running) but it still does NOT remove the fact that a PC or a laptop is required...and I got this from Stephen himself...100% to use Karma in a motif on stage a computer is needed...

It will NOT run on a motif without the computer hooked up.

Be better off buying a Kronos, and hope he releases Karma 3 for IT instead of the 2.5 it ships with.