I am about to buy a synthesizer, and I have doubts...

diosra1 · Post by **diosra1** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:41 pm

Hi, I have just found this forum, and it seems to be the perfect place to ask

, so thanks in advance.

I am going to join a blues-rock-funky band, and I need to buy a synthesizer. I have been playing a Korg x50 from a friend for several days. Buy I still have some questions:

- Should I check another brands (Yamaha, Roland...)? I have read that Roland is worse than Korg.

- I have been watching some videos, and I like the M50, it seems to be very good!, but I am wondering how is the feeling of the keys... Too hard? too soft? (I am a piano player, so everything is too soft for me

)

- I need to move it on my back, so light weight is desirable. I have seen that this one seems to be quite light, am I right?

Some advices?

Thank you very much!

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:24 pm

Yes the M50 is light, however if you are a piano player you might check the 73/88 version. The keyboard of the M50 is not for everybody however I can't imagine the X50 is better but I don't know the X50.

The sound is very good considering it's price, however sound is very subjective, so it's never bad to try other brands. If you like the X50, the M50 will not disappoint you though.

If you are not fully sure what you are going to buy, ALWAYS check it in the store.

alexdx · Post by **alexdx** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:58 pm

I have both X50 and M50. M50 is very good synth based on M3 engine ... with touchscreen is easy to manipulate.
X50 is very lightweight, very good for manipulate on the stage. But for change a params of combi or program is better connect X50 to PC and use a X50 Editor. X50 have a HI synthesis, I think that some sounds are better on X50 than on M50.
X50 has a "muddy" keyboard, it's no wonder. And, X50 has only 61 key version. M50/61 has a better keyboard (in my opinion) and 88-key version has a top RH3 keyboard.

dalen · Post by **dalen** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:03 am

If you are a piano player, don't buy M50-61. Look at the Nord Electro 3-61. It has semi weighted waterfall keys, it's better for piano and organ players.

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:27 am

dalen wrote:If you are a piano player, don't buy M50-61. Look at the Nord Electro 3-61. It has semi weighted waterfall keys, it's better for piano and organ players.

What about the keybed of a M50-73 or 88?

dalen · Post by **dalen** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:44 am

michelkeijzers wrote:
dalen wrote:If you are a piano player, don't buy M50-61. Look at the Nord Electro 3-61. It has semi weighted waterfall keys, it's better for piano and organ players.
What about the keybed of a M50-73 or 88?

Well, he said he wants to move it on his back. M50-88 is too heavy and 73 has the same keys as 61, not very good for piano player i think.

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:12 am

dalen wrote:
michelkeijzers wrote:
dalen wrote:If you are a piano player, don't buy M50-61. Look at the Nord Electro 3-61. It has semi weighted waterfall keys, it's better for piano and organ players.
What about the keybed of a M50-73 or 88?
Well, he said he wants to move it on his back. M50-88 is too heavy and 73 has the same keys as 61, not very good for piano player i think.

Yes in that case I guess these are not good options.

csteen · Post by **csteen** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:32 pm

The M50 weighs in at well under 50 lbs. This is the lightest korg 88 ever made. Are we talking a cross town comute here or what?

kimu · Post by **kimu** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:17 pm

M50 keybed is a goog synth action, much better than x50 (awful keybed).
i have no problem is playing piano part on M50-61 but if you think to use it mainly for piano part maybe check the 73 or 88 keys.

if your interest is mainly in piano, ep and organ have a look to nord stage o nord electro

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:04 pm

kimu wrote:M50 keybed is a goog synth action, much better than x50 (awful keybed).
i have no problem is playing piano part on M50-61 but if you think to use it mainly for piano part maybe check the 73 or 88 keys.

if your interest is mainly in piano, ep and organ have a look to nord stage o nord electro

Actually I also think the M50 keybed is ok (for its price). However I never had such a good keybed as my Kronos (61). However, if you think the keybed is important there is only one way: try it out in a store.

oj9 · Post by **oj9** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:00 pm

If you are worried about the keys and want portability, try out a Yamaha MOX8. When I made this decision only last week, I couldn't decide: M50 or MOX? (The MOX8 is an 88-key piano-style keybedded synth but is INCREDIBLY light!)

However, why did I pick the M50?? Price and looks! I got mine second-hand for a really good deal and in my opinion it looks AMAZING! The touch-screen is a real winner and I love most of the sounds.

I am not very learned in the subject but I love the sound of the basses and some of the guitars although the brass section is quite weak. All in all I am very pleased with my decision! Pads, e-keys, synth leads and other synthy sounds are amazing. I think that's why people buy Korg although if you want better acoustic sounds, the Yamaha is worth looking at.

wigworld · Post by **wigworld** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 7:32 pm

I like the sounds of the M50, but the keyboard (on the 61, at least) is awful.

diosra1 · Post by **diosra1** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:23 am

Wow, thank you very much for all your replies!!!!

I said I am a piano player but it does not mean that I am going to play in piano style... It will be more oriented to hammond style, so open chords, moving fast through the keyboard, etc

Thanks for your replies, I think I am going to buy this one! (what happens with its keys? why people say that they are awful???)

kimu · Post by **kimu** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:33 am

i guess that when it comes to keybed, everyone of us as its own taste also related to his/her training...

personally i have no particular problem with M50 keybed but for sure M3 keybed is better while X50 keybed is too too light to me.

anyway, have a look to nord electro and nord stage also

jerryv · Post by **jerryv** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:23 pm

michelkeijzers wrote:
dalen wrote:If you are a piano player, don't buy M50-61. Look at the Nord Electro 3-61. It has semi weighted waterfall keys, it's better for piano and organ players.
What about the keybed of a M50-73 or 88?

The keyboard on the 88 is great .. it's very well built, sturdy, and has great weighted keys, very much like an acoustic piano. If memory serves me correctly it's around 46 lbs .. so not a lightweight, but not terribly heavy either .. it's the price you pay for a well-built keybed. You'd certainly want to get some kind of case .. so get one with wheels ..