M50 Vs X50: Which has a better keyboard action / constructio

MinorKey · Post by **MinorKey** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:57 pm

Hello guys,

I'm looking to buy my first Korg ever and I'd greatly appreciate your help with a dilemma I'm wresling with for some time now.
Namely, I can't decide between the M50 and X50. In terms of features (and perhaps even in terms of patches/sounds) I think that the M50 would be the best choice for me. But since I've heard many people complaining about its bad construction and key action, I've decided to ask, whether the X50 is better in these respects.
- Honestly... Is the M50 really that bad?
The price of a new M50 61 key is as high as my budget will ever be, so no need to suggest anything more expensive. Also as I prefer a new instrument to a used one, I can either buy an X50 from Amazon or an M50 from a webshop in my country.
And may I ask on a side note, whether the X50 has a pitchwheel?

Thank you so very much!

iluvchiclets · Post by **iluvchiclets** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 2:53 pm

Hi Minorkey,

The proper answer to your questions is to try them both out!

I always hate giving out that answer, as we all know you want someone to make your decision for you, or give you an overwhelming point that discounts one keyboard or the other.

But the action of the M50 is really a matter of opinion - some people like it, some people don't. You will have to try one out and see how it feels to you. The X50 is different, my opinion is it too is a budget keyboard action.

The factual points I can tell you are:

- The M50 uses the M3 waveforms (which are derived from the Oasys). The X50 uses the Triton waveforms, which are an earlier effort from Korg. The X50 has some very cool sounds, and there are those of us who are very fond of them. But, I feel the sound of the M50 is a big leap forward, and after playing one I was unable to return to the Karma, X50, Triton, etc...

- The action on the M50 61 (and possibly the 73?) is unlike anything Korg has done elsewhere (with the possible exception of the PS60?) I too had a real issue with it when I first tried it.

But now I really like it!!

I kid you not! I also own a Yamaha MOX which I initially thought has a superior action to the M50. But I really enjoy the Korg action now, as the key throw is very similar to a piano (as opposed to a traditional synth action). When I am playing piano parts on the M50, I have an more satisfying experience on the M50. And I prefer the M50 pianos to the Yamaha as well. (Don't hate me everyone!)

- I personally have never had any problems with my M50 whatsoever. I know you questioned the quality issues, I can only add my experience which has been nothing but positive.

- The M50 uses up-to-date memory management with SD cards. I have been able to save and add sounds with great ease from the internet. Not sure what the X50 uses, you might want to check that out as well. USB? Memory Cards? I know my Karma had a 3 1/2" floppy drive!

- Don't forget that wonderful touch screen on the M50! Makes editing a breeze.

- I'm pretty sure the X50 has two pitchwheels on the left side of the keyboard.

I hope this helps in some way, I sincerely hope you have a way to hear both of them before buying and, more importantly, get a chance to try them out.

StudioF · Post by **StudioF** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:00 pm

go for the M50

MinorKey · Post by **MinorKey** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:27 pm

iluvchiclets wrote:Hi Minorkey,

The proper answer to your questions is to try them both out!

I always hate giving out that answer, as we all know you want someone to make your decision for you, or give you an overwhelming point that discounts one keyboard of the other.

But the action of the M50 is really a matter of opinion - some people like it, some people don't. You will have to try one out and see how it feels to you. The X50 is different, my opinion is it too is a budget keyboard action.

The factual points I can tell you are:

- The M50 uses the M3 waveforms (which are derived from the Oasys). The X50 uses the Triton waveforms, which are an earlier effort from Korg. The X50 has some very cool sounds, and there are those of us who are very fond of them. But, I feel the sound of the M50 is a big leap forward, and after playing one I was unable to return to the Karma, X50, Triton, etc...

- The action on the M50 61 (and possibly the 73?) is unlike anything Korg has done elsewhere (with the possible exception of the PS60?) I too had a real issue with it when I first tried it.

But now I really like it!!

I kid you not! I also own a Yamaha MOX which I initially thought has a superior action to the M50. But I really enjoy the Korg action now, as the key throw is very similar to a piano (as opposed to a traditional synth action). When I am playing piano parts on the M50, I have an more satisfying experience on the M50. And I prefer the M50 pianos to the Yamaha as well. (Don't hate me everyone!)

- I personally have never had any problems with my M50 whatsoever. I know you questioned the quality issues, I can only add my experience which has been nothing but positive.

- The M50 uses up-to-date memory management with SD cards. I have been able to save and add sounds with great ease from the internet. Not sure what the X50 uses, you might want to check that out as well. USB? Memory Cards? I know my Karma had a 3 1/2" floppy drive!

- Don't forget that wonderful touch screen on the M50! Makes editing a breeze.

- I'm pretty sure the X50 has two pitchwheels on the left side of the keyboard.

I hope this helps in some way, I sincerely hope you have a way to hear both of them before buying and, more importantly, get a chance to try them out.

The proper answer indeed

!
Actually, it's very unlikely that I'll have an opportunity to test them out (unfortunately) and that's the reason why I asked. I've oly heard how the M50 sounds on Youtube and eventhough I know, that this is not the same as hearing it live, I instantly fell in love with the patches.
I've also seen a great deal of downloadable patches outthere for the M50 and this is a huge plus in my eyes. Not saying, that there aren't any for the X50, but as I already wrote, I like the M50's sound better. And if the keybed feels similar to a piano, that's an encouragement for me.

kimu · Post by **kimu** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:35 pm

M50! X50 is almost unplayble for its lightness

MinorKey · Post by **MinorKey** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:42 pm

kimu wrote:M50! X50 is almost unplayble for its lightness

Wow! Now that was unexpected

. Thanks a lot.

richie1027 · Post by **richie1027** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:54 pm

Had both. Get the m50 and at Least the 73 key ....

MinorKey · Post by **MinorKey** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:09 pm

richie1027 wrote:Had both. Get the m50 and at Least the 73 key ....

Thanks for the answer. Unfortunately I can only afford the 61 key one.
And by the way... Quite a gear you have there.

alexdx · Post by **alexdx** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:51 am

I have both. M50-61 is definitely better. I use a microX like a sound module connected via midi to M50 (microX have a same engine like X50, Triton ...)

MinorKey · Post by **MinorKey** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:23 am

alexdx wrote:I have both. M50-61 is definitely better. I use a microX like a sound module connected via midi to M50 (microX have a same engine like X50, Triton ...)

Thanks man.
Good to hear so many answers in favour of the M50 in one place.
Despite of what I wrote earlier, now I'm even considering to get the 73 key version. Even if I could get the 88 one, I probably wouldn't, because I simply don't need such big a machine. I already own a 76 key Yamaha and so I thought I'd get me something smaller and more portable. But maybe it would be more worth it to buy the 73 version instead - regardless of the big difference in price (900 Euro vs nearly 1200 Euro).

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:18 am

Interesting to read this posts ... I consider Triton/Kronos keybeds (61) better than the M50-61. Although the M50 is not bad at all. No problems during live play.

iluvchiclets · Post by **iluvchiclets** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:46 pm

Hey michelkeijzers,

Nice to hear from you. I agree with you, the Triton, Kronos, Karma, X3 all have a professional feeling synth action. I think Korg reserves that kind of keyboard action for their "super-synths".

I believe we were comparing the X50's action to the M50's. The M50 is unique (as is the PS60)...I haven't felt anything like that from Korg before. It takes some getting used to, but I enjoy it now.

alexdx · Post by **alexdx** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:59 pm

We talking about comparison of X50 and M50 and there is M50 better than X50. IMHO

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:34 pm

iluvchiclets wrote:Hey michelkeijzers,

Nice to hear from you. I agree with you, the Triton, Kronos, Karma, X3 all have a professional feeling synth action. I think Korg reserves that kind of keyboard action for their "super-synths".

I believe we were comparing the X50's action to the M50's. The M50 is unique (as is the PS60)...I haven't felt anything like that from Korg before. It takes some getting used to, but I enjoy it now.

I used the M50 on live gigs too, both as main and as slave keyboard and I never had any problem with it; I missed aftertouch more than the less than perfect keyboard responsiveness. However for such a 'bargain' it has great value for the bucks.

rajarshi_sl · Post by **rajarshi_sl** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:11 pm

the action of m50/61 is not like a spring .it is more like an original pano(m50 61 is unweighted)....the keys seem to have a slow rise after they have been pressed down.....most yamaha keyboards seem rather springy save of course their 88 key models.

u will get adapted to whatever keybed u may chose to use in future...initially there might be some discomfort or uneasiness while using m50/61 like i had....but with time u will like it

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M50 Vs X50: Which has a better keyboard action / constructio

M50 Vs X50: Which has a better keyboard action / constructio

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