Let's talk EXB-Radias

[Don Audio Labs]

Hi Guys!

Let's talk EXB-Radias - In particular about the current price situation on the second-hand market.

I've had a Korg R3 before but sold it. I liked the sound of it but back then i had a hard time to properly integrate it into my No-DAW-Setup which resolved around the Sequencer of my Akai MPC1000. Yeah, i know the DAW route would have been an easier one but this is also about "philosophy".

So now i'm sitting here with my M3 and read all the things about just how nice the EXB-Radias integrates into the M3 and it's Sequencer. Really makes me wanna get one of those EXB-Radias boards and get back into MMT-tweaking.

So let's get to the point of this Thread.

Obviously there is almost no chance to get a new EXB-Radias these days. I've searched the german market and all major retailers are sold out. For reference, right before being sold out the board retailed for 399,- inc. VAT so that's what you had to pay in order to score one. I have been looking around the second-hand market and found a few boards.

So here are a couple of questions i would like to discuss. Obviously most of this is more about a gut feeling but just let me know what you think about it - i appreciate your input!

1. Seeing how this board retailed for 399,- at the end, what would be a appropriate second-hand price?
2. Do you think that these board will become more and more expensive over time? Would you buy now or wait?
3. Seeing how this is an all digital circuit i assume that these board either work or not - no real wear or stuff to look out for?

Thanks for your input guys!

[Bald Eagle]

1. Seeing how this board retailed for 399,- at the end, what would be a appropriate second-hand price?

I would take one at that price. See #2

2. Do you think that these board will become more and more expensive over time? Would you buy now or wait?

Get one now. They are already difficult to find and they are in demand. There are a lot of people buying second hand M3's without an EXB-Radias installed and they want one. As demand goes up so will the price.

3. Seeing how this is an all digital circuit i assume that these board either work or not - no real wear or stuff to look out for?

There are no mechanical parts so nothing to worry about there. But electronics do eventually wear out. I suppose it would be better to have a card where the board was only powered on a few days a week rather than have been left on constantly for 4 years. But in the end, it either works or it doesn't.

[Don Audio Labs]

1. Seeing how this board retailed for 399,- at the end, what would be a appropriate second-hand price?

I would take one at that price. See #2

Ok wow, i've obviously underestimated the second-hand situation! I've seen several offers between 270,- and 320,- so i better get this going asap!

2. Do you think that these board will become more and more expensive over time? Would you buy now or wait?

There are a lot of people buying second hand M3's without an EXB-Radias installed and they want one.

Never seen it that way, excellent point!

3. Seeing how this is an all digital circuit i assume that these board either work or not - no real wear or stuff to look out for?

I suppose it would be better to have a card where the board was only powered on a few days a week rather than have been left on constantly for 4 years.

Thats obviously true. I had a quick look at the board itself and Korg was clever enough (or forced to by form factor) to use quality capacitors. This thing should last for a while.

As always, thanks for your input!

[Don Audio Labs]

Update:
So after some hunting and negotiation i was able to score a board for 250,- € and it still has warranty on it!

Question while i'm at it:
Would you guys stick with the "officially downloadable" EXB-RADIAS Version 2.0 Update or would you guys use the "official but not downloadable" EXB-RADIAS Version 2.1 Update? Thanks for your input on that!

[Bald Eagle]

Congrats on your new EXB-Radias

I believe in the saying "If it's not broke don't fix it." I think all 2.1 does is fix a bug regarding virtual patch routing where you could only use slots 1-6 and not 7 and 8. So unless you need that you should be able to skip that update.

There's a short discussion about 2.1 at karma-lab ...
http://www.karma-lab.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19770

[Stipes Vigilo]

Congrats on your new EXB-Radias

I believe in the saying "If it's not broke don't fix it." I think all 2.1 does is fix a bug regarding virtual patch routing where you could only use slots 1-6 and not 7 and 8. So unless you need that you should be able to skip that update.

There's a short discussion about 2.1 at karma-lab ...
http://www.karma-lab.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19770

I agree. I've downloaded the 2.1 in case there is a future use as sometimes these files disappear after a certain amount of time, but until I actually have a problem with 2.0 that this would fix, I don't intend to do it.

[Don Audio Labs]

Congrats on your new EXB-Radias

Thanks and you were totally right about the EXB-Radias... the M3 really feels "complete" with this board (and my favorite samples loaded).

I think all 2.1 does is fix a bug regarding virtual patch routing where you could only use slots 1-6 and not 7 and 8.

Thanks for that link to KarmaLab. This is indeed a very specific bug that only very few costumers with very special needs and / or very special approaches will ever experience.

Being an IT-Guy i would say that this is probably some kind of "Hotfix" for these very special customers and that it was most likely fixed and recompiled by one Engineer... maybe even in his / her spare time. So it simply never went through official (a.k.a. spending money on it) certification which means bug testing it on various units and scenarios.

How i see it:
Is it legit? Yes
Will it break your System? No
Is it completely tested? Most likely not
Is it necessary? No (in most cases)

I agree. I've downloaded the 2.1 in case there is a future use as sometimes these files disappear after a certain amount of time, but until I actually have a problem with 2.0 that this would fix, I don't intend to do it.

Ok, these are 2 very reasonable "No's" on my question so i will stick with 2.0 and keep 2.1 stored away for the day i might need it.

Thanks again guys!

[apex]

I used the updated version of the os. I actually didn't have it and didn't pay much attention at all to it. Then I Ran into the issue that it fixed and it took me a ill while to find the file.

Another year or so.....and good luck.