ADDICTIVE Gear Shopping vs Making music

[GregC]

About 3 years ago I decided to update my 3 keyboard, 8 module rig...

It's now 7 keyboards, (none of the old ones kept) 5 modules, (one of the old ones kept) and I'm still going, selling, buying, selling, buying...

The problem is that getting the perfect arrangement of keyboards to match the scope of music I play is difficult. The Kronos is about as good as it gets, but I should have gotten the 61 version instead of the 88. At the time, I wanted to retire my KX88 because it's getting so long in the tooth, but I think it still has a better keybed that the Kronos.

That has affected my Classical playing...

The dearth of "performance" synths with aftertouch is a problem. I have fought this urge to buy synths without aftertouch because it's so important to my style of play. I relented the first time and get a Casio XW-P1, but had to sell it because of its horrible keybed and aliasing far too low in the keyboard range. I wanted a Jupiter-50; I desperately wanted to love a Jupiter-50, but the lack of aftertouch on a "Performance" synth makes it not a "Performance" synth at all, because the performances suffer. My final try in this field is a Juno-Stage. The reason it might work is because it's a lower keyboard on the stand, and as such, won't be doing a lot of leads, hence aftertouch isn't as much of an issue.

Then there's what's considered to be "vintage" sounds. I'm a old fart. I was there when most of these sounds first his the airwaves. (Does that make ME "vintage" as well?) What the makers constitute as "vintage" is a far cry from what I constitute as "vintage. An example:

Think of the songs "I Wanna Know What Love Is" by Foreigner, "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper, "ABACAB" by Genesis, "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger. ( I can quickly name a dozen more, but these will suffice.) Can anyone name the "vintage" sound in all four of them? If so, can anyone name the one synth today that has this sound. This sound which was used on probably half of the hits of the 80's?

No. But synths today will have 100-200 drum kits on them.

That's only one example. So I gotta get more synths than before to cover more sounds than I ever did before. From piano, through pipe organ, to the rock sounds, and orchestral tones as well. then I have to deal with the limitations the manufacturers put in as they try to stay afloat in a limp worldwide economy.

Finally, I have noticed that there is less and less "sizzle" in the sounds. They're wonderful, awesome, beautiful, but they don't have that sizzle that makes your ears perk up and say "What's that?" Listen to the Moog sound in "Welcome to the Machine," the organic textures of "Doctor Doctor," by the Thompson Twins. You don't have to like the music, but the sounds stand out and grab you. Today, the makers rely on effects to enhance their sounds, but they're not built on a solid foundation of sound, so we're always left a little wanting. Therefore, we keep looking for that little something extra, which is why we're buying, selling, buying, selling...

Sorry for such a long post/rant.

..Joe

perfectionist ? I agree with your sizzle verb towards synth sounds. I can hear that but I am in the ' close enough ' crowd

[phillix2]

That is exactly the reason why I moved from VSTs to hardware. I spend most of my time looking for new virtual instruments, new sounds, new kontact samplers with new articulations.... its a never ending game.

I missed the times when I just played with my Alesis QSR6 and made some little songs.

So, I decided to move back to hardware and invest in my Kronos. Then I realize that the kronos sequencer is difficult to use for me (Im a hobbist that want to play his favorites songs by himself). I tried Ipad's Cubasis but did not work as expecter, and a couples of weeks ago, I found the Genoma sequencer for Ipad that solve all the things I wanted for playing the covers. Just paid 10 dolars, and now Im very, very happpy....

Now I can look to myself in the future playing songs in my kronos and my ipad, keeping it simple and funny. I hope so...

[magikroom]

Yes, i'm guilty of it...just look at my signature! I've had close to 70 synths over the past 26 years and wrote more when I just had a Roland D10 and Sound Canvas. I did gig for 10 years and had a studio at home and had the spare cash to buy stuff, as I worked full-time as well.

Up until the last year, I'd done very little and in fact didn't go into my studio for about 6 months. What I have done recently though, is go back to the music that got me into all this in the first place and that has allowed me to do some good stuff (in my opinion)

One thing though, is that 18 months ago, I stopped drinking, which had become a little too much and was unable to write music. Now, I've completely changed my studio from mainly digital to analogue in terms of hardware and only use a few good plug-ins.

I've rediscovered the fun of just doing music for its own sake, not to try and get anywhere, not to impress anyone, just something for me. That and changing style has got me back into it. Still have severe GAS, but I have no kids, not married...what else is there to spend it on

[Mr_SamDoogie]

Its been a few years since I've indulge myself in music there seems to be a few years long break in the pattern I'm in. I always used soft synths and PC sound cards to make music way back.

A few years ago I decided to buy me a synth, I gave myself one condition it has to be so that I could get most out of it to fine tune my art even if lots of mistake would come on my way so I bought a korg mw 1 microstation.
Started to use a DAW also cubase elements and followed the latest trend in music now I have to say I make weird music some not in tune or tightly played. I had to learn the technique's and theory until I found what kind of music is me to be created and played by me instead of following the masses.

So did just that found my own style of music the influence and inspiration that keeps me going. bought a casio G1 and PX5S after worth a Korg Kronos 61 is next. mean while playing with the limitations I was in I learned to program these synth and get out what I wanted instead of fap of for the latest gear.

I enjoyed making music more over learning all over again.

PS vintage synth sound go way back from the 30 well into the 60 and 70ties its not just about the eighties sound from which vintage sounds dominated in house , acid ,DB stream off music its broader then most people think it originates from.

[NuSkoolTone]

I can certainly relate to this as I am a certified gear junky, not just for keyboards, but also for studio recording (A mountain of gear on itself), guitar and bass.

With keyboards, I'm always looking for the "next thing" that will FINALLY give me "what I want".

While not perfect, the Kronos has been satisfying that itch pretty well (I just wish there were more program banks and could add even more RAM. Plus more ability to do articulations)

I'm DYING to replace my Motif, but honestly no one has stepped up to the plate yet IMO. Roland's come close, but they ALWAYS manage to cripple their products in some way. Yamaha is stuck in 2007 and Kurz is coming along but still clinging on to that 20+ year old soundbase (Yes I know they've added a little since then)

This is why I'm looking into a way to do giggable VSTs with a nice controller and a tablet/surface laptop. I'm TIRED of waiting for the "Future" when VSTs quite frankly make hardware synths a joke.

There's also my pipe dream of a Solaris and a fully loaded SE CODE8, but those would never leave the house!

That said I'm also looking to downsize. I want to convert all my 01/W patches to the Kronos and sell my 01/Wr. Convert as many of my FS1R patches as I can and see if what's left incompatible I can live without. Sample the hell out of my JD-990 (w/vintage synth card) and K5000s and sell those too!

[mathan]

I can appreciate this thread. I just did a complete overhaul on my studio going from my TritonLE with my laptop that sat unused (mostly) for almost 7 years and the Kaossilator Pro I picked up last year. I just didn't have the right space setup.

Then I decided to get a Microkey25 to try writing on the road. Then I saw the Roland Aira series and decided they're almost too cheap, price-wise, to pass up so got a TR-8 and TB-3.

To use the TritonLE and Kaossilator Pro effectively, I felt I needed to get an audio interface, so picked up a Steinberg UR44

And realizing I really could use an updated synth that will last me for a while, enter the Kronos. I'm not getting rid of my TritonLE for anything, since it has some great sounds.

But seeing the odd 'toy' such as a used nanopad2 for $30 is sometimes to good to pass up.

All in all, I'm getting back to it and I need to actually do something with this equipment. Even if it takes time, I plan on doing something every week.

[watermelon]

Just consider that in the past periodes of creativity,the composers only used
a piano or one organ,a guitar,only one sound of instrument,that's better for
inspiration and not disturbing too.The arrangers and additional musicians
worked for production studios and were conducted by producters.
They had the gear technology and knowledge to make a pro sound,and also
decide how much it costs.
Also consider that only a few people was in the business so the opening door
was small,and the consumers only knew the Tv and radios programs....
But know,all is opened,you have to do all the things and manage everything and
all the music sellers make a lot of money with the "better sound machine".
I think technology is a mirage

[GregC]

Just consider that in the past periodes of creativity,the composers only used
a piano or one organ,a guitar,only one sound of instrument,that's better for
inspiration and not disturbing too.The arrangers and additional musicians
worked for production studios and were conducted by producters.
They had the gear technology and knowledge to make a pro sound,and also
decide how much it costs.
Also consider that only a few people was in the business so the opening door
was small,and the consumers only knew the Tv and radios programs....
But know,all is opened,you have to do all the things and manage everything and
all the music sellers make a lot of money with the "better sound machine".
I think technology is a mirage

Technology is a tool , not a lifestyle.

Making music is a lifestyle choice

[jeremykeys]

Yes, but he who has the most toys, wins!

[JPWC]

I have G.A.S. I have it so bad, I study the sweetwater catalog right after I buy something new, trying to pick the next big thing to buy.

Funny thing the only cure for G.A.S. that I've found, playing music with others. When playing with others, my equipment desires seem to whey.

Last night I practiced with a make shift band, our first time playing together. After lugging the Kronos, JP80, KingKorg and Motif XF and setting them up...

Sorry I was going to tell you how I've gotten a handle on my G.A.S. but it is a lie. I am dreaming of my next sound system, microphones and a new mixer. (I've already got 7 synths on my sweetwater wish list) (I walk through my local Guitar Center everyday at lunch, and I hate this store.)

I want for no reason other than wanting. It is a sickness

Anybody using Bose L1 systems with their keyboards?

And to keep this thread on topic, the Kronos is a great keyboard, Great sounding for just about any application. Anywhere the Kronos falls short is easily made up with a second Kronos, maybe I should get another one.

[BillW]

I also have this disease! I have everything I could possibly want right now and still I'm shopping for something.

I keep all of the gear I've ever owned in a spreadsheet. Here it is (the number is the number of time's I've owned it):


Akai S900 1
Alesis Ion 1
Alesis Micron 1
Alesis QS7.1 1
Arp Quadra 1
Baldwin CT-100 1
Casio CDP-100 1
Casio Privia PX-350 1
Hammond C3 1
Korg CX-3 1
Korg EX-8000 w/MEX 1
Korg Karma 1
Korg Kronos 61 3
Korg M3-61 1
Korg M3-73 2
Korg M50 2
Korg microKorg 1
Korg MicroX 1
Korg N1R 1
Korg Triton Extreme 3
Korg Triton Rack 1
Korg Triton Studio 88 1
Korg X50 1
Kurzweil PC3 1
Kurzweil PC361 2
Kurzweil PC3K7 1
Nord Electro-3 61 1
Novation Xiosynth 49 1
Novation X-Station 1
Roland D-50 1
Roland D-70 1
Roland Fantom FA-76 1
Roland Fantom G6 2
Roland Fantom G7 1
Roland Fantom S-88 1
Roland Fantom X6 1
Roland Fantom XR 1
Roland Juno-106 1
Roland SonicCell 2
Roland VK-8 1
Roland VK-8M 3
Roland W-30 1
Roland XP-30 1
Roland XP-60 1
Roland XV-88 1
Yamaha AN1x 1
Yamaha Motif ES6 1
Yamaha Motif XS6 2
Yamaha Motif-Rack 1
Yamaha Motif-Rack XS 1
Yamaha MOX6 1
Yamaha S90ES 1
Yamaha TX-802 1
Yamaha DX-7 1

[watermelon]

You maybe are not up to date and need an update or...
...all you can do to heal, is to get an ocarina flute and play with it down by
the OL' Man river

[JPROBERTLA]

While I have had my share of keyboards; perhaps 30 or so since 1967, lately my approach has been almost the opposite of G.A.S. For the past 17 years I have been doing a completely sequenced duo with a long-time musician/ friend.

Early on (like everyone else) I had to change keyboards as necessary to keep up with the music. Lately however, while I do keep up with new gear, I have to justify the work it takes to transition the 250+ sequences that we use with the benefits of a new workstation. For example, I used a Triton & Triton Studio from 1998 - 2011 because the M3 did not offer significant enough improvements and the Oasys was just to expensive. When the Kronos was released it was a no-brainer for me, as the improvements were easily significantly enough to justify the transition. Two and a half years later I can honestly say it was a good decision (for me) and hope that the next greatest thing takes a few more years, because like the Kronos, when it appears I will get one and start the process all over again. No regrets though.

[Dniss]

I'd like to know if any of you has the same or similar problem and speak a little bit about it. Thank you.

IMHO, it's the internet you are addicted to.

[danmusician]

Anybody using Bose L1 systems with their keyboards?

Yes, and I love it. I've used the classic L1 since they first came out. I upgraded to the new model a year and half ago.

I still use the classic with my band. I play keyboard or acoustic guitar through it, depending on the song. The Model II is for my solo, one-man-band gigs. I have the T1, it fits perfectly on the left side of my Kronos 73. Complete control is at my fingertips.

I've used both models in a wide variety of locations, indoors and out. They cover the area well and I ALWAYS get complements on the sound.

The one caveat, be careful to set it up far enough behind you - about 6 feet. Unfortunately, that's not possible in every venue. It doesn't sound as natural up close. I suspect it's because of the bass speaker. I think the Model II definitely sounds better than the classic. The sound is smoother, it covers the room better.

The L1 is pricey. But before it, I was carrying 2 15” EV Speakers, and amp, mixer, powered monitors and effects. The L1 replaced it all for slightly less money. It sounds better - though I'm no longer in stereo - and it fits my trunk. No more van! It's easier on the back, too!