Another M3 vs. Fantom G post

[angryquaker]

I didn't want to hijack the previous recent post on this topic, as my situation and needs are different. I'm a drummer by training and trade, but I use a workstation to sequence key parts, horns, etc, for the couple of cover bands I'm gigging with. I'm currently using a Trinity which I love dearly, but it's reached a point where it's become unreliable and cantankerous, so I'm looking to replace it with something new. The M3 seems to be the obvious choice, since I've used Korg keyboards since the M1 came out. It also seems to me that staying with Korg would facilitate an easier transition from the Trinity, as far as transferring all the songs and customized sounds I already have saved. However, I've heard some good things about the new Fantom that piqued my interest, specifically that the acoustic instrument sounds are better. I use a lot more organ, piano, strings, sax, and guitar sounds than I do synth sounds, but I use some synth sounds, too. I know I need to go out and hear both machines, hopefully I'll get to do that this weekend. Just from my online research, the scariest thing I've read about the Fantom is that it's difficult if not impossible to sequence in odd meters. Can anyone confirm this one way or the other? It sounds unbelievable to me, but one of my bands does some progressive material such as Rush, Dream Theater, Kansas and the like, so odd meters are absolutely critical. The other band does more groove-based material, Dave Matthews, for instance, so the violin and sax sounds are very important. Opinions from those who own or have experience with both an M3 and a Fantom G would be helpful. I'd like to be able to afford both, but it's just not possible, nor do I think it would be terribly wise for me, given the fact that I only actually play a few chords here and there on stage. Most everything is sequenced and I just play along to the click track.

Thanks,
Russ

[xmlguy]

The ARX03 SuperNATURAL Brass Expansion Board looks promising. I haven't heard it yet, since it's new and it's hard to get stores to demo any expansion boards. I'd also suggest that you check out the Yamaha PSR-S900 for it's SuperArticulation Sax, Trumpet, Guitar, and bass, along with it's virtual drawbar organs, which it inherited from the Tyros 2.

[Ultimate Dj]

Hello Russ,
In a different situation I was requesting the same info.
in all my research I found the Fantom to have a quite bad opinion in the view of the majority of people. I don't know about the odd meters.
Have you considered a Motif? That was the most popular.
I ended up purchasing the M3 because thats what was best for me. Also because of the amazing new Xpanded upgrade that comes with tons of Wood winds and Brass..etc
here are a few threads that might be worth checking out that I started;

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... sc&start=0

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/for ... 839&page=3

good luck man!

puravida
DJ

[Daz]

... as far as transferring all the songs and customized sounds I already have saved.

The M3 won't load those things directly, just so you know. You can't load Trinity .SNG and .PCG files into the M3. For your songs you'd have to export them in GM format and then re-import them into the M3 and re-assign your Programs etc. There is no such intermediary format for custom Programs.

Daz.

[Ultimate Dj]

... as far as transferring all the songs and customized sounds I already have saved.

The M3 won't load those things directly, just so you know. You can't load Trinity .SNG and .PCG files into the M3. For your songs you'd have to export them in GM format and then re-import them into the M3 and re-assign your Programs etc. There is no such intermediary format for custom Programs.

Daz.

Okay...would this work with my Oasys as well? any chance you could tell me how to Export them in GM Format?! that would be greaT!


puravida
DJ

[Daz]

On the Oasys .... go to Disk mode, select the Save tab and from the page menu (in the top right of display) select the option Save to Standard MIDI File.

The M3 probably works the exact same way.

Daz.

[Ultimate Dj]

On the Oasys .... go to Disk mode, select the Save tab and from the page menu (in the top right of display) select the option Save to Standard MIDI File.

The M3 probably works the exact same way.

Daz.

awesome! so all the Midi data will be there but I'll have to put in the Programs/Instruments, right?

ps No chance of transferring PCG's right? Like Ones i purchased from Karo or otherwise?


puravida
DJ

[Daz]

You can't load Oasys PCGs files into the M3, but you could load the underlying multi-samples (KSC, KMP, KSF files). If you have enough memory in your M3 you could in theory load some of the KARO samples and then create your own Programs that use those samples.

Sample data is pretty much the only thing that is interchangeable between the Trinity, Triton, M3 and Oasys workstations.

Daz.

[kimu]

regards Fantom, check out roland forum because first version of OS had some limitation regarding sequencer but i read it should be solve with nexr relase of OS.

i have an M3 and before a Trinity and i have to say that "upgrade" from the silver beast to the M3 was absolutely simple, on the M3 you will find everything exactly where you expect it to be basing on Trinity experience.

Further piano/organ sound have been enhanced a lot and the 4 expansion give a tons of well sampled acoustic instruments (acoustic piano, Brass, Woodwinds, Stereo Piano) plus the new Vintage Keys programs.

about sounds, i have tried for some hour the Fantom G in shop and i have to say i was not impressed at all, M3 and Motif XS sound lots better (and V-synth GT sounds lots better of M3 and Motif but has no sequencer)

[countrycreek]

hey go with the m3 for simple smf operations and the leslie effect for the organ sounds is the best IMHO plus the 2 flash sticks for storing seqs I saved 100 plus smf's to smf on my triton then stored to flash stick for my m3 and triton extreme SEE YA korg rules