Buying first synth

soccerprof · Post by **soccerprof** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:44 am

I'm about to buy my first synth and I'm not quite sure which model to go with yet. My band is goingnto be performing popsynth music, from 80's new wave like new order and depeche mode to modern like lights. The two models that seem to make sense are either the x50 or the m50, and I'm wondering if getting the m50 would be worth it? I've also seen suggestions that it's better to get a used synth like the fantom x or triton extreme. Any suggestions are welcome, I'm brand new to synths and really have no idea what would suit my needs best.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:37 pm

How much $$$$ do you want to spend?

soccerprof · Post by **soccerprof** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:29 pm

There isn't a set limit or anything but I'd prefer to stay around a thousand dollars.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:49 pm

I'd recommend visiting your local music store and trying keyboards in your price range. You'll probably discover if you're buying new, the M50 is the "biggest bang" for the buck.

Of course you could find several other choices in the used market on eBay in your price range. I've played the Fantom X and the Motif ES, but definitely prefer the Triton Extreme of the three. Its touch screen makes it easy to edit, and the variety of programs and combinations it offers will keep you busy for a long time.

soccerprof · Post by **soccerprof** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:17 am

So what are the main advantages of the older triton vs the new m50?

AnthonyB · Post by **AnthonyB** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:39 am

soccerprof wrote:So what are the main advantages of the older triton vs the new m50?

The Triton Classic has 32 mb of Rom (Triton studio 48MB - excluding expansion cards), the M50 has 256MB. The M50 features the same EDS engine as the M3, and lots of other things like more modern up-to-date-sounds, etc etc, and very cheap compared to similar specked synths.

Not sure if its' "better than the Korg Extreme though - but does feature the same 5 insert effects like the tritons/M3 etc, unlike the TR61 which only has 1 insert, and 64 mb wave rom .

Tony

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:54 am

soccerprof wrote:So what are the main advantages of the older triton vs the new m50?

I wasn't comparing the Triton Extreme to the M50, just with the Motif ES and Fantom X.

I will say that the Extreme has a better build quality than the M50 and should stand up better "on the road."

Gargamel314 · Post by **Gargamel314** » Wed May 06, 2009 2:31 am

soccerprof wrote:So what are the main advantages of the older triton vs the new m50?

M50 has "Karma," is slightly more user-friendly, slightly better effects presets, and an up-to-date set of samples. It is MUCH lighter (11 pounds i think for 61 key), and smaller.

The Triton Extreme has more polyphony, a much better keyboard, has aftertouch (key pressure after you've hit the key), is much more solid, but also weighs in at 37 pounds for a 61-key instrument. While it doesn't have the KARMA feature, it does have dual-arpeggiators, which still respond intuitively to what you play. it is more expandible, so you can add in additional Sample RAM, has a USB port to store data and import data on (so you can use a flash drive with it), and also uses compact flash cards to store data more permanently.

The sounds... i don't think either one is clearly a better-sounding keyboard, but they do sound much different. Triton has 160MB, as compared to the M50's 256MB sample ROM, but the Triton's soundset is made up of all of the expansions, which were very high-quality samples. The triton is very bright sounding, some say it is harsher sounding, but then again it depends on what you play. The M50's EDS engine has more smoother sounds... but are apparently very dependent on effects. You would probably just have to try them out... download some demos, and visit a music store and try them out.

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Wed May 06, 2009 7:11 am

The M50 doesn't have KARMA onboard.

Gargamel314 · Post by **Gargamel314** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:43 pm

ahhh yeah you're right, no karma on the M50

Xenomorph · Post by **Xenomorph** » Wed May 06, 2009 10:00 pm

Spend the grand on an used Extreme in excellent condition before they are very very hard to find(already hard to find as is in mint condition) and a year from now or whenever the budget allows, get an M50 and use both

Problem solved!

Seriously, I don't think I could live without having both in my gigging arsenal, my poor Karma is collecting dust(not really, it's tucked away inside a gig bag but you get the point)

The Extreme has any sound you could ever want, I just can't put a price on that so the grand I spent made me feel like I was stealing it lol. The M50 for 1,100.00 is an insane price for such an awesome board(some sell for 750 on ebay!). Myself and my cousin(both use keyboards) make up my band so the drum tracks on the M50 are priceless to me.

6 months ago I was using the X50 and Karma for gigs(kept my TR at home to practice with which was convenient seeing as it had same sounds as X50) so one can see why I'm so ecstatic about my new combo of Korgs!

Gargamel314 · Post by **Gargamel314** » Thu May 07, 2009 4:28 am

i will say... i had a Triton Extreme for the past 5 years, it has so many great features on it, I was still learning how to use new ones just a few months ago. It rarely left me disappointed, and everything you need, whether it be sounds, polyphony, memory, sound quality, expressiveness, it comes through for you in abundance! It's probably the most complete keyboard workstation Korg ever made... the M3 may have beaten it there, though!

soccerprof · Post by **soccerprof** » Wed May 13, 2009 4:37 am

Wow thanks for all the feedback. Both seem like really good options so I guess I'll have to try them out/listen to samples. The weight of the m50 seems like a huge benefit though

EJ2 · Post by **EJ2** » Wed May 13, 2009 3:41 pm

Go for the M3-73.