Another Triton Extreme vs M50 thread. Please help me.

Discussion relating to the Korg M50 Workstation.

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Aussie-Andy
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Another Triton Extreme vs M50 thread. Please help me.

Post by Aussie-Andy »

Hey everyone,

I am new to the forum, so hello in advance, I look forward to some interesting discussions, advice and tips in the months to come.
I have recently defected from the Roland camp and want a Korg, badly. Let's face it, they just have more character than the competition. Although each offers something unique and special.
Do I go a second-hand Extreme (if I can find one) or a M50. M3 is out of my price range at this point.
My dillemma is this, M50 has updated sounds and other features. It sounds sensational. But has cheap feeling keys (61 key version, I don't like fully weighted keys, so rules out 88 key version). Triton has some slightly dated sounds and some brilliant ones that still hold their own today. But has an action to die for. Infinitely superior to the M50. But there's the wear and tear factor of second hand gear to consider.
Hard choice.

Why Korg, did you put a top of the line sound engine in a keyboard with a casio-like action. I would have gladly paid an extra $500 AUD for the Triton action alone and dealt with the extra weight that gives it.

I would love some feedback from M50 owners (semi-weighted) as to how they're finding the action after extensive playing. Please don't get me wrong (and angry with me), I don't want to judge the unit to quickly, since I've only tried it for a short time in the shop. But my initial impression was of utter dissappointment. It sounded awesome, with great features and looked cool. I had my heart set on it, until I actually played the keys. The action is so important to me, more than a improved piano sound.

O.k, you can't have a M3 action for half the price, but even the TR series felt more solid than this.

Otherwise a brilliant keyboard, what to do ?

Regards, Andrew.
Stephen
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Post by Stephen »

Hi Andrew, welcome to the forums.

I own 3 Korg synths, including an M3, TR, and KARMA, and have no problem with the keys, that said, I have never played an M50.
I would consider trading my M3 for a nice used Triton Extreme, it is the better tool for my purpose, which is mostly playing live, and some studio use.
The M3 is awesome, but the sounds don't fit my needs like the TR, and Karma, which are both getting to the point where the buttons don't respond very well at times, so it's about the sounds for me, and the Extreme has a bunch of 'em, I know that interface very well, and I really don't use the KARMA feature in the M3 much anymore, I enjoyed my KARMA for years, and I guess that fulfilled my needs there.

Your individual needs will probably dictate which worstation is right for you, but I don't recommend buying anything that has disappointing keys.

I hope that helps.
Good luck.
Regards,
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McHale
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Post by McHale »

M50, hands down. When I get time today (I'm at work now), I'll post why...

-Mc
Current Korg Gear: KRONOS 88 (4GB), M50-73 (PS mod), RADIAS-73, Electribe MX, Triton Pro (MOSS, SCSI, CF, 64MB RAM), SQ-64, DVP-1, MEX-8000, MR-1, KAOSSilator, nanoKey, nanoKontrol, 3x nanoPad 2, 3x DS1H, 7x PS1, FC7 (yes Korg, NOT Yamaha).
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jpscoey
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Re: Another Triton Extreme vs M50 thread. Please help me.

Post by jpscoey »

Aussie-Andy wrote: ...Do I go a second-hand Extreme (if I can find one) or a M50... It sounds sensational. But has cheap feeling keys

Otherwise a brilliant keyboard, what to do ?
Hi Andy - I reckon you've got bigger worries at the mo, with the Ashes starting this week!!!!

Anyway... I sympathise with you on this one, but what I'd say is this -

I do the majority of my playing on my M50-88, but I also use my X50 quite a bit too - and there's a lot of difference in the feel of the keys.
(the X50 has a 'cheaper' keyboard than the M50-61/73).

What I'd say, though, is that you will get used to it soon enough - it's a bit like when you drive a different car, for example...

feels strange at first, but you adapt.

I reckon the the benefits of a new M50 over a used Exteme outweigh the disadvantages of the keybed issue.
Last edited by jpscoey on Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Job: Professional Piano tuner/technician.

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KORG gear: M3-73 Xpanded, M50-88, X50, Kaoss KP3.
Other gear: Nord - StageEX-88, Electro2 - 73.
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Roland - SH201.
Neofire72
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Post by Neofire72 »

Hi there. I owned a triton extreme 88 and my mate has a 61. I don't think the triton keys are that great on the 61, i prefer weighted keys so mabye that's altering my opinion.

I had the same dilema, was gonna buy another extreme, found it hard to get one so bought an M50 instead (88 key version).

Everyone i've spoke to including people on this forum have said that the M50 beats the extreme sounds hands down, thats good enough for me.

Cheers,

Craig.
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McHale
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Post by McHale »

Current Korg Gear: KRONOS 88 (4GB), M50-73 (PS mod), RADIAS-73, Electribe MX, Triton Pro (MOSS, SCSI, CF, 64MB RAM), SQ-64, DVP-1, MEX-8000, MR-1, KAOSSilator, nanoKey, nanoKontrol, 3x nanoPad 2, 3x DS1H, 7x PS1, FC7 (yes Korg, NOT Yamaha).
boogieman
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Post by boogieman »

I purchased a Kurzweil PC3 a while back solely on reviews, and when it arrived, I was very disappointed to find that the "semi-weighted" action was, for me at least, horrible. Springs were way too stiff, and I found it just annoying to play - it had great sounds, but I was gritting my teeth every time I touched the keyboard.

I sold that, and purchased an M50. I'm VERY happy. I love weighted keys, but if it's a compromise (weighted vs "semi" for organs and synths - and the weight factor of the keyboard also), I like the Korg feel. It's fast and light, but I'm able to play piano parts without a problem. Most important, I ENJOY playing it!

Maybe it's just my imagination, but I purchased a 73, and the keybed to me just feels a bit better and more quality over the 61. Supposedly they are the same.
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McHale
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Post by McHale »

boogieman wrote:Maybe it's just my imagination, but I purchased a 73, and the keybed to me just feels a bit better and more quality over the 61. Supposedly they are the same.
I thought that exact same thing when I first got my 73 key and even posted about it at Karma-labs. They are the exact same keybed but for some reason, they keyboard felt a little more solid. I've since played a LOT of M50-61's and they feel the same. But the 73 doesn't sound/react all clanky and hollow like the 61 key.

-Mc
Current Korg Gear: KRONOS 88 (4GB), M50-73 (PS mod), RADIAS-73, Electribe MX, Triton Pro (MOSS, SCSI, CF, 64MB RAM), SQ-64, DVP-1, MEX-8000, MR-1, KAOSSilator, nanoKey, nanoKontrol, 3x nanoPad 2, 3x DS1H, 7x PS1, FC7 (yes Korg, NOT Yamaha).
Aussie-Andy
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Post by Aussie-Andy »

Thanks for the replies everyone, Interesting stuff,
McHale and boogieman both reckon that the 73 feels different (better)than the 61.
Is that possible ? Has anyone else experienced this ?

I'm curious because I've decided to go with a M-50 61, since I don't want to wait around for a second hand Extreme to come up. Also, I tried the M-50 again on the weekend and found after playing it for half an hour that the action was better than I remembered, it was a 73 version. The updated sounds also appeal to me greatly, plus the fact that it is new with a warranty which removes the risk of buying a dud second-hand unit.

I heard the warranty on the M-50 is three years, is this correct ?

The icing on the cake is that in Australia the bonus Korg is offering on M-50's is a pair of KRK RP5 monitors, which retail for about a third of the price of a M-50. Now that is generous, Korg seem to do that a lot, I never remember Roland giving me anything as an incentive to purchase their products.

I plan on picking up my M-50 on the weekend, can't wait, let you know how it goes.

See ya, Andrew.
kikedeolivos
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Post by kikedeolivos »

Aussie-Andy wrote:"...

I heard the warranty on the M-50 is three years, is this correct ?...".
You are lucky my friend..very lucky.

In Argentina, Korg official distributor never gives away freebies, once you buy you can't return it if you don't like the board, warranty is only 6 months and if you pay by debit / credit card they charge you +10%.
Current gear

Korg M50 / Korg Nanokontrol 2

Past gear

Teisco Organ / Yamaha Electone / Casio CZ-230S / Casio CZ-3000 / Ensoniq ESQ 1 / Ensoniq SQ1 / Ensoniq SQ1 Plus / Ensoniq SD-1 /Yamaha PSR? / Hammond XM-1 / Roland RS9 / H&K Rotosphere / Yamaha S80 / Korg X5 / Kurzweil ME-1 / Korg X5D / Korg CX-3 (V2) / Hammond M111 & Leslie 147


Youtube channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/bubusdeoliv ... sults_main
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mocando
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Post by mocando »

kikedeolivos wrote: In Argentina, Korg official distributor never gives away freebies, once you buy you can't return it if you don't like the board, warranty is only 6 months and if you pay by debit / credit card they charge you +10%.
Same here in Venezuela, sadly. But mine was purchased in the US and brought down here as luggage, so if I have to claim the warranty I'll have to send it over to the US.

Hopefully that will never happen :wink:
Martin Ocando

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McHale
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Post by McHale »

Aussie-Andy wrote:Interesting stuff, McHale and boogieman both reckon that the 73 feels different (better)than the 61.
Is that possible ?
They are the exact same keybed. And while some jag on the M50's keybed, I actually really like it. I use my M50-73 live and I beat it up pretty good (or badly depending on how you look at it).

You're gonna love the M50...

-Mc
Current Korg Gear: KRONOS 88 (4GB), M50-73 (PS mod), RADIAS-73, Electribe MX, Triton Pro (MOSS, SCSI, CF, 64MB RAM), SQ-64, DVP-1, MEX-8000, MR-1, KAOSSilator, nanoKey, nanoKontrol, 3x nanoPad 2, 3x DS1H, 7x PS1, FC7 (yes Korg, NOT Yamaha).
kikedeolivos
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Post by kikedeolivos »

mocando wrote:
kikedeolivos wrote: In Argentina, Korg official distributor never gives away freebies, once you buy you can't return it if you don't like the board, warranty is only 6 months and if you pay by debit / credit card they charge you +10%.
Same here in Venezuela, sadly. But mine was purchased in the US and brought down here as luggage, so if I have to claim the warranty I'll have to send it over to the US.

Hopefully that will never happen :wink:
As luggage you mean smuggling? LOL
I understand my friend, same boat in this Country.(with a fee to the pilot and Customs)

What the Official distributor did in here is that they reduced the profit to their distributors to avoid people smuggling keyboards from the US. So now, for example, an M50 with taxes in the US is about $1180 whereas here is $1450 (taxes included). Bringing it will cost $100 less than the US (fees applied already...) and at least, buying from the official Korg Distributor, we'll get an INCREDIBLE 6 month warranty police and a hot dog coupon to be rendered from 3 to 4 AM...LOL!
Current gear

Korg M50 / Korg Nanokontrol 2

Past gear

Teisco Organ / Yamaha Electone / Casio CZ-230S / Casio CZ-3000 / Ensoniq ESQ 1 / Ensoniq SQ1 / Ensoniq SQ1 Plus / Ensoniq SD-1 /Yamaha PSR? / Hammond XM-1 / Roland RS9 / H&K Rotosphere / Yamaha S80 / Korg X5 / Kurzweil ME-1 / Korg X5D / Korg CX-3 (V2) / Hammond M111 & Leslie 147


Youtube channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/bubusdeoliv ... sults_main
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McHale
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Post by McHale »

kikedeolivos wrote:and at least, buying from the official Korg Distributor, we'll get an INCREDIBLE 6 month warranty police and a hot dog coupon to be rendered from 3 to 4 AM...LOL!
hmmm... this hot dog coupon you speak of. Is it good ANYWHERE in the US? :)

-Mc
Current Korg Gear: KRONOS 88 (4GB), M50-73 (PS mod), RADIAS-73, Electribe MX, Triton Pro (MOSS, SCSI, CF, 64MB RAM), SQ-64, DVP-1, MEX-8000, MR-1, KAOSSilator, nanoKey, nanoKontrol, 3x nanoPad 2, 3x DS1H, 7x PS1, FC7 (yes Korg, NOT Yamaha).
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