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Hi guys.

I've been obsessing over getting an R3 for quite a while. My impression of it is that it's like a cut down, portable Radias.

I know it comes with editor software, but I wanted to know, are all the parameters available from the front of the keyboard - In other words, can I fully exploit the synths potential without having to use the computer?

Thanks for any tips

womoma wrote:Hi guys.

I've been obsessing over getting an R3 for quite a while. My impression of it is that it's like a cut down, portable Radias.

I know it comes with editor software, but I wanted to know, are all the parameters available from the front of the keyboard - In other words, can I fully exploit the synths potential without having to use the computer?

Thanks for any tips

Almost 100%- I think there are a few vocoder features only accessible from the software editor (panning and volume of individual Vocoder Q's) but I may be wrong. Otherwise, I am certain that all features are accessible from the front panel.

Thanks

womoma wrote:Thanks

No problem. I accept $100+ tips to my paypal at any time of the day.

Tell me, am I right to obsess over an R3? I get the feeling it is a bit of a dark horse. I don't know why people don't talk about it more.

Surely it has a lot going for it when compared to other keyboard synths in similar price range:

Micron/Miniak/Ion
Roland SH201/Gaia
Novation Xio/Ultranova
M-Audio Venom

None of the above synths really apeal to me as much as the R3.

Tell me, am I right to obsess over an R3? I get the feeling it is a bit of a dark horse. I don't know why people don't talk about it more.

Surely it has a lot going for it when compared to other keyboard synths in similar price range:

Micron/Miniak/Ion
Roland SH201/Gaia
Novation Xio/Ultranova
M-Audio Venom

None of the above synths really apeal to me as much as the R3.

I own a Radias and the other half of my band owns the R3, think of them like digital crystals.

Are you going to be playing it live? Are you playing with a band? Is this your first synth? You can buy a used Radias-R for less than an R3. Also you should take into account what you want out of it. Are you buying because its a VA? Vocoder?

womoma wrote: Surely it has a lot going for it when compared to other keyboard synths in similar price range:.

I bought mine and never thought twice about it. It has really great analog modeling and the vocoder is really nice. My favorite thing about it is the vocoder. Compared to the MiniAK and SH-201 this is better.

"And don't call me Shirley." LOL

zalo wrote: Are you going to be playing it live? Are you playing with a band? Is this your first synth? You can buy a used Radias-R for less than an R3. Also you should take into account what you want out of it. Are you buying because its a VA? Vocoder?

It's for a studio and would never be gigged. Not my first synth. I've previously owned an Alesis Ion and a Novation K-Station. I know the r3 has more sound potential, but I'm hoping I can get used to the limited set of controls for patch making. Vocoder is not important, though still very cool.

DaniH wrote: I bought mine and never thought twice about it. It has really great analog modeling and the vocoder is really nice. My favorite thing about it is the vocoder. Compared to the MiniAK and SH-201 this is better.

I love the sound of the R3. Actually, I think Korg do the best sounding budget VA synths.

The Micron/Ion/Miniak have some nice features, but the filters have no teeth. Novation filters sound good, but overall sound tends to be kinda aliased.

I hate to use words like "PHAT" and "WARM" but that's the territory the R3 goes into when compared to its peers.

If its the VA you are looking at it for have you looked into analog synths in that price range? DSI Mopho, Roland Juno 106? Those are both DCOs but the filters are a step up from the Radias/R3 filters.

If you are looking for a sharp delicate synth the R3 will be great, clean and airy when you want it to be, crisp and piercing also.

Basses and thick leads you are going to have trouble producing.

I am not trying to push you off this synth, just trying to manage expectations.

DaniH wrote:"And don't call me Shirley." LOL

Why Shirley? Is there something I missed related with vocoders and Shirley?

axxim wrote:

DaniH wrote:"And don't call me Shirley." LOL

Why Shirley? Is there something I missed related with vocoders and Shirley?

I think it's the standard joke after someone starts a sentence with "surely".. like I did above... also see: Airplane (movie)

zalo wrote:If its the VA you are looking at it for have you looked into analog synths in that price range? DSI Mopho, Roland Juno 106? Those are both DCOs but the filters are a step up from the Radias/R3 filters.

If you are looking for a sharp delicate synth the R3 will be great, clean and airy when you want it to be, crisp and piercing also.

Basses and thick leads you are going to have trouble producing.

I am not trying to push you off this synth, just trying to manage expectations.

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

Pure analogue or good analogue emulation isn't that important to me. I love the sound of things like the Mopho, but the sonic possibilities are limited.

The appeal of the R3 for me is that it does VA relatively well but also has some extra sound potential with its effects etc.

I would probably be interested in an Ultranova or Blofeld keyboard, but it's the R3 that is for sale second-hand locally for a good price right now.

womoma wrote:I hate to use words like "PHAT" and "WARM" but that's the territory the R3 goes into when compared to its peers.

I would never describe the R3 with either of those words.

womoma wrote:I would probably be interested in an Ultranova or Blofeld keyboard, but it's the R3 that is for sale second-hand locally for a good price right now.

curious of the price.

tpantano wrote: I would never describe the R3 with either of those words.

Ok maybe not particularly fat, but definitely warmer than the AKAI/Novation stuff IMO.

zalo wrote: curious of the price.

380 euro
(560 dollars approx)