Is the Radias more worth getting than the R3?

mrsonic996 · Post by **mrsonic996** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:33 am

I really am interested in knowing this. I know it has higher Polyphony and more Keys, But the Interface seems a little Weird to me. I loved The look and Interface of the R3 (The knob that switched what the other knobs did, Plus Led screens and Led-lit knobs)

And the Radias seems more expensive than the R3 in Total (with the Keyboard and the Rack, Since I don't have any other keyboard or MIDI controller), Plus that it's really hard to get (I couldn't find it anywhere on local shops or online shops in my country)

So what would be the verdict? I really am not sure wich to choose. I love 'em both.

thehighesttree · Post by **thehighesttree** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 12:48 pm

There are some capabilities that aren't quite as strong on the R3...as I understand, the Radias' mod sequence ability (knob motion recording over 16-steps) allows 3 per timbre (so 3 X 4), whereas the R3 only allows one per timbre (1 X 2) so there's some less automation. You also don't get the PCM drum capabilities of the Radias or the step sequencer if these are a concern to you. I think there are some other minor things omitted but I have no idea what they would be.

I went with the R3 and like you said, it has a great interface for what it is. I'd say if you don't have a dedicated keyboard and mic, you're not a maestro on the keys and you'd favor something compact, you might opt for the R3. It's powerful enough that you probably won't find yourself cramped by the limits even after you're comfortable with the engine, which is pretty powerful BTW.

MarPabl · Post by **MarPabl** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 3:51 pm

IMHO you should get the Radias knowing that it will give you more features. In the end, that will allow you to create sounds not possible with the R3

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:38 pm

Used Radias's aren't that much more than a used Korg R3 nowadays, and certainly less than a new R3. I'd just go right for the mothership.

MarPabl · Post by **MarPabl** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:56 pm

tpantano wrote:Used Radias's aren't that much more than a used Korg R3 nowadays, and certainly less than a new R3. I'd just go right for the mothership.

And you should upgrade too

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 6:31 pm

Don't get the Radias with the original Keyboard.. Just get a decent 61 key controller instead.

If you get a controller with aftertouch too, this can become a very expressive synth.

In addition to having Drum PCMs, you can also synthesize drums using the synthesis engine, effectively with 16 different timbres set up as a kit across the keys.

You get two note sequencers in addition to the arpeggiator. You get more dedicated knobs (although even more parameters can be reached through effective use of the buttons and screen, in a not-unintuitive menu paging system.

You get sampled waveforms too including some EPs, Organs, Guitars, and Strings. The EPs and Organs can be particularly useful with some clever programming. Others aren't a strong point but can be leveraged to good use. It's nice to have a string sample to play with, layering with basic oscillators and some dirty filtering.

mrsonic996 · Post by **mrsonic996** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:51 am

MarPabl wrote:IMHO you should get the Radias knowing that it will give you more features. In the end, that will allow you to create sounds not possible with the R3

Well, I can't find the radias anywhere near. Not even on ebay.

Plus that, Radias here costs about 900-1200 euros. And that is far more than the R3. I'm not sure if my limited budget will allow.

MarPabl · Post by **MarPabl** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 2:56 pm

mrsonic996 wrote:Well, I can't find the radias anywhere near. Not even on ebay.

Plus that, Radias here costs about 900-1200 euros. And that is far more than the R3. I'm not sure if my limited budget will allow.

It's worth the extra effort for sure

Just check the results of your poll

Keep checking on eBay

acemonvw · Post by **acemonvw** » Fri Aug 31, 2012 4:27 pm

X-Trade wrote: In addition to having Drum PCMs, you can also synthesize drums using the synthesis engine, effectively with 16 different timbres set up as a kit across the keys.

X-Trade, we had talked in a different thread about this, I had no idea you could edit the sounds previously and it really was cool. But I didn't like the fact that you couldn't save the edit per patch. Effectively, you can only create 24 different drum kits, which is kind of a bummer.

That said, it was really fun to mess around with editing the drum part.

I also have had fun with using the radias ONLY as a drum machine and synthesizing bass kicks, snares, and hi-hats using the 4 timbres.

Using the mod sequencer, you can pretty much create parameter locks like you can with the Machinedrum, and it's pretty effing cool.

Oh oh oh... and to keep my thread on topic... yes, get the radias!!! far better, more polyphony, more knobs... you can't go wrong with it.

mrsonic996 · Post by **mrsonic996** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:27 am

tpantano wrote:Used Radias's aren't that much more than a used Korg R3 nowadays, and certainly less than a new R3. I'd just go right for the mothership.

Wait a second what? I have never seen a Radias with a price so low, Never.
The R3 uses to be around 550-600 euros new.. How can a Radias be cheaper than that? I checked most of the sites, Including ebay, Amazon, Another national shopping site from my country, Etc. Never found a Radias that cheap.

I demand explaination.

axxim · Post by **axxim** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 9:13 am

mrsonic996 wrote:
tpantano wrote:Used Radias's aren't that much more than a used Korg R3 nowadays, and certainly less than a new R3. I'd just go right for the mothership.
Wait a second what? I have never seen a Radias with a price so low, Never.
The R3 uses to be around 550-600 euros new.. How can a Radias be cheaper than that? I checked most of the sites, Including ebay, Amazon, Another national shopping site from my country, Etc. Never found a Radias that cheap.

I demand explaination.

Starting from the fact that a new R3 actually is offered for 500+ EUR and a search on ebay today shows a Radias in USA for 635$ (w/o KB) it isn't cheaper but surely will be the better option.
Since the Radias is discontinued now, it may be possible that this unit won't get cheaper anymore.

3DOFan · Post by **3DOFan** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 7:08 pm

I got my Korg R3 for 300 on ebay. If your gonna pay 600 for anything, I'd get a used nord lead 2 or 3 if your lucky, but the Radias is superior to the R3, although I think the R3 is better because of how portable it is.

mrsonic996 · Post by **mrsonic996** » Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:26 am

axxim wrote:
mrsonic996 wrote:
tpantano wrote:Used Radias's aren't that much more than a used Korg R3 nowadays, and certainly less than a new R3. I'd just go right for the mothership.
Wait a second what? I have never seen a Radias with a price so low, Never.
The R3 uses to be around 550-600 euros new.. How can a Radias be cheaper than that? I checked most of the sites, Including ebay, Amazon, Another national shopping site from my country, Etc. Never found a Radias that cheap.

I demand explaination.
Starting from the fact that a new R3 actually is offered for 500+ EUR and a search on ebay today shows a Radias in USA for 635$ (w/o KB) it isn't cheaper but surely will be the better option.
Since the Radias is discontinued now, it may be possible that this unit won't get cheaper anymore.

There comes in another problem that I actually live in Romania, And a transport from US will cost me pretty much darn money.... I really don't have extra money to spend, that's the problem. Even a transport from UK will cost pretty much