Purchase Advise -- M50 Vs. MOX

[ConnMan]

Hi,

I'm a new member to the group and would like some advise about an upcoming purchase. I have been using a Roland XP80 but have tired of it's sounds and am considering a purchase of either a Korg M50 or a Yamaha MOX6.

I don't have a music store near me so I have been watching videos of these workstations on youtube but I would like some guidance from users of either or both these units.

The type / style of music I do is a mixture of Prog-Rock, Manheim Steamroller, Floyd and Yanni (yea I know, that's a wide spread, but, hey)

Right now I'm leaning towards the M50 as the sounds that I've heard demonstrated seem to match what I'm looking for. However the MOX is no slouch either.

I'm especially interested in Keith Emerson type synth power leads, vintage analog-type sounds, a good distorted plus regular Hammond sounds, electric guitar, acoustic guitar. Also interested in orchestral sounds and individual acoustic instruments.

I'm pretty impressed with in the built-in drum patterns that both these units have as well and it seems like these features should help with composing.

I would be using the sequencing features for composing and in a studio setting (not live) taking the music to recording rather than playing out.

Anyways, there you have it for now.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Ajbbklyn]

I think a more "apples-to-apples" comparison would be between the MOX and the Krome. The M50 is no longer in production. The Krome is similar to the M50, but with more sounds, higher polyphony, a better keybed and a better sequencer.

Krome is derived from the M3, with some sounds from Kronos incorporated into it. The MOX is derived from the Motif XS.

Yamaha and KORG have different approaches to workflow. The soundsets of each manufacturer are also different. Try to visit a music store and test out each keyboard to see which you prefer. (I realize this may be difficult since there are no stores near you.) Also, check www.motifator.com and go to the forum section to see what users are saying about the MOX.

I have both an M50 and a Yamaha Motif ES, which was their flagship workstation from 2004-2007. The two boards compliment one another nicely. If I were you, I'd go for the Krome, based on the touchscreen, the sequencer and the lead synth sounds. However, the MOX might have the edge for the acoustic and orchestral sounds, as well as the connectivity options for going into a computer.

Take your time, continue your research and ultimately you will make the best choice for you.

[Synthoid]

visit a music store and test out each keyboard to see which you prefer.

Take your time, continue your research and ultimately you will make the best choice for you.

This ^^^

Even if you have to drive a long distance to visit a decent music store, it's worth it to actually audition the keyboards that interest you.

In my opinion after years of programming/recording/performing... Korg's user interface is much easier to use than Yamaha's. The touch screen, menus, and OS make navigating and programming a breeze after you've become used to Korg's way of doing things.

I own both a Korg M3 and a Yamaha Motif XS in my studio and the M3 receives about 80% of my attention.

[ConnMan]

Thanks for the feed-back thus far guys.

Reasoning for the M50 is that I don't have the money to buy a Krome and it seems that -- asides from a few upgrades -- the M50 is just about the same as the Krome just a but older. The M50 has a touch screen as well, yes?

Whatever I end up with will depend on affordability and the MOX6 is in the same price range as the M50 in the used market hence the posting.

BTW, I have in addition to the XP80 (currently for sale BTW) ia a Yamaha ANx1, Alesis ION and Casio XW-P1 using a ZOOM R24 as audio mixer.

Rationale for a workstation is to get as much as possible done internally via sequencing then record to the ZOOM then add outside instruments. However now I see that certain instruments let you add outside audio which seems like a cool feature. The MOX seems pretty easy to work & record with based on the videos but I know Yamaha is a bit more work than a Korg for certins functions.

Agree that they both would compliment each other but can only afford one at the moment. If future budget allows I'd like t move up to the OASYS but that's a little far off at the moment.

Thanks!

[csteen]

The M50 sequencer is definatly superior to that of the MOX.
As for price difference on the two , I have found much better deals for a good used M50 all the times I have searched. Neither board will disappoint but the M50 has an awful lot over the Mox in my opinion and in the end is why I chose the M50 over the Mox.

[Ajbbklyn]

The M50 has a touch screen as well, yes?

Absolutely. It facilitates the superior KORG workflow just like its big siblings. http://korg.com/M50

If future budget allows I'd like to move up to the OASYS but that's a little far off at the moment.

If/when that far off moment arrives, the Kronos X would be the tool of choice: All of the functionality of the OASYS - and superior specs - at half the price.

Lastly, see if you can find someone with an M50 and play it for a bit. Make sure the keybed is sufficiently to your liking. This is one area where the M50 is considered to be relatively weak. That said, keybed preference is a subjective thing.

Also, if buying used, take care not to purchase one of the minority of units that had a "freeze-up" problem due to faulty capacitors. Do a search on this forum and you'll see some threads pertaining to this. The vast majority of the units have no problem. However, caveat emptor when buying used.

[ConnMan]

Forgot to ask if the M50 has the analog-type sounds as in the R3?

Also, about how many analog sounds does the M50 have?

Thanks!

[Ajbbklyn]

Here's a link to the M50 Voice Name List

Not familiar with the R3's soundset. So, I really can't say.

[dimitra]

I personally feel that Yamaha's drum patterns dont sound as professional as on the M50. I haven't auditioned the MOX in particular, but I had toyed with a few Yamaha workstations before deciding on the M50. But yes, maybe some pianos & ethnic instruments are better on Yamaha. Although Korg's tweak-ability (if there's such a word) is unmatched!

[Bald Eagle]

Forgot to ask if the M50 has the analog-type sounds as in the R3?

Also, about how many analog sounds does the M50 have?

Thanks!

If your budget allows you may want to consider a used M3 with EXB-RADIAS for some great analog sounds.

[ConnMan]

Yea...Wish I could get a M3 with Radias but a $700 budget barely allows for a used M50-73 or the MOX6 at this point. I'm hoping my financial situation will improve some day to be able to step-up. I've seen some youtube's on the R3 and for what it is, it seems quite impressive, especially considering a used one can be had for around three-hundred bucks or so.

BTW, the ION has some really fantastic analog sounds -- Was just wondering if the M50 had a good selection.

[Synthoid]

BTW, the ION has some really fantastic analog sounds -- Was just wondering if the M50 had a good selection.

Keep in mind the Ion (and the R3) are virtual analog synthesizers that generate raw waveforms, where the M50 is a workstation that uses pre-recorded samples for its sounds. You can achieve some great synth-type sounds with the M50, M3, Krome... etc, but it is a different piece of equipment compared to a virtual analog synth (VA).

For more information about synthesizers, I'd recommend some online reading.

By the way... in my studio, this is my synth of choice:

[ConnMan]

Thanks...Yes I do realize the ION and R3 are virtual synths - not true analogue - but now I'm very happy to know that the M50 can emulate some great "analog-like" synth sounds.

FWIW, I've been a synth guy since the '70s when I had a really nice Mini-Moog and Moog ribbon controller for live gigging. Monkeying around with all those knobs was a real sonic joy. Even though not a true-analogue synth, the ION gives me a similar thrill when I do some knob-twisting and oscillator tweaking...Love the Keith Emerson / Rick Wakeman / STYX / Floyd, etc. type-sounds that thing can deliver! [BTW, why you selling yours? -- Just curious. -- Thinking the Radias is better?]

I'd like to try out that new SLEDGE VA synth someday.

Cheers!

[Synthoid]

Even though not a true-analogue synth, the ION gives me a similar thrill when I do some knob-twisting and oscillator tweaking.. [BTW, why you selling yours? -- Just curious. -- Thinking the Radias is better?]

I really enjoyed the Ion when I first bought it... guess that was over 6 years ago. Great for tweaking, yes... but it just sounds thin to me. Outboard effects help, but I don't like dragging a lot of extra boxes to a gig when playing live. Alesis really dropped the ball with the Ion by not including reverb and a decent chorus effect.

The Radias on the other hand, offers more polyphony, a huge selection of waveforms, multiple (and amazing) effects, arps, plus step and modulation sequencing. Hours go by when I'm playing it... just sounds a whole lot better to me.

[ConnMan]

Agree with thin sound and needing outboard effects help the ION and for the life of me can't figure out why Alesis -- of ALL manufacturers -- didn't include a decent built-in chorus & reverb!

Too bad they didn't come out with a bigger five-octave mode with a folding back board like the Mini-Moog. THAT would have been a real winner!!