Korg Forums

[sishan]

Hi,
I have never used any Korg / Roland product previously. Currently have Yamaha PSR, Casio WK-3500 (76key) board. As a bit of background I'm doing my Grade 6 piano from Royal School and keen on composing, recording myself as I do a lot of that on existing boards. Mostly into classical, semi-classical, jazz, contemporary, light rock and new-age instrumental loving person.

Now am looking for a real piano feel 88-key board with sequencer, sampler and "mind-blowing" sounds. Can someone please share some NEUTRAL opinions on whether I should go for X-8 or M3 88.

Few of my own findings:
1) For x8, since it's been there for quite a while, I have read plenty of reviews from experienced users and have access to lots of materials on "how-to-do" sort of things. Since the M3 88 is very recent addidion, I don't have that many reviews on the internet particularly regarding the keyboard feel.

2) Looking at the M3 screen images, it seems that operations on x-8 are much simpler to pick up and execute than M3

Any NEUTRAL opinion will be highly appreciated.

I know you guys may lean towards M3 but in case you have experienced both the boards, please share all pro-s and con-s.


Many thanks,
Shan
_________________
Yamaha PSR-2100, Casio WK-3500
Cubase, Cool Edit Pro, Sibelius

http://www.audiostreet.net/shantanusinha

[AnthonyB]

Hello Sishan, and welcome to Korg forums

I play the piano myself, and have a proper Grand so to speak (Kawai RX-2), and Also a korg OASYS "88"

Now, if i was in your position, i would (myself) get a Fantom X8 over the M3 for these reasons:

1: Better Piano - that means a lot to a piano player (also additional piano boards are available Via SRX cards (4 for the keyboard, and 6 for the sound module)

2. I see The Roland Fantom as a better "all-rounder" for the "musician" wereas the M3 is Great for Better synth sounds, and has KARMA, amongst other things.

3: Better sequencer I believe, although the M3's resolution has been upped a bit to 192 PPQN I believe, more than the OASYS in fact, but thats another story.!

There are other boards to consider like the Yamaha Motif XS 88, and Korgs Extreme etc - or The OASYS if you could afford one. Listen to other peoples recommendations, and then come to a conclusion Sishan, The M3 is a great board; its just that i don't see the M3 as a "pianist" keyboard really, but, still.....


AnthonyB
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KORG KRONOS 88-Korg D3200-Casio Privia PX-830BP-KAWAI RX-2 Grand Piano
Sequencing: KRONOS/Cubase/Cubasis/iPad air2

JOHN 3:16

[sishan]

Thanks Anthony for your honest opinions.

An Oasys person speaking highly of Fantom X8, that really brings out the truth. You have lot of playing experience and so I value your suggestions.

Yes you are right, I will put the piano feel in terms of both how my fingers and ears feel you know, before anything. Then I will consider overall functions like sequencing, other patch qualities etc.

One downside is that the x8 is really heavy, almost 30kg and I definitely will have trouble in taking out to gigs. But I guess all 88 key models are over 25 or 26 kgs anyway...so...

Thanks again
Shan
_________________
Yamaha PSR-2100, Casio WK-3500
Cubase, Cool Edit Pro, Sibelius

http://www.audiostreet.net/shantanusinha

[AnthonyB]

Hi Sishan,

I Think 25-30KG for a 88 key is about the norm anyway. I "nearly" went for a FantomX-88 and a Module (Motif or Korg). Your into "classical, semi-classical, jazz, contemporary, light rock and new-age" Well, that list reads more Fantom than M3 to me, save the last one (new age)

Listening to your MP3 Of "Fur-Elise" is very nice in the way you bring the strings in after the first repeat. Keep it up Sishan (I play this one too)



Anthony
_________________
KORG KRONOS 88-Korg D3200-Casio Privia PX-830BP-KAWAI RX-2 Grand Piano
Sequencing: KRONOS/Cubase/Cubasis/iPad air2

JOHN 3:16

[sishan]

Thanks for the "strings" compliment ! I recorded this back in 2005. My playability of that "Fur Elise" has to improve much more I believe in terms of clarity, accents and perfection of notes

Have you heard the "Sleepless Nights"? It's my own composition though..

Shan
_________________
Yamaha PSR-2100, Casio WK-3500
Cubase, Cool Edit Pro, Sibelius

http://www.audiostreet.net/shantanusinha

[Dr.InnoVation]

[bkboy]

if i were you, i would get the motif xs over the fantom-x, motif xs has a lot of high quality sounds (the pads/synths are really good too compared to motif es), the fantom-x has a fancy screen and some nice effects.

motif xs and m3 together is probably the best combination out there now.

[silverdragonsound]

As someone who's owned the Fantom X8 and I'm also very familiar with the M3, I can honestly tell you neither is probably right for you. The Fantom X is being replaced very soon with a new model and it probably isn't a good investment right now. IMO, considering what you said and what's important to you, the Yamaha Motif XS is far and away the best fit for you. Play one and compare the sounds, especially the acoustic stuff, this is where you'll hear a huge difference and see why the Motif XS is the best choice.
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And there was this one time at band camp......

[sishan]

Many thanks guys for your opinions. I haven't checked this thread for a while.

The problem in most of the metro cities here is that since these are very expensive instruments local dealers (only big ones) hardly keep any floor models of them. And so there is no chance of trying out different instruments before buying.
The mindset is like if people keep banging on them in the shop, the ultimate customer may not want to buy that model and instead they will ask for a fresh packed one. So, the business style and economy is such that the shop-owners order only when they get an order for a specific instrument. So....

Silverdragonsound,
Do you happen to know the new model of Roland replacing x-8?

Thanks...
_________________
Yamaha PSR-2100, Casio WK-3500
Cubase, Cool Edit Pro, Sibelius

http://www.audiostreet.net/shantanusinha

[XVampireX]

I don't understand it why do you people put down the M3 for such an older synth???????
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Buy me a Korg Oasys 88, please

[gnbutt]

I have a Roland Fantom X-8 and really like it. Very nice piano feel, not necessarily a high end unit but quite functional. It is, though, pretty heavy if you are lugging it around on gigs. I do have other keyboards, I'm happy with the Fantom X-8 but it stays in the studio, I use the Tritons when on the road. The way these new keyboards are constantly coming into the scene, you'll never keep up with the technology unless you have a very deep pocket. The X-8 more than handles my needs, I guess the OASYS would be nice to have as an optimum keyboard but who knows, even this level of technology will eventually be surpassed by another inventive company sooner or later.
My 2 cents worth
GB
_________________
M3-73, Roland Fantom X8, Motif ES7, OMNISPHERE VST and my baby, an old Fender Rhodes 73. Hammond SK2 with Neo Mini-Vent for Organ, Korg Krome 61 with Vintage Synth collection + DSKrome, Killer Organ Package
Roland FA-06

[silverdragonsound]

[Sina172]

...

[Lorenzo]

I think you should think in this way... the fantom series has the rack with sampling and sequencer integrated and the cost is really low... so if you want to save some money go for a master plus the fantom rack, or if you have money buy an XS, then you can buy both the fantom rack and the m3 module in the future...
If you buy the fantom today then you'll have no chance to buy an xs rack (or who can tell... we will see but till now it doesn't exsist) and a m3 module...
I think that the first choice is the best thinking of expandibility in the future.
Regards, Lorenzo
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http://www.synthaddicted.com

[Vadim]