Korg Forums

[LEVEL4]

I originally posted this in an M3 thread. Here is it in its proper forum section:

Unfortunately, I never was able to audition either an Oasys or a Korg M3 before making my synth purchases. The question I've been dying to ask you all is this . . . Aside from the Oasys' touchscreen interface, the depth of its software, and its massive 10" screen, which I would assume most would agree, surpasses every other workstation on the market, this is the question:

If you had a choice of either of the following two options, and only these two options, and given that each option would cost you exactly the same amount, $7,500 USD, which would you choose?

OPTION A:

• Korg Oasys

Total: $7,500 USD

(before tax and shipping)

OPTION B:

• Roland Fantom-X8 w/ 1GB sample RAM
• Roland V-Synth GT
• Access VirusTI Polar (or 61-key).
• Korg Radias

Total: $7,500 USD *[I scored some major deals to get at this total, see post below]

(before tax and shipping)

As you can see from my sig, I went with option 'B' and was lucky enough to score some super deals. I deliberately tried to pick synths from different manufacturers to take advantage of differing sound generation technologies and differing sound design philosophies. Each machine sounds very different from the other, so I think I was successful in that. I'm very happy with both the quality and the breadth of sounds I acquired, but a bit disappointed that I never even auditioned either the Oasys or the M3. Just wondered what you guys thought

Sina172 replied in that thread:

[curvebender]

Here's a short answer:

I've owned, or still own, all of the synths you mention, except the Radias.

Since I bought the Oasys, I haven't missed the Fantom X6 or the Virus TI Keyboard.

Not for a second.

(I kept the V-Synth because it's a very expressive instrument, and compliments the Oasys in a great way.)
_________________
Paul: Don't be nervous.
John: I'M NOT NERVOUS!!!

[silverdragonsound]

I will chime in here as well since I sold a bunch of stuff, some of the synths you mentioned, and I am familiar with the rest of the ones you mentioned. The Fantom X is the one synth I have never regretted getting rid of in any way shape of form. The sequencer on it was nice in terms of ease of use but I never think about it at all since I've gotten the Oasys. My only regret was losing the V-synth. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I'm currently thinking that down the road I will add the V-synth GT and complete my rig. My short answer to your options presented is this. OPTION C - get the oasys and add the v-synth GT. Best of all words and you will never look back!
_________________
And there was this one time at band camp......

[silverdragonsound]

[MartinHines]

Using MAP prices, your figures are a little off

$3,000 -- Fantom X8 -- http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FantomX8
$2,900 -- Roland V-Synth GT -- http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VSynthGT/
$2,750 -- Access Virus TI -- http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VirusTIKey/
$1,200 -- Korg Radias -- http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Radias/
========
$9,850

$7,500 -- Korg OASYS 76 -- http://www.sweetwater.com/feature/korg/

To answer the basic question "OASYS vs. a number of other products", I obviously chose the OASYS. There is definitely something to be said for variety of different manufacturers' products. However it is also nice to have a very high quality product that does many things.

After I purchased my OASYS, I eventually sold a Triton Extreme 61, Fantom XR rack and Kurzweil PC2R rack, since I wasn't using them much.

I also own a boatload of software that has cost more than my OASYS. I therefore don't really look at these purchases as an "either/or" -- I like them all.

Bottom line, what ever you are happy with is the most important question.

[LEVEL4]

Sina172:

Thanks for that detailed and expressive reply. Really appreciated the information in your post, and it was exactly the kind of information is was looking for. Because I also made my decision primarily based on sound quality and character. The problem was, when I started this whole thing, I had no idea I would be buying this many synths. I first saw the Oasys at Guitar Center and thought, "No way am I gonna spend $8,000 on a synth made by one manufacturer." Again, I had no idea, that in a few weeks, I would be spending as much on four other synths. I first bought the Fantom workstation, and was extremely happy with it. This after buying a Yamaha Motif ES8 and returning it. I loved the Motif's sounds, but I had no built-in audio recorder, and I couldn't figure out how to do anything with the Motif's cryptic UI.

Anyway, so I bought the Fantom and a pile of SRX expansion boards instead—Symphonic Strings, Complete Orchestra, and World Sounds—which I think are pretty good. Then I realized I needed some sort of VA synth, so I bought the Radias. I was a little non-plused with the Radias, and then I heard a Virus. So, after hearing a Virus, I just HAD to have it. Then, as you mentioned, I wanted a V-Synth for its VariPhrase capabilities, and so it happens, a brand new V-Synth GT popped up for an amazing price and I couldn't resist.

So after all that, I thought, gee, I guess I should have at least audtioned an Oasys before buying all ths stuff! After reading your detailed description of the STR-1 control parameters, I see what a deep instrument this is. One thing that puzzles me, is that you still seem to want the two other flagship romplers on the market when you already have excellent rompler on the Oasys. I love my Fantom, but may still want to add a Motif Rack ES to my set-up just for the Motif's guitars. But after, reading your glowing comments about the Oasys' STR-1 guitar, I was pretty impressed.

Anyway, thanks again for the detailed commentary!
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Fantom-G8 | V-Synth GT | VirusTI Polar | Radias

[LEVEL4]

[MartinHines]

[LEVEL4]

Interesting replies! Thanks guys!

So, two of you don't miss the Fantom at all, and one still wants his Fantom. And most of you seem to agree that a V-Synth is a nice addition to the Oasys. One of you doesn't miss the Virus at all, which I found surprising. Oh well, it's all academic for me now since I've already made my purchases. I am pretty happy with the combination of sounds I have, and currently, I'm recording everything into the Fantom's built-in 16-track audio recorder, since I don't yet have a DAW. The Oasys has an internal digital audio recorder as well, yes?
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Fantom-G8 | V-Synth GT | VirusTI Polar | Radias

[Sina172]

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[MarkF786]

Hi Level4,

I recognize your face from the VirusTI forum. Welcome

It's hard to compare the Oasys to a collection of other synths because 1) it's all integrated on the Oasys and 2) the Oasys continues to have more updates released, giving it more functionality.

With that said, I've thought about what synths I'd buy if I were to replace my Oasys. This wouldn't cover everything that the Oasys does, but it covers what is essential for me:

Korg M3 - This would cover the Oasys' HD-1 synth engine and the Karma features. I'd buy the Radias expansion too because it's a good value.

Roland VK-8M - This would cover the Oasys' CX-3 organ. Granted, it might not have all the bells and whistles, but it'd still give me decent organ sounds.

Access Virus TI - This would cover the VA for me. The Oasys' AL-1 is technically a more advanced VA engine, and there is the LAC-1 engine, but I like the sound, ease of use, and thousands of presets on the TI.

I'd lose the STR-1 and the future updates of the Oasys, but I'd be happy with these three synths. Actually, I recently bought a Virus TI because I missed the Virus sound (I sold my Indigo 2 to buy the Oasys).

One thing I was wondering is why the heck did you buy so many synths at once?! If my memory serves me, you're kinda new to synths. It surprises me that you'd buy so many rather than just get one at a time, and become familiar with it before buying something else.

Mark

[TagPass]

[LEVEL4]

Thanks again for all your thoughtful replies! Really appreciate the feedback!

[LEVEL4]

[Sina172]

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