Korg Forums

Korgagent · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 42

I know, it´s a bit of an obsolet question,
but I am looking for a synth which I can control from my tenori-on, which is a sequenzer-synth with 16 layers programmable at the time. It has a nice own voice bank, but only 256 voices.
Now I am looking for the new M50 and alternativly for the motif XS. But: is it worth the price (M50 999Euro, XS 2399Euro)? Are the motif voices much better than the M50 voices?
From the voice-list I find many intersting voices and combinations in both. The sampling function of the XS is not useful for me, so what?
And Yamahas MO6 (which is also araound 999Euro) can´t compete with the M50 concerning voices and combinations.
What do you think? Question

_________________
Andreas
Fender Rhodes Mark I Stagepiano 73
Korg M50
Korg MicroX

StudioMan · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject:

Korgagent,

I can say this,, I LOVE my M50, I ALMOST bought the M06 like 2 months ago, but decided to wait on the M50 (Which I am SO GLAD I did!).
I had an approx. $1000 budget in mind (Not actually being a keyboard player, more of a Bass/keyboard kind-of-guy). In this price range (Class), there is NOTHING else that comes even close to the M50..

The Motif has some nice sounds,, twice the $ worth, I'd say NO WAY! But for twice the $, you aren't just buying sounds that the M50 has, your getting more of a M3..

Look at the M3 to the Motif.

Then, if $ is no object,,, and you want the BEST ever made, get a Korg Oasys! Are the sounds 7 times better than the M50? Probably not, but it's more than just sounds your buying again..

Just my two cents!

Mike

meisenhower · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject:

Comparing the M50 and Motif XS sound set, is apples and oranges. Both are great, but there are some stark differences between them. Better vs. Worse? No.

I think the array of sounds from both companies are complete and adequate, and it really boils down to personal preference.

I've always preferred Motif's acoustic & electric pianos, guitars, basses and brass instruments over most other manufacturers. I have a Motif ES6, and didn't find a significant improvement in the XS sound set.

After living with the M50-88 for a short time, both the acoustic and electric pianos have really grown on me, and I find I'm using them over Motif's (except for two of the rhodes sounds, which are best in class, period).

The guitars and basses in Motif are still far and away, better than Korg's (in my opinion), but Korg has the edge in dance and synth sounds.

If you don't care about sampling and advanced sequencing that Motif has, then there is no reason to consider an XS6. If it is the Motif soundset you seek, simply buy a Motif or MotifES rack (which can be had for around from 400-600 USD used), and buy the M50. Factor in ease of use and the touch screen and it's a no brainer for the M50. Problem solved.

I wouldn't consider the MO or MM lines from Yamaha, as 64 voice poly is a little shy for me.

At the end of the day, for the price point, you can't go wrong with the M50.
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kimu · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject:

well M50 and Motif XS are keyboards in different market segment, the first is the "entry-level" korg workstation while the second is the yamaha flagship workstation.

a better comparison should be M50 and Juno-G / Juno Stage from Roland or M50 and Mo6/7/8 from yamaha (even this ones are quite old). (or Motif Xs and M3)

by the way, M50 currently is at the top in its price range, you cannot find a better workstation then this (even if i admit that some Juno Stage features are a real added value for live performance).

anyway M50 has almost the same amount of sample ROM of Motif XS (256MB vs 355MB) but the front panel and the touch screen makes much more easier to work with M50 than with a Motif.

if you think you major needs is more synth sound i think that with M50 won't be disappointed. if you think you need tons of guitars (electric or acoustic) then yamaha is still a little bit ahead with its samples.

but if you do not need the keys why do not have a look to Motif Xs rack ot to korg r3 (radias synth engine) or korg microX (lower price but old triton engine).

StudioMan · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:56 am Post subject:

Well said guys!

I totally agree! I did the research (detailed research), in it's class, NOTHING competes with the M50 to date. The M50 sound-set is GREAT! Nobody can argue that issue. It's all about ease of use. If you can use Windows or a Mac, you can figure out the M50.. Just point & click!

Readers,,, do a CLASS comparison! It's like comparing a $40k car to a $80k car... Does anyone really need to tell you which one is better over-all when one costs twice as much?

For the $,,, the M50 can't even come close to being beat!

My two cents!

Mike

BasariStudios · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:12 am Post subject:

Are you really KIDDING me???!!! M50 and XS? Anyone gone nutz???
M50 is a toy compared to XS but maybe for his needs is good.
I dont know, i am affraid to compare M3 to XS, not M50.
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kimu · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:04 am Post subject:

klarnet basowy · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

StudioMan · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject:

BasariStudios · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:40 pm Post subject:

Bro, if you compare them to XS or M3 they are still Toys and i stand on it,
MO or M50 or Juno and the rest, Klarnet, dont mix apples and oranges,
Analog Emulation synth is one thing ompler is another, you cant compare.
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http://www.basaristudios.com
Cubase 8.5 Pro. Windows 7 X64. ASUS SaberTooth X99. Intel I7 5820K. ASUS GTX 960 Strix OC 2GB. 4x8 GB G.SKILL.
2 850 PRO 256GB SSDs. 1 850 EVO 1TB SSD. Acustica: Nebula Server 3 Ultimate, Murano, Magenta 3, Navy, Titanium.

klarnet basowy · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:44 pm Post subject:

BasariStudios · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject:

No its not more clear. If you use the machines profesionally and actually
compare them on GOOD speakers, like 3-4-5000$ pair you will be crying
when you hear the difference, yes, there is a big compromise on sound but
on pair of 200$ or computer speakers there aint much to it, not even on
Live Audio System since its noisy anyways. Then you'll see what a toy is.
Forget sound, what about other things??? No Aftertouch??? Hahahaha...
and yes for the price is good but nowhere near Pro.
_________________
http://www.basaristudios.com
Cubase 8.5 Pro. Windows 7 X64. ASUS SaberTooth X99. Intel I7 5820K. ASUS GTX 960 Strix OC 2GB. 4x8 GB G.SKILL.
2 850 PRO 256GB SSDs. 1 850 EVO 1TB SSD. Acustica: Nebula Server 3 Ultimate, Murano, Magenta 3, Navy, Titanium.

meisenhower · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:40 am Post subject:

BasariStudios:

With all due respect, I do believe you're being a little harsh about calling the M50 a "toy". I agree that they're apples and oranges, and both are damn fine fruit.

I currently own the Motif ES6 (but also lived with an XS8 for a while) and now have added the M50-88 and together they make a nice combo.

Is the Motif XS "deeper and wider" from a functional workstation standpoint? Absolutely. Not everyone needs sampling or the advanced sequencing applications that Motif offers. Is its sonic footprint, far superior to the M50? Not on your life. Some Motif sounds slay the M50 equivalent, but of others are quite similar sonic quality.

And before you jump in to say, I haven't listened on high quality monitors, I have (Genelec 1037C) and the M50 sounds measure up pretty well over all.

If I could have only ONE workstation, would I take the M50 over a Motif XS8? It depends on a number of factors. Budget? Overall features needed? It would be difficult, and I would likely go XS, but then I've previously used all the Motif functions, and wouldn't want to be without sampling and the other power features in Motif.

On the other hand I paid slightly over $1,600 for my M50-88 (on a special sale). The Motif XS8 is still hovering around $2,800 (best street price I've seen) and $3,100. To some, an additional $1,200-1,500 is a deal breaker, to some it's not.

At the end of the day, it's all a function of what you can do with your gear, not how much your equipment costs.
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philobeddeo · Joined: 17 Dec 2008 Posts: 8

Basari,

I've been on several forums over the past 2 years,gathering product info,reviews,input & such and gear preference is subjective to a point,but the fact remains & prevails-that the M50 has the SAME synth engine as M3 and just that fact alone,implicitly reveals,that the M50 is NOT a toy.

I'm willing to bet that you have not spent any real time,combing through the sounds of the M50 for yourself in a store...in fact,I'm almost convinced that your opinions are based on internet demos & nothing more.

Just about every forum I have ever been on,has at least one over-educated,opinionated,arrogant,biased individual with a elitest,silver-spoon attitude-such as yourself.
Why is it that most everyone that's a software developer and/or a sound engineer with a formal education & a business,think they are the demi-god of the forum?
You seem to have no common sense or much in the way of any real world experience...what-did you just graduate college 6 months ago & you think you've got everything nailed down?

Your comments are way out of line,as they are unsubstantiated,unfounded,full of conjecture & rhetoric & just plain unrealistic.

I've been a Korg owner for 21 years..ever since the days of the Korg
DS-8 & you have no clue how ignorant your comments are...I suppose feel like a god with your profession,spouting your brain farts to all of the amatuer & semi-pro musicians here,but your comments actually indicate that you don't know jack about the M50.

-Philo

BasariStudios · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 5:19 am Post subject: