Dynamic range of the Oasys?...

[curvebender]

The other night I was playing my Oasys, mainly piano and ep patches (both HD and EXi), and discovered something that made me a little bit uneasy: the dynamics.

I feel that no matter how hard I hit the keys, the volume doesn't change accordingly. You know, you play real soft on some Rhodes patch, and to accent things a bit, you hit some notes harder. The timbre changes, but the volume not so much. Even after turning off FX such as compressors and limiters, it sounds a bit lame... It's as if the velocity stops at 110, instead of going to 127.

Sure, I experimented with different velocity curves, but no luck so far. (Maybe I should give those curves a longer try. I mean, after all: I am Curvebender. )

Did anyone else experience this, or am I exaggerating?

[tcornishmn]

I posted a similar thing to the forum right after the Oasys was introduced in 2005. I hooked mine up to a synth module (Kurzweil PC2R) that has a MIDI monitor mode and no matter how hard I bashed on the keys, I couldn't get the velocity to go above 120.

My Oasys is the 76-key version - no idea if the 88-note does the same thing.

I've also not tried this since OS 1.00 or 1.01 - it may have already been fixed.

[peter m. mahr]

I posted a similar thing to the forum right after the Oasys was introduced in 2005. I hooked mine up to a synth module (Kurzweil PC2R) that has a MIDI monitor mode and no matter how hard I bashed on the keys, I couldn't get the velocity to go above 120.

My Oasys is the 76-key version - no idea if the 88-note does the same thing.

I've also not tried this since OS 1.00 or 1.01 - it may have already been fixed.

For the OASYS88 - I always had the feeling that I have to hit the black keys harder..... or that they are not as sensitive as the white ones. but this would make necessary a roboter to get reproducible hitting

[curvebender]

Could someone from KORG please comment on this thread?..

It's a twofold question:

1. Is it possible to produce MIDI velocity 127 from the keyboard of the 76 and 88?

2. Am I imagining things when I say that the percieved velocity curve on some patches leaves a little bit to be desired when it comes to dynamics? I mean, even after turning off stuff like compressors and limiters, it still "feels" compressed..

Thanks.

[Charlie]

I can tell you it's possible to achieve 127 on my O88 - at least I get these values in the sequencer if I hit the keys accordingly.
Perhaps you ought to try some other velocity-settings in Global?

[curvebender]

I can tell you it's possible to achieve 127 on my O88 - at least I get these values in the sequencer if I hit the keys accordingly.
Perhaps you ought to try some other velocity-settings in Global?

Thanks Charlie, I'll try it when I get home tonight. (I should have done some more testing before posting this topic, but I coudn't resist it!!)

But really, it's not the "127" thing that bothers me, it's the lack (percieved) of dynamics when playing keyboard patches...

[danatkorg]

Am I imagining things when I say that the percieved velocity curve on some patches leaves a little bit to be desired when it comes to dynamics? I mean, even after turning off stuff like compressors and limiters, it still "feels" compressed..

Since this would be a matter of taste, I don't see how it's answerable. If you want more dynamic range on a particular sound, dig into the modulation and edit to suit your taste!

Best regards,

Dan

[curvebender]

Dan beat me to it before I had the chance to post this:

"Of course, come to think of it, question nr 2 is a matter of personal taste, and therefore a little bit unanswerable. "


Damn those KORG reps and their devotion to customer support!!

[danatkorg]

Dan beat me to it before I had the chance to post this:

"Of course, come to think of it, question nr 2 is a matter of personal taste, and therefore a little bit unanswerable. "


Damn those KORG reps and their devotion to customer support!!

Sorry about that!

Best regards,

Dan

[Kayemef]

I found a quick and easy to check out the exact midi # for velocity that you're O is receiving when you strike a key.

You just have to go to the "pads" section of your program (that's the place where you can see all the different notes and velocity data that will be sent when you strike on of the 8 pads). Then select one of the velocity fields and press down any key on the keyboard while holding the "enter" button near the numpad.

Then "enter" button allows you to enter data in the field by pressing a note instead of typing in a number with the numpad or "dialing" it in with the dial. While holding down the enter button and trying on different attacks on the keys you can instantly see how the O reacts velocity-wise.

Its VERY hard to punch in a 127 in midi, you have to strike the keys very swiflty. I personally find it difficult to maintain a scale over 110...

For the dynamics issue, I would suggest you try a lower velocity curve (?!?! yes that's right), and then use "velocity" as an AMS to increase the amp of the program your playing (with a uber-maxed-out intensity like +99 or something). That way you'll get a very pianissimo feel when you play softly and you'll easily be able to get a crunchy sound if you're doing some jazzy-impro with the e-piano.

Hope this helps

Pierre-Andre

[tcornishmn]

It's interesting that you can get 127. Do you have the 88-key version? In my case on the 76, it was relatively easy to get to 120, but impossible to go above that.

[Kayemef]

I have the 88 keys version.

You have to remember that it's not "weight-sensitive", but "velocity-sensitve". If you want to get over 120, you should try to snap quickly at the keys instead of hammering them real hard. It should feel like you're launching your finger at the top of they key by using the muscles in your forearms. When your finger reaches the bed of the keyboard (the bottom), there should be almost no more weight on the key except the one from your finger supporting the arm. Good luck

[tcornishmn]

I have the 88 keys version.

You have to remember that it's not "weight-sensitive", but "velocity-sensitve". If you want to get over 120, you should try to snap quickly at the keys instead of hammering them real hard. It should feel like you're launching your finger at the top of they key by using the muscles in your forearms. When your finger reaches the bed of the keyboard (the bottom), there should be almost no more weight on the key except the one from your finger supporting the arm. Good luck

Thanks for that information - I've owned about 10 different keyboards and have no trouble getting to 127 on the other 9 - I'm convinced it's something about the velocity curve of the 76-key board that Korg needs to tweak.

[pegnafroy]

I have the 88 keys version.

You have to remember that it's not "weight-sensitive", but "velocity-sensitve".

Hi:

The Oasys88 have weighted keys but they are velocity sensitive too. Weighted keys are only for piano feel at your fingers.

Saludos desde Chile.

Froilán

[ryan42]

Hrm. I really like the action and velocity sensitivity of the Oasys, and I'm extremely picky about it. I can say that to me the black and white key velocity is spot on equal and I've even sent an Alesis back because the blacks were louder than the whites.

As for the range.... you do have to hit it hard to get to 127.... but that's what you (by which I mean, "I") want. On an acoustic piano there is no *limit* to the velocity. You can smash down on it harder and harder and it will keep getting louder and louder and louder until something just breaks. To a limited extent that's what you (again, I really mean "I") want on a synth. I have hated playing keyboards where I could easily max out the velocity because by default I'm a hard player, and you can offset the velocity lower but if you take the entire keyboard and say -20 from the velocity then the maximum you can strike is 107! How limiting!

Anyway, there's a whole slew of curves and what not to choose from. In the end I think you'd end up finding the sensitivity desirable though