fantom x8 user looking for good live gig board

[pt767]

I'm new to the forum & appreciate any/all advice from the roland clan. I have a Fantom X8 & mainly use it for home/recording use. I'm a piano player & really enjoy the feel of the keys. I haven't been doing too many live gigs over the years but the phones been ringing & I've been dragging my X8 around to a few gigs here & there. With the hard case & board...that suckers heavy! I want to leave it home! I'm open to suggestions for a live setup. I've had several friends suggest a 76 key board. Would the X7 be a good choice or should I look for something of a different flavor. I've been checking some X7's out on the used market & it looks like they can be had for around a grand. I've been yearning for a good hammond sound & the X really lacks a good organ. I played the "G" & the organ sounds are a bit better but for the little use the board is going to get, I really can't justify the expense of the "G". I realize what advice I'm asking for is subjective but am open to any/all suggestions. Roland/Yamaha/Korg/ ... a controller w' modules.....just something that's not going to break my back! Thanks

[Artemiy]

Well, I can't really think of anything but an X7. You can easily swap any data between it and your X8, and indeed the price for it now is very attractive. And if you look in our Library:
http://www.rolandclan.com/library/fantom-x/ – you will find a couple B3 organ downloads there.

[pianoman41]

+1 on the X7. I gig regularly with mine and although I hate giving up weighted keys for piano patch playing, it's soooooo much lighter and easier to move around.

[pt767]

any thoughts on the korg m50? went to wla music this afternoon to have a look at some boards. they were out of stock on the m50 but the salesman said it was pretty good bang for the buck. also looked at the roland juno-stage. like i said....i'm open to suggestions & so far the x7 is the leader. they didn't even have a roland g7 on the floor so i couldn't play around w' that as well. thanks for the input thus far....keep em comin!

[PauloF]

Hi pt767,
I'm a suspect Roland Fan, but I've tried the Korg M50 and the only advantages I noticed on the korg compared to the X are:
- Lighter
- (If) fitted with Karma

Everything else...is worse than the X7
Just MHO

[pt767]

Thanks Paulof for the report on the Korg...it did seem kind of "cheesy". The Fantom X is definitely a well made/quality board. Still looking.....so far the X7 is the leader. Think I'll give it another week of research before making a decision & pulling the trigger.

pt767

[Cenzo]

Juno-Stage with SRX-10 Brass and 11 Complete Piano. You could use those in the X8 while at home!

[Daniel Mioni]

Organs, get a nord, and when you must to so something big, use It with your X8 on stage. )

So, the X7 will be a great thing too, Like Art said will be easy to exchange patches live and at home (w/ Fx8). But, try to add the vk-8m on top of the fx7 to get better organs.

[pt767]

There may a Nord in my future. As far as organs....the Nord rocks! I had a Hammond years ago & was impressed w' the sound/look/portability of the Nord.

[Andy Keys]

I agree largely with Daniel Mioni.

My live rig currently consists of my Fantom X-7 and a Nord Stage EX.

I'm in the process of making alternate (reduced complexity) patches/performances on my SH-32 and sourcing a Hammond clone module so that I can pick and choose my rig depending on the size or length of any given gig.

I LOVE those two boards together (X-7 and Stage) but it's a lot of big cases for some short gigs /

Andy

[jpq]

Why brass expansion? are brasses worst area in factory sounds.

[SonicMan]

another +1 for X7.
But I think you should take into consideration the RPS programming for live switching. If you're cycling through different sounds and need to do it rapidly, the G is a good choice. As far as I understand (Still haven't tried the G =[ ) live playing with the G is much easier (and the HUGE screen looks cool on stage).

[pt767]

I've checked out the "G" & it's a cool board. The problem is the $. I plan on using this board on a irregular basis & really don't want to fork out the bucks for something that will be sitting most the time. The X7 has been around for a while & can be had for around a grand. The G's are still commanding almost twice that amount. I don't think the advantages of the "G" equate to a grand. I could probably get an X7 & a Nord board for the price of a "G". Decisions....decision.....I'm leaning towards the X7. The Nord Stage EX 76 is a pretty cool board. Will make a decision in the next few days & then I'll be hunting! Thanks for the input.....I appreciate it.

pt

[pt767]

Just picked up a X7 from a local seller. Great conditon w' case, 1gb memory card, & stand for a bit over a grand. Thanks for the input & I think I'll enjoy this board. It's very nice!

[Andy Keys]

Congratulations on your new X-7. It's a great board.
Andy