Hi!
I am now playing on an old Yamaha PSR 630 and I think it's time for a new Keyboard. The most important things for me are the Piano sound, good usability and a good sampler(want to record with my guitar). Which of the three big Workstations would be better for me(Fantom-X, Triton Extreme or Motif ES).
I don't like the Motif ES because of the small display. But I've heard that the Motif has the best soundds. What's ypur opinion.
I hope you can help me.
If you are looking for a good piano sound, you should choose between ES or X 8, forget Extreme.
It's true that ES has better sounds in some acoustic fields, but not in Piano. I, myself, prefer X piano sound, but it's just about taste. Play on both ES and X before buying, if you can. But if you can't there is some people who have more experience on ES and X 8 in this forum, they will help you.
Sam
(bye de vey, my ingilish iz weri goud, pleaz fill frea two ask mi eny queschions, I vil help yoo!) your english is better than me, actually.
March 14th 1984
Music student at Dalhousie
Fantom-X 7
I assume that the majoraty of the awnsers you'll find here will be toward the Fantom X - after all we are all "Fantomized". Personally, my X7 has exceed what I've waited for. Specially on the Piano sound. The Fantoms X all have a special Piano Mode where you'll find a 88 note split sampled piano sound. For me, the BEST Piano sound ever on a workstation (I only regret I could not afford the X8 with the weighted keyboard). I also think that the way the Fantom integrates MIDI and audio is highly efective. Of course you'll find some limitations and problems - you'll find them on this Forum but is there any "perfect"workstation?
With all in mind, I certanly recomend you one of the Fantoms
I really love the Triton as well. But consider. The piano in the Fantom X IS the best in a workstation so far. And with a few tweaks, it's great in just about every respect. This piano, is soooo good. There's some other great acoustic sounds included as well as many other greats. Any others, can be added with srx which in just about every case are much higher quality that the Motif ES. No way it (Motif)has drums like SRX01(gives my DFH a run for it's money), or Strings and Brass like SRX04/SRX10. Seriously has to be one of the best sounding boards out there. Or the organs, keys and bass guitars of Ultimate Keys. The list goes on and on. Fantom X is the keyboard to beat, can't wait to see what comes out next Namm as far as new sounds as well.
I figured there would be some new releases to beef up the Fantom X, XR, and the new Xa.
Hey, np. Have a fully loaded V2 Triton Studio along with my Fantom XR(loaded with srx 1,4,6,7) Triton Studio and Fantom XR are a deadly combo. We don't need no stinkin' Motifs:)
Added:(actually Motif is an awesome keyboard too, but I would definitely favor the Fantom or Triton)
Sam came the closest to the right advice, I think. I truly believe that this whole comparison issue is way over argued, or over analyzed. Since it's your money, you have to integrate your senses with all the advice that you receive. We all have different tastes, different prejudices, etc. For me, I have to try everything (at least twice) and then analyze, then ask for advice, then try to read what my gut (which I describe as a combination of heart, intellect and GAS) tell me. That is what usually what makes me happy, be it a workstation, a PC, a car or any major purchase.
That being said, I love my S88....the action is marvelous, I get all the sounds I need for gigging, and I'm slowly but surely learning how to sequence and edit MIDI.
In the end, I believe they are all fabulous tools. Get the one that moves you! That is the how it fell out for me when I was shopping. I was probably predisposed to Roland, because I had been using a JV-90 for 9 years and it served me well. The Triton Classic/LE/Studio just did not give me any gear lust. The Motif did for a time after it was released, as its sounds were utterly gorgeous. I remember playing around on a MO8 when they first hit the stores, and the piano/string, piano/vocal and EP patches gave me serious wood. But everytime I went back to demo a MO, the interface gave me fits. That isn't a judgement on Yamaha, but more a reflection of me and my old habits. But it frustrated me, and the shine began to wear off. Then the FS came out, I was ready to buy, and it just hit that sweet spot that I tried to describe. I trusted that it would be robustly built, I was familiar with both the sounds and the patch architecture, and I was gigging on it with no real interface issues 5 hours after I bought it.
Why doesnt anybody play Kurzweil anymore, yall know that it eats and sleeps these other three right?
lol....
okay ff_freak:
you said some key things to make me come to my decision, one you said a piano sound is important...FANTOM X!!! all the way, the triton pianos dont sound good at all to me....especially with the effects turned off (I OWN ALL 3 of these keyboards by the way) The Motif has good pianos BUT FANTOM KILLS THEM BOTH...next you said plugging in guitars...FANTOMX...yes, the effects in the roland are off the chain [too bad we cant save the patches] but anyways...I believe you and your guitar need to go out and perform a field test, but I am almost certain that the Fantom is gonna be your board....now if you were choppin loops then I would have to say Motif is better there....if you wanted absolutelly stunning atmospheric pads then Korg Triton is your keyboard.
the tritons screen is best, the fantomx is second, and the motif is last big time...motifs screen is garbage!!! Nothing beats the Triton on screens yet (until roland brings out that color touch screen next on fantom V or Z or whatever...LMAO)
Kurz was the best, but it's not anymore. K2600 is too old to compete with this up to date boards, and K2661 is nothing but the 61 note version of K2600. I'm not gonna pay 4000$ just for V.A.S.T, there is so many cheap and extremely powerful softsynths out there. I can buy a bunch of them with the difference between Fantom and Kurzweils price.
BTW, Roland's new G-70 has a touch screen color LCD.
Sam
March 14th 1984
Music student at Dalhousie
Fantom-X 7
i see you play psr 630 there. When you'll buy a workstation like mo ES, fantom X, or triton, you'll might miss the functions of an entertainer keyboard like psr.
The new Roland G-70 would be a nice choice. It has functions from a workstation with very good sound (fantom X's piano included and SRX expandable), a 16 track sequencer, just like in fantom, and it has an arranger section, with styles, etc... which are very helpful to get ideas for a song.
The only thing you're gonna miss with G-70 is the sampler.
I read in a mag that the keyboarder of TOTO uses psr 640 and 740 to write the most of his songs.. I had one too.
I don't need the entertainer functions. I played Keyboard for 4 years and now it's boring. I just want to play piano and arrange some songs with the sampler.
I think the Fantom X is a very good decision. Is the piano sound as good as the Yamaha P120 Stage Piano?
Or what do you think about the combination: Yamaha P120 Stage Piano and Fanto XR Rack? Would this be better?
