Greetings,
I am thinking of selling my X8 and going with an XR and a controller.
Can anybody here tell me what the trade offs are, besides the obvious loss of keyboard,pads and controls?
Do they use the same RAM,memory cards? Same sample time,FX,etc....
Thanks a bunch!
Hayes
Memphis,Tn.
XR vs X8 features gain or loss
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stevenpanter
- Posts: 30
- Joined: 12:49, 19 June 2005
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
Hi there
I am using an A-90 controller keyboard with a Fantom XR. Reason being that I love the A-90 and don't want to stop using it, and due to space limitations could not squeeze in an X8!
I think, with respect, that you've more-or-less answered your own question. The XR doesn't have the nice full-colour screen, doesn't have a sequencer, doesn't have the sample playback pads, doesn't have audio recording capabilities and doesn't have skip-back sampling. However, the sounds, FX, ram, sampling time etc are all the same.
I can't really see the benefit of trading in the X8 for an XR and controller and my advice would be to stick with what you've got. Why would you want to lose all the above-mentioned features to end up with a synth that sounds the same (and fundamentally is the same) but lacks some of the nice features of the X8?
Regards
Steven Panter
I am using an A-90 controller keyboard with a Fantom XR. Reason being that I love the A-90 and don't want to stop using it, and due to space limitations could not squeeze in an X8!
I think, with respect, that you've more-or-less answered your own question. The XR doesn't have the nice full-colour screen, doesn't have a sequencer, doesn't have the sample playback pads, doesn't have audio recording capabilities and doesn't have skip-back sampling. However, the sounds, FX, ram, sampling time etc are all the same.
I can't really see the benefit of trading in the X8 for an XR and controller and my advice would be to stick with what you've got. Why would you want to lose all the above-mentioned features to end up with a synth that sounds the same (and fundamentally is the same) but lacks some of the nice features of the X8?
Regards
Steven Panter
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
I agree with Steven completely.
It just seems like you'll lose out in the end. The X8 has such great key action, and controller capabilities on its own I would see no purpose in trading it in for an XR and separate controller.
Even if you did do that. You would be hard pressed to find a Controller with all the controls of the X8. The New CME VX Series has the touch pads, a ribbon controller, and lots of knobs and sliders, but the key action is so miserable, and their controllers have been known to be a bit "cheap" in construction.
I was in your position a couple months ago, and just decided to stick with the X8. I just know if I traded it in I would regret it later on. The only thing I hate about the X8 (or the other keyboards in the X series for that matter) is how they're silver. So smudges, finger prints, etc all show up much easier.
----------------------------------------------
Roland Fantom X8
Yamaha EX-5
Korg Wavestation
Korg M1
Nord Lead 3
It just seems like you'll lose out in the end. The X8 has such great key action, and controller capabilities on its own I would see no purpose in trading it in for an XR and separate controller.
Even if you did do that. You would be hard pressed to find a Controller with all the controls of the X8. The New CME VX Series has the touch pads, a ribbon controller, and lots of knobs and sliders, but the key action is so miserable, and their controllers have been known to be a bit "cheap" in construction.
I was in your position a couple months ago, and just decided to stick with the X8. I just know if I traded it in I would regret it later on. The only thing I hate about the X8 (or the other keyboards in the X series for that matter) is how they're silver. So smudges, finger prints, etc all show up much easier.
----------------------------------------------
Roland Fantom X8
Yamaha EX-5
Korg Wavestation
Korg M1
Nord Lead 3
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
If you want it portable go for the XR. If you don't need it portable then I would agree with the posts above.
The x8 has one of the best weighted keyboard action around.
The x8 has one of the best weighted keyboard action around.
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
The action on the X8 is one of the things that doesn't really thrill me.
I have a baby grand and can handle that sort of animal, but for working in the studio I like something a little less of a workout. I 'll go from doing drum parts to organ or synth and the weighted action thing can be an inhibitor sometimes in those situations.
I also have never been able to use those drum pads either, are you supposed to have to hit them with a drum stick to get em to trigger?
I use Logic pro for all my sequencing and sample playback.
My main reason for staying with Roland is a legacy issue, as I been using 1080s&2080s for the last decade or so and a lot of my work still remains in MIDI domain and I like the fact I can retropatch the Xseries.
I love the silver, and polishing it till it's all shiny!
I really appreciate everyones input and opinions, you've not pointed out any critical differences I haven't already considered.
I have ordered my XR and a M-Audio Keystation Pro 88, I hope I will not be disappointed with the action, but it does have a 30 day return guarantee.
Thanks again!
Alan Hayes
Fantom X8
Oberhiem Xpander
I have a baby grand and can handle that sort of animal, but for working in the studio I like something a little less of a workout. I 'll go from doing drum parts to organ or synth and the weighted action thing can be an inhibitor sometimes in those situations.
I also have never been able to use those drum pads either, are you supposed to have to hit them with a drum stick to get em to trigger?
I use Logic pro for all my sequencing and sample playback.
My main reason for staying with Roland is a legacy issue, as I been using 1080s&2080s for the last decade or so and a lot of my work still remains in MIDI domain and I like the fact I can retropatch the Xseries.
I love the silver, and polishing it till it's all shiny!
I really appreciate everyones input and opinions, you've not pointed out any critical differences I haven't already considered.
I have ordered my XR and a M-Audio Keystation Pro 88, I hope I will not be disappointed with the action, but it does have a 30 day return guarantee.
Thanks again!
Alan Hayes
Fantom X8
Oberhiem Xpander
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
Thats surprising, because I consider the X8 to have the best action outside of the Yamaha S90-ES.
Never did like the Keystation Pro 88's action (too plasticky.) However when you get everything hooked up post what you think of it. It may very well be suited for what you want.
----------------------------------------------
Roland Fantom X8
Yamaha EX-5
Korg Wavestation
Korg M1
Nord Lead 3
Never did like the Keystation Pro 88's action (too plasticky.) However when you get everything hooked up post what you think of it. It may very well be suited for what you want.
----------------------------------------------
Roland Fantom X8
Yamaha EX-5
Korg Wavestation
Korg M1
Nord Lead 3
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
Could very well be too plasticky, that's why I'm glad I have a return policy.
There is reall yno place in Memphis that you can go try out various controllers or such, so you just have to take a chance, and maybe another and another.
Thanks once again to all who posted, I will reply as to my thoughts on the new set up.
There is reall yno place in Memphis that you can go try out various controllers or such, so you just have to take a chance, and maybe another and another.
Thanks once again to all who posted, I will reply as to my thoughts on the new set up.
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
about the drum pads...
check the PAD SETTING and see if the sensitivity is set to LIGHT, MEDIUM, or HEAVY. i usually use the LIGHT setting, and if you dont need them to be velocity-sensitive you can set the common volume to 127.
i have a fantom-s, but i think those things are the same.
check the PAD SETTING and see if the sensitivity is set to LIGHT, MEDIUM, or HEAVY. i usually use the LIGHT setting, and if you dont need them to be velocity-sensitive you can set the common volume to 127.
i have a fantom-s, but i think those things are the same.
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
Naaa, I tried every possible setting and they are just too unweildy for me to do drum parts with. I usually switch to my octapad..... but with my new m-audio keyboard I can do rolls easily, I must say at first I was a little concerned about the action , but after living with it for a week, it's all good!
One thing I don't like about the XR though is the buttons on it are really weird, like you can't really tell if you properly engaged them or not. They're wobbly, if that makes any sense. Other than that all my cards,ram and compact flash transfered flawlessly into the XR and all patches and names come up in logic exactly as the X8 did.
So I'm happy with my swap, plus I sold the X8 for only $150.00 less than I paid and came out $500.00 cash from the tranaction, so I'm a happy camper.
Hey, one thing I would like to ask is ,and this info may already be around if someone would be so kind to point me in the right direction, when I transfer patches from the older expansion cards into the XR/X8 it never grabs the proper tones it always puts blank samples in, am I doing something wrong?
Thanks to everyone who responded!
Cheers!
Alan Hayes
Memphis,Tn.
One thing I don't like about the XR though is the buttons on it are really weird, like you can't really tell if you properly engaged them or not. They're wobbly, if that makes any sense. Other than that all my cards,ram and compact flash transfered flawlessly into the XR and all patches and names come up in logic exactly as the X8 did.
So I'm happy with my swap, plus I sold the X8 for only $150.00 less than I paid and came out $500.00 cash from the tranaction, so I'm a happy camper.
Hey, one thing I would like to ask is ,and this info may already be around if someone would be so kind to point me in the right direction, when I transfer patches from the older expansion cards into the XR/X8 it never grabs the proper tones it always puts blank samples in, am I doing something wrong?
Thanks to everyone who responded!
Cheers!
Alan Hayes
Memphis,Tn.
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
You did not...
SysX structure was modified in FX compared to XP/JV. Patch information from older synth is now incomplete and that is the reason you don't see wave form information with old patches. You may need to reprogram patch wave forms indexes if you want old patch sound. It still does show wave form number though.
SysX structure was modified in FX compared to XP/JV. Patch information from older synth is now incomplete and that is the reason you don't see wave form information with old patches. You may need to reprogram patch wave forms indexes if you want old patch sound. It still does show wave form number though.
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
hello eartoyz,
When you say "older expansion cards", which cards do you mean? The Patches are dependent on the waveforms from the card, so if the cards are not installed or perhaps installed in a different slot, results may vary.
Bassman
When you say "older expansion cards", which cards do you mean? The Patches are dependent on the waveforms from the card, so if the cards are not installed or perhaps installed in a different slot, results may vary.
Bassman
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
I think dkpcola has the correct info.
Bassman
Bassman
Re: XR vs X8 features gain or loss
I'm speaking of the old 1080/2080 cards. I have noticed the waveform number and recalled the correct tone , but results vary. Sometimes it sounds like the orginal patch and sometiems not , perhaps as you mentioned it is a result of the different FX algorithms?
HA-Yes
Novation ReMOTE SL61
M-Audio Keystation Pro-88
Mackie Control
Mackie Control extension
Mackie C4
Roland Octapad
Kensington Turbo mouse
Hey am I a CONTROL FREAK or What??!!!!
HA-Yes
Novation ReMOTE SL61
M-Audio Keystation Pro-88
Mackie Control
Mackie Control extension
Mackie C4
Roland Octapad
Kensington Turbo mouse
Hey am I a CONTROL FREAK or What??!!!!