I played the ARX-02!!
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
Waynester, if you do a search of this forum for "SRX12" you will find many threads including this one. It is a great card for these kinds of sounds.
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Megakazbek
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 18:52, 2 April 2008
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
So, is ARX-02 only for Rhodes sounds or it also includes other EPs, like Wurly, RMI, CP-80? Clavinets, maybe? It would be interesting to know how other EPs sound.
By the way, Jimknopf, have you tried MrRay73 MkII? It's a VSTi Rhodes emulation, and to me it's even better than Scarbee.
By the way, Jimknopf, have you tried MrRay73 MkII? It's a VSTi Rhodes emulation, and to me it's even better than Scarbee.
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
Mr. Ray is really nice; in some ways it is a nice equivalent to the Clavia Nord Rhodes: small but well done. I like it more than Lounge Lizard (though the latter allows even more tweaking).
Nevertheless it is still miles behind the authenicity of the Scarbee Rhodes. This is no wonder if you look at the specs of both libraries and compare the results both standalone and in a mix...
Nevertheless it is still miles behind the authenicity of the Scarbee Rhodes. This is no wonder if you look at the specs of both libraries and compare the results both standalone and in a mix...
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
+1 for Scarbee. Although I don't own it, I remember a few years ago when it came out. Unbelievable realism and still by far the best Rhodes in software IMO.
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Megakazbek
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 18:52, 2 April 2008
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
2Jimknopf:
You sure that you tried MrRay73 _MkII_ version and not the old MrRay73 or even older plugin called MrRay? I was very (positively) surprised with it, it's a HUGE leap forward from the other two, and IMHO at least as authentic as Scarbee (but also, more playable and has better tone, to my taste of course)
You sure that you tried MrRay73 _MkII_ version and not the old MrRay73 or even older plugin called MrRay? I was very (positively) surprised with it, it's a HUGE leap forward from the other two, and IMHO at least as authentic as Scarbee (but also, more playable and has better tone, to my taste of course)
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
Yes, I know it is much better than the first Mr. Ray, but I still find the Scarbee Rhodes a whole class better both in authenticity as in playability.
With the Scarbee, when I close my eyes, I feel like sitting in front of a very well maintained real suitcase, and it sounds and reacts exactly like one.
With Mr. Ray73 MkII I feel like with a nice rebuild (better than the other stuff below Scarbee), but not the real thing. The original tone of Rhodes (truthfully mirrored by Scarbee) simply sounds richer than the modeled one of Mr. Ray. The attack slounds slightly artificial if you listen closer, and some bell and release parts of the sound as well.
What they did well in the second version of Mr. Ray was
- reduce the artificial bell sound, which is so intrusive in many less good Rhodes models
- darken the sound altogether (like the early Rhodes played through vintage gear with less presence): this hides slight weaknesses in attack behaviour and tonal content.
- add what they call "power amplification" and which are in fact different stages of tube saturation and amp modeling.
The result is very nice, but no 1:1 Rhodes like the Scarbee.
With the Scarbee, when I close my eyes, I feel like sitting in front of a very well maintained real suitcase, and it sounds and reacts exactly like one.
With Mr. Ray73 MkII I feel like with a nice rebuild (better than the other stuff below Scarbee), but not the real thing. The original tone of Rhodes (truthfully mirrored by Scarbee) simply sounds richer than the modeled one of Mr. Ray. The attack slounds slightly artificial if you listen closer, and some bell and release parts of the sound as well.
What they did well in the second version of Mr. Ray was
- reduce the artificial bell sound, which is so intrusive in many less good Rhodes models
- darken the sound altogether (like the early Rhodes played through vintage gear with less presence): this hides slight weaknesses in attack behaviour and tonal content.
- add what they call "power amplification" and which are in fact different stages of tube saturation and amp modeling.
The result is very nice, but no 1:1 Rhodes like the Scarbee.
Yamaha
I disagree wholeheartedly. I think the Motif's Rhodes are incredible. Seen Motif player line up lately? Everyone who is anyone is playing a Motif for electric pianos. It is far and away the #1 rompler for ep's and pianos. I will gladly put my money where my mouth is and post an A>B>C>D comparison and I'm willing to bet most people would choose the Yamaha Motif XS every time for best Rhodes emulation. Motif is a players keyboard through and through. The hammer action of the ES and XS are the best in class by far. DOn't take it from me, take it from the thousands of pros who appear all over television and every award show with a Motif in front of them
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
I've owned the Motif and ES and play tested the XS. Same basic rhodes samples on all. Good for live, but not very realistic sounding for my studio applications.
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
Yeh, you,re right ES sounds good in live mode but as a multiplayer sucks.
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
pwned
The Rhodes on the Yamahas ES and XS are *not* sounding too authentic. They aren't bad, and have some nice dyna-Rhodes sound, and that's it.
But the SRX-12 has a significantly more authentic Rhodes sound than anything Yamaha offers, and some Roland G Rhodes sounds are better as well.
Concerning keyboard action, all the pro keyboarders who had hands on a Fantom G8 at Frankfurt Messe told me that its key action is also better than *anything* Yamaha (or anybody else) has to offer.
Finally Piano sounds: you know that there is a big debate among keyboarders as to which keyboard pianos sound best. In the last comparison about half a year ago in the German Keyboards magazine they asked 6 pro musicians for their opinion on stage pianos. They had different evaluations/tastes, but the overall winner, after each of these pros gave his points to each device, was neither a Kawai nor a Yamaha, but a Roland stage piano.
So I respect your opinion, but I can't share it for any of the aspects (Rhodes, key action, piano).
The Rhodes on the Yamahas ES and XS are *not* sounding too authentic. They aren't bad, and have some nice dyna-Rhodes sound, and that's it.
But the SRX-12 has a significantly more authentic Rhodes sound than anything Yamaha offers, and some Roland G Rhodes sounds are better as well.
Concerning keyboard action, all the pro keyboarders who had hands on a Fantom G8 at Frankfurt Messe told me that its key action is also better than *anything* Yamaha (or anybody else) has to offer.
Finally Piano sounds: you know that there is a big debate among keyboarders as to which keyboard pianos sound best. In the last comparison about half a year ago in the German Keyboards magazine they asked 6 pro musicians for their opinion on stage pianos. They had different evaluations/tastes, but the overall winner, after each of these pros gave his points to each device, was neither a Kawai nor a Yamaha, but a Roland stage piano.
So I respect your opinion, but I can't share it for any of the aspects (Rhodes, key action, piano).
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
My 2 (how do you make a "cents" sign?) cents: The Motif Rhodes have an "ear candy" vibe, but don't hold up when you go to really "play" them - i.e. digging in, playing with dynamics, etc... The Fantom Rhodes (so far - I don't have SRX-12 and obviously haven't played the "G" with the ARX-02) appear duller at first blush, but ultimately are much more organic and playable over time. At least that's what I've found. You have to have had a "real" Rhodes to understand.
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
i have an Yam ES , and would agree with the Ear Candy ..!
they're OK , but you really can't dig in ...
being 50 now , i played my way thru the Rhodes/ Wurly/ B3 days .... emulations , however good they might be , are just that .... but they're finally good enough to fool most peoples' ears ....
but We , as keyboard players , hear these things differently ..!
and we'll never be satified ..!
How was the Piano sound on the 700GX ...???? the G8 will have the same keybed ..!?
DC
they're OK , but you really can't dig in ...
being 50 now , i played my way thru the Rhodes/ Wurly/ B3 days .... emulations , however good they might be , are just that .... but they're finally good enough to fool most peoples' ears ....
but We , as keyboard players , hear these things differently ..!
and we'll never be satified ..!
How was the Piano sound on the 700GX ...???? the G8 will have the same keybed ..!?
DC
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kokocalamar
- Posts: 275
- Joined: 09:48, 1 September 2006
- Location: Sweden
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
The G8 will not have the same keybed, as far as I understand. (Too bad, the keys on the 700 are fantastic.)
No so called "escapement" on the G8. It really makes a difference, at least if you're used to playing a real piano.
As the 700 has additional editing functions of the piano, I doubt the piano is the same as in the G8.
No so called "escapement" on the G8. It really makes a difference, at least if you're used to playing a real piano.
As the 700 has additional editing functions of the piano, I doubt the piano is the same as in the G8.
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
They need two or three reasons to sell stage pianos at all, do they?
Re: I played the ARX-02!!
$0.02My 2 (how do you make a "cents" sign?) cents
