Korg Z1 (and other EPs)

[jpmorris]

I'm trying to find a reasonably-priced keyboard or module that does a good electric piano, preferably a Wurlitzer. Currently I'm using software (AAS Lounge Lizard and Mr. Tramp when AAS bugs out) but it's a pain since it needs a Windows installation to work and goes off-key when recording to an external MTC master. I'm also trying to move away from Windows.

I've recently heard a set of samples from the Kurzweil ME-1, and to be honest it wasn't that impressive, which is a shame since the price is about right and a module would be preferable.

Anyway, I've heard some good things about the Korg Z1, which is supposed to use physical modelling in hardware, but I'd like to hear it before committing. Does anyone have a demo of it being a Wurlitzer, by any chance?

[ssscientist]

Originally Posted by jpmorris

but it's a pain since it needs a Windows installation to work and goes off-key when recording to an external MTC master.

Please clarify that. Do you mean that it needs a Windows host to work or that you are running Lounge Lizard as a plugin in a sequencer app that somehow smears the pitch when running syncronized to an outside clock?

Why are you using Midi Time Code? Are you working to video? Midi Clock is perfectly fine for all audio purposes and for all but the most demanding video editing jobs. MTC was invented to bridge the gap between SMPTE and Midi Clock.

Unless you're really looking to spend money --- maybe needlessly --- on your setup and really unhappy with what Lounge Lizard is giving you (you do have the latest revision, right?) I would advise you to do some more research on your fundamental problem --- that Lounge Lizard goes off-key when synced to an outside clock.

The Korg Z1 is not the first 'board that I would look to for a Wurliitzer sound, but that's just me...

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[jpmorris]

Originally Posted by ssscientist

Please clarify that. Do you mean that it needs a Windows host to work or that you are running Lounge Lizard as a plugin in a sequencer app that somehow smears the pitch when running syncronized to an outside clock?

Why are you using Midi Time Code? Are you working to video? Midi Clock is perfectly fine for all audio purposes and for all but the most demanding video editing jobs. MTC was invented to bridge the gap between SMPTE and Midi Clock.

1. It is a win32 application. I am in the process of migrating the setup to Linux. Currently emulation is not working well enough for it to run with acceptable latency times. There are other reasons as well.

2. Mostly it's being hosted in SONAR. It works quite well, but not perfectly, when it is locked to the audio system as the master clock. When it's recording time, the SMPTE/MMC becomes master and it goes off-key. I might have said that SONAR was to blame if it didn't work properly on the Waldorf PPG (now replaced with a uWave) and a lot better on the Mr. Tramp plugin which I sometimes use in preference.

3. Not video, but 8-track tape. Last time I used the damn thing (AAS in Sonar) I had to record with the tape running very slightly slower to get it to remain in-key. At least it worked, I guess - you probably couldn't do that on a digital recorder.

Unless you're really looking to spend money --- maybe needlessly --- on your setup and really unhappy with what Lounge Lizard is giving you (you do have the latest revision, right?) I would advise you to do some more research on your fundamental problem --- that Lounge Lizard goes off-key when synced to an outside clock.

Actually, it's still version 1. To be honest I have deep misgivings about their copy-protection system, which I am not about to reward them for with yet more money. And it doesn't address the fact that it simply doesn't run on the target machine. I would much rather have all the sound-generation done in external hardware so that it is completely agnostic of the driving system, whether it be Win32, Win64, MacOS, Linux, a dedicated sequencer or live.

The Korg Z1 is not the first 'board that I would look to for a Wurlitzer sound, but that's just me...

Indeed. That's why I want to hear what it can do. However, a lot of them were bought just for the Wurlitzer sound from what I've read. As I say, other suggestions would be welcome. A dedicated Windows machine for running it could be a last resort, except that it will be about the same cost as the Z1 on e-bay - I'd probably have to buy LL all over again because it's been activated on my primary desktop.

[ssscientist]

Originally Posted by jpmorris

However, a lot of them were bought just for the Wurlitzer sound from what I've read.

By the same token, Propellerheads sold Reason to people who were just interested in using the Electromechanical refill for the Wurlitzer sound --- from what I've read.

Taking someones word for the quality of any particular sound on a BBS is, IMHO, foolish. I'm not saying that the Wurlitzer sound on the Z1 is bad, just that I can't remember it as a standout from the times I've played one. If there's a possiblility that a Z1 will come up for sale used in your local area - even a week or a month from now - it's probably worth the wait to go and try it yourself to make sure before you buy one that it's what you need.

Or I'm sure there's a used instruments shop in London that has one --- and that's not too far away...


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[jpmorris]

Originally Posted by ssscientist

Taking someones word for the quality of any particular sound on a BBS is, IMHO, foolish. I'm not saying that the Wurlitzer sound on the Z1 is bad, just that I can't remember it as a standout from the times I've played one.

Exactly. Perhaps I didn't make it clear enough, but what I am actually asking for was sound clips of the Z1 (or anything else with a decent electric piano) in operation to help me decide.