Roland xp-30 Alesis QS6.1 Anyone ?

[Pier Calacino]

I was wondering if any of you folks know how the string sounds compare between the Alesis QS6.1 and the Roland XP-30 ?

Which do you think has the better sound strings/value for the money ?

Alesis $400.00 Roland $ 868.00

Thanks
Pier

[schwa]

Why not just go down to the local syntherium and give them both a listen? Your question really leaves you at the mercy of others' (poissibly flawed) opinion.

FWIW, I do own an XP-30, and am very happy with it. One of the reasons I chose it is because with like 1500 patches, and two expansion boards, its hard to get more sounds in a machine for relatively short money.

Are the sounds good? That's a matter of opinion, roland vs korg vs alesis is almost a religious question.

Where did you find the xp for $868? That's the best I've seen.

[Pier Calacino]

Thanks Schwa for your reply.

I really should go down and try them both out but I have heard that the Xp-30 has the best sounding strings and is a better over all synth. The price of the Alesis QS6.1 is $400 at Mars Music WOW ! That does make it very tempting.

But I am leaning towards the XP !

I found that price for the XP-30 at WWW.Keyboardshop.com

Thanks again
Pier

[mikeh]

I also have an XP-30. Like schwa, I felt it provided a huge amount of decent sounds, with room to expand - for a reasonable price. In additition, I've always liked Roland keys. I had a Juno 60 which I replaced with a Juno 106 (for the MIDI) and I also have a D-50 (which still holds up as a classic keyboard)

The string sounds on Roland units have always been good. But as previously stated, you should try em' out and trust your ears.

That price for the Alesis QS6 is a blow out (discontinued model) - At $400, it is below cost! I prefer the Roland over the Alesis - but that is a good price for the Alesis.

[psguy3]

Hi, total beginner here... recently purchased an XP-30 and Cubase VST... now trying to figure out how to get them to work together! I've got Cubase receiving information from the XP-30 but can't figure out yet how to hear what I've recorded either during recording or via playback. I'm seeking an XP-30 pro who can tutor me on the basic functionality of the unit (and ideally how it works in combo with Cubase). Would like to hire someone for a few instructional sessions, either via telephone or in person (if in the LA/Palm Springs area). Any referrals or suggestions very much appreciated!

[mikeh]

Hey psguy3, I'm assuming your question relates to recording a MIDI performance into Cubase - and not getting the MIDI signal back into the XP30. Not knowing how much you know about MIDI recording, I can offer some quick basic info. I find that MIDI newbies normally have problems with MIDI channel assignments.

There are 16 channels of MIDI (per MIDI port). You can transmit or receive on one or more of those channels. Normally, MIDI gear is shipped with a default of channel one (for both transmit and receive).

Sequencers (such as Cubase) must be told what MIDI channels to use. As an example, if the XP30 is indeed set to default on channel 1 - the MIDI data sent to Cubase is on MIDI channel 1 (and you did indicate Cubase did receive info from the XP30). However, if Cubase is set to transmit on channel 2, but the XP30 is trying to receive on channel 1, the MIDI performance stored in Cubase will not feed back to the XP30.

Start by hitting either the patch button (or performance button) on the XP30, then hit the edit button, then hit the MIDI button - this will help you identify the transmit and receive channels that the XP30 is set to. In the performance mode the XP30 can receive on all 16 channels - so you can have as an example - piano on channel 1, bass on channel 2, etc. etc. (Note: industry standard always uses MIDI channel 10 for drums).

Hope this helps. I'm not hip on Cubase (use Cakewalk myself) but the XP30 is very user friendly, and the instruction manual isn't too hard to get through.

[psguy3]

thanks mikeh... helpful... I got one channel to work but not there yet. haven't figured out how to 'fix' the MIDI signal from the XP-30 to Cubase... ie, when I record a particular track using a drum patch, on playback it switches to whatever patch I have the XP-30 set to at that point...

[cerealchamp2000]

That Alesis is at best a GM sounding machine. The whole drum kit section is practically useless. You'd better really like those strings to buy it even at that price.

[vicevursa]

The drums ain't that bad, depending on what you do with them. I wouldn't try and pass them off as the real deal, but they are workable. But the strings IMO are better on the roland than on the alesis.