Can someone tell me what Voice Polyphony is?!!

[frank_1]

What is it and is more better? I am looking at Roland's XP-10 and it has 28-voice polyphony for $460. But the Yamaha S03 have 64-voice polyphony for $500. Which Synth is Better? Does polyphony have to do with the sound quality?

[General MIDI]

it is how many tones can be playing simultaniously. It does not effect the quality of the sound, but it does effect the amount of sounds that can be playing at once.

If I were you, I'd look into the Roland RS-5. 512 tones and 64 voice polyphony. Right around your pricerange too.

[frank_1]

Thanx for the help, but if you had to choose between one or the other (the roland and yamaha), which would you choose?

Thanks again.

[BBB]

I own the JV-1080 (same voices as the XP-10) and the Yamaha CS1x (probably very different from the S03). The 1080 has very good sounds. The CS1x does not (at least from an accuracy standpoint, it has good tones for tweaking weird stuff out of it).

Be that as it may, I personally would lean towards the XP-10. But that shouldn't matter because you'll get the best impressions by swinging by a shop and A/Bing them for yourself.

[DavidK]

If your music is complex, 28-voice polyphony may not be enough it is your only keyboard. Keep in mind that some patches my take several notes of polyphony to make a patch, in other words, a complex film score patch might take 3 notes of polyphony to play a single note, so a 4-note string chord might take up 12 or more notes of polyphony, and thats just a string pad.

Add a complex piano part and drums, and you could possibly reach the polyphony level very easily, so think about that before you decide.
I dont know the Yamaha, but I love my Roland JV1010, so I would consider the XP-10 if it meets your needs. Actually, I was thinking of getting one a while ago, but I read some bad stuff.

[DavidK]

Check out http://www.harmony-central.com/Synth.../XP-10-01.html

As I mentioned, you might really think about the 28-note polyphony issue, because a lot of folks really have a problem with it.

[General MIDI]

does yamaha use only one tone per patch? Most keyboards use multiple tones per patch.

If the tone is stereo, that is 2 notes of polyphony right there.

If the patch is made up of just 2 stereo tones, then that is 4 notes of polyphony taken up.

Now this is if you are just holding one finger down.

If you are playing a piano patch and have a 4 finger chord in the left hand, and a 3 finger chord in the right hand, Your 28 notes of polyphony are taken up!!!

You haven't even recorded one track yet!

rs-5 makes the most sence in that price range.

~gm
www.midi-it.com

[mikeh]

28 voice poly is not enough. As DavidK (and General MIDI) pointed out many sounds layer multi voices - one or two pad sounds, a piano sound (with a hold pedal) a bass line and a percussion sequence (which could have 3-5 voices on the same beat) - and the 28 poly is used up.

If the 28 voice is part of a MIDI system (with other sound modules) it should be enough voices, but if it is the only MIDI keys/module I'd be concerned about the limitations.

I am more of a fan of Roland gear than Yamaha gear.

[frank_1]

Thanks again guys, I already "forgot" about the yamaha. Now I am thinking of getting the Roland Jv-1010. But I have one question about that; can I us a midi controller like the Roland PC-300 to work the module? That's what the PC-300 is for, right?

The only thing I don't like about the PC-300 is that it has 49 keys. Even though I need a short keyboard, 49 keys is a little too short, 61 is just right, I hope.

I know I sound confused but I am not a pianist. I never played a piano or keyboard in my life. I just want a synth, that has orchastra strings, to give my mixes a little more "depth".

Thanks once more.

[hixmix]

Voice polyphony is when ten salesmen squeeze your balls and coerce you to pay two thousand dollars for a piece of shit that will be worth a hundred dollars in six months.

[DavidK]

Frank, the JV1010 is a great choice. Its hard to use without a computer, easy with one. The sounds are fantastic for the money, and it has an expansion slot as well.

If you are not a pianist, why 61 keys?? On a 49key, you can change the octave with a press of a button. Unless you really need the extra keys, check out the Kaysound MK-4902 keyboard controller, $110 I think. Great buy, could not be simpler to use (Doesnt even come with a manual, or need one). It has ptchbend and mod wheels, and buttons for transpose, octave channel, program etc. Just take a midi cable and stick it in to the JV1010, and you are done. With a sequencer ( I use Cakewalk Pro9), you will never touch any buttons on the JV1010 or the Keyboard, except the power buttons.

[langleyt]

Just go with what sounds good to your ear. All this software/hardware techno stuff gets too complicated and takes away from the sound of real music. I own a Yamaha and an Alesis. I very rarely use my Yamaha, but the Alesis has a lot of great sounds...very pleasing to the ear. But you're asking about Yamaha versus Roland. I would definately choose Roland. If I had the money I would buy one of those too.

[BBB]

Originally posted by General MIDI
does yamaha use only one tone per patch?

My CS1x can use multiple tones per patch.

Most keyboards use multiple tones per patch.

Yes.

If the tone is stereo, that is 2 notes of polyphony right there.

That does not necessarily follow. A stereo patch may or may not employ two tones. For example, the synth may employ delay effects to create the stereo image. Thus, the tone will only use one note of the polyphony.

[VirtualSamana]

Frank I am a satisfied owner of a JV 1010. I use a fatar sl-161 controller because I also wanted 61 keys. I have used the k sound before and it is a good deal for the money but I really like the action on the fatar (less casiolike) and the 61 keys do come in handy. If you hurry to Guitar Satan you an sl-161 for $250 with a $50 mail in rebate bringing the price down to $200! This is the best price I could find on one new or used.

[DavidK]

I would agree with VirtualSam, the action on the Kaysound is basically non-existent, Casio-like is a good analogy. If you want a decent feel, dont get it, but for the money, its great.