keyboard workstation vs. modules and controllers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guernica
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Guernica

Guernica

Active member
Hi folks,
I am by no means a keyboard player. I am a home studio enthusiast with a desired to incorporate synth and sampled sounds into my recordings. I was hoping someone could explain to me what the difference is in using a keyboard workstation (triton, etc.) vs.using sound modules w. a controller. I know this is a very vague question, but i am hoping to make a financially wise decision and not spend alot of money on fluff that i dont really need. The sounds that im looking for range from strings/voices/horns to sampled drums, etc. Any help would be much apprecialted......... thank you
 
Modules tend to be better designed for playback than all in one keyboards.

Modules allow for unlimited keyboard options.

Modules are cheaper, smaller and easier to transport than all in one keyboards.

Modules usually hold their aftermarket value better.

All in ones are good for workstations if that is what you want it for. They have built in sequencers and occasionally effects.

If you are planning on doing the gist of your project on a single unit, a workstation is the better choice. If you're like me and want as much variety as you can get, modules are the way to go.

Carl.
 
thanks krackit......

...could you mention a few good module options, so i can start my research?........ thanks again
 
The Roland JV 10-10 is extremly popular (one of the reasons that I'm avoiding it:p )

Just about any Proteus E-MU module is a good choice, if a little overpriced.

Korg makes a Triton Rack which is all the award winning Triton keyboard stuff in a rack mountable unit. They also make the MS2000R which is the rackmount version of their Analog keyboard modeller

Alesis used to make the QSR (my favorite), I don't know if they still do or not, but getting one used shouldn't be a problem.

There are also some nifty desktop units like the Yamaha AN200, DX200. The Korg EA-1. There are also some Access desktops as well as other makers.

Don't forget soft synths. Tremendously populor.

Names like Sampltank and Native Instruments are the primary choices to look for.

Carl
 
ive got a korg pa80 workstation best value for money it will last me for a long time modules would only be good for u if u are doing computer based recording {that is if u dont really play}
 
My Yamaha SY55 was my all time favourite synth/workstation. It was a piece of cake to use compared to some of the software I use nowadays. I actually spent most of my time recording back then, not tweaking my computer to bring my latency down or get rid of audio dropouts...
 
Sirloin,

Many of these units that Krakit mentioned can be had at a fraction of the cost of new on ebay. You can find new gear for half the price. I have also seen several Korg Triton worstations listed there. It's worth checking out.
 
Much thanks to everyone for the helpful tips...... When you say that modules are best suited for computer recording, what exactly do you mean? Do you need a computer to use a module?
I have a tascam 788 and would like to sequence sounds onto it, is this doable? I think i might be missing something important.....
 
I use modules for EVERYTHING.

I use modules with:

  1. Sequencers
  2. Keyboards
  3. Controllers
  4. Computers
    [/list=1]

    Let me explain what a module is so that there is no confusion.

    A module (in the 80's they were called 'brains') is the box with all the sounds in it. Think of it as a synthesizer without the keyboard (which is exactly what it is). Only the important stuff (the guts) are inside.

    You connect the module to the MIDI output of a device (for example a keyboard controller or a sequencer) and the MIDI data is sent to the module. The module plays the sounds.



    Carl
 
.thanks a bunch krackit...
As you can see..i need all of the help i can get. I guess that i assumed that the module came with a sequencer. thanks a bunch
 
Oversimplification

The model with the keyboard is usually the same as the one with the keys only sometimes harder to deal with becuase they pack more into a smaller box, more functions per knob, smaller screens etc. having the keys attached is very convenient becuase you can take the keyboard anywhere without additional controllers, cables, etc. I have a weighted keyboard, a Kawai MP9000 because I love the feel and the sound though the sound is interchangable, the keys are the keys. I have a Korg Karma becuase for one it does not come in aa module form and, because I like a non-weighted feel sometimes. Its sort of like the difference between an Organ and a Piano, the two instruments I was raised on. Everything else I have is a module or a soft synth plug-in.

Most importantly is that the modules often are multitimbral, in fact, most modules are which allows you to play multiple sounds at one time on diffeernt midi channels so you can have an entire band or orchestra coming from one box. There are models with keys that do this, however, it seems the modules are set up more for multi timbral use than the keyboard models.
 
...can any keyboard serve as a controller for any module.... for example if a person owned a decent keyboard, then bought a module, could he hook up the module with his existing keyboard acting as controller? sorry for the dumb questions
 
Re: Oversimplification

Jack Hammer said:
The model with the keyboard is usually the same as the one with the keys only sometimes harder to deal with becuase they pack more into a smaller box, more functions per knob, smaller screens etc. having the keys attached is very convenient becuase you can take the keyboard anywhere without additional controllers, cables, etc. I have a weighted keyboard, a Kawai MP9000 because I love the feel and the sound though the sound is interchangable, the keys are the keys. I have a Korg Karma becuase for one it does not come in aa module form and, because I like a non-weighted feel sometimes. Its sort of like the difference between an Organ and a Piano, the two instruments I was raised on. Everything else I have is a module or a soft synth plug-in.

Most importantly is that the modules often are multitimbral, in fact, most modules are which allows you to play multiple sounds at one time on diffeernt midi channels so you can have an entire band or orchestra coming from one box. There are models with keys that do this, however, it seems the modules are set up more for multi timbral use than the keyboard models.
Click to expand...

That may have been true 10-12 years ago, but almost everything you buy today is multitimbral regardless of whether it has a keyboard or not. Hell, even older modules weren't multimbral. The Roland D-550 was just like the D-50 - bi-timbral. Every keyboard synth I have bought that was manufactured in the last 12 years was fully multitimbral.

Older multitimbral modules costed WAY more then their keyboard counter parts. An example would be the Yamaha DX-7 and the TX-816 (I believe) module that acted as 8 separate TX-7 modules. The thing was at least twice as much as a DX-7 though.

Basically what I'm saying is that even though your statement has some relevance to older equipment, you are still paying a premium for that feature.
 
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A lot of the "retro" sounding Nord gear and others are not multi timbral.

Any midi device will work with any other midi device with few exceptions. For your first purchase I would get a 76 key non weighted keybord worstation unless you prefer the weighted piano feel. Then add modules to suit your needs down the road.

I love the older Korgs (M, T, O series) and all the Kurzweil 'K' series. I think they have the best strings and some nice acoustic sounds for rock and pop. The Kurzweil modules are nice because they give you a lot of outputs for mixing flexibility. You could get any of those keyboards used for around $500 - 2000.

If you want specific keyboard recomendations let us know what types of sounds you are looking for.
 
Guernica said:
...can any keyboard serve as a controller for any module.... for example if a person owned a decent keyboard, then bought a module, could he hook up the module with his existing keyboard acting as controller? sorry for the dumb questions
Click to expand...

As long as the keyboard has a MIDI out port you can use it to control a module.

The degrees by which you have control (aftertouch, velocity, sustain etc.) depend on the keyboard's limitations.

Carl
 
again, thanks a million for all of the useful information. You are clearing up alot of questions that I had. I think that the "buy a cheaper workstation first then buy modules to get particular sounds" idea will work best for me. My writing is in the rock genre, I guess. I know I want some nice orchestral sounds for farting around where i have no business going (lol), ...jazzy sounding horns, good drum and percussion sounds are a big plus.... and any "up to date" things that i can get would be nice. My main problem, as im sure eveyoneone can relate, is bucks. Does anyone have a recommendation, based on the outline above, on a good unit..... and the feasability of owning it (cost)?
thanks again mike
 
"Cheap-ness" is very relative.

What kind of figure did you have in mind?

Carl
 
Guernica said:
under $400 would be great..... used, of course
Click to expand...

Man, you're asking a little too much for $400. That might buy you a used Korg M1 or something along those lines, but it would harldy be considered to have "up to date/realistic" sounds. I suggest you save up a little more money.
 
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