Oh No! Another newbie

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rvf263

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Hi all,
I'm new to synths, controllers, Midi, etc., etc., but I want to start learning. I've read most of the threads here from the other "newbies" about which one to purchase. In doing so, I have gained tons of info to better decide what's best for my needs. I want to thank everyone for the valuable info. So I know that it's probably annoying sometimes to read another one of these. But I must ask.
Oh yeah, you guessed it, I'm on a tight budget! So I'll be "buying used".

Here's my needs:(not necessarily in this order)
1. $500 or less
2. something decent for a newbie to start on
3. for home studio use
3. best "real sounds" for my budget (drums, bass, piano, etc.)
4. Midi control features, (modulation, pitch, soft touch etc.,)
5. synth with on board sounds+controller, or just controller
6. expandable
7. 61 keys

Here's what I've been looking at:
(not necessarily in this order)
1. RolandXP-10
2. Yamaha S0-3
3. Yamaha CS2X
4. Alesis QS-6.1/6.2
5. Roland XP-30

Controllers/modules
6. Studio Logic CMK161
7. Midiman Radium
8. Roland A-37
9. Midiman Keystation 61
10. JV1010 module
11. Alesis Nanosynth module
12. Alesis Nano bass module
I think that's about it.

Can anyone please give me opinions/suggestions/ideas about these units, or other units that would better fit meet my needs?

Thanks again everyone.

Robert
 
Some might disagree, but I'd stay away from all that alesis crap.
And I personally prefer using a synth to control modules, because why not just put out a few more dollars to have a synth with it's own sounds, rather than a "brainless" keyboard. I own a bunch of boards and modules, but only one that you listed. And that's the jv1010. I consider it to be a "best buy" product. the sounds are awesome no matter what kind, and there are about 16 different rom chips you can buy for an upgrade. And although you can only use 1 rom at a time, you can switch em out if you want more than 1. It lacks programmability but IMO the sounds are top notch and even without an upgrade there are tons of them. The best part is they are no longer in production and they can be found dirt cheap these days. For a simple great sounding, affordable box of great sounds you can't go wrong with the 1010. I know the xp's are very popular too, and most likely have alot of similair sounds. But be warned, once you get one it's awfully hard to stop buying those things.
 
I'd stay away from the XP-10. From what i've heard it's got some really bad sounds, horrible keyboard, etc. Although they are cheap i wouldn't recommend one. Like subtractor said i prefer using a synth to control modules rather than a dedicated controller.

I myself have an XP-30 and it's amazing, i vouch fully for the XP-30, the JV1010 with controller, or the Yamaha CS2x. I'm not a big fan of Alesis either.
 
subtractor,
I know what you mean. If your a musician it's mighty hard to stop buying any kind of gear! And it doesn't help matters when you like more than one instrument!


Yeah I kinda like the idea of a synth too instead of a controller.
I can always add modules to the synth later if I wanted to.

Although for real cheap setup, I could buy that Midiman keystation for $109.99 on sale at M.F. And then buy the JV1010 module for around $250 or so, and have a setup for around $350
Or buy the Nanosynth used for around $75 and have a setup for under $200

I guess it's all about what you want or need.

I'm hearing really good things about the XP-30 and the CS2X, and I'm leaning heavily in that direction.

The Alesis CS-6.2, I've read alot of reviews about it being a great all around buy for the bucks, but I'm just not sure about it still.

I've ruled out a controller/module as of now. But things could change, and they probably will.

Thanks for the help Subtractor, and Toad Rush. Appreciated

Robert
 
I have BOTH the dreaded XP-10, and the dreaded QS-6.1's big brother, the QS-8.1. Can't speak to the others listed...

...but the QS kicks the XP's ass. QS is expandable, modifiable, boatload of sounds, GM-friendly. The 6.1 has the same brains and sounds as the 8.1.

XP-10 has some good useable sounds, an interesting arpeggiator, and some useful live-use voice switching/combining features. But the keyboard feels terrible, it's not expandable, voices are read-only, and you have to reboot to put it in GM mode.

The 8.1 has a great keyboard, but I dunno about the 6.1. And my experience with their support network was awful - repairs only through shipping. F$%^ that. They have a rep for being unroadworthy - if you're studiobound, they should be okay.

There are, admittedly, a lot of lousy sounds - but there are a lot of good ones, just gotta find 'em. It will also load samples, but they have to be in some wacky Pro-Tools proprietary format.

BTW, if you go used, STAY AWAY from the 6.0 - it did not have the same brains or sounds. 7.0 and 8.0 are fine, as are the 6.1 and 6.2.

Good luck,

Daf
 
Yeah I've read the support for the QS's is not very good. Not much support on the net either I've read.
That's a big turn-off to me because being new to using synths, I need all the support I can get!

I just read the Yamaha QS2x sounds are more for dance or techno, but I don't know for sure. I really liked the features and the price on that one, but I'm not into dance and techno. I'm doing more like acoustic/electric Blues/Rock type stuff.

Anyone familiar with the sounds of the QS2X? Would it be good for Blues/Rock type stuff?


Thanks for the input daf.


Robert
 
If the CS2X is indeed geared more toward "electronic sounds", could I expand at a later date like adding some type of module to it?
 
Ofcourse you can! All synths these days have a midi out, so you can use 'em with any controller. (All controllers these days have a midi in....)
 
yeah, i'm sorry about that.. i meant to mention it. The Yamaha CS2x is an Analog Modelling synth much like the Access Virus, Nord Lead, Roland JP-8000, Korg MS2000, etc. It's not exactly what you want for real sounds. So go for the XP-30 i can honestly say you won't regret it(especially since XP-30s come with a free card with more sounds and waveforms! Well mine did atleast and a few other people i know).

The only problem with the XP-30 that was one of the features you listed is that it lacks a modulation wheel. It has a pitch bend joystick thing and if you push it forward it's supposedly modulation but to be honest i never hear a difference.
 
No problem Toad,
I still like the CS2X for the controller features. I didn't know about the mod wheel thing you spoke of, thanks for that info. I'm not even sure if I need that. I just heard that it was needed.
Everything's cool with this unit except the sounds. I suppose I could settle with the on-board sounds for now, and then add a module with good acoustic sounds. I heard good things about the jv1010. I suppose Yamaha also has a real good module.

I did find the E-MU PK-6 synth. It seems like a great buy also, but I haven't researched it alot yet. I do like the features though.

Anyone use, or know about the E-MU PK-6?
 
<<The only problem with the XP-30 that was one of the features you listed is that it lacks a modulation wheel. It has a pitch bend joystick thing and if you push it forward it's supposedly modulation but to be honest i never hear a difference.>>

The XP-30 has four real time controllers on the top left side of the keyboard. On most patches when they are used in "controller" mode, slider #4 controls the modulation. I use it all the time to kick in the leslie simulation on the organ patches. If it is not preset, you can program it, or any of the other three sliders to work this way.

The xp-30 is a great little bread and butter board. It is not as fat or warm as say, a Triton, or a Motif, but then again it is 1/3 the price. For the money you can't beat it. My only gripe about it is that I wish they had left the techno board out of it (or at least allowed you to be able to remove it and replace it with something more relevant to your individual situation), but considering there are still around 800 patches outside of that board I can live with it !
 
True about the slider, a wheel is still nifty for me though as i usually use those controllers to control the Filter/Cutoff and Oscillator controls on my JP or Soft synths. I've heard some bad things about the PK-6 i think i read something about it here a few days ago comparing it to a XP-30. The CS2x with a JV1010 in the future is a VERY good buy. You'll get the synth sounds of the CS2x and with the JV1010 and a few expansion cards you can get all the sounds of the XP-30 as well. Good choice man =D.
 
. Good choice man =D
Click to expand...
Well, that wasn't my final decision, but I did finally decide to save a little more and go with the XP30. It just seems to be an all around great choice with everything I need.

My only gripe about it is that I wish they had left the techno board out of it (or at least allowed you to be able to remove it and replace it with something more relevant to your individual situation)
Click to expand...
Hey Joel,
I agree with you. They should allow you to take out some boards, and just keep the "signature sounds" permanent. Seems like that would please an awful lot of customers.

Anyway, thanks everyone for all the great help. I appreciate it.
 
That works too, i love my XP-30. I doubt you'll regret this. Yeah i wish i could take out the 3 hardwired boards as well(if i wanted to).
 
For what it's worth, I'm totally new to keyboards but I wanted something to record different sounds along with my guitars. I bought an XP-30 on ebay 2 weeks ago ($590) and I love it. I haven't begun to figure out all it can do (and it does alot!!). I can tell you the brass and woodwinds are pretty good, percussion is ok and there are tons of techno stuff if you're into that (I'm not). I agree with the Toad. The XP-30 is a fine synthesizer to start out on.

rpe
 
I'm not much help, but from the reviews I"ve read, I think it's a great synth. It's just out of my budget.
 
For just a little more...

You could get a Kurzweil KME-61 Synthesizer for about $200 more - the sounds are probably a better match for what you're looking for. The build quality on the keys is pretty decent too. The quality of the samples beats any Korolaha offerings IMHO ;)
Regards, James
 
Yeah, I gotta agree with Carbon on Kurzweil sound quality. Alesis sounds too plasticky for me, Roland XV/XP has some very good sounds but they're a bit more hyped ... Kurz just sounds natural. Yamaha Motif sounds are awesome but I don't kow if they're the same sounds as the Yamahas you're looking at.

One thing about the KME though: I'm not sure if the it allows you to edit your programs, or store your edits. That would be a drawback for me ... not sure if that would be one for you. Could be something worth checking into, though. If you think you're just going to be playing presets as they're given to you, it ain't an issue.
 
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