Ok! I need SOUNDS. read. PLEASE

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CyanJaguar

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Hi,

Sorry for the funky title but I needed to get your attention.

I want to spend about $500 to get some great pianos, drums, and strings.

I was going to get a second keyboard but I cant afford that now.

The keyboard I have is actually a $215 radio shack "musical information center" with 61 keys and midi in,out.

Can I use this keyboard with a sound module, or do I have to get a second keyboard? most likey a qs 6.1

If this keyboard will do just fine, which sound module should I get for $500 and under?

I am currently only looking at the Alesis QSR and the roland JV 1010.

Which of these, or any other ones will fool, or if you prefer, convince, radio listeners that they are listening to real instruments.


Thankyou

Thankyou


Thankyou again.
 
Ok, here is the deal, CyanJaguar!

Work overtime at work so you can afford a real keyboard.

Nah! I just want you guys to read this post cause I need your help.
 
Whether or not you want to trade up to a better controller along with the decent synth you want depends on whether or not you can play keyboards. I can't, so the cheapo controller you mentioned (I have a 61-key Kawai version of the same thing) works fine for me, but if you play, then 73 or 88 weighted keys of the correct dimensions and feel will make a difference. I knew nothing about it when I bought my Roland SC-88 module on the recommendation of a friend. But I like it. I've seen them for $400 on sale.
But none of 'em will produce <really> "convincing" sounds. Just convincing enough.

[This message has been edited by drstawl (edited 07-20-2000).]
 
Thanks Drstawl,

I play the keyboard using basic chords and walking basses. PLaying is not really my thing . It is just a means to an end.

I also don't want to synthesize any sounds I just want convincing presets.

The qs 6.1 does not have hammer action keys so it does not help me.

I can get a kurzweil sp76 piano from musicians friend for $499 but I don't know how it sounds and if it has drums or midi channels so I think I am stuck with modules..

Again, which module would you suggest for convincing drums, pianos and strings. You know, the basic sounds in R&B music.

Thank Y'all
 
Go with the Roland JV1010. I also have a midrange keyboard (Yamaha ps540)and the Roland synth provides decent "sound copies"
of other instruments. It is also expandable to 32 mb with an additional sound card.
 
hi,

If I go with the Roland, do I have to have a computer. I will have a computer, but I don't necessarily want to hook it up.

Thanks
 
No computer needed to work it, entering parts one at a time, but when you want to do some MIDI editing, the computer is the way to go.
 
THanks alot Drstawl and misterQcue, I now believe that I can get better sounding instruments from the roland and for cheaper too.
 
Last thing, does the Radio Shack board have "Velocity Sensitivity?"

This is important for the synth stuff to sound real...

ie: playing a piano sound quietly yields different results from playing a piano loudly...

MIDI allows for 128 different variations on volume and other parameters to make sounds sound convincing... If you only get one velocity out of the 128 then the sound doesn't have any chance to change in character or in volume...

PS - I'd opt for the JV1010, too... But, 'velocity sensitivity' may be a factor here...
 
I Believe that it has sensitivity. Like 64 levels or so, but it is nowhere near playing a real piano. I think it will work though.
 
Well I thought I'd add my two cents :)
I play piano and use the JV1010. I've played the Alesis, nice axe, but the roland has warmer sounds. It will work with the keyboard you have now if your keyboard has midi in/out/through, unfortunately you can't punch in patch numbers on the front of the 1010.I also have a real piano in my studio. I was conviced my Kurzweil had the best piano sounds until I got my accoustic.
 
Two more cents:

The Kurzweil has a very good piano sound and also good string sounds. Unfortunately, it has no drums as far as I know. (I have a PC88mx) Also, there are only like four different string sounds so that may not be enough variety for you. I can't compare the Kurzweil piano to the JV-1010 or the Alesis since I haven't heard them. Don't forget the Korg modules---the NX5R, X5DR.

I couldn't really tell from your posts whether you were satisfied with your keyboard controller or not. If you are, then you can spend more on a module and probably get better or more sounds. If possible, you should really go to a store and hear the module you're going to buy, Otherwise you may regret it. If you really want a new keyboard as well as the module for $500, I noticed the Roland XP10 has a 5-octave keyboard and almost 600 sounds. But it seems like a low price for what you get, so I'd definitely have to check that one out in person to make sure the sounds were decent quality and make sure it had velocity sensitivity.

Jim
 
Jim,

I'm a bit confused when you say the Kurzweil doesn't have any drums. It has not only all the GM drum kits, but also several other Kurzweil drum kits, including orchestal and synth. The mx is the VGM board installed, with that you get the GM and drums.
 
Elle,

You're right. The PC88mx does have drums. What I meant to say was that the SP76 does not have drums. But I didn't say it very clearly.
And I was probably wrong when I said that the SP76 had four string sounds. The PC88 has four string sounds, but I just realized that the SP has only half as many total sounds as the PC88. So I assume the SP would have two.
 
The reason I won't get a roland xp 10 is this:

You get 600 sounds, but you only have 28 note polyphony.

The keyboard I have now has 24 notes and it starts to lose notes after 4 sequenced tracks.

The jv 1010 has 64 notes and it also has about 1000 sounds
 
He means that the XP10 can only play a maximum of 28 notes at the same time. This could turn out to be a problem if you are using the keyboard to play all the tracks of your song at once. If you have drums, that may use three or four notes at the same time while a bass track would use one more, while a piano track might use six or seven more, etc.

Did I understand the question right?

Jim
 
The term for it is "polyphony" - i.e. how many notes it will play at once.
cheers
 
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