RS7000 question

[Henry Low]

Hi guys, I have 4 questions to ask about the "RS7000" This product seems interesting and I am thinking about purchasing it, but before I plunge all my savings in to it, I want to know alittle more about this product.

1. I currently have a Technics P-50 keyboard (great keyboard), and I want to add drums and other instrument sounds in to my music, will the RS7000 do that for me? With out the use of the computer?

2. Would it be wiser to just get the Motif8 instead of getting the RS7000 comboing it with my P-50?

3. By hooking up my P-50 keboard to the RS7000, does my ketboard act as a controller to control all the sounds?

4. Would it just be better if I just hooked up my keyboard to my computer and download soundfonts to use with a program like sonar? Does it do the same things as getting the RS7000 if I choose this route?

Thanks in advanced.

 

[Flo' Dolo]

I'm gonna do the best I can to answer your questions, but...

...if someone shoots me down, well, fuggit...

1. I currently have a Technics P-50 keyboard (great keyboard), and I want to add drums and other instrument sounds in to my music, will the RS7000 do that for me? With out the use of the computer?

The RS has pretty cool sounds in it, though they can be arguably somewhat limited. If, however, you're happy with the sounds of your Technics (which I can't comment on unless it's a turntable), then the drum sounds in the 7000 will most definately do you justice. The internal sounds are decent, though. Maybe it depends in a lot of ways what kind of music you write, but again, if you dig your P-50, the RS will only enhance your endeavors. Oh, and don't forget the 7000's nifty sampler for all your do-it-yourself drum needs...

< I believe both units can read aiff and akai formant sound files, maybe .wav, too. I own 'em both, but the only samples I use are my own 85% of the time, or off of a sample CD - I luv me some mellotron strings. And i'm too lazy too look in the manuals>

2. Would it be wiser to just get the Motif8 instead of getting the RS7000 comboing it with my P-50?

Depends primarily on what you need in the way of sounds. I dunno what kind of stuff you write, but if you're content with your P-50 sounds, then maybe it's overkill. However, you might enjoy the Motif sounds, and may even use it as your main sound machine instead of your P-50 (not to mention layering strings upon strings upon strings). Oh yeah, only get the Motif 8 if you need all 88 keys. I'm not a trained keyboardist, though I can play serviceably well, so the Motif 6 serves me just fine.

3. By hooking up my P-50 keboard to the RS7000, does my ketboard act as a controller to control all the sounds?

Yes. Works the same with any midi instrument, including a Motif, rack mount sound module, or software synth.

4. Would it just be better if I just hooked up my keyboard to my computer and download soundfonts to use with a program like sonar? Does it do the same things as getting the RS7000 if I choose this route?

I won't say better, but I will say different. One major difference is lack of a sampler if you go the software route unless you get a softsampler or something like Propellerhead's Reason (which may or may not suit your needs). Don't know about your PC, but if you go the software route, then you've got to address other issues like midi interfaces, how to get the sound out of your computer to your recording medium, processor speed, and so on. Those are issues you don't contend with if you use midi hardware instead of midi software.

If you have the opportunity, check out both units just to hear their sounds. If not, being that you're happy with your P-50, either unit will serve you well.

Hope that helps Henry Low.

Good luck,

Flo' Dolo

 

[Henry Low]

Thank you for your indepth answer. It cleared alot for me. =). I currently have a relativily fast computer (TB 1.0Gighz, 7200 rpm HD, 256ram) with a soundblaster live card. I compose songs that are just with piano, but I need some drum sounds, maybe some guitar sounds and soundeffects. I mainly write slow love song kind of music. Like stuff from BoysIImen. Do you think it would be more wise if go the software route and hook up my P-50 to my computer then to buy the Motif8 or ths Rs7000 since they cost so much? If I were to do everything on my computer, i think I would just use a program like N-track studio to record my music all down into wav files then burning it on to CD. The problem isthat I need all those special sounds such as drum sounds, and maybe some sound effects... I guess I could just download some good soundfonts or something. What do you recommend?

 

[subtractor]

I have'nt really played with th rs7000. But I think it's aimed at more of a dance, hip hop, electronic style.

If your doing a slower more acoustic or less electronic style I would stay away from groove box style stuff.

If I were in your shoes I would check out the Korg Karma. It is super cool for that kind of music, and will allow you to come up with multi instrument arrangements in a snap, with the least amount of learning curve.

What makes you like the motif8?

 

[Flo' Dolo]

Damn. Here I go again...

Henry,

I compose songs that are just with piano, but I need some drum sounds, maybe some guitar sounds and soundeffects. I mainly write slow love song kind of music. Like stuff from BoysIImen. Do you think it would be more wise if go the software route and hook up my P-50 to my computer then to buy the Motif8 or ths Rs7000 since they cost so much? If I were to do everything on my computer, i think I would just use a program like N-track studio to record my music all down into wav files then burning it on to CD. The problem isthat I need all those special sounds such as drum sounds, and maybe some sound effects... I guess I could just download some good soundfonts or something. What do you recommend?

Some diehard software based guys might beg to differ, but based on what you're writing, I'd go with the Motif. This is primarily because you'll get a nice set of sounds (all quite useable), including many decent drum kits and a good enough for percussion sampler.

Unlike Subtractor,

I have'nt really played with th rs7000. But I think it's aimed at more of a dance, hip hop, electronic style.

If your doing a slower more acoustic or less electronic style I would stay away from groove box style stuff.

If I were in your shoes I would check out the Korg Karma. It is super cool for that kind of music, and will allow you to come up with multi instrument arrangements in a snap, with the least amount of learning curve.

What makes you like the motif8?

1. I think that "dance" is way different from "hip-hop" though they are both rooted in electronic technology. I bought the RS to sequence and bang beats out with live and in the studio for hip-hop, as it's cooler than the MPC (sorry diehard Akai cats), and though I use many of the sounds on there, I use them when I'm doing "other" things (that ain't to say I don't use the sounds on there for hip-hop joints, though)... 'Sides Akai needs to make an MP with some decent onboard sounds instead of all that goop you can get on the 4000.

2. In my opinion, the RS isn't really a groove box, more like a tabletop synth/sampler. OK, Ok, so maybe that makes it a groovebox by definition, but when I think g-box, I think Electribe series and shit like that, and the sounds and features have a lot to do with where exactly stuff like that falls definition-wise. Maybe I'm fucked up in the headpiece, maybe even crazy, but out of touch, I'm not. And, the sounds on the RS can be used quite well for ballads, piano strings, loads of tweaking to make them more interesting, etc.. plus that hot-assed sampler...

3. Korg Karma. Beast of a different burden. I'm hoping to buy one within the next few months to add to my collection, but as a primary tool, specially in your case, nope. Cool you can turn off the Karma effects and have a Triton at your fingertips (minus the sampler), and the MOSS expansion board makes things that much more lovely, but that whole "...super cool for that kind of music, and will allow you to come up with multi instrument arrangements in a snap, with the least amount of learning curve" is a load of shit. Fucking sales rep mentality. Uh, no offense Subtractor, take it how you choose. Lemme guess, some R&B head would say "it's cool but better suited to electro-guys..."

a) you wanna come up with your own multi-instrument arrangements don't you?

b) learning curve?!? WTF?!?!?!?!?!? If you're lazy, you can let the Karma write the whole goddamn song for you... I think it's the kind of thing one has to really dig into to make the randomization (is that a real word?) reasonably predictable, worthwhile, and most importantly, user-creative as opposed to Korg programmer creative. Again, w/o the fx on, it's a Triton minus the sampler, so it's not exactly a bad route to go - but I think you could still stand to use/own a sampler of some sort.

4) I like the Motif over the Triton cuz the sounds are much nicer, especially the stuff that's "real" instruments. I bought a Triton and sent it back for my Motif. Triton is cool nonetheless, I just preferred the Motif. Too bad there's no rack version, yet...

5) I'm a mac-man ('cept for my PC for miscellaneous stuff not music related), so someone else would be better equipped to tell you about the PC end of things.

Again, my two cents says if you got the jack, get yourself a Motif (the RS is mad phat, but I think the Motif will serve you better), all 88 keys if you must have it (wish I had a NEED for 'em, I'm jealous!!!!). If you want korg, check the triton and the Karma (and all it's gorgeous arpeggio tricks), and decide if you want the programming depth of the Karma, or the sampler of the triton. I think the Karma is gonna be more like the Kurzweil boards in relation to the interesting programming possibilities. Perhaps it's too early to tell though, unless you run up on some Karma geek somewhere (may be me in the not-too-distant future).

My raggedy-assed worthless opinion...

Flo' Dolo

 

[Henry Low]

Thanks again for your oppinions guys. What do you guys think of the S-90? Do u guys think I should sell my Technics and get the S-90? since it have all the sounds of the Motif8 I believe. I could just then put my songs together with a program like n-track studio and stuff, would that work too? Would that be a good idea?

What is the price difference between the Motif8 and the S-90? I assume they both have the same hammered feel keys Yammis are famous for.

 

[subtractor]

I was just trying to guide Henry down the path of least confusion.
He is not familiar with any hardware or software, so I would think it would probably be to his advantage to go with an instrument that would take care of a lot of the technicalities for him. As most of us know, with every piece of midi hardware or software that is added there arises certain challenges and issues in using pieces together. And since until recently Henry had no idea or concept of what synthesizers, sequencers, samplers, drum machines are and no knowledge of any musical software... I think it would be in his best interest to start out simple and not spend a bunch of money on something that he will have no idea how to use.
Sorry Henry, I'm not saying you could'nt learn, but from what I know about electronic musical instruments, and from what you've told me about you, I would'nt reccomend the rs, unless you just have alot of money for trial and error.
I think your best bet would be to go to a music store if you have one available to try out some of these different machines before buying. Because no matter what, on this forum it seems your gonna be told to go buy a motiv8 by about 75% of people. And that may not really be what your looking for either.
But I've gotta admit, I've heard so many people praising it, I'm gonna go play with one right now at the music store just to see if I can figure out what they're talking about! Maybe I missed something the first time...

Good Luck!
And Flo' I'm not offended... I just wish you'd watch you fucking language! Jeez, you kiss your mom with that mouth?

 

[subtractor]

Henry, is your keyboard a technics sx-p50 stage piano?

 

[Henry Low]

yup 88 key, hammered action stage piano. The piano sounds are very satisfying. But I also heard that the Motif8 and the S90 have even better piano sounds too.

 

[subtractor]

If you are a pianist and used to playing the p-50, I think your gonna be blown away by any of these choices. Just about any modern synth is going to offer a whole world of sonic possibilities that you were previously unaware of, and all of them are going to have at least good if not great piano sounds.
I think you as a piano player will probably be happier with synth keys rather than a box. Somesort of work station would pretty much take care of all you want to do, like the motif, kurz k2xx, korg triton or Karma. Iv'e got a kurzweil k2500s and it is an amazing instrument, but pretty expensive, and lately the trend has been more toward the triton ( at least in the US ). I live right by a synth storewww.synthony.com that has almost all models of synthesizers, and I tried the motif today. And truthfully, I would't buy one. I don't think it even comes close to the kurzweil or the triton/karma. I was told 60 tritons were sold to every one motif... So if that tells you anything...

Watch tv and check out what people are playing, like on the late shows ( if they don't have the names covered ), most that I see are tritons. But the Karma is totally cool too, I don't care what anyone says! I would rather have one than my Kurz! If for no other reason, it's alot smaller. Kurzweil's huge.

What kind of price range are you looking for? Do you have a store that sells keyboards anywhere near you?

 

[Flo' Dolo]

Let me start by saying...

...that I'm not on any manufacturer's dick.

The Triton is cool. But I prefer the Motif. Maybe the 1 in 60 is on to something. I don't buy gear cuz it's the flavor of the month. Again, the Triton is cool. But it sounds to me too much like the n64 or 264s or whatever that other Korg board is in too many ways. No big deal, and like Subtractor says, any of those boards he mentioned can serve you well. I just like my Motif, that's all. I wish I could afford a new Kurzweil. And heaps of my colleagues in Europe (Germany and France) seem to luv the Triton, too... I won't quibble about one versus the other, that's pretty damn subjective, just like the chicks (or guys) one chooses to date. Different strokes (but all just as steady, and all have the pontential to be equally as deep).

Forget about the late shows... Except for the Kurzweil boards. They live on and on and on and on and on...

You'd really rather have a Karma than your Kurzweil, Subtractor? Interesting. I still say they are beasts of a different burden. I shouldn't have even mentioned it.

1200 buck U.S. for a triton LE ain't bad, though. I still like my board. If you don't have the opportunity to try before you buy, then order from a place with a decent return policy so you can check em out.

Oh, and I don't think a Karma = a "simple" keyboard. Not if you use it in the way it was made to be used. But that's another subjective argument that I care not to be a part of.

Henry, I've answered your questions as best I could based on the info you've submitted, hombre. My task is done. Maybe you should check out a Proteus 2000 or something... PM me if you want and i'll get you the name and number of a guy who can explain boards way better than me and probably help you make a good choice.

Subtractor, I don't care what any % of the peole on this forum say you should buy. It honestly didn't influence my decision at all. At best, the forum helped me ask the right questions of myself, my sales rep, and of the gear I was interested in.

Oh, and since you asked, I kiss much more than my moms with this mouth.

Good luck, henry. And don't curse, it offends some people (right Subtractor?

And 1 last thing, if you're happy with the action on your keyboard, a "box" will do you fine (and save you loot).

Flo' Dolo

 

[subtractor]

LOL! That's OK Flo, I was just giving you a hard time! And I think you said it best , to not let this board choose your synth for you.
And it's best to try them out.

And I don't mean the karma is simple. It's very complex, but if ever there was a machine that is good at accompanying what your playing, I think the karma is it.

Good luck!

 

[Henry Low]

Re: Let me start by saying...

...that I'm not on any manufacturer's dick.

The Triton is cool. But I prefer the Motif. Maybe the 1 in 60 is on to something. I don't buy gear cuz it's the flavor of the month. Again, the Triton is cool. But it sounds to me too much like the n64 or 264s or whatever that other Korg board is in too many ways. No big deal, and like Subtractor says, any of those boards he mentioned can serve you well. I just like my Motif, that's all. I wish I could afford a new Kurzweil. And heaps of my colleagues in Europe (Germany and France) seem to luv the Triton, too... I won't quibble about one versus the other, that's pretty damn subjective, just like the chicks (or guys) one chooses to date. Different strokes (but all just as steady, and all have the pontential to be equally as deep).

Forget about the late shows... Except for the Kurzweil boards. They live on and on and on and on and on...

You'd really rather have a Karma than your Kurzweil, Subtractor? Interesting. I still say they are beasts of a different burden. I shouldn't have even mentioned it.

1200 buck U.S. for a triton LE ain't bad, though. I still like my board. If you don't have the opportunity to try before you buy, then order from a place with a decent return policy so you can check em out.

Oh, and I don't think a Karma = a "simple" keyboard. Not if you use it in the way it was made to be used. But that's another subjective argument that I care not to be a part of.

Henry, I've answered your questions as best I could based on the info you've submitted, hombre. My task is done. Maybe you should check out a Proteus 2000 or something... PM me if you want and i'll get you the name and number of a guy who can explain boards way better than me and probably help you make a good choice.

Subtractor, I don't care what any % of the peole on this forum say you should buy. It honestly didn't influence my decision at all. At best, the forum helped me ask the right questions of myself, my sales rep, and of the gear I was interested in.

Oh, and since you asked, I kiss much more than my moms with this mouth.

Good luck, henry. And don't curse, it offends some people (right Subtractor?

And 1 last thing, if you're happy with the action on your keyboard, a "box" will do you fine (and save you loot).

Flo' Dolo

Yeha man, thanks for your time. I'm going to go down to my local store to check out the Triton. I've actually tried it before (88hammerkey version) and the sounds are pretty good. I am still looking for a local store that sells the Motif. I am dying to give it a test drive cause alot of people have been saying it has the most beautiful piano sounds. I might consider getting the S-90 instead since the S-90 probaly has all the same sounds as the Motif8. I was just wondering if the S-90 is as good with the drums as the Motif8 is cause I want a keyboard with good drum sequencer and sounds

 

[Flo' Dolo]

Have fun with your search...

And like I said earlier, the "real" instrument sounds on the Motf are nicer sounding than the Triton's, at least to my foggy perception and bleeding ears. And don't forget that having a synth with a sampler means you can sample whatever drum sounds you like from whatever sources are available if you can't find/make them with your board.

Enjoy ya'self, cat daddy...

F.D.

 

[Henry Low]

Re: Have fun with your search...

And like I said earlier, the "real" instrument sounds on the Motf are nicer sounding than the Triton's, at least to my foggy perception and bleeding ears. And don't forget that having a synth with a sampler means you can sample whatever drum sounds you like from whatever sources are available if you can't find/make them with your board.

Enjoy ya'self, cat daddy...

F.D.

When u mean sample in new sounds, do u mean using a microphone and sampling a real drum sound for example?

 

[Flo' Dolo]

Now you're cookin' with gas...

Yeah, money, that's exactly what I mean. You can of course also sample sounds you like off of CD/vinyl/whatever, as well as from any other source. Like that kik drum you heard on so and so's joint? Cop that bitch. Like that snare from you and you's first jam circa 74? Snatch that bitch up, too. Lots of sample CDs available full of sounds of all sorts, not to mention wax... Sample your cat meowing, significant other moaning, nifty sound fx, tv dialogue, dope guitar player friend hooking up your joint, whatever tickles your fancy, jack.

F.D.

 

[Chriss]

Re: Re: Have fun with your search...

When u mean sample in new sounds, do u mean using a microphone and sampling a real drum sound for example?

like flo' said - you can... but you don't have to use a mic... you have a SCSI interface and flash RAM, so you can load raw wav data or akai banks or whatever directely into memory...

 

[Henry Low]

but cant you just do that with software on the computer and use it in a program similar to N-track studio to put all the sounds together? For putting sounds together to make a song, which is easier? using a program such as n-track studio or using hardware synth like the Motif 8?