Synth module for Piano and Organ

[hgrindrod]

Hi there,

I'm new to the world of Sound Modules. Until recently I've been using a laptop for my MIDI sound needs, but it's not really doing it for me anymore. I'd like to get a sound module to replace it, but I'm not sure which one to get.

I essentially use just two sounds - Piano, and B3 organ. I don't NEED anything else, although some decent strings would be nice too. Any recommendations for a module worth less than $300ish?

Also, how do people generally use this in a live situation? As in, do you just stick them on the floor or what?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Toddskins]

I think we need a little more info. from you. Do you have a MIDI controller keyboard now? Are you a musician? Do you have a DAW software (i.e. Sonar, Cubase, ProTools, Garageband)?

What are your computer's specs and what platform are you running?

How do you normally make music?

 

[stevieb]

You can get better-than-decent piano and organ sounds from almost ANY Yamaha, Casio, or most other brand keyboards, these days. I am talking, like $50 or so. For a little more, you get things like line-outs (not just headphone,) and MIDI in/out/thru. For $300, you can get a damn impressive unit.

 

[kcearl]

if youve got a midi keyboard and interface already id highly recommend a JV1080 and the piano expansion card...should fit your budget and give you room to expand later..Orchestra cards generally come in at around $100 but sound lush, and "keyboards of the 60s and 70s" is very nice indeed and covers just about every famous organ sound there is

if you decide to stay software id suggest NI's Kontakt...plenty of piano, string, and organ stuff in there

 

[hgrindrod]

Thanks for the help!

I think we need a little more info. from you. Do you have a MIDI controller keyboard now? Are you a musician? Do you have a DAW software (i.e. Sonar, Cubase, ProTools, Garageband)?

What are your computer's specs and what platform are you running?

How do you normally make music?

Yeah, sorry, currently I use a MIDI controller keyboard, running into a Mac with Logic and Reason. I use the same set up live, but want to ditch the computer in favour of a more stable, solid unit.

Hope this is enough info!

 

[HenryFarnsworth]

"Mac with Logic and Reason. I use the same set up live, but want to ditch the computer in favour of a more stable, solid unit." OOOPS CAREFUL! You don't want to anger the Mac fan-boys. They will scold you, citing the fact that Macs are incapable of crashing or freezing.

But seriously - It would be unlikely for you to find a module which does JUST piano and organs. Stevieb is right - just about any fairly recent module from Yamaha, Korg, Roland etc will have usable pianos and organs. Yamaha will have the brightest 'rock-like' pianos, Korg the mellowest and Roland somewhere in between. Check out the Roland JV1010 or JV2020. Korg has a bunch that all sound the same - 05RW, X5DR etc and Yamaha MU80, MU90 etc. DO NOT buy anything that starts with TG, JV, QY, TX or FB! If it says it is FM synthesis - RUN!