Triton or Motif?

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Nightbanana

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Should I buy the triton or motif? I've been working with the triton in my studio techniques class at the manhattan school of music, and I find it really easy to use, but I was wondering if the motif was a better keyboard. I'm not concerned with sequencing, because I do it all through my computer, but I do like the fact that the triton has a sampling option. I tried the motif and wasn't that impressed with the sounds. Which is better for sound design? I won't be using the keyboard for gigs, or live playing situations, only for the sequencing, and sound design. Let me know what you think.
 
Get your hands on the lastest Keyboard magazine, they do a detailed comparison between the Triton, the Motiff and the Fantom.

I do not own any of them (but I have played all of them) and have discussed them with several players - the general read is the Motiff is stronger in reproducing "authentic accoustic sounds" whereas the Triton has fatter (P'hatter???) "production sounds.

Also the sequencing on the Triton is reportedly less user friendly (although I've not tried it so I don't know for sure) - but as you indicated the Triton does have sampling.
 
I own a motif and love it. I mainly use my computer to sequence it and also do some sound designing. Motif has a computer program that is a voice editor for deep level voice programming...it's great because you can see all the parameters on one screen. Motif also has a killer sampler. I cannot speak for the triton though.

There is a guy that I know who has owned all three, he tried to replace his motif with a triton and fantom and simply could not do it. I think that says a lot!

I've also heard that the motif has much better product support. i waz at a motif clinic last night and the guy said that they just had a big re-org in Yamaha and they will be supporting their products even more.
 
Nightbanana,
that's the $2000 dollar question.
I've played them all, and I think it depends primarily on what you want to do with the synth.

I owned a Motif-6 for all of 3.5 weeks (when they first came out last year), and while I absolutely adored the piano and other keys, and the keys (playing surface) are absolutely the best on the market in the category (IMHO), I didn't want to work that hard to make music. For example, just playing a SMF-1 file requires loading by template and mapping to GM tones on the Mo. A pain....!!! On the TC you just load and press play. The TC also has killer Sax..

Now I'm in the same boat as you. Trying to decide between the Motif and Triton Classic (Studio is too pricey right now!) or the Triton rack. I like the TC's touch screen, hate the Motifs minimal display and layout, and have never used the TR (but it has the TS's 96MB Sampling memory, auto-slice and takes 7 expansion boards).

Since you mentioned that all sequencing will be via computer, I would consider the other I/O options on each. SCSI, Smartmedia, M-Lan and S/PDIF, etc. They all have them, but the first two (SCSC/Smartcard) are standard on the Motif, extras on the Triton.

And so on, add nauseum. I'm boiling it down to which sounds I prefer on each, ease of use/navigation on each, expandability and option prices. Right now the Triton Rack is in the lead [based on all the above, especially price (check Ebay)] and as I have two other boards I can use as MIDI controllers, I need to decide whether I want a controller setup or another set of keys hanging around.

On the support front - I have to say that Korg is still hovering pretty much around a 2 on a scale of 1 to 100. Yammy is much better - re:Motifator.com. But....., that said, there's a number of Trition sites out there (Triton Central, Irish Acts) that have some incredibly knowledgeable folks who can answer most questions, and the Korg US Product Manager is known to frequent them and respond.

Never had to deal with either manufacturer directly so no exposure there.

Let us know what you decide on, and the criteria you used for the purchase. I for one am real interested and still undecided.

Regards,
Steve
 
Hey guys,
The posted question is hard to get an answer on in here because I guess the subject has been covered so many times. Steve, great insight man. Im gonna go check out the sites that you posted links for. thanks for that.

Mike
 
I've been going through the same dilemma myself. Each board is really pretty fantastic in its own right. I am leaning to the Motif because I think the sounds are more realistic--especially the pianos and strings. I think I might go with the Motif and maybe pick up a Triton rack down the road--and have both. The Triton does have some really awesome sounds in it. I am the least impressed with the Fantom--the other two are the state of the art in do it all synths at the moment. I know this probably doesn't help at all, but thats just me thinking out loud. :D
 
Thanks All!!! Some really great comments. I picked up this months "Keyboard" and read all of the reviews. Unfortunately, they weren't very helpful in narrowing down my options. All 3 keyboards got nice reviews. I tried the Fantom, and Motif down on 48th street at Manny's, but I think I'm still leaning toward the triton. The fantom has great action, and is probably ahead of the others in sound editing, and manipulation, but the fact that it lacks internal memory (I think) has turned me off. Anyway, thanks for all of the info. Peace.
 
Night..
think I've narrowed it pretty much down to the Triton Rack, and here's why. :)

I already have a Korg PA80 arranger and a Roland XP-50. All the Roland synth boards and modules (including XV5080) that I've looked at have basically the same set of patches (albeit 128 polyphony) as the XP50, with little new stuff. The Fantom is nice if you're into RPS and the Dance/Trance/Techno/Hip-Hop stuff, which I'm not.

I also decided to eliminate the Mo' because.... well, I just decided against it this time based on my prior experiences. Maybe next time around !!

So now to the Triton(s). I initially discounted the Studio due to the hefty $2699 price tag for 61 keys. You do get the extra 32Mb Sampling memory, 7 add-inboards vs 2, 3 times the Combi/Program capacity, the EXCB08 Piano built-in, and the SCSI port, for about $700 more than the Classic. Worth it ? Dunno...

The Rack has 96Mb sampling capacity (like Studio); supports 7 add-in boards, can load the Studio factory .pcgs; SCSI is optional and supports typical AKAI, .wav sample formats (like Studio). So for around $1200 (or so) LESS, I can get [almost] EVERYTHING the Studio has (minus keyboard). I can then buy some extra cards, already have 3x32Mb SIMMS for sample memory, and so on. Seems to be the better deal all round for me.

I guess the big driver is I'm primarily a GUITAR player. I have a Roland GR-33 that I can use live that can double as a Rack controller, and can't wait to play some of those samples and pads thru it.

So, FWIW, my $0.02.
Regards,
Steve
 
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