Versatile entry-level keyboards with decent sounds...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sklathill
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Sklathill

Soundcard Junkie
I've been looking at a couple controllers and modules, trying to find a good setup that will get me ahead of where I was before my Yamaha PSR 530 bit the dust. I'm looking to spend ~1000 USD, and I'm trying to think how to split this up. I'm also focusing on orchestral sounds...

I'm looking at the Roland XP-30 because of the orchestral expansion built in, which I heard is pretty good when coaxed properly. What about the RS-5, is that decent?

Would it be better to go for a single controller and two modules or one keyboard synth and one sound module? Something like an XP-30 plus another sound module (Virtuoso 2000? XV-3080?) would put me well over the limit, but I really want to have two different types of sounds so I don't sound "Rolandy" or "Korgy" or whatnot...
 
The XP30 is one of the best values around for a multi function performance keyboard. It's got 1,000 sounds any many are very good.

I don't like the fact that it only has 2 outs (all those sounds and only 2 outs). So certainly a controller with 2 modules would give at leat 4 outs - and most of the EMU modules have 6 outs. However, it also gives you a bigger learning curve (more pieces of gear, MIDI connections, etc. etc.

I've never really bought into the whole "Roland sound" vs. Korg sound". Certainly there are some sounds that have been played to death but something like an XP30 with 1,000 sounds and sound stacking capability gives you plenty of room to avoid SSS (Stock Sound Syndrome)
 
mikeh said:
The XP30 is one of the best values around for a multi function performance keyboard. It's got 1,000 sounds any many are very good.
Click to expand...

Its more like 1,400.:p
 
brzilian,

I stand corrected - I knew the XP30 had 1000 plus sounds - I've ownd mine for awhile and I guess I forget just how many sounds it has. I added the Classic Country sound card (I do a lot of production for country songwriters) which added another couple of hundred sounds to the 1400 "stock sounds".
 
Yo Lazi, PM right back at you.

Anyways, the XP-30 seems to be the thing...I wonder how something like the XV-2020 compares in the sound department. I've never heard heard that one...huh. It looks kinda steep on the price, actually, only 50 dollars less than an XV-3080...huh. I've actually never heard any of the SRX expansion boards...I wonder if I can in my demo running next week...
 
scottboyher said:
Yamaha So3.
Click to expand...

It isn't that great of a board. Lousy keyboard action, no aftertouch and no possibilities of expandability are the major points that come to mind.
 
brzilian said:
It isn't that great of a board. Lousy keyboard action, no aftertouch and no possibilities of expandability are the major points that come to mind.
Click to expand...

You could make those arguments but it isn't the size of the keys it's how you use them... :D

A good keyboardist could make it sound great.
A bad keyboardist couldn't make a 5000 dollar keyboard sound good.

By the way I am not a keyboardist.. I just play one on my songs..
 
scottboyher said:
You could make those arguments but it isn't the size of the keys it's how you use them... :D

A good keyboardist could make it sound great.
A bad keyboardist couldn't make a 5000 dollar keyboard sound good.

By the way I am not a keyboardist.. I just play one on my songs..
Click to expand...

Good keyboard action and aftertouch have everything to do with the expressivness one can get out of a particular instrument. The S03 keyboard has the same feel of the more expensive S30. It is very stiff and has too short of a throw. Most Yamaha PSR models feel better than the S03 and cost $100-200 less.

The context of the S03 keyboard action is that other instruments at this price point and even cheaper models have a much better feel (Roland RS-5 for one).
 
While I'm still waiting for the XP-30 to go down in price, I got a Roland A-37 for 350 and my XV-3080 should be arriving soon...650 from 8th street. Seems I was one of the very last guys to order that piece from them...
 
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