What's Everyone Playing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mikeh
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Orpheus said:
don't those roland a-series controllers ROCK!? .....i love those things.
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Roland A-37 here. Pretty darn good. Contolling Giga and an XV-3080, as well as inputting into Sibelius...
 
Sklathill said:
Roland A-37 here. Pretty darn good. Contolling Giga and an XV-3080, as well as inputting into Sibelius...
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I am so turned off by Roland controllers. I love Roland products in general. Many of my keyboards are Roland, my monitors are Roland, my amp is Roland, but their controllers, yeeech.:p

The action is passible and do not get me started on the "paddel".:rolleyes:

Carl
 
well, personally i never tried the a-37. but i have a a-90, and the action is the absolute BEST. i have never played on another keyboard that felt better.

and as a controller, as far as i know, there is no other "controller" that even comes close to the amount of controlling features the a-70 and a-90 have. 4 midi output ports? like 30 buttons just for "control" functions? millions of menus just for controls?........... there's nothing better than a a-90 for a master midi controller.
 
Orpheus said:
well, personally i never tried the a-37. but i have a a-90, and the action is the absolute BEST. i have never played on another keyboard that felt better.

and as a controller, as far as i know, there is no other "controller" that even comes close to the amount of controlling features the a-70 and a-90 have. 4 midi output ports? like 30 buttons just for "control" functions? millions of menus just for controls?........... there's nothing better than a a-90 for a master midi controller.
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Comparing the A90 action (which is discontinued, good luck finding one) with the A37 is like comparing my Roland RD-100 with the A37 (since it uses the same weighted action). Apples and Oranges.

As for MIDI control, sure the A90 has extensive MIDI capabilities, but it isn't a dedicated MIDI controller. Neither is my RD-100, so Apples and Oranges again.

Roland's dedicated controllers are not too good.

Carl
 
i wasn't comparing with the a-37. you said you didn't like roland controllers, so i disagreed with you... that's all. you never said which one you were using.
As for MIDI control, sure the A90 has extensive MIDI capabilities, but it isn't a dedicated MIDI controller.
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--it IS a dedicated midi controller. dunno why you think it isn't. the stock A-90 doesn't even have sounds! you have to add the optional sound board to even use it as a synth. the entire keyboard was made to do one thing: control your whole midi studio. have you ever used one? they aren't so popular now... probably cause people don't want a dedicated controller and would rather get a multi-function keyboard. but if you're looking for the best darn midi controller ever made... the A-90 is it.

just check out these features: 4 midi ports (some people don't even have a computer midi interface with that many ports.) direct control over external sequencers via some buttons on the right side. a pad of 12 keys that directly change various midi parameters. as-close-to-piano feeling keys as i have ever found. 4 assignable faders.................. what more would you need to call it a "dedicated midi controller!?"

did i mention that the stock a-90 doesn't even have ANY sounds!?
 
Orpheus said:
i wasn't comparing with the a-37. you said you didn't like roland controllers, so i disagreed with you... that's all. you never said which one you were using.

--it IS a dedicated midi controller. dunno why you think it isn't. the stock A-90 doesn't even have sounds! you have to add the optional sound board to even use it as a synth. the entire keyboard was made to do one thing: control your whole midi studio. have you ever used one? they aren't so popular now... probably cause people don't want a dedicated controller and would rather get a multi-function keyboard. but if you're looking for the best darn midi controller ever made... the A-90 is it.

just check out these features: 4 midi ports (some people don't even have a computer midi interface with that many ports.) direct control over external sequencers via some buttons on the right side. a pad of 12 keys that directly change various midi parameters. as-close-to-piano feeling keys as i have ever found. 4 assignable faders.................. what more would you need to call it a "dedicated midi controller!?"

did i mention that the stock a-90 doesn't even have ANY sounds!?
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I didn't find any description of the A-90 that didn't mention sounds, so if it was sold as a dedicated controller, then I stand corrected. However, the A-90 sold for around $1500 when it was available (which is no longer the case). For that amount of money, it had better be the most kick-ass controller ever made to be sure. At $1500 a pop, it isn't hard to see why they aren't available any more. I have no idea what they go for used, because I've never seen one offered.

Carl
 
actually, they were $2600 retail (without sound board), and $3000 with sounds. GC has them at $2000 new for their sale price.

and yes, it was and is the most kick-ass controller EVER made. but like you said, the price probably was prohibitive. not many people would pay $2000 for something that didn't even make sounds.

but i swear, no electronic keyboard action comes close to the a-90's action. it's very good. if you see one on ebay and you need a controller, don't even think about buying one of those stupid fatar things...... a-90 is IT. in fact, i am thinking of buying another one just in case this one dies. it's that good.

so, they aren't being made any more?
 
Orpheus said:
actually, they were $2600 retail (without sound board), and $3000 with sounds. GC has them at $2000 new for their sale price.

and yes, it was and is the most kick-ass controller EVER made. but like you said, the price probably was prohibitive. not many people would pay $2000 for something that didn't even make sounds.

but i swear, no electronic keyboard action comes close to the a-90's action. it's very good. if you see one on ebay and you need a controller, don't even think about buying one of those stupid fatar things...... a-90 is IT. in fact, i am thinking of buying another one just in case this one dies. it's that good.

so, they aren't being made any more?
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I use my Roland RD-100 as my main controller, even though it's a digital piano and NOT a controller. The keyboard action is the same one used in the A-90. It was purchased after I bought a Studio Logic Fatar from Guitar Center and returned it after just a few days. The action of the Fatar sucked for a weighted keyboard.

As for my other controllers, I have Kaysounds and Evolutions. The action on them (for plastic key synth actions) are very good for me and are every bit as good as the controllers that Roland is making available today.

Carl
 
My live set-up is a Korg X5 and a Korg SP100 piano. I am currently using two of the Crate Keyboard 100w amps.

For recording, a Roland XV88 and a Roland VK7.

I also have an EMU B3 module and an Alesis DMPro module.

Other than a Kohler and Campbell baby grand, that's all the keyboard gear.

I eventually want to replace the live set-up because I hate the wall-wart power supplies, but shoot, they are paid for and I'd hate to drag a new set of keys to some of the places I play.
 
My home rig is as follows:

Yamaha Motif 8
Roland XP-30 (boy, don't a lot of folks have this one?!)
Proteus FX module
I also use two virtual synths:

NI FM7 (DX7 clone)
Ni Pro 53 (Prophet 5 clone)

Also, for Drums:

Ni Battery
Alesis D4
Unity DS-1

Funny, everything has its strengths. I even have an old DX7 that would use if not for the FM7. Since it can generate the exact same sounds, I gave the old board to my son!
 
Eheheheheh...

Well, I like the A-37 action. It's not a Steinway D, but it feels right to me, and it's lightness actually feels good to me, as in it allows me to input fast passges pretty well. (I'm a classical pianist...) It's not the best, but I definitely like it, and I plan on sticking with it for a while.

Yeah, the modulation stick SUCKS, no question.

Now, if I wanted a REAL piano action, get me my 76 Mason and Hamlin... :)
 
Mmmm, gear...

I've got a few pieces gleaned over the years:

Kurzweil K2600S (great master keyboard)

Waldorf MicrowaveII

Waldorf MicrowaveXT (my favorite synth! see http://carbon111.com/mwxt.html )

Acrosonic (Baldwin) Spinet Piano

Waldorf Micro Q

Korg MS2000r (my newest)

Nord Lead 3

Nord Modular Rack (expanded. You can get real lost in this synth...)

Ensoniq MRrack (w/ Urban Dance and World roms)

E-mu Planet Earth w/ XL rom (currently for sale)

X Base 09 (tok tok edition. GREAT analog drums!)

Sequential Circuits SixTrak (absolutely *filthy* filter resonance - love it!)

Modulus Electronics Monowave (very unique digalog monosynth module)

Novation A-Station (currently for sale)

Crumar Bit01 module (currently for sale)

Akai VX-90 module(currently for sale)

Synthesizers.com Modular system

Serge Modular system (amazing architecture)

Roger Linn Adrenalinn (great little box!)

BC Rich Bronze Bich guitar (cheap but fun...)

Folk Dulcimer

Hugh Tracey Kalimba (aka M'bira)

Some Standard Ocarinas + a Howler Ocarina

Lots of Exotic (and not-so-exotic) hand percussion

Riyaz Master Pro electronic Tabla (weirdest drum machine ever)

Some good mics and preamps

Protools Mix+ (bought cheap now that HD is out)

No, I didn't buy it all at once (over many years) and much of it was bought used.
And, yes, Its *ALL* used to make music :)

Regards, James
--
http://www.carbon111.com
 
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No warehouse needed...

Hey Orph,
Thanks to QuikLok everything fits in a 10' x 13' room - I even have plenty of room for other folks to come play too :)
Not only that, but almost all the critical gears' controls are within arms reach of my master keyboard. I spent a lot of time on layout when I moved into the new space a couple of months ago - the effort has really paid off as the studio still feels roomy and open.
The current incarnation of my home studio is called Rusty Insects...I'll be posting some new pics on the web soon.
Regards, James
 
Re: Mmmm, gear...

Carbon111 said:
I've got a few pieces gleaned over the years:

Kurzweil K2600S (great master keyboard)

Waldorf MicrowaveII

Waldorf MicrowaveXT (my favorite synth! see http://carbon111.com/mwxt.html )

Acrosonic (Baldwin) Spinet Piano

Waldorf Micro Q

Korg MS2000r (my newest)

Nord Lead 3

Nord Modular Rack (expanded. You can get real lost in this synth...)

Ensoniq MRrack (w/ Urban Dance and World roms)

E-mu Planet Earth w/ XL rom (currently for sale)

X Base 09 (tok tok edition. GREAT analog drums!)

Sequential Circuits SixTrak (absolutely *filthy* filter resonance - love it!)

Modulus Electronics Monowave (very unique digalog monosynth module)

Novation A-Station (currently for sale)

Crumar Bit01 module (currently for sale)

Akai VX-90 module(currently for sale)

Synthesizers.com Modular system

Serge Modular system (amazing architecture)

Roger Linn Adrenalinn (great little box!)

BC Rich Bronze Bich guitar (cheap but fun...)

Folk Dulcimer

Hugh Tracey Kalimba (aka M'bira)

Some Standard Ocarinas + a Howler Ocarina

Lots of Exotic (and not-so-exotic) hand percussion

Riyaz Master Pro electronic Tabla (weirdest drum machine ever)

Some good mics and preamps

Protools Mix+ (bought cheap now that HD is out)

No, I didn't buy it all at once (over many years) and much of it was bought used.
And, yes, Its *ALL* used to make music :)

Regards, James
--
http://www.carbon111.com
Click to expand...


Shit...:eek:
I want to come over to YOUR house!
Let's see some studio pics!
 
I use a Korg Triton Pro, and I love it, all other boards feel wrong since I got it, I have trodden through the novel known as the instructions and I still dont know everything about it, or what all I can do with it, I know it is probably not the best thing out there, but it is the best thing for me.
 
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