my .02
> You digging the 7000?
Yeah, it's cool...
> Any problems wit it yet?
Nope...
You sampling with it?
> Yup...
> Do you like the sampler's setup?
For the most part. To say it's not easy would be lying... Things could sometimes be a bit more elegant, but my issues are something that I can live with, and also things that a software revision could probably take care of pretty easily. I definately get down with mines...
> Any complaints on it yet?
Not really. I wish it was a bit beefier, but it is what it is, and I think it's phat.
If I could, then...
the ability to audition samples on the Smartcard
enhanced grid record features
cool if it could write files to a CD-R for backup via scsi
Switching between Play/Record without stopping the sequencer
---all this may be in the OS ugrade due sooner as opposed to later, I think...
...Oh, and for cats who perform live with theirs, it'd be cool to sample while the sequencer is running...
> What do you feel the RS7000 may be lacking?
I think the machine is dope. I get along quite nicely with it. There are things that I'd like to see, but cats (i'm guilty) always wanna add more to the pot. It's a dope-assed box. If "lacking" means is there anything prohibiting you from doing an ill track with an RS - nope.
If only I could soup mine up...
(At least) 3 band EQ on each track
4 fx channels vs 3
beefier fx
maybe a different (fully programmable) synth engine - in addition to the current one, of course (maybe a slot for 1 card, if there's room inside)
internal hard drive (even as an option)
256mb of sample ram capability (i don't really need it, but it'd be cool)
and some people might want different backup/storage medium.
...that being said, workarounds ain't all that bad, guess it's the same with any piece of gear. I think it's very cool... And the things I listed would make it a totally different box.
I think that it's a pretty good attempt at a "groove'station," though a hybrid between the Motif and the RS would be hot (for me, at least). I got a Motif, and an RS, but I use them for different things (for reasons other than sounds and shit) - that's all piss in the wind, though...
> Worth the price tag?
Without a doubt, all day, everyday...Without a doubt, all day, everyday...Without a doubt, all day, everyday...Without a doubt, all day, everyday...Without a doubt, all day, everyday...Without a doubt, all day, everyday...
Although, depending on your needs and cash situation, it might be worth it for you to check out the Roland piece (
MC-909). Dunno if it's shipping yet... From what I've read it may be dope, but if it's what I understand it to be (and turns out to be yet another new-style MC -XXX I can do without), I'll stick with my RS and add the output expansion card. It's supposed to be more expensive than the RS, too. I'm interested to see how it works and what it does more than how it sounds (cuz my RS sounds cool for me). Oh, wait, you said you got a Loop RM1x or whatever. Yeah, RS7000 hands down. And, you already know the sequencer is the bomb.
I love banging out beats and shit on my RS - Dunno how you flow in the way of sounds and shit, most of the shit on the yamaha I find useful/acceptable, I do complete joints on it alone. If I use something else for a voice in a song sequenced on the RS, it's more cuz I can than cuz I gotta... The RS definately got a gritty character to many of the sounds and drum kits, I think. Nice.
It's worth the cheddar, I think. You can find 'em for about a G give or take a coupla bones, right?
Well, that's what I think about my RS.
I could go on, but then this'd become more a matter of academia than making music, at least until we see what the new OS brings. I'm sure there are other cats who can get into it more with you and know their RS way better than I. Check some RS newsgroups if you want like rs7000.org
I've only peeped it once or twice, but I know it exists...
Oh yeah, did I tell you I think RS's are phat?
Hope that helps.
Flo' Dolo