Synth vs. Digi Piano?

[Chameleon]

Hey guys, i'm just wondering if you can clear up a couple of issues I have.

I'm looking into getting a new keyboard in the 'near' future (currently have a Yamaha P-90) and I don't really know whether to go for a better digital piano, like a Nord Stage or something, or a more 'synth' like instrument (though i'm not talking about an actual synthesizer).

Eg, what's the difference (other than price) between the RD-700sx, and the Fantom range from Roland?


Anyway, i'm looking for something with great piano, rhodes, clavi, wurli and decent organ patches. Any advice, anything I should know?

[mutant!]

what is it about the p-90 that makes you want to get something else? i've got one and i'm dead happy with its action, as well as the half-pedal support. not to mention the gorgeous piano and harpsi sounds.

i don't know anything about your reasons for wanting to upgrade, but if i were you, i'd keep the p-90 as a midi controller and just get something with better sounds.

[Chameleon]

Hi, thanks for replying. For a start, the top two keys are broken due to an unfortunate dropping accident (no flight case :(), but a biggish factor for me is lack of pitch bend and mod wheel.

Better hammond, rhodes sounds etc are essential as well. Looking for something that comes with everything I want built in. And while boards like the RD-700 seem great, I wonder if the 'vintage' patches on the more 'synthy' (Fantom, Motif etc.) boards are of lower quality, since you're mostly paying for the synth features?


Also, do you use something else to get better sounds? I've never really used MIDI before properly, so I don't know the best route to acquiring better sounds, and using them with the keyboard.

[mutant!]

i hear you on the lack of pitch/mod wheels.

the fantom, motif, triton, oasys, etc are all "workstation" boards. you mostly pay for versatility. whether by "synth features" you mean synthy sounds or patch editing options, in either case you're wrong. yes, most if not all patches on a workstation will be editable, but that's not where the money goes. the money goes towards having a little of everything.

if i were looking for synthy sounds i wouldn't get a workstation. i'd get a dedicated analogue modeling vibe. that new korg r3 or whatever seems rad.

thus far, i don't use something else to get better sounds as i've only just acquired a usb audio/midi interface and i don't have midi cables, but as soon as i get aforementioned cables, i'm going to start experimenting with, for instance, native instruments elektrik; as well as reason 4.

by the by, if you want to hear some sick rhodes, take a listen to squarepusher's papalon, off hard normal daddy. pretty sweet.

[clairvoyant]

You cannot go wrong with a Yamaha Motif Series, Roland Fantom series, or Korg Triton series. Absolutely cannot.

[Chameleon]

Cheers Mutant, do you know what board/patches are used by whoever on Papalon? It sounds as though it could be a real rhodes even.

And yeah I don't know why I think of these 'workstations' as "more synthy", it's just in comparison to a stage piano, you get much more editing options and more patches. Not interested in 'real' synth at present.

I mean the two best live Rhodes sounds i've heard were from Jeff Young (I think) playing a Nord Stage with Steely Dan (though Donald Fagen was playing an actual rhodes as usual at that gig, but that doesn't count), and just a local keyboardist on an RD-700sx. That board has some really nice piano sounds as well, but I dunno I wouldn't mind spending some time with a Motif or Fantom, or Triton as clairvoyant says.

[mutant!]

yeah, i'd definitely not put it past squarepusher to use a real rhodes... there's lots of live instrumentation going on on his first two albums. some absolutely sick fretless bass playing as well.

(jesus fvcking christ i just realised it's him playing the bass on those records... fvcking hell he's good)

anyway. in terms of your original request, the nord stage seems to be absolutely perfect for you (don't know how expensive it is, though). http://www.clavia.se/news/nordstagechecklist.htm