Help

[godsmcktma2]

Ive decided I'm gonna step up and buy some REAL gear. I am not satisfied with my Casio Wk 3500 (i think its a 3500, its in the other room and im not getting up to find out what it is.

What ALL should I buy, keys/synths, and other stuff. And Im also on a 500-1000 budget. What should I do, I must say i know not much about this stuff. It seems like i should be buying is a bunch of stuff. I want a good key/synth, is that enough or do I need more? There is too much to look at!

I looked at the Alesis QS8.2 Synthesizer, it seems like a good deal and a good keyboard, 1000$.

Oh, and some specs that I know I do want are 88 keys, semi or full weighted, and some damn good piano sounds.

Thanks for any advice, I know i sound redundant, but the other topics i looked at were no help.

[Liquid Shadow]

If there's a mod wheel then it's a 3500


I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it though. I'm not too fond of the action on mine, but soundwise there really isn't a whole lot missing other than some parameters I'd like to be able to have or to control better on leads, but other than that there are few instances where I see much difference between it and some of the higher level keyboards (especially with organs...I'm keeping this thing for those even when I get the cash for something better)

[godsmcktma2]

Yea its a 3500.

You are right it has amazing organ sounds, and the parameters are ok. But hot damn the piano is just so bad!!! It sounds nothing like a piano. Nothing like it at all! I just wanna upgrade to somthing with a good well roundness.

[Enigma™]

When you're done with it, let me know - I've been trying to get my hands on the 3500 for some time now ;)

[Liquid Shadow]

Yea its a 3500.

You are right it has amazing organ sounds, and the parameters are ok. But hot damn the piano is just so bad!!! It sounds nothing like a piano. Nothing like it at all! I just wanna upgrade to somthing with a good well roundness.


Eh?



Well just trade that for Enigma's Kurz. I'm sure he'll accept the offer.

[godsmcktma2]

How bout it Enigma, wanna trade for a kurzweil?

[synthguy]

I'd look for a used Yamaha S80 or S90. It's a much better synth than the QS8, has better drums, effects, piano sounds, and sounds all around, with a decent feeling 88 note piano action keyboard. Plus you can install two of Yamaha's synth boards in them.

[Omega Monkey]

The Yamaha S series are pretty nice.

[godsmcktma2]

OK so say I was looking for a used keyboard like a yamaha s80, where would one find a used yamaha s80, or any used keyboards. Any suggested sites?

[lighthouse]

M-Audio Kestation pro88: $500
E-mu proteus 1000 module: $400

That`s what I did!

Juan Pablo

[Liquid Shadow]

OK so say I was looking for a used keyboard like a yamaha s80, where would one find a used yamaha s80, or any used keyboards. Any suggested sites?

Ebay

[Spacehog]

M-Audio Kestation pro88: $500
E-mu proteus 1000 module: $400

That`s what I did!

Juan Pablo

Proteus 1000 doesn't have great piano sounds as is, recommend adding the Sounds Of The ZR ROM for much better piano sounds, and at $69.99 at the moment direct from E-MU (http://www.soundfont.com/roms/index.html) there's never been a better time.

JP, I've heard bad reports about the key action of the Pro88, have you received it yet and is it any good? Obviously the alternative would be something like a Studiologic SL-880...

Martin

[lighthouse]

No, I haven`t received it yet, hope in the next two or three weeks (third world issue), but I`ve read some reviews that say its great, anyway the stusiologic is a good option though, and cheap

[godsmcktma2]

I cant find the s80 anywhere! Ive looked in alot of places. Is it discontinued?

Thanks for the help so far.

[Spacehog]

Yes, the S80 was replaced by the S90 a couple of years ago, that's why it's so affordable when you can find it still around. Check out ebay, there's bound to be a few kicking around there.

Martin

[godsmcktma2]

The yamaha s80 is what i have my mind set on right now. Anyone have anything to say about the s80?

Doug

[godsmcktma2]

Anyone?

[The J-Man]

A friend of mine has an S80 and it sounds pretty good. I was really impressed with the piano sounds. I saw one on eBay for like $650 a few weeks back.

-Joel

[godsmcktma2]

This was my topic long back...
I am looking strongly at the Yamaha s-80, but I can never win the ebay biddings, and there are few for an s -80. Any suggestions?


Lighthouse wrote:

M-Audio Kestation pro88: $500
E-mu proteus 1000 module: $400



Also I was wondering what anyone had to say about this setup, from experince. It seems like an ok deal, but I dont know anything about either quipment.

Thanks,
Doug

[lighthouse]

Well I found out that the Proteus module is discontinued...so it`s hard to find the expansion boards unless you buy them on E-bay or something....in any case is a very good module, tons of synthesis posibilities plus excelent factory sounds...and of course very cheap. I`m fine with it but if you can put togheter more money I suggest you to buy the Motif rack, it`s about $1000, and is incredibly good...
About the Keystation pro88 I think is a very nice controller hearing the comments that some people made about it...I haven`t received mine yet but is on the way (still waiting for the ship to arrive $"$·"ª!=). And offer you a lot of posibilities for the money....plus weighted key action.....I can tell you more when I get mine!!

If your desicion lays on money I suggest to take a look at these!

Cheers
Juan Pablo

[Spacehog]

I still have a ton of Proteus expansion boards kicking around, although they're shifting fairly quickly on Ebay at the moment... the ones with the best sounds, though, are the rarer ones generally (although the Sounds Of The ZR one is still easy to come by).

Martin

[Geo_Van_Deaq]

while on the topic of synths like S90, is it a good place to start for someone who's never got in to synthesis before? I looked at the Triton Le but it seemed like it was made for dance music.

I don't want to take attention away from godsmcktma2 but I didn't think it was worth opening a new thread. :D