MUST READ Keyboard Magazine article -> MJ Keyboard Sounds, then and now

[zolhof]

Michael Jackson: Keyboard Sounds of His Signature Songs, Then and Now

http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/michael-jackson-/September-2009/99883

Sorry for creating another topic, but this is such an interesting read! I guess the other MJ thread will soon be forgotten.. and all keyboard players out there have to read this! :smile:

[Maximus]

Awesome! great post Cesar, playing for Michael Jackson would've been a dream gig, but that was only reserved for the top cats, anyway i was looking at the gear they were going to use and i think they were to overkill it, but i guess thats what it takes for perfection.

i play 3 michael jackson songs between my cover bands: Beat it, Rock with you, and Don't stop til' you get enough and all of the keyboard parts are awsome, a joy to play, and i'm glad to see that even pro's said, screw programing the beat it gong, im sampling it :biggrin:

[Bigs]

Interesting read, they must be so disappointed that the tour's off.

I wonder why they went with the Korg CX3? Surely there are better organ simulations than that (or even the real thing).

Also, I wonder if the audience can really distinguish between Ivory and the Motif XS piano. But I guess that if you're playing the biggest show on earth you might as well go all the way.

[PinkFloydDudi]

I wonder why they went with the Korg CX3? Surely there are better organ simulations than that.



Sure about that?

From what I've read (and I did a LOT of research on it before buying one), the CX3 gets better marks than the xk series from Hammond, or any other sound created by yamaha, nord, etc...Not to mention the control on the XK and CX3 are superior to that of those others.

When it came down to the CX3 vs XK, it was pretty close. The majority of stuff I read put the CX3 in front of the XK...although some professionals were on each side. Came down to individual preference.

When looking for a clonewheel, 2 names came up over and over...CX3, Hammond XK.

[mmichaelc]

Wow, neko and a receptor!

[zolhof]

I absolute adore the CX-3, but I was quite surprise to see that they didn´t go for the real thing.

And not a single Kurzweil in the greatest gig of the world! THAT was shocking. I swear they would go for Kurz at least for strings/orchestral sounds.

Symphobia was a nice and clever choice though :smile:

[OliBeau]

And 3 Motif Xs.

Pretty good choice.

I was surprised to see the M3 in there, but I guess if you want good sounds, you need to have some different gear. 5 motifs would be useless :P !

[PinkFloydDudi]

I absolute adore the CX-3, but I was quite surprise to see that they didn´t go for the real thing.

And not a single Kurzweil in the greatest gig of the world! THAT was shocking. I swear they would go for Kurz at least for strings/orchestral sounds.

Symphobia was a nice and clever choice though :smile:


Yeah, thats what I was saying in the other thread. For the budget, I can't believe a B3 or such wasn't brought in.
BUT, you may actually get more control with the CX3 with only a very slight loss in tone quality, especially running through an actual leslie.
I can only guess thats what lead them to that.

To be honest, I'm just happy to see they took it over other clonewheels even!


Although I honestly wonder if availability had anything to do with selection? For example they saw a CX3 on some auction site for a better price.

You know I really think Kurz needs to step up to the plate. Roland, Korg, Yamaha...all have LCD touch screens which easily display routing patterns, options, etc... I've never actually owned one, so can't comment too much, but from looks alone they are VERY far behind in user interface, which makes them extremely unappealing to me as a user outside of a rack unit for the sounds alone. Perhaps this is just my ignorance regarding some Kurz keyboard that I haven't seen??

[Bigs]

Sure about that?

From what I've read (and I did a LOT of research on it before buying one), the CX3 gets better marks than the xk series from Hammond, or any other sound created by yamaha, nord, etc...Not to mention the control on the XK and CX3 are superior to that of those others.

When it came down to the CX3 vs XK, it was pretty close. The majority of stuff I read put the CX3 in front of the XK...although some professionals were on each side. Came down to individual preference.

When looking for a clonewheel, 2 names came up over and over...CX3, Hammond XK.

Oh, in that case I'm mistaken. I never played the CX-3, nor am I a Hammond connaiseur.

[zolhof]

Here´s the article in digital format:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/kb_200909/#/0

PinkFloydDudi, yeah... they could also have endorsement deals with Yamaha and Korg, who knows? I don´t hehe

3 Motifs and 2 M3 on Michael Jackson´s stage.... I just can´t imagine the sales war after the tour!!

[PinkFloydDudi]

PinkFloydDudi, yeah... they could also have endorsement deals with Yamaha and Korg, who knows? I don´t hehe


Didn't even think of that...but also very true


Also pointing out from the diagram on page 72 of that digital article: using 2 MoTu 828 MK3s! More reinforcement on how awesome those are.