Which one will be the BEST synth in 2004 ???

[JackJens]

I'm wondering 'bout new synths coming in 2004 !

I think that the best one will be : YAMAHA MOTIF ES !

These are the specifications :


Keyboards

MOTIF ES8 88 keys Balanced Hammer Effect Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)

MOTIF ES7 76 keys FS Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)

MOTIF ES6 61 keys FS Keyboard (Initial Touch/Aftertouch)


Tone Generator block

Tone Generator AWM2 (complying with the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System)

Polyphony 128 notes + the polyphony of the Plug-in Board (if installed)

Multi Timbral Capacity 16 parts (internal) + 3 or more Plug-in Board parts (1 for each Single Plug-in Board; 16 for Multi Plug-in Board), Audio Input parts (A/D, AIEB2, mLAN*) * 4 stereo parts

Wave 175MB (when converted to 16-bit linear format), 1,859 waveforms

Voice Preset: 768 Normal Voices + 64 Drum Kits
GM: 128 Normal Voices + 1 Drum Kit
User: 128 x 2 (Bank1: Original, Bank2: Picked up from Preset) Normal Voice + 32 Drum Kits

Plug-in Voice Preset for the PLG150-AN/DX/PF/DR/PC: 64
Preset for the PLG150-VL: 192
User: 64 for each Plug-in slot

Performance User: 128 (up to 4 parts)

Filter 18 types

Effect System Reverb x 20 types, Chorus x 49 types, Insertion (A, B) x 116 types x 8 blocks, Master Effect x 8 types, Master Equalizer (5 bands), Part EQ (3 bands, stereo), Plug-in Insertion (available when the PLG100-VH has been installed to slot 1)

Expandability 3 Slots for Modular Synthesis Plug-in Boards


Sampling block

Samples Up to 1,024 Waveforms (Multi Samples)
Up to 128 Key Banks per Waveform
Up to 4,096 Key Banks

Sampling Source Analog input L/R, Stereo output (Resampling), Digital/Optical (available when the AIEB2 has been installed), mLAN (available when the mLAN16E has been installed)

Sampling Frequency 44.1kHz, 22.05kHz, 11.025kHz, 5.5125kHz (Stereo/Mono)
• Digital Sampling Frequency (when the AIEB2 has been installed)
48kHz, 44.1kHz, 32kHz
* Can be input, with converted to the Sampling Frequency of the MOTIF ES.
• Sampling Frequency via the mLAN
(when the mLAN16E has been installed) 44.1kHz (fixed)

Sampling Memory Optionally installed, expandable to 512MB (256MB DIMM x 2 slots)

Sampling Time 44.1kHz: 6 min. 20 sec., 22.05kHz: 12 min. 40 sec., 11.025kHz: 25 min. 20 sec., 5.0125kHz: 55 min. 40 sec.
* Mono/Stereo

Sample Format Original format, WAV, AIFF, A3000/4000/5000/SU700 format (loadable only), AKAI S1000/S3000 format (loadable only)


Sequencer block

Note Capacity Approx. 226,000 notes

Note Resolution 480 ppq (parts per quarter note)

Maximum Polyphony 124 notes

Tracks Pattern Mode: 16 phrase tracks
Pattern Chain Mode: Pattern track, Tempo track, Scene track
Song Mode: 16 sequence tracks (Loop on/off can be set for each track), Tempo track, Scene track

Patterns 64 patterns (x 16 sections)
Measures: 256 maximum


Phrases

Preset Phrases 687 phrases

User Phrases 256 per pattern

Songs 64 songs

Arpeggio Preset x 1,787 types
User x 256 types
* MIDI Sync, MIDI transmit/receive channel, Velocity Limit, and Note Limit can be set.

Sequence Format Original format, SMF format 0, 1 (Format 1 load only)


Others

Master User: 128
* 4 Zones (Master keyboard settings), Assignable Knob/Slider settings, Program Change Table

Sequence Software compatible with the Remote Control function • For Windows ®
SQ01 V2, Cubase SX, SONAR 2.0, Multi Part Editor for MOTIF-RACK,
Multi Part Editor for MOTIF ES
• For Macintosh ®
Logic 5.5, Digital Performer 3.1

Controllers Pitch Bend wheel, Modulation wheel, Ribbon Controller, Assignable Control Sliders (4), Assignable Knobs (4), Data dial

Display 240 x 64 dot graphic backlit LCD

External Memory SmartMedia™ (3.3V) * Up to 128MB can be used.

Connectors OUTPUT L/MONO, R (standard phone jack), ASSIGNABLE OUTPUT L, R (standard phone jack), AD INPUT L, R (standard phone jack), PHONES (standard stereo phone jack), FOOT CONTROLLER 1/ 2, FOOT SWITCH x 2 (SUSTAIN, ASSIGNABLE), BREATH, MIDI IN/OUT/THRU, USB (TO HOST, TO DEVICE), AC INLET

Power Consumption 38W

Dimensions, Weight MOTIF ES8: 1,458 (W) x 465 (D) x 167.4 (H)mm, 28.3kg
MOTIF ES7: 1,255 (W) x 394 (D) x 136.4 (H)mm, 19.2kg
MOTIF ES6: 1,048 (W) x 394 (D) x 136.4 (H)mm, 16.5kg

Accessories AC Power cord, CD-ROM x 3, Owner’s Manual, Data List, Installation Guide


I think it's amazing !!!!

[Digilog]

Yeah, the Motif ES looks pretty amazing, but I am really waiting to see the Nord Modular G2. Now if I could only find $1800 lying around somewhere so I can buy one when it comes out :D

[Kurzweilfreak]

The Motif ES can actually hold up to one gigabyte of RAM, not the 512MB that the specs indicate.

This was done to prevent people from assuming that the Motif ES could read Gigasampler files, which it cannot.

I've heard rumors about the next Kurz synth and I can't wait for it! :shock: :twisted: Don't expect it until prolly 2005 though. :( However, from what I've heard, Kurz is working on something incredible that we should see by about this time next year. :wink:

[JackJens]

WHAT about the next KURZ ???

The K2600 successor ????

I Have to know !!!

[Digilog]

Kurz is working on something incredible that we should see by about this time next year. :wink:

You can't just give a teaser like that! Not even a hint about the rumors :?:

[Scrap]

Personally I'd hold off on any judgement on 2004 until Winter NAMM comes around. This is when companies put out their best stuff, and I always look forward to NAMM and Musikmesse like a 10 year old child looks forward to Christmas. ;)

[Shreddy]

With 2003 not over yet you should be looking at picking the top "boards" for this year.


VA
Synth
Workstation

I think it was this months Electronic Musician that reviewed 7 of this years VAs and they rated the Ion and V-Synth very high.

I've been drolling more and more on the Fantom S88, besides the typical Roland tones and effects it has some nice options. The Skip Back Sampling option seems like it would be very cool to have. It samples everything that you play, so if your just sitting around practicing and you get some cool ideas you just go back to that section of the sample and save it. Also you can play a part back layer more tones on it, repeat as long as you want.

Ed

[Sol]

Motif ES.... *Drools* I'll have mine in the next few months, December at the lastest :D

[Over The Edge]

Kurz K2600 STILL kicks arse even after all these years. However, I gotta say the new Yamaha Motif ES is pretty awesome.



FL
www.franklucas.net

[synthguy]

If the Korg Oasys doesn't come out - which is like the equivalent of a Triton Studio with every option and a Wavestation included - then I would say the overall best workstation synth is the Yamaha Motif ES.

The VA I would lust after the most would be the Nord Modular G2. The real analog I would HAVE to have someday would be the Alesis Andromeda.

I think the most evocative synth, one that makes you gasp at the sound power when you play it, is probably still the Korg Karma. Especially expanded. And I don't say that because I'm sucking up to the mod or anything. You need your car polished there, Scrap? :lol:

[JackJens]

Well..... This is the "KORG OASYS" :

http://www.computermusic.co.uk/reviews/oaysis/img/intro2.gif

A wonderful PCI Sound Card !!!!

[Purator]

Yeah, the Motif ES looks pretty amazing, but I am really waiting to see the Nord Modular G2. Now if I could only find $1800 lying around somewhere so I can buy one when it comes out :D

Yeah, I agree with you.
G2 looks pretty amazing and much more practical/cheaper than big modulars :D

[synthguy]

Jack,
Yes, Korg released the Oasys first as a sound card, but the original Oasys developed by Korg is a keyboard synthesizer with even more power, and was shown a few years ago with a 76 note keyboard. The card is excellent, and most people who have the Oasys card swear they'll hold onto it till it dies, as it's somewhat like the Triton and a MOSS board but with more synthesis power. I'm looking forward to the day the real Oasys arrives, as it could replace almost everything in my arsenal.

[Angelic Layer]

I wonder hw heavy is a Motif Es 8?

[OrpheusTheBard]

I think the Motif ES will rock! 8)

Orpheus

[pag113]

Angelic

I just got my Motif ES8 last night....it's about 60 lbs.

[synthguy]

Only 60 lbs?? That's great! You'll have to tell us about the sounds, like the pianos, synth waves and orchestral samples. With the equivalent of 175 megs of samples on it, I'm very curious what all is included. I'm sure the pianos are wonderful. Is there a very good CP80 electric grand in it?

[Kurzweilfreak]

Next week, Mike Martin will be flying down here along with the regional Yamaha rep and he's going to come personally demo the Motif 8 ES for us and he'll leave it here for about a week for us to play with. I'll check it out and put it through it's paces to see how it goes.

Really looking forward to actually hanging out with the Mike Man himself. :)

[pag113]

Synthguy

The pianos sound very good....I haven't tweaked any yet, but even so, they are excellent...particularly the Full Grand (triple-strike). Orchestral samples also sound great....a definite improvement to my ears on many samples. Synth sounds are also good, but acoustic sounds are definetly a strong point. I do like the CP80 sample.....

So far, I really have no complaints on this one.....it is an extremely versatile board. I will post a more detailed review after I've really had a chance to mess with it!

Paul

[JackJens]

I want it.........

[Over The Edge]

Man,

Mike Martin is THE MAN. You guys are lucky that he's coming out. The guy is scary how knowledgeable he is in regards to all things synth.
Maybe if you're nice he'll show you the ES's hidden 'Missile Command" game. :P


FL
www.franklucas.net