Racks w/ JR's Tones

[Rich022]

Hi there,

I'm relatively new when it comes to keyboarding and these racks/rack modules etc. I already have a sufficient MIDI controller so I've been eyeing these various racks. I was wondering, of these 3, which in your opinion is the best, and which offers tones that are similar to or have the tones that JR uses:

KORG TRITON RACK SYNTH MODULE:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=141/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/702231/

KURZWEIL PC2R SYNTH RACK MODULE:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=141/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/701674/

MUSE RECEPTOR:
http://www.museresearch.com/receptor_overview.php

I know JR did a little promo thing for the receptor, but I don't think it has the tones that he uses throughout the albums. Anyway, if anyone could just help me choose which is best suited for JR tones, I'd be very appreciative.

I'm leaning towards the Triton Rack but I really don't know what to expect.

[hephiroth]

none of them really...maybe the triton or the receptor has the most possibilties, but really, you're going to have learn programming and synthesis because none of those will have presets that sound like JR's lead tones or any of the other sounds he uses, really. he custom makes all his sounds to some degree, so to emulate that, you'll have to learn how to program sounds.

JR did used to use a Triton Rack, so some of his sounds have been coming from that triton's rom banks, although the muse is very flexible and has basically endless capabilities--as many as you are willing to spend the time creating!

-jeff-

[Rich022]

thanks for the info...

yeah, I'm just looking for something to get me started and perhaps direct me closer. I really am a n00b and just looking for something that will give me tones that are somewhat close to JR's. I'm not looking for exact replicas, just something that'll give me/allow me to create tones that sound similar to JR's.

[hephiroth]

if you're a beginner, don't mess with the receptor--you'll be in over your head

a triton rack would be a pretty good start for you, as it has tons of different sounds and fairly user-friendly interface. of course, you can always search around here and ask questions if you need help getting started programming.

also, the one thing i would recommend is buying the $100 Concert Grand Piano expansion card for the triton rack--the preset triton sample is really bad...the biggest flaw with the old triton series. but this card is nicely priced and has a really good piano (certainly there are better, but it's definitely a nice sounding patch).

for the money and accessibility, i would go with this...you can even ebay it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7338229107&category=23789&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1

-jeff-

[Zaki]

yes i need one for my triton pro i listened to it's demo sounds from korg website and i think it's realy good

[Luca_Capozzi]

thanks for the info...

yeah, I'm just looking for something to get me started and perhaps direct me closer. I really am a n00b and just looking for something that will give me tones that are somewhat close to JR's. I'm not looking for exact replicas, just something that'll give me/allow me to create tones that sound similar to JR's.

Kurzweil K2500R or K2600R. Look for units that comes at least with piano rom and 128Mb of sample ram. you don't need sampling option to load external samples.

Luca

[hephiroth]

Kurzweil K2500R or K2600R. Look for units that comes at least with piano rom and 128Mb of sample ram. you don't need sampling option to load external samples.

Luca

for a beginner!? from everything i've heard, the kurz k2*00 series would confuse the hell out of a beginner and doesn't have the best presets, only lots of possibilities for programming. maybe i'm wrong...

-jeff-

[Arda]

for a beginner!? from everything i've heard, the kurz k2*00 series would confuse the hell out of a beginner and doesn't have the best presets, only lots of possibilities for programming. maybe i'm wrong...

-jeff-


My first synth was k2500.. I never used a synth before, i didnt know anything about programming.. But i think it's not hard at all (with Axiom's posts :P).. (I think)..

[Luca_Capozzi]

for a beginner!? from everything i've heard, the kurz k2*00 series would confuse the hell out of a beginner and doesn't have the best presets, only lots of possibilities for programming. maybe i'm wrong...

-jeff-

He tolds he wants JR sounds so.. btw, there are a lot of good documentation about kurz programming, a rich collection of patches around the net (progsounds included) and its even a reliable machine. When he will learn how to program a synth he could even appreciate more the kurz sound.. or he can just buy one of many romplers with hundreds MB of rom samples, great presets and stand still with them until he will get another board with more sonic possibilities.

my 2 cents,
Luca

[hephiroth]

well, like i said, i have never owned one, so i guess i can't say for certain. all i do know is that i've read people post on here countless times that kurz has the steepest learning curve, and is also quite expensive.

i could be wrong!

-jeff-

[Luca_Capozzi]

VAST is not so intuitive to master but, as I've just said, there are a lot of documentation and tutorials starting from stock owner's manual... I believe that sometimes people are too lazy to sit down reading their gear manuals and tutorials.. I believe, every day more then ever, that people simply wants the "ready to eat cake" ;)

Luca

[hephiroth]

VAST is not so intuitive to master but, as I've just said, there are a lot of documentation and tutorials starting from stock owner's manual... I believe that sometimes people are too lazy to sit down reading their gear manuals and tutorials.. I believe, every day more then ever, that people simply wants the "ready to eat cake" ;)

Luca

that's true...i think most people get into keyboards thinking every keyboard is just like a glorified casio you buy at wal-mart (just punch in a number for a sound) and it'll have amazing sounds. i don't think people realize how much synthesis plays a part in a keyboardists' life these days. at least, the average person.

-jeff-

[merijn]

none of them really...maybe the triton or the receptor has the most possibilties, but really, you're going to have learn programming and synthesis because none of those will have presets that sound like JR's lead tones or any of the other sounds he uses, really. he custom makes all his sounds to some degree, so to emulate that, you'll have to learn how to program sounds.

JR did used to use a Triton Rack, so some of his sounds have been coming from that triton's rom banks, although the muse is very flexible and has basically endless capabilities--as many as you are willing to spend the time creating!

-jeff-

He's also a fan of the Kurzweil rom blocks. The second part of the Budokan solo, was completely made by the contemporary rom. OH and Luca, they have something for that: RTFM!