Help!!! Which Workstation To Complete Studio?

[Napalm]

Workstation Choices:

Yamaha Motif ES6
Kurzweil K2661
Korg Triton Extreme<--- Or keep the Triton Rack?

Sound Modules:

Roland XV5080
Roland Fantom XR
Korg Trinity Rack
Access Virus C
Nord Lead 3
Wardorf Q Rack
Dave Smith PolyVolver
Akai MPC4000
Roland A70EX

Plus nice Sample Library

I'm a pad, motion synth, orchestral, VA freak... So programming & expansion are key when producing music... The "Bread & Butter" stuff is too standard, but I wouldn't mind having top quality s+s goodies available... I'm going to also add sample libraries, but most will fall under the ambient textures, orchestral, sfx, drums category... I guess the workstation choice shouldn't be too difficult considering the wide variety of sound palette with the modules... You could also see that the sequencing will be done on the MPC4000, so technically the workstation would be used mostly for synthesizing/programming, expansion, & sampling only... I was thinking about adding the Novation Remote Controller or better for the PolyVolver, considering the Nord & Virus would be keyless...

Thanks for reading guys :D

[Enigma™]

Ignore the Triton extreme - You have a rack already. *there's not much difference and there's no gain*
The Kurzweil and the Yamaha...


TOUGH choice, but let me put it this way - It doesn't matter WHICH one you get, your studio is kickin already dude. Personally, if you're looking for "instant gratification" then get the Yamaha. If you want AMAZING but potentially frustrating programming time *to start anyway* get the Kurzweil. They're both top of the line, but initally the Kurzweil will probably give you more greif but once you get the hang of it, you'll be flyin' :)

[Enigma™]

Woah - Rereading what you've said as goals - Get the Kurzweil
Yes it will take a little learning to get some sounds out of it that are what you're looking for - but there's also NUMEROUS boards that can help out with that... From Progsounds to Sonikmatter.

Check the mp3 demos at Kurzweilmusicsystems.com and stuff too.

[Napalm]

Lovely response, thanks :D

See one of my biggest concerns was adding gear that would overlap themselves, but Korg & Roland could still give me their signature sounds + the VA gear would provide the extensive programming & intuitive editing...

So I basically wanted to know if the Kurzweil could stand out on it's own giving me something the others couldn't...

I'm a huge evolving pad, motion synth, sfx, orchestral, bass shattering freak, so all the Bread -n- Butter stuff could come from either sample cds are what's already available on the Roland & Korg gear...

I just need endless programming possibilities that could give me more of what I'm looking for, you know what I mean :)

Maybe I don't need the Korg Tr Rack if the K2661 + Roland XV5080 + Fantom XR could replace it as well...

[Enigma™]

Well, if you were going to sell the TR rack - LET ME KNOW!!!
A ha ha

I've been trying to get my hands on one basically forever, as I only have the Kurzweil 2500 (*and it's been like a rock*)

The meat and potatoes are there for the kurzweil, no doubt, but there's unprecidented control and abilities within the VAST system that no other synths have.
Add triple Modular Processing, and then KDFX on top of ALL THAT...


It's an amazing machine and supposedly the 2661 has MUCH better presets compared to the old 25/2600 versions.
On top of that you have a MASSIVE library of sample cds that are FREE for the Kurzweil, as well as hundreds of free sounds on the kurzweil site alone.
It's more then capable as a synth, and it sure wouldn't hurt to have it ;)

[Enigma™]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention: If you want audio demos and such of certain sounds, let me know. If you have MSN or something I could record something that you're looking for and send it to you so you could sample it real time. It's not playing the thing, but I can show you some of the things that they can't show you in Gee-tar center ;)

[Darkon]

If you're a VA freak you may want to look into the new Kurzweil VA-1 :)

Darkon

[synthguy]

I replied over at the Musicplayer site, but I'll add it here too. I'd keep the Triton Rack, because I love that sound except for the reverb. I'd add the K2661, Fantom XR and Alesis Ion/PolyVolver/Nord Modular/Access Virus C or whatever. Altho like Darkon posted, I'm leaning towards the Kurz VA1. Those filters do sound awfully sweet, and with a full control panel... It's like an Andromeda with more filters and better effects.

[Napalm]

I really do appreciate the respnses guys...

My preliminary list would be:

Roland XV5080
Roland Fantom XR
Korg Triton Rack
Korg Tr Rack<--- Sorry decided to keep this one :wink: :D
Access Virus C
Nord Lead 3
Dave Smith PolyVolver

The Kurz K2661 would fit in nicely with that setup for sure, thanks for the advice guys...

Hey Enigma, check your PM :o

[Napalm]

Okay, just seen Jordan K2600 video tutorial and WOW!!!

This is one programmable beast :D

Of course he made it look so darn easy :shock:

I believe I'm definitely going to settle for the K2600RS instead 8)

[Drusillus]

Any reason why you'd choose a 5080 in addition to a Fantom XR? With the exception of SCSI, I can't think of anything the 5080 can do that the XR can't do better, except hold the old JV80 style expansion cards.

[Tusker]

The Kurz (if you are prepared to learn VAST), will provide a difference from the sample plus synthesis stuff which you have a lot of. It also provides a set of DSP processes that you won't find in the regular VA gear.

The Yamaha ES has better samples, but with decent sample sets (Giga?) that benefit is less obvious.

Best,

Jerry

[ImaX]

Enigma - you said the K2661 presets are much better... can I use them on a K2500XS? I would have tried, but I haven't found them at the FTP

[Enigma™]

yes and no. KDFX is an issue, so is TMP. I'd say try and open the 2661 rom objects *which I don't think are out just yet* and load them into a bank. I'll try it too when they're released :)

[ImaX]

Alright - K2500XS fully loaded \m/

On the Kurzweil-FTP-Server I found nothing about it, so as you said it seems to be not released yet... what kind of presets are there, techno style, or pop, classical...?
Sorry if we get out of topic... :roll:

[Over The Edge]

Two boards

Kurz K2600
Yamaha Motif ES




FL
www.franklucas.net

[Napalm]

Any reason why you'd choose a 5080 in addition to a Fantom XR? With the exception of SCSI, I can't think of anything the 5080 can do that the XR can't do better, except hold the old JV80 style expansion cards.

I think my choice would be adding the XV5080 only and ditching the Fantom XR altogether, only because the XV has more effects, better sample support, easier editing interface--->I hate using computers, plus adding the Motif ES6, K2600RS, & Triton Rack should give me what I need as far as ROMplers are concerned... Then I'll have the Access Virus C, Waldorf Q Rack, Dave Smith PolyVolver, & also including the Emu Vintage Pro rack expanded with Techno/XL-Lead/Protean Drum ROMs; All controlled by Akai MPC4000 & Roland A70EX...

Try to beat that setup :shock: 8) :P