Korg vs. Kurzweil

[Ael]

Okay, so maybe this has been discussed before, but, I'm gonna discuss it now! :P

Today I went to my brother's choir concert and the second accompanist had, behold, a new keyboard:

Kurzweil SP88X --- IT IS THE SHIT!

He let me play on it, and I tested it out...it's more real than my $2000 Yamaha Keyboard that I have in France for practice over the summer, and both have the same action. The sound is so pure.

I also played on a Korg SP200 88 Key Portable Piano with Weighted Hammer Action, which was okay, the sounds weren't that great, but, it was an okay piano.

Now, I'm asking you keyboard geeks who know more about keyboards than I could ever imagine learning...

If you had to choose your keyboard, a Korg or Kurzweil model, and WHY? (I'm also in the market for either a Kurzweil SP88X, I can get them for 700 bucks, and I know they're really good keyboards, but, I'm just curious as to what else I can open myself to...it was the first time I played on a Kurz, hopefully not the last.)

[Litninfingers63]

gear forum :-p

[Scrap]

I have a Kurzweil SP88X. I don't use its internal sounds. There's a good reason why. When heard through any sort of quality speakers, the mono, single velocity layer piano sample is really quite terrible. Thin and uninspiring. In my setup, it's delegated to being a simple controller.

The Korg piano samples, in my experience, are a bit warmer in the low registers, and it's also a newer, cleaner sample. Kurzweil has been reusing the same mono piano sample since the K250 (yes, 250 - not 2500).

[Digilog]

If you are looking for a realistic piano sound, nothing beats the Yamaha P-250 in my opinion. It also has just about the best action of any synth as well.

[Ael]

I'm looking for a good all around keyboard...and I don't want Yamaha, I have one of those already...Korg Vs. Kurzweil...

[Digilog]

If I had to choose between any Kurz model and any Korg, I would go for the Kurz K2661 because it hast VAST synthesis architecture which is far deeper than any korg keyboard and it only has 61 keys so it is gig friendly. If you’re in the market for an all around keyboard though, it would definitely be worth your time to check out the Roland Fantom S models and the Yamaha Motif ES series :)

[Luca_Capozzi]

I don't understand if this is a discussion about piano sounds of those two brands or a generic discussion about their technology....

For stock sounds, Kurzweil is not the better on the market but if you get any of their VAST equiped synths you can notice the difference.

I've a Kurzweil K2500R.. produced almost ten years ago and i've got sounds (without any added sample yet) that any Korg or Yamaha can only dream. go to ProgSounds (link in my signature) and check out some Enigma patches, as example, to have a view of a simple K2*00 with only stock samples :)

See ya

[Enigma™]

I've checked out the Roland Phantom - I have to say I was QUITE un-impressed. There's nothing in there that makes me go WOW - I'd sooner go with a V-synth then a Phantom.
For the whole Kurzweil vs. Korg - They have their own place in the synth world and it really depends on what you want to do with it all.
I'd probably suggest Korg if you wanted preset/tecnho/ethnic/lazy keyboardist groove stuff *I programmed a Trinity the other day, and the synth engine is next to NON EXISTANT!! It's pretty much a rompler with LOTS of samples and effects. AMAZING effects section BTW but still...*

Kurzweil takes TEARS to learn how to program but things are still being done *FM sounds!!* that it took them 10 years to figure out how it was able to be done.

Meaning - It's easily THE SINGLE deepest available synth on the market for the past 15 years. *VAST started with the Kurzweil 2000*


That being said, the roms are somewhat dated as well. It all really depends on what you want, but until we know that, this will be an endless Ferarri vs. Lamborghini debate in which - there's no REAL winner.

[Ael]

Well, when I go to college I want an 88 key, hammer weighted keyboard to use to practice when practice rooms aren't available, but, also use to record my own songs...my friend and I wanted to start a 2 person keyboarding "band" not really a band, just the two of us on keyboards, and I wanted to get one that I could use for that and a home purpose...which as to what I know, is exactly what the Kurzweil SP88X is for...I don't want those wishy washy techno sampling stuff, I'd rather make it my own, and from what I've heard, Kurzweil is top of the line...but, then again, all of you know more bout keyboards than I do ;)

[Rexx]

I would buy another Kurzweil before any other synth maker.
(well maybe a Roland XV sound module and newer guitar synth lines)
I don't regret buying it.

Whenever I tried a Triton it had almost no sounds that I would get inspired with but Korg is used by many top music pros including Jordan, MacAlpine, Saga... So when someone spends time with it they can get what they're after.
For me the only way I'd concider a Korg is as an add on to my Kurz thats my Master keyboard.

[Over The Edge]

Korg or Kurzweil?



The answer is......



Yes!




FL
www.franklucas.net

[Jerry]

Ael:

You can probably sense that people are reticent to give you a direct answer. The reason is .... a direct answer may mislead you. What kind of Yamaha do you have currently? What do you want this additional keyboard to add to your setup (other than the 88 weighted keys).

We can discuss specific models, but just like with cars, Ford vs. General Motors is a pretty pointless discussion. BTW, my answer is ... Ford. :D

And I will take the Kurz 2600 series over the Korg Triton series, but I would take the Tritons over the SP88X. Have you considered the PC2?

Best,

Jerry

[Ael]

I just want a piano that I can also use in terms of a live setup, I don't think I'd have enough money to spend on a Korg Studio or Triton LE or Kurz K2600...I just want to know people's opinions on whether or not the SP88X is a good buy, or should I invest in a Korg keyboard similar to that of the SP88X...as for my Yamaha, I can't afford that, my parents paid $3,000.00 for it last year lol...

[Rexx]

8) Sure rub it in FL, we should all work hard enough to have both.

Youz lucky mang but are you sitting on the fence completely satisfied with both synths equally with what they provide you musically? 8)

[merijn]

Korg or Kurzweil?



The answer is......



Yes!




FL
www.franklucas.net

Hahahaha, my teacher used to make those jokes :P :lol: !