Longtime listener, first time caller...

[JamesDP]

I've lurked on the boards here for a couple of years and I'm a guitarist looking to learn keys. I want to be able to do some prog/fusion stuff and delve a little into the electronica too. I've read through the various FAQs here over the last few weeks and have tried some models at Guitar Center and the other assorted megastores here in Orange County, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to a couple of models, the Alesis QS6.2 and the Yamaha S03 (I play Yamaha guitars, so I tried the S03 first - the Alesis seems to be a little easier to use and the Yamaha seems to sound a little better). I've tried them both out and am leaning toward the Alesis. I also goofed around with the MicroKorg the other day, but I'm not sure it's what I'm looking for.

Anyway, I was popping around on the internet yesterday and came across a Kurzweil that was in the same price range, the KME-61. It of course piqued my interest because of Jordan's use of Kurzweils, but I searched all over and can't find many reviews for it on the internet and it's not at any of the local stores in my area for me to test it.

Anyone had a chance to try one out and can compare it to the Alesis or Yamaha?

[Enigma™]

Key action - Fairly standard for a 61 key board
Sounds - 24 bit output... Can you REALLY ask for any better?? That and it's totally compatible with all the other kurzweil's sounds so like the ones' at Progsounds will work too *check my Sig for awesome sounds*
STEEEP Learning curve. For all that horsepower, there's a sacrifice and it's complicated to learn. I won't say any more then that.

I guess there are possibly better options out there as well, but instead of thinking about the QS6.2 what about the 6.1?? It has the EXACT same sounds, more user slots, etc.. It's actually better in that respect then the 6.2 but it might have to be used.
Also you might want to check out the Trinity or Triton as well.. For the Price range, it might almost be worth as well as the S90 but I don't know exactly what that sells for at the moment.

Anyway, if you have any more questions, let us know :)

[Digilog]

Key action - Fairly standard for a 61 key board
Sounds - 24 bit output... Can you REALLY ask for any better?? That and it's totally compatible with all the other kurzweil's sounds so like the ones' at Progsounds will work too *check my Sig for awesome sounds*
STEEEP Learning curve. For all that horsepower, there's a sacrifice and it's complicated to learn. I won't say any more then that.


I think your talking about the K2661 :D

[JamesDP]

I'd prefer not to get something used unless it was a pretty amazing deal. That's just one of my quirks when it comes to music gear, or anything for that matter.

I looked up Tritons on Ebay and found this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3705962078&category=38 089#ebayphotohosting

A Triton that sells new for 2g's for $850 is pretty nice. I guess I'm a little hesitant because I'm basically a complete newbie on keys. $500-600 seems a little more reasonable in that respect, but on the other hand will I get to a point on the cheaper keyboards where I'm going to want to upgrade anyway and so buying something like a Triton is going to be the better investment? Something to think about for sure.

[Enigma™]

Whoops!!! A ha ha ha
KME-61 is more a controller. You're right - I was talking about the 2661 lol.
Silly silly silly...

[Bastardo Demono]

I bought my Alesis QS 7.1 for 600 bucks used, and I kind of over paid since ive seen em for as low 450-500 used. and that is a deal because it is the same sounds as a 6.2, mostly same os set up, MORE expansion shots, maybe just without a warranty and black coloring. and probably about the same price.

[hephiroth]

how come no recommends a casio anymore!?!?!??!?




















lol, okay, just kidding

my question for you is this: are you looking to be a keyboardist in a band? or do you want to just add keys to your guitar recordings in a studio setting? or are you looking to create music on your own (like electronica, as you mentioned?)

depending on your projected use of keyboards, the board you want can be very different.

-jeff-

[Over The Edge]

Ba dum bum! (rimshot) :lol:




FL
www.franklucas.net

[JamesDP]

my question for you is this: are you looking to be a keyboardist in a band? or do you want to just add keys to your guitar recordings in a studio setting? or are you looking to create music on your own (like electronica, as you mentioned?)

depending on your projected use of keyboards, the board you want can be very different.

-jeff-

Most importantly, I'm looking to play in a band setting. In the area I live in, nearly all of my friends play some kind of musical instrument, but it's always guitar, drums, or bass. I'm looking to inject a little something different into that mix. Right now I'm in two bands. One is a power trio with Rush, Metallica and Primus influences and the other is a four-piece that's kinda Sabbath-esque. Both I think could benefit from something that adds some atmosphere and depth to the music.

The electronica is just something I would do in my spare time. It's not necessarily required of the board I would purchase.

[Shreddy]

My suggestion is to go with what we call a ROMpler, a synth that is based on sampled wavs in ROM vs a virtual analog like a MicroKorg. Both the Alesis and Yamahas that you were looking at as well as most other keyboards are ROMplers. Your going to get more bang for you buck and a lower learning curve than using a virtual analog synth.

Finding a board with good presets will be the easiest route to go. You liked the tones on the Yamaha better than the Alesis, but the interface was not as "friendly". For your needs you should consider the board with the best presets, programing tones on a synth can be a pain and if your not happy with the presets then your might never find those right tones your looking for even after you do hours of programming.

Another item to look at is a Roland XP-30 very broad base of good sounding tones on the instrument, it has expansion slots which means you can add more waveforms/presets to it as needed.

Ed

[merijn]

You are starting right? Let me give you an advise that I would have rejected myself :lol: ! Try with the most cheap board there is, just to see if you like to play keys. Then you will soon discover what you really want, and what that board misses. I did it that way too, wihtout even knowing. Just a simple casiom and than several rolands. You'll discover things that are missing, and now I reached Kurzweil ''wanted'' level. 8)

[JamesDP]

You are starting right? Let me give you an advise that I would have rejected myself :lol: ! Try with the most cheap board there is, just to see if you like to play keys. Then you will soon discover what you really want, and what that board misses. I did it that way too, wihtout even knowing. Just a simple casiom and than several rolands. You'll discover things that are missing, and now I reached Kurzweil ''wanted'' level. 8)

I thought of that too, but I wanted something that was going to sound good. I tried a couple of Casios after I tried the Alesis and Yamaha and while the price was attractive, I just didn't like the sounds as much. To me, if it sounds good out of the box, I'm going to be more inclined to play and then learn to tweak the sounds more to my liking as I go along. If I had to tweak the sounds right out of the box, that just seems counterproductive to me.

Shreddy, I found a few XP-30s on Ebay. They seem to be going in the $500 range right now. Is there a current model that I could compare it to to get a feel for it? Also, if I want to expand the XP-30, do I have to hunt for model specific cards or will current cards work with it?

[Shreddy]

The xp-30 was a pretty popular synth it might be found in a couple shops if your lucky. There really isnt anything comparible to it in the current Roland fleet try the RS-50 but it has newer samples but the xp has way more samples. It has 3 expansion cards built into it (ROM), it supports the Roland SRJV80 series cards which are pretty popular and tons of them on ebay.

[Liquid Shadow]

how come no recommends a casio anymore!?!?!??!?

lol, okay, just kidding


You just wait until the virus is cleared off my computer and I get my newly "purchased" Cakewalk software to work. You just wait. I'm going to show the world how awesome Casios are, mark my words.

$400 for:
76 keys
100 effects, 100 slots for your own
200 basic tones to work from, 300 advanced tones (basic tones screwed around with a little so you don't have to), and 200 slots for storing your own tones
16 drawbars on the organs, 50 presets, 100 slots for your own drawbar organs. And boy do these organs sound awesome...I kid you not, these are some of the best organs I've heard from any keyboard. Hell, I made the perfect patch for Erotomania in less than 5 minutes. \m/
A basic sampler that can work as a nice backing track when you need it to
Split and layer function...you can only layer 2 sounds at once, but hey, it's 400 bucks. You can, however, have 2 sounds in your right and 2 sounds in your left hand, 4 sounds all together playing at once.
Very easy learning curve that lets you dive in within an hour, but then keeps you interested and still experimenting and learning 3 months later
All the presets sound very nice, save for the majority of the leads, but I've made some very kickass leads that put up quite a fight with pro end boards, only minus all the confusion of programming that high end boards present



You wait...someday, someday soon, you shall feel the wrath of THE MIGHTY CASIOS!!!!!!!!

[JamesDP]

After reading a bunch of reviews on the net - in addition to Shreddy's recommendation (since I've known him from MP.com from way back) - the XP-30 looks like a winner. 1400 sounds and 3 cards built in is pretty nice for the price. I'm still a liitle wary of used gear, but it definitely looks like it's worth the risk.

I also looked in some local classifieds and found a guy 10 minutes from me who's selling one for what they're selling for on eBay (I'd rather pay for gas than shipping). I've got the cash, so hopefully I'll be picking it up this week.

Thanks for the help!

[Digilog]

The XP-30 is a great choice! :)

[Shreddy]

Sweet...

Make sure you press every button to make sure they work. Find out if he has the manuals etc.. If no case, manuals, stand, pedals talk them down, just say you can get one on ebay with all the extras plus and expansion card for just a little more.

XP30 Turbo start guide and patch lists (http://www.rolandus.com/support/support_docs/index.asp?CatID=8&SubCatID=36&ProdID=XP-30)

A few people here have that board so if you ever get stuck just post here and like I said its a popular board there should be a few sites on that board. There is also a PC editor for it as well.

I hope everything works out for you.

Dont forget to check out www.prepal.com for used gear prices.

Ed

[JamesDP]

Thanks for the links, Shreddy. That Roland one appears to be down right now but I'll check back later.

I talked to the guy via email today and I'm going to check out the board tomorrow. I'm getting a really good deal on it. His daughter was the one who took out the ad and she put the price as being $550, but in the description it said $500, so he said he's letting me have it for $500. That Prepal site says the going price right now is just over $700.

Hopefully he's got everything with it.

[JamesDP]

Went tonight and tested out the XP-30. Wow! The sounds that come out of that thing are unbelievable. Great pianos, strings, synths - even the acoustic guitar sounded really good. I'm picking it up this weekend (would've had it tonight, but the guy wanted cash instead of a check).

He bought it used last year, so he didn't have the manuals. He is throwing in a pedal though for free. Can't wait to get started on it.

Thanks for the recommendation, Shreddy!