RACKS!! Whats the point???

[Root_of_it_all]

Hey guys. its my birthday soon, and a friend of mine told me to get a rack. the problem is, i know nothing about them. I have a triton extreme, and make pretty good sounds just going from that to speakers. But EVERYONE on this forum seems to have so much equipment when they are playing live, including racks. I was wondering, what is the point in them? Im really a noob when it comes to them, because i realy don't have a clue what they do. Can somebody (everybody whos willing to!!) give me information about what racks are used for/what they do, if they are necessary, what would go well with the triton extreme etc. Thanks a lot!
Pete

[St0rMl0rD]

They are non-keyboarded equvivalents to your Triton Extreme...Same functions, everything same, just without keyboard...Or did you want a more detailed explanation?

Peace out,
JJ

[St0rMl0rD]

Oh yeah, if you really want a rack that bad (I don't think u need one), go for Yamaha MotifES Rack...It will complement to the Extreme perfectly.

[Root_of_it_all]

i meant to say modules! to be more specific

[lighthouse]

That´s exactlly what they are, keyboard brains without keys hehe, so you will need a keyboard midi controller to play its sounds, that could be your Extreme. But have they don´t always have the exactly same options, some don´t have the sampling options or sequencer....it changes from model to model


Juan Pablo

[hephiroth]

yeah, it's just like adding another keyboard to your setup. to be honest, your triton extreme has so many sounds in it, you probably don't need anything else for most applications. now, maybe you want something different, like a V-SynthXT rack, or some sort of virtual analog modelling rack (something that does stuff the extreme can't do)...then you can use the COMBI mode of your Triton Extreme to assign zones of a setup to trigger sounds off of your rack units, so you can combine both of the sounds.

honestly, i bought a Roland XV-5050 thinking it'd be a great addition, and while it has some nice sounds i tried integrating for a while, it just really didn't add that much to what my triton had. i'm now selling it and my triton to make back the money i spent on getting my new Alesis Fusion 8HD (which has so much going on in it, no racks are necessary).

-jeff-

[lighthouse]

yeah, I´m with you there Jeff, not point adding a module that has the same sound focus as the keyboards you already have. I would think about a Virus, a Nord Lead rack, a Nord Electro rack, Novation a-station, V-synth rack.....something differebt than a workstation palette


Juan Pablo

[Michael Troy]

Oh yeah, if you really want a rack that bad (I don't think u need one), go for Yamaha MotifES Rack...It will complement to the Extreme perfectly.


Yes he's absolutely right. Although not rack, I use a Motif classic 6 on top and a Triton pro on bottom and they are great together!

[jeebustrain]

yeah, I´m with you there Jeff, not point adding a module that has the same sound focus as the keyboards you already have. I would think about a Virus, a Nord Lead rack, a Nord Electro rack, Novation a-station, V-synth rack.....something differebt than a workstation palette


Juan Pablo


Yeah, I am trying to get rid of my Trinity Rack for the same reason.. Too many things overlap w/ my Motif, and the Motif sounds better on about 90% of them. Plus, I'm no longer gigging as a keyboard player, so I don't need the extra voices (for stacking sounds live). It's too redundant.

But the rest of my little racks I don't think I could get rid of. Each has it's own personality and timbre that are hard to reproduce on other synths.

Korg MS2000BR
Access Virus A
RedSounds Darkstar XP2

[Omega Monkey]

The "point" is more sounds basically.

Well, the MotifES wouldnt be a bad choice because in one tiny sized rack, you can add a VA and an FM synth (plus maybe 1 more thing), using the PLG expansion cards. Yamaha has been in the VA game about as long as anybody almost (since the mid/late 90s) and their VA engine is really nice sounding (I have the duophonic version on my EX5 which sounds awesome, the PLG card is similar but is 5 voice/10 oscillator), and of course Yamaha have always been the kings of FM. Plus, a MotifES will have better sounds than a Triton Extreme to begin with in most cases.

It sounds though like you dont really "need" anything, your friend just wants you to get one maybe so he can mess with it or whatever. I would save your money for now and wait until you actually run into limitations on your Extreme before adding any more gear.

[Root_of_it_all]

thanks a lot for all the info guys! it was really helpful stuff. cheers
Pete