K and K

[Sandro]

That's it! I was going to buy the trton extreme, but now, every time there is something mentioned about it, a big disadvantage about it always coms up. For example, apparently, the triton extreme can only have 8 layers (which isn't too bad). However, I also heared that triton doesn't have very many easy to switch setup banks, and that you can't asign the joystic to bend a whole step p and an octive down.

There are several other problems too, but those are very important for my keyboard needs. I guess I was just in keyboard denile, but now it's gone too far. I'm going to buy the 2600X..... I was going bu the triton extreme and a kurzweil ME1 rack... Can anybody argue or agree with my statements?

[Airspeed]

I have a K2600XS as well as a Yamaha Motif Rack-ES and Korg Karma. The Kurz can produce just about any sound you can imagine BUT you really need to have a computer programmer/ rocket scientist mentality to do this. You really need to dig into the manuals ( http://www.kurzweilmusicsystems.com/support.html?Id=450 ) and experiment with all of the different features to really understand this Monster of a synth. Also watch the video tutorials that Jordan put together many years ago ( ftp://ftp.youngchang.com/pub/Kurzweil/Pro_Products/K2600/Video_Tutorial ). But to be honest i actually enjoy playing the Motif-ES more than the Kurz because it's a lot more user friendly and the sounds are just as good to my ears as the Kurz. I really dislike the Roland and Korg sound mainly because of the filters that they use but this is always a very subjective thing to discuss. The newer Korg stuff IMHO has a cold, brittle, trebly, thin feel to the sound if you know what i mean but again this is subjective. I have messed around with the Roland Fantom stuff and enjoyed quite a few of the stock sounds but after palying the Kurz and the ES the Roland just sounds way to over-sampled and kind of flat/weak sounding to my ears. So before you rush out and get a Kurz that is still hard to get parts/service for, PLEASE try a Yamaha ES. Also the ES has great software ( http://www.yamahasynth.com/download/motif_series.html ) for programming your own patches/combis on your PC. And if you're trying to save some money you can always get an ES rack and a good controller for almost half the price of the K2600X, just a suggestion. Hope this helps!!! : )

[rifaa]

Concerning the Extreme:

It is a myth that you cannot assign a different pitch bend range for up- and downward bends, so you can easily assign +2/-12 for example. Don´t know where this misinformation comes from, as it is floating round the boards.

You can simply step through combinations via footswitch (the way Jordan did it on his Kurz and is now doing it with the Oasys). Don´t see a problem there.


It is probably the easiest to use (touchscreen e.a.), but only you can decide if you like the sound (I do, don´t think it´s especially thin, excluding the pianos, which nevertheless can cut through nicely).

Hope that helps!

[Sandro]

thanks for the responses guys. Well now that a TE user has told me the truth, it's pushing me back towards a TE! I cannot make up my mind.. this Keyfest DVD demonstrated excelent use of the TE... I personally thing that the 2600x is a much more powerful instrument when dicussing cabability and sound flexibility.... But it's almost double the expense.

[rock_ya]

thanks for the responses guys. Well now that a TE user has told me the truth, it's pushing me back towards a TE! I cannot make up my mind.. this Keyfest DVD demonstrated excelent use of the TE... I personally thing that the 2600x is a much more powerful instrument when dicussing cabability and sound flexibility.... But it's almost double the expense.

You can always buy a rack (or a K2661) version and a 88-key controller which will be cheaper. Before you decide think carefully which of those 2 ( TE or Kurz) you prefer in terms of sound because I really agree with airspeed about the Korg sound...

[Sandro]

I really agree with airspeed about the Korg sound...


Hmmm... Even with the awesome tube the TE has? I agree that the piano sounds are, well, not good; however, I was planning on buy a ME1 to substitute for those sounds.... I've played the TE on several occasions and there was nothing wrong with the sound, it's the capablity that is my main bother...... I realy like the fact that it's very simplified with it's touch screen technology, but the kurzweil is capable of anything...


Is the TE sound really that bad to you guys? I think it's very good... try to describe the disadvantages of the TE sound....... Also, what other synthesizers can you recommend that has similar capability, sound, controllers, and flexibility as both the 2600 and the TE? If you can think of some, what are some of the capabilities? How many split's and layers can you have in one set-up? Is the sound good etc.

[gusjdt]

Sandro, check this thread out in PS. I answered more or less the same questions for this guy. Perhaps you can find useful information there.

http://www.progsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4513

[Sandro]

Sandro, check this thread out in PS. I answered more or less the same questions for this guy. Perhaps you can find useful information there.

http://www.progsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4513


Hmmm...pretty convincing. Thanks.. Are there any Yamaha Motif ES users here... is so, what about this synth? Describe it's capbility briefly to me please!!

[gusjdt]

I used Motifs when I was in Berklee. I didn't get too much into programming, but I tried and it was a pain. The sounds however, are very very good, except the virtual analog sounds. Most the of the good virtual analog sounds are the pads. For the leads etc, you have to edit them. One thing that annoyed me was that most of the lead sounds were polyphonic, and I had to edit them while jamming, which wasn't very fun considering I don't know much of the yamaha engine. The drum sounds are extremely good, especially the Power Kit in the Motif ES.

That's about all I know about the motifs. I didn't get too deep into programming, but I can say that I didn't like the filters. Kurz's filters aren't very good either, but I think they sound better than the triton and motif filters (especially the triton's filters.. ugh...).

[Sandro]

Cool.... I'll have to try one out next time I have the chance. There has been a lot of negative talk about triton.. I've played them, but I haven't explored them... Are they really that bad? what are some disadvantages of the triton series?

[gusjdt]

Well to name a few:

Only 2 filters I believe, which are very thin sounding.

They always use terminlogy contrary to that of common terms.

The synth engine is not very flexible (heres where Kurz's VAST shines)

The joystick is a pain in the ass.

Etc etc, I'm not saying the triton is a horrible workstation for everyone, but for me, I prefer a flexible and complicated workstation that I can learn with time, than a simple workstation that when I learn all it has, I'd be better off with something more complex.

By the way, on ebay, I've seen K2600XS's sell for less that 2000. I got mine for 1800.

[Sandro]

HOLY SH**!!!! That's an AWSOME deal!!!!!!!!!!! Too bad i don't trust ebay..

[gusjdt]

Yes it is. Ebay is very good when you know how to pick out the good from the bad. It's like an international pawn shop full of good stuff at good prices.