After triton extreme -- hardynth or softsynth

[raj4music]

hi ....

I am selling my triton extreme .... actually i am getting a very good deal for it .... but now i am really confused whether i will go KORG m3, or yamaha motif xs or a good laptop with an audio interface and a midi controller.....

I will need it both in terms of studio and live purpose...i also own a juno-g .. i find some people in this forum while reading other posts who uses laptop with softsynths in live performance also ... so will you please tell me what type of laptop is needed and what other things will be required for a proper setup that can be used for live performance .... Do you face OS hanging in cases of windows while gigging ?? or will hardware still be better for me ??

Regarding hardware M3 and motif xs are the surrent choices... well i dont want to start this subjective debate about which is better -- M# or motif xs.... i want to know provided i own a juno-g , mv-8800 what will be better a softsynth setup or something between m3 / motif xs??

and pls if some one who uses laptop with softsynths on stage views this post then plz tell me about the configurations of th laptop and audio interface and controller so that i can chalk out an exstimated price ....

thanx in advance ..

[-=AnatomiC=-]

... hard synth...

I would recommend a Virtual Analog synth, but it depends on what music you play. For electro music, I would say a VA is a must, for rock music, I would recommend some kind of a digital organ.
An other workstation, is IMHO not a good option.

No matter what you play, it's always better do get something completely different: something that works on a different sound engine.
It is also wise, to take an other brand, because for example, if you buy V-synth and you combine it with your juno G, I think 90% of the effect would sound the same. Juno G has also lot's of waveforms, derived from Roland keyboards.
On the other hand, if you take for example Korg Radias you will get completely new sounding waveforms, effects, filters etc...

So, tell us what kind of music do you play, and we can recommend something :biggrin:

[raj4music]

i do some solo works which is quite electro .. and i play in a band where we do blues rock , jazz even gothic stuff... so probably u now understand that i need the best of both worlds ..

see at present i have juno-g ... i have mv-8800 so i dont need sampler and sequencer that much ... i need a 2nd synth which will accompany me not only in my band music but also in my solo work ...

now what do u say ?? which one suits better bro ??

i dont like some sounds of the juno-g ... which were there in triton extreme .... but it lacked a lot in the features and sampler department ..

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Yep - you need a good "secondary keyboard", like I call it...

A secondary keyboard is a powerful synth, but without sequencers, sampling, etc.
A secondary keyboard should also be very easy to edit - lot's of knobs, buttons, and certainly NO screen, because LCD makes everything very complicated.

Why would you need 2 sequencers, or 2 samplers, or 2 ROM sound engines? So you pay twice, if you buy a second workstation.
If you buy for example, a VA, you don't pay for those things and you get an additional synthesis engine.

I have Korg Radias, which is pretty amazing (a reasonable price, IMO). It has 4 parts, which is very good for a VA synth. It also has a very powerful vocoder: you can make synth choirs with your voice etc. Jordan is a Radias user, btw - live and in studio.
Nord Lead is good also (doesn't have a vocoder) Very electronic sound, they say.
They say that Access Virus TI is the most powerful VA available - but it's also very expensive (and doesn't have a vocoder, which is nice for electronic music)
It has "dark" sound, so It would be very good for metal/gothic, I suppose.

There are lot's of good synths, but there is no absolute answer...

You should consider 3 things:
- What do I need?
- What do I already have with my current synth? What does my equipment lack?
- What is the best keyboard, to compensate the shortcomings of my current gear?

The decision is very subjective...

I choose Radias, because it has a VA engine, vocoder, Unison mode (up to 5x6+1 waveforms = dynamic SuperSaws), arpegiator, 2 step sequencers, 3 mod sequencers, lots of effect power, 100% user friendly, looks awesome, and it's from Korg (I like Korg synth sounds - leads and pads mostly)... not to mention some very innovative features like dual morph filter.
I'm still doing very basic stuff with it: some leads, and supersaws - I haven't discovered it's full potential yet.

[Omega Monkey]

I say sell the Juno G as well, and then get an inexpensive used VA synth (maybe a Novation Supernova rack or something or Nord Lead).

Im a bit puzzled why you would sell your best piece of gear (the TX) and keep something inferior (the G).

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Agree - Triton XT has more power, I think... but he needs sampling...
But isn't your mv-8800 a sampler?

An other option would be: sell Juno G, and get a V-synth + your triton :biggrin: but again - that's what I would do...
Maybe you like your G more...

[raj4music]

I am selling my triton extreme because i am getting quite a good deal for it ... and secondly now i am thinking to upgrade my setup ... i also want to sell juno-g .. but the advantage of juno-g is it can be taken anywhere .. specially its of great help in my practise sessions .... the triton is so heavy ... thats y ...
i need something where u can dig deep ... also which is somewhat portable ... thats y i liked the M3 ... u can take the module anywhere with you.....

[Grey Loki]

Selling the Extreme because you're getting a good deal for it is not really a valid reason to sell it unless you were going to get rid of it anyway. I would keep your Triton as it's a good bread 'n' butter workstation, and then work on expanding your sound palette, maybe with something from Yamaha's DX series (A DX5 or DX7 would be very nice indeed), or perhaps Roland's new SH201 subtractive synthesizer - those would both give you easy access to some very interesting and useable sounds.

[Omega Monkey]

Triton XT has more power, I think... but he needs sampling

Doesn't the extreme have sampling already?

Oh yeah, it does.

From http://www.korg.com/gear/prod_info.asp?a_prod_no=TRITONEXTREME&category_id=1

Sizzling Sampling

Without equal as a synthesizer, TRITON Extreme is also a robust 16-bit, 48kHz sampler. Korg’s exclusive Open Sampling System unlocks the power and benefits of sampling from every mode. This opens the door to creatively resampling your TRITON Extreme performances – including performances enhanced by the sequencer playback and the arpeggiators. Auto-Setup functions automatically optimize multiple parameters for a variety of sampling situations. By far, one of the most important features of the TRITON Extreme’s sampling engine is “In Track Sampling,” where you can sample audio directly into the sequencer as it plays. The possibilities are endless, but now you can add vocal lines, guitar solos and other audio performances to your sequenced songs! Finally, you can sample or resample directly to CompactFlash or Microdrive media. Resampled songs saved to media can be converted to audio and burned to CD via USB.

Expandable to 96 MB, TRITON Extreme ships with 16 MB of sample memory. Sample memory is conveniently added through a pop-open hatch on the front panel. A complete set of grid-assisted sample editing tools is provided – including time slice, loop, truncate, and time stretch functions. TRITON Extreme is compatible with .WAV, AIFF, AKAI S1000/S3000 and KORG format sample data. Advanced Conversion Load allows AKAI programs to be loaded into a new Program or multi-level Combination with the filter settings, envelope settings, and velocity switching parameters preserved for enhanced compatibility.


Also, it's foolish to get rid of the board with overall better (and probably more) sounds because you "need sampling" (especially when you already have it). The whole idea of sampling is to get more and better sounds.

How many keys is the Triton? If you want something smaller, dont keep the weak ass Juno G (which I think we all told you not to get in the first place). Sell them both. Then get another workstation (like a Motif ES or XS or Fantom S or X) with a shorter keybed (ie 61 or 76, whichever the case may be). If you go with a Motif ES6, you have the advantages of having one of the best sounding "out of the box" synths ever made, along with the capability to add PLG cards for entirely different synthesis engines (like VA, FM, FL, etc...). Hell, you could probably just get an ES6 with the AN, and FM PLG cards and be entirely satisfied with that withOUT buying anything else.

But you already pulled the trigger on the Extreme which despite my position that Korg has remained the weakest of the big 3 in terms of workstations over the past 10 years or so, is still a pretty powerful and flexible (and certainly professional sounding) piece of gear. In other words, unless this deal is REALLY good (like maybe you are getting $200 less than you paid for it and arent really losing any money on the depreciation), you should keep that and sell the G to finance other gear.

To that end, I would say a cheap rack VA, and possibly something like a Yamaha TG-77 (MUCH better choice than any of the DX line, except maybe a DX1, which is way out of your price range anyway). The TG has FM AND PCM samples, abeit dated (in a good way for the most part) ones, has it's own internal effects which are pretty decent, and also can do RCM which Im not aware of any other synths that do that. Basically RCM is using sampled waves within the FM engine as carriers or modulators, which is pretty cool! Oh, and they cost about $200 on ebay so are very affordable.

So yeah, bottom line, base your decisions around selling the G and then decide if you really want to sell the Extreme, and that will influence your course of action in terms of what else to buy.

First rule of gear acquisition:

Dont get rid of your strongest and most versatile piece unless you are immediately replacing it with something stronger and more versatile.

keeping the Juno G just because its light is a pretty weak (literally) reason.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Doesn't the extreme have sampling already?

Oh yeah, it does.

From http://www.korg.com/gear/prod_info.asp?a_prod_no=TRITONEXTREME&category_id=1

Yes, but you can't use your samples to create patches, or so I've heard.
This is pretty lame...

Keeping a synth, because it's light is not a weak reason IMHO. If you are a gigging musician it is really hard to drag your 88 keys where ever you go!
I was considering buying Sonic Cell, just to have all my FX sounds in a small box!

[Omega Monkey]

Yes, but you can't use your samples to create patches, or so I've heard.

That cant be right. WTF would be the point of sampling if you cant actually use the samples for anything?

At any rate this...

TRITON Extreme is compatible with .WAV, AIFF, AKAI S1000/S3000 and KORG format sample data. Advanced Conversion Load allows AKAI programs to be loaded into a new Program or multi-level Combination with the filter settings, envelope settings, and velocity switching parameters preserved for enhanced compatibility.[/qoute]

...pretty much means there are 1000s of already made samples out there for you to load up and use.

[QUOTE=-=AnatomiC=-]Keeping a synth, because it's light is not a weak reason IMHO.

It is if thats the ONLY reason the thing is worth keeping. Anyway, a 61 key MOTIF is less than 35 pounds anyway.

[raj4music]

Thanx omega -- But its really tough for a person like me to carry things like triton extreme or yamaha motif es ... they are almost 14-15 kgs ... juno-g on the other hand is only 6 kgs.. thats very helpful ...

I also considered buying a sonic cell .... i like it very much ... but i have seen some thing that people say juno-g and fantom-x share the same sound engine ...but to my ears they dont sound the same ?? what is ur say in this matter ? Does the sonic cell sound like fantom or like juno.. coz if its sound like juno then its not at all a good buy ...

I am also willing to sell the juno-g but i am not getting a good deal for it ...

Now one more reason why i want to sell the triton extreme ... -- well more than just a good deal ... i am a little dissapointed with extreme in some areas... i agree its a very powerful and flexible board ... and what i live in the extreme is the extreme user friendliness courtesy the touchscreen ... the combinations... [ well, they sound awesome ] but to me extreme lacks in many departments ...

1. Sounds-- well it has the largest number of preloaded presets ... many sounds are just mind blowing ... but it doesnot cover all the areas ... some areas are very weak ...but that was also ok ...

2. Sequencer --- after using fantom-s for 3 years when i came to extreme i was totally dissapointed with the sequencer .. its so outdated ......it lacks a lot in features .... no tap tempo ... very small resolution...no rhythm programming ... touchscreen helps a lot in the workflow but as a all in all standalone workstation it was quite outdated to the fantom-s

The only thing which i liked the most in triton extreme was the depth in the sounds ... i mean it had an oomph in the sounds which was awesome ...

3. The biggest area in which it lags is the editing ... Juno-g also has an excellent editing capabilities [patch editing ]

So all these are playing a role in selling the extreme ...

right now i am getting only deal to sell extreme not juno-g ... but i will get that too maybe next year ......

and with the money which i am getting after selling extreme -- i can buy either of the two -- yamaha motif es6 or roland fantom x6 . To buy M3 or motif xs i need to add some cash ....

What to do guys ??? I used to love my fantom .. will i go back to the fantoms or will the motif es be a good buy for me ......

Many people say that the motif es 6 has the worst interface ever ... so i am not sure if it wil be good to go for a motif es6 .... any one having the experience of working with motif es 6 here ???? i want to know whether it is possible to work smoothly in the es ??

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Lol, you think 15 kg is heavy? "looking at his 30 kg keyboard"

The main improvement of Fantom x is the double amount of polyphony.... it has also complexer piano waveforms...
I've never played S, so I don't know ‾\_(º۰ο)_/‾

I would wait few years (or at least till next Winter Namm), I think Roland will release their new flagship workstation soon - but I doubt (I hope, I really do) it will be Fantom successor: they have been repacking it for the last decade or so... enough is enough IMO.

From the demo's I've heard, Fantom X, Juno G and Sonic Sell sound almost the same.

[Omega Monkey]

So after reading THIS thread...

http://www.jordanrudess.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7752

I have realized that telling you anything is absolutely pointless, and you will just go against all the good advice you will get, so at this point I wash my hands of you. Have fun regretting your gear mistakes this time next year (as you are now regretting your gear mistakes of LAST year that I already told you back then how to fix, and then you went and did the opposite anyway).

[raj4music]

@ omega monkey --- I am not at all regretting for my purchase of last year . I am quite happy with them... this 1.5 years I have done quite a gigs with them and also did quite a recording sessions also... Its just i want to update my gears...

For me triton extreme is much better when it comes to Sound ... i love the sounds of Korg...I never regret for the extreme... Its a lovely board ...... every keyboard has its pros and cons ...... and extreme also has its own pros and cons .......

And juno-G is also quite good.......

See bro... here we dont get the facility of checking gears , playing them for long long time and then to buy them ...... which maybe people like you and many others get from shops like guitar center etc... So people like us depend on forums of this type to get some idea about different models .....And i am sorry to say this bro but all advices are not true ...... There were many contrasting advices when i was buying gear last year........ some said at the fantomized community that juno--g sounds much better than fantom-s...... and u always said that juno-g is a piece of crap ....... so which advice to go for ?? If i had tat much money like many musicians do then i would never posted in this kind of forums and checking every 6 hours for any new good advice....... I would have got all of them .... But thats not possible for me...... So i have to rely on advice by different people......and the demo videos and mp3's.... and i always find contrasting advices in almost every forum.... its quite logical to get such kind of reply........coz tastes of music and sounds differ from people to people......... if i listen to all those advices and buy each of the instruments specified then i will be bankrupt.........

SO i had to make a decision last year considering my budget and everything.. and i was very happy with them ... both of the synths complemented each other well ....... and as i said i just want to upgrade to something new..... triton and fantom sounds are quite outdated now ..........

And one more thing its quite easy for a person to say something or to give advice but its not easy for the buyer..... for example many adviced me to go for novation VA, nord lead, korg radias, DX7 and others...... none of them is available where i live..........

i even didnt get a moss card with my triton extreme ......

Thus my friend its not so easy for us to follow all advices we get even if they are good ones...... for me its a knowledge ......... what i come to know from u and others i try to spread those advices among other musician of my place who suffer from the same problem..........

If u dont want to reply then dont .... But its not like that i dont care about what people sat in this forum ..... Please dont say this ...... I am still thankful to people like MAXIMUS, ANATOMIE C, you and many others who guided me last time ..........

Thanx again bro for reading all the pointless confusing posts that i posted........

[-=AnatomiC=-]

If you want to hear my advice..... again.... then here is a good one (that's what I would do)

Selling your gear is a waste of money - If you like your Triton, Fantom S, Juno G - why should you sell it? A good reason to sell it would be if you didn't liked it, but you said you did.

Just keep your keyboards, because once they are gone, they will never come back - and some day you will say: "damn, I wish I still had my Triton". Because keyboards don't sound better - they sound different.
Even very old synths like TB-303 and Jupiter 8, the or a digital Jp 8000 are still used today! I wonder why... :rolleyes:

I will never sell my gear - I will update it, at least once a year (from a small rack unit to a new main workstation), but never sell what I already have...

[raj4music]

thanx bro ...

[Omega Monkey]

Pretty much everything youve said is wrong (r4m). But I dont have the inclination to bother disputing every little thing.

Needless to say, if you were happy with what you had, you wouldnt be trying to get different stuff now (especially the stuff I told you to get in the first place a year ago).

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Lol - what I just love about Triton Extreme, is that it has this cool Tube Lamp, that glows, for overdrive and distortions! :biggrin:

Just want to break the tension.... :smile:

[Grey Loki]

Lol - what I just love about Triton Extreme, is that it has this cool Tube Lamp, that glows, for overdrive and distortions! :biggrin:

Just want to break the tension.... :smile:

I very nearly bought one of those, purely so I could see it pumping when I get soloing!