I'm new to the forum, just joined in, although I've been reading it a lot for some time now.
I'm asongwriter / keyboard player, I have a home studio based on a PC running Cubase SX and various soft synths + Gigasampler. It is working OK for my arrangements. Problem is my keyboard, a Korg X3 which I had for many years. I need a change. I believe keyboards are inspirational tools, and the X3 is no longer making it for me ... (of course ! you may say ...)
I want to buy 2 new keyboards, my budget is approx $ 4000, I tihnk about buying a Motif ES 7 and a Karma, because I've played the Karma and found it very inspirational and songwriting oriented. And liked the motif too.
I just read many good comments on the Fantom, and since the S61 is same price range as the karma I was wondering if I should buy one Fantom instead ...
Comments and suggestions will be more than welcome.
Regards from Argentina !
The Karma has that special 'KARMA' feature which allows all these different musical elements to be controlled in ways unavailable on other keyboards. Magazine reviews have really praised what the Karma is capable of. To be honest, playing the Karma to me felt like playing a cheap Triton. But in fairness I must say that I wasn't given a good demo of how it's functions work (I own a Triton 'Classic'). However if you like the Korg sounds then the Karma is a great workstation, although I'd find the Triton much better to get around thanks to the excellent touch screen.
Because I already own a Triton, Id be inclined to go for the Roland Fantom S. This is really a great workstation for the money and (in a change for Roland!) very intuitive to use. It sounds great and is very expandable.
The Yamaha Motif ES is the next step up from the Fantom S in many ways with more polyphony, simultaneous fx, waveform memory etc. The Motif ES is simply superb and its really the 1st Yamaha synth that I have considered buying!!!!!
Check out all the available options. You can't go wrong whichever way you go as all these keyboards are great! Let your ears be the judge not the features!!!!!!
Thanks for your input Slovenec, I will try both again (already tried the Karma but never did with the Fantom S) and see which one fits better my songwriting needs (pop, ballads).
The motif ES will definitely be in my gear as soon as I work out my budget, short term I will decide between the Karma and the Fantom.
That would be nice !!!! But my gear will be the Motif 7 ES plus either the Karma or the Fantom. I have to say that I'm more oriented to the Karma as I find it very inspirational for songwriting ... is like you trigger any patch with the Karma function on and you have an idea for a song, and I'm not sure if the Fantom would work in such a way ...
I know the Fantom is newer and has lots of features the Karma doesn't have, but those feature will be later covered by the Motif ES ...
I'll let you know what I do once I make up my mind ...
Well Diego your definately wise and right to get the Motif ES no matter what. Right now it is clearly the best workstation out there. A couple of things to consider:
Korg will probably be announcing a new workstation at Winter Namm. You should wait and see if its something you would like.
Its sounds to me like you've talked yourself into the Karma and want our approval. If you like it and it inspires you, forget what all of us say and do what's best for you.
The fantom s is a very easy keyboard to use. While the reviews are mixed and my personal bad experiences aside, you should decide for yourself.
Both Karma and Fantom S are fantastic workstations. You won't get the same 'Karma' features out of a Fantom S because that is technology only specific to the Karma!
Like I advised above, pick the synth that you think 'SOUNDS' the best not the one that has the most features or a better sequencer. When it boils down to something it always boils down to whether you like the sound and how the instruments sound inspires you to creative with you music.
I'll never forget when the Korg M1 came out!!!!! It was an instrument that inspired me in so many ways and subsequently I bought it's bigger brother the Korg T3. Believe you me, there have been a stack load of newer 'better' synths come along but I still love my T3 dearly and it in some ways sounds alot better than some of the newer Korg workstations like the N and X series (IMHO obviously!).
Playing the Motif ES 2 weeks ago inspired me in the same way. When I first played the Triton 4 years ago I was also inspired. The Korg Wavestation (about to sell my AD!) also inpired me no end as has the 3 JV1080's that I have owned since 1997.
So go by whatever does it for you soundwise! If the Karma is the one, then don't listen to anyone else on this board but yourself. As for me, because I already own Triton, Id be more inclined to check out a Fantom S. But thats only me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I owned a Motif ES (you lucky man!!!!!), Id also have great difficulty picking between the Fantom S and Karma as they both sound awesome!!!!!
Hi guys ! you are both right and have gave me great input. Shadowc ... you are right when you say I've talked myself into the Karma, 1st because is the one I've tried do far (never tried the fantom yet), 2nd because of all the good things I've read regarding how it helps songrwiters (from Bob James to Phil Collins ... ). But I'm not looking for approval, I was looking for experience, people who have played both and had some experience to share. Most of all regarding the Fantom as that's the one I've never played ...
But anyway, you are both right, my ears will be the decision makers ... To me the more important thing is the sound, not the workstation capabilities as I already work OK with my PC.
I will also stay tuned to Winter Namm, but the new Korg wavestation will surely be out of the budget I'm assigning for the Karma ... It mayalthough fit the budget for the Motif ES ... We'll see ...
Wouldn't it be nice not to have budget issues ?????
I just bought a Karma for writing - a wicked instrument. I've been checking it out with Sound Diver OSX beta and am in the process of working out the architecture. It's a stunning piece of design and I have great hopes for the things that I will write on this truly classic synth.
I am sure that you have already made your choice, but if you haven't, here is my two cents. I have been an avid Yamaha fan for years. I started with the SY77 years ago and have stuck with Yamaha. However, since the Triton I have also fell in love with Korg. I think you are on the right track to go with the ES 7 and the Karma. That way you have the best of both worlds. And since you are using Cubase (as I do as well) you don't have to worry about missing out on the fancy interface of the Triton.
As for the Fantom, I have played with that machine quite a bit, and have to admit it is fantastic. I'm waiting for the rack though on that one. One thing I love it about it is its electronic sounds. However, if I were having to make your choice, I would still go with the Karma and the ES7. I think you will be very happy indeed!
My two cents. About what there worth.
I am new at this forum nad have seen some of the latest messages concerning some comparisons between some synth brands. As far as I have read in these messages, no one mentioned the Kurzweil 2600 or the new K 2661 synths. I have the K2600 and am very happy with it. Has anyone of you out there compared the other brands to the Kurzweil synths. I am curious to find out out since I am considering getting a second synth. The one I am considering to buy must have various sounds or samples of the well known sounds of the Prophet and similar variations. Any ideas or pointers ? Thanks in advance to all replies.
Hi guys, what is the PA1Xpro ???
I did consider the K2600 al-hadar, but I consider it a little out of budget, and still like the motif ES better, but I know Kurzweil has great synths, I hope someday I have one on my rig too.
The PA1xPro is Korg's new professional arranger/workstation/sampler and performance controller. It is designed to do weverything and is about 3500 bucks! It has like 8 tracks to build your songs behind, touch screen, TC-Helicon vocal processor for the XLR ins. It has an option to outo accompany within the style you choose and it stays in your key, whatever key you play in. The only problem for me is that its so new, and expensive, not many people have them yet. I was told it has attributes of the Karma and all the Triton packed into one plus tons of other stuff. Let me know if this helps and if you find out anything else. As far as I know, no one makes a keyboard even close to this one.
Your talking arrangers and workstations, two different beasts.
From what I've heard on different internet sites the PA1xPro can't hold a candle to the Yamaha Tyros. I wasalso in a guitar center and the store GM and a couple of guys were talking about both of these. The Tyros appears to be much better especially with the sounds according to what I heard from them.
Of course you should always listen for yourself and decide.
Keyboards for a songwriter
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. It sounds great and is very expandable. 
PA1XPRO????
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