Triton Extreme and Fantom X

[Diego E]

Absolutely agree Leesong ! our ears will be the decision makers, but it{s still good to have the chance to read everyone's opinions and experiences.

Do you actually play any of these workstations ?what is your experience?

Tks
D

[Slovenec]

Leesong!

You are totally correct when you say, 'You can read all the reviews you want but the bottom line is to try out these keyboards for yourselves. '

I am really trying to find every excuse not to get a Motif ES!!!!! 2 huge excuses are the Triton Extreme and Fantom X.

It is down to how you like the sounds and keyboard action. Thats my whole point with the Motif ES! The sounds are fantastic whilst the GUI is not as intuitive as that in either the Korg or Roland offerings. Thats not to say its impossible to use though! I just love the Tritons touch screen!.

[Leesong]

Originally posted by Diego E
Absolutely agree Leesong ! our ears will be the decision makers, but it{s still good to have the chance to read everyone's opinions and experiences.

Do you actually play any of these workstations ?what is your experience?

Tks
D

I owned a Karma for a long time. I found some of the sounds & effects to be cool while others to be very cheesy. I didn't like the feel of the keyboard. I auditioned the Fantom S-88 and was very impressed by the sampler keypads- a very cool way to construct a drum groove for a song. I also auditioned a motif and was very impressed with many of its sounds but was it seems like there's a steep learning curve if you want to do some in-depth editing. The bottom line is since I already have a computer with Digital Performer and lots of other software programs and plug-ins, I felt that it was unnecessary to buy a workstatiion. Instead, I'm using a Korg digital piano as a controller with a Roland JV2080. I also use a Yamaha QY700 and a Korg i5m to generate quick arrangements for a new song.

[Diego E]

That's actually what's been in my mind lately leesong, what's the point of buying a workstation ??? I work with Cubase SX and Sonar 3 with many soft synths and Gigastudio ...
I want good new sounds, but at the same time want to get rid of my old Korg X3 which I'm only using as a controller. I've tried the motif and loved it's sounds, mainly the electric pianos which I use a lot for ballads. So I'm considering buying the motif Rack ... are the sounds way too different against motif ES ???
For the money I buy the Motif ES7 I could buy the Motif Rack and the Triton Rack together ... or another keyboard as controller ...

Tks,
D

[Slovenec]

IMHO the Motif ES is a big step up from the origional Motif in terms of 'sound quality'(!).

Frankly the Motif ES should have been given a different name because it really is the next big thing up from the Motif!

However if you like the sounds eminating from a Motif Rack then go for it as it will be much cheaper than buying another keyboard you may not want. Plus you'll be able to get the great Korg sounds as well.

Have you considered getting the new Roland Fantom XR if you are in the market for a module? CHeck it out when you can.

That said if you can get both a Motif Rack and Triton Rack for a good price combined then go for it as they are both great sounding and very complimentary modules!

[Diego E]

I think I will be trying them all for a while until I come up with a decision, but for what I do with music, I think I will be more than OK with the Motif rack and eventually the Triton R or the Fantom XR.

Once I make up my mind I will keep you guys posted. Thanks a lot for your input !!

Rgds,
D

[Slovenec]

The Fantom XR looks interesting! Its only 1RU big and has room for up to 5SRX expansion boards as well as sampling etc! Although I doubt you'd do much editing from the front panel. I can only assume editing software for both MAC and PC will be provided?

I hope Yamaha also bring out a rack mount wversion of the Motif ES!

[Slovenec]

Sorry, the Roland Fantom XR has room for 6 SRX expansion boards!

[Diego E]

Thanks for the info Slovenec.
Yesterday I was ready to go and try these keyboards and modules, went to the music stores area .... haven't been there in a while ... This is when my surprise of living in an undeveloped / devaluated currency country like Argentina shows up .... (should I be surprised after 35 years living here ???.... I am 35 !!!!) ...
The most up to date sound module you can find is an XV5080 or a Triton R.... no Motif R ..., keyboards ? Triton Classic ... not even the Studio, and I did find a Fantom S-88 ... only one ... but the store didn't have the disk to start the OS yet .... gosh !!!!!!
No Motif ES whatsoever ...
Not to mention the prices, .... would you pay $ 1800 for a triton rack ???
What can I say ? Thanks god I do travel for work, next week I will be in Denver, CO, and I will do my best to spend some good time auditioning all these keyboards at a music store ... Then I will have to save more money to import any of them into Argentina and pay around 60% on duties and taxes ....

Well, sorry for leting my frustration go out here ....

Tks,
D

[MuzikB]

The battle continues.........

A few more weeks to go until the Fantom-X ships.

[Slovenec]

Diego E- Sorry to hear about your frustrations about the price of gear and duty etc in Argentina! ANd I thought we got ripped of sideways here in Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!

Ive been busy doing backing racks in my studio and enjoying using all the new sounds from the JV expansion boards I bought for my 2nd JV1080 around Christmas time. However Im still lusting over a Motif ES!!!!!!!!!!!

[Slaterman]

I've really, really, really wanted to like the Motif. I've gone to the local music store several times, wanting to like it. All I can say is ... it is uninspiring. The sounds on the Fantom are much better, in my opinion, although both those synths are too "gadgety" for my tastes (every patch, it seems, is arpeggiated).

I own the Triton (and a Nord Electro and some other synths) and have owned the XP-80. I honestly don't know why people like the Motif. I just can't "get into it" -- the sounds, the "user experience," etc....

[Slovenec]

Slaterman!

Are you referring to the origional Motif or to the Motif ES. IMHO the ES is a whole new ballgame compared to the origional.

When I 1st played the origional Motif, I really liked it but it never blew me away the same way that the Triton did when it was released. It was like Korg's answer to the Triton in many ways back then (with a more sparkly sound).

However the ES blows both the origonal Motif and Triton away IMHO when it comes to overall 'sound quality'! Although of course this is only IMHO!.

The Fantom also sounds awesome and I'll be interested to check out the Fantom X when it arrives.

Its funny how you said you've tried to like the Motif but just couldn't get to like it enough. I was the same with Emu gear. When the Proteus 2000 came out and the music mags were praising it up, I went to my local music shop 3 times(!) to try to convince myself to like it- AND I JUST COULDN"T LIKE IT!!!! I suppose it's all down to personal taste isn't it??.

[Slaterman]

I think I was playing the ES, although it could have been the original. It *is* a pretty "personal taste" thing, hm? Another example -- I was really really really gearing up to LOVE the Yamaha S-90 that's just come out (Motif sounds, new piano, weighted keys, fewer "gimmicks"), but when I played with it for a while, it did nothing for me.

Now, if Roland would make a Fantom without all the gimmicky arpeggiator patches, *THAT* would be something I'd consider adding to my arsenal. :-)

Ted.

-----------

Originally posted by Slovenec
Slaterman!

Are you referring to the origional Motif or to the Motif ES. IMHO the ES is a whole new ballgame compared to the origional.

...

I went to my local music shop 3 times(!) to try to convince myself to like it- AND I JUST COULDN"T LIKE IT!!!! I suppose it's all down to personal taste isn't it??.

[Slovenec]

Roland released the XV88 a few years back which was basically a slightly cut down XV5080 (with smaller LCD, less fx at once and les expandability). That was a while ago so surely they should bring out something similar soon- like a Fantom X without the sequencer, sampler etc. Just the great expandable synth engine complete with at least 6 exp slots and a nice keyboard? (ok just my idea).

I'll be keen to try the Fantom X within the next few weeks. The same applies for the Triton Extreme.

But the Motif ES is currently still the king of ROMPLER synths IMHO at the moment! .

PS- Check out the Fantom XR- single rackspace of the Fantom X without the sequencer etc (but still includes sampling) and up to 6 EXP slots for SRX boards.