HELP! I Need A New Workstation!

jeffvincent · Post by **jeffvincent** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:16 pm

Hey All.....I have used my Kurzweil K2500XS for 10 years now as my studios main workstation. I now have a band that started out as fun, and is now getting booked like crazy, and I want to use the K2500 for live gigs.

So, it's time for a new workstation for my studio. I admit I haven't been keeping up as I should. WHat is new out there right now that is a solid, useful workstation synth? Money is not an issue because this is such an important piece of gear.

Thanks!!

~Jeff

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:07 pm

Well, what features do you need to have? How important is the onboard sequencer? What kind of music are you into, likewise what kind of sounds are of most important AND what sounds are needed? Do you need weighted action? I used to own (3) K2500-series instruments, it was a wonderful workstation to say the least!

jeffvincent · Post by **jeffvincent** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:24 pm

Sorry, ya that would help. I do some pop music (mostly in Asia) and film and television work....so that really runs the gamut I guess. I have/use:

DP for sequencing/audio, Triton TR Rack, Roland JP8080, Kurzweil K2500XS, Gold Symphonic Series, Reason, Ivory, Absynth.

Does that help? I was thinking the Korg M3 looked interesting, but I was never a huge fan of the M1 like lost people were. The Triton Xtreme was vaguely interesting. I'm just not sure...

Thanks for taking the time to help Brad.

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:10 pm

Well, why not a new Kurzweil? Look at the K2661 for a 61-key version or a K2600 76-key. On the surface, it looks the same---inside, IT'S A WHOLE NEW BALL-GAME.

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 12:22 pm

The Motif series (ES and up) are strong contenders in that they offer 16 simultaneous insert effects set up as 8 parts with 2 FX each, plus EQ on every channel, master reverb and delay/chorus on sends, and master EQ/compression. Makes sequencing direct to mix possible in many cases.

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:14 pm

If you can wait two weeks, the new Motif XS workstation is mind-blowing and breaks new ground on many fronts. It is probably the most trail-blazing mainstream product that Yamaha has released since the DX7.

Kurzweil also has the new PC3 on its way, which is essentially a K2700 without sampling (there's been some discussion about why it wasn't called the K2700, but I suspect it means Kurzweil has a trick up their sleeve with some major innovations coming soon in an updated top-of-line workstation).

The PC3 will be the cheaper of the two options, but not as trailblazing. Nevertheless, as it includes V.A.S.T., KSP effect algorithms, ALL of the add-on ROM's of the PC2 series along with the unreleased String Sections ROM, it will make a very attractive and complete package for more traditional sounds and even some synth sounds.

The Yamaha Motif XS will be the broader of the two synths in terms of covering more types of sounds and more genres. Furthermore, the PC3 is not available to hear yet. It is more likely to be an incremental improvement on the PC2 and K2600 sound set and effects processing, which of course puts it in the high end and a cut above the current Motif ES series in many regards, but probably not as expressive as the Motif XS with its trailblazing innovations in the area of sample-switching, articulations, real-time control, vintage effects, etc.