Well, you need the room for your new Mercedes, right?

1 Not too easy to get around on the fly.
obviously you are ignorant of the functions which put shortcuts to your preferred screens in flash memory under buttons instantly accessible.

2 Mic has no eq
just assign the parametric eq to it!

3 is must be really difficult to tell the difference between metal and plastic :-)

Sorry if I bruised your ego by not agreeing with all you said. Why are you so sensitive. Does everyone have to agree with you? Or maybe the problem is no one is allowed to point out the errors you post?

johnnie C. I did see the eq DSP, but I could not seem to assign it to the mic..Are you able to assign the eq and reverb DSP's on the mic at the same time? How many jump pages can you assign?You would need several. How do you bring up the jump pages? Would a list come up? If so , it seems like it could still be multiple button pushes..Fran

BTW, the dealer also stated to us that there was not an EQ for the mic..so we took his word since we could not find eq in the mic section..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 09-16-2002).]

Uncle Dave and Fran,

Thanks for your review of the KN7000. I always value the opinion of a real musician.
I was wondering if you were able to, or would be able to actually compare the different keyboards (PA80, KN7000, 9000Pro) side-by-side.
The reason I ask is, I've been using the KN6500 for over a year and I agree that some of the drum kits are very synthetic sounding, but others are, in my opinion as realistic as I've ever heard. I've only spent a few hours on the PA-80 and although it's a great board, I thought the KN6500 was a little better, but I never heard them side-by-side, nor did I have the time to really check out every drum kit or sound.
The only way to really compare is to listen side-by-side. The problem is, I haven't found anyone that carries Technics and the others.

Steven,
The Korg drums are as good as it gets. If I had to rate all three it'd be in this order:
1)PA80/Ketron
2)Roland VA
3)Yamaha
4)All the rest

As for patterns - I prefer the straight-a-headness of the Yamaha to all the rest. The XD9/SD1 sounds terrific, but they still have a weird way of advancing the variations. Sometimes (within a style) A is best followed by C and B is best followed by D. You can't just step through at a graduated pace like on the Yamaha. Korg is at fault here too. Too busy, too incoherent.

Of your three choices - I've owned all but the 7000, and I think as an overall package, the 9000pro is the best.(feature wise)
The absence of speakers (9k) makes the PA80 my next choice. The kn stuff will never be in my rig unless major drum revoicing is done, and the simple chord fingering is changed to include a basic "root" plus "third" = chord. None of this weird "one black to the left is minor" stuff. I hate the thought of using three fingers all night - it's not the way I learned, because I usually play the bass manually. Lately, I've been playing live bass and triggering the arranger with the right hand a lot more. The XD9 calls it "Bassist" feature, and the Yamaha can't do it, from what I've seen. Chord recognition is only dedicated to the left hand, I think.

Too bad you can't get to try them all at once .... they are all very good keyboards, in their own right. My impression of the 7000 suggests that previous owners will be glad to shell out the cash for this new model, based on the USB, SD card, and overall LOOKS and power of the sound.

For a plare that was used to working with quality synths in the past - the 9k is a dream machine. Tough, rugged and loaded with playable features that really WORK.
The PA80 is about midway between the two. It's powerful, and sounds great, but the feel is not as solid as the 9k, and the "glitz" of the 7k is missing. (silly stuff like multi pads that play phrases.) However - NONE of the others has a better sequence player than the Korg - Two independant sequencers - flawless operation so far too.
You've got choices, my friend - but it's better than NOT having any, right?

Uncle Dave,

Are you going to consider the new Yamaha Tyros? It sounds like it's going to have a lot of the glitz, like those multi-pads and play phrases. Plus, even better sound than the 9000pro.
That's what I'm waiting for before I pull the trigger on the kn7000.
I'm definitely not married to any particular company. I've owned Yamaha, Roland and Technics.

Have you heard anything from Korg or Roland about anything new coming?

Hey Uncle Dave!

Did you put a burr under Johnnie C's saddle? Whatever it was, you sure turned him into the north end of a jackass going south! By the way, many thanks to you and Fran for your honest evaluation of the KN7000. My dealer suggested that I stay with my KN6500 rather than upgrade to the KN7000. I really like the KN6500, but, then again, I'm just a keyboard beginner. I haven't heard any of the other manufacturer's keyboards mentioned, so I really appreciate everyone's discussion about them. Thanks again!

Peter

As I am not into writing chapter and verse here is a brief outline to your question

The parametric can be assigned to mic, and you have a separate programmable reverb.
you can save it in a flash memory and arrange the registration filters so it never changes, or use the dsp for another application and bring back the mic setting with the flash registration just when you want to use the mic.
you can put your own parametric eq in a memory for it too and load it when you fire up.

But would all of the above be really necessary if someone is only using the keyboard purely to sing along with SMFs I doubt it

A suggestion
Don't be taken in too much by what a salesman/demonstrator tells you unless he is dropping the price

Steven,
I will not seriously consider ANY keyboard that does not have built in speakers. The Tyros "add on" feature does not qualify in my book. It's just more stuff to lug, hook up, deal with, repair, etc
If i was set up more than a job at a time, maybe I'd rethink the issue, but as long as I do so many one night stands - it's not in the cards. I need light. I need fast. The rest is easy .... making the music is the best part. Setting up is what the client actually PAYS for. As a matter of fact.... I really play for free, but the setup charge is what gets ya !

Peter,
I honestly don't know WHAT'S up with Johnny. he just came out of his corner swinging one day. It'd be different if he actually ever HELPED anyone, instead of all the sour grapes he dishes out. I can't be bothered by every one who's panties get in a whirl every time I give advice. You can take it or leave it - it's your choice. Most people appreciate the effort, so I'll keep the words flowing as long as I have an opinion to share. I won't let the insignificant ravings of one person affect my day. Not if I can help it, anyway. Life's too short to argue about nothing.