Hi guys,
As I mentioned in another post, earlier this year I had a bit of a hissy fit with myself. Nothing was right and and I had a bit of a crisis of confidence. I wandered off quietly (what? you did not notice? ) and as a result of all that went on I sold all my music gear. Of course as time went on I was missing playing more and more and then Don Mason emailed me out of the blue (at just the right time) and made me realise I was being stupid and more than a little self indulgent. (My words not his....Don is far too much of a Gentleman to say such a thing!.

Anyway I am now looking to get some gear. My initial thought was to get maybe a clavinova ... one of the CLP range and go back to basics for a while. I ADORE arrangers but they do tend to make me a little lazy in my playing. Still I find arrangers incredibly inspiring when writing songs so I am torn.

I also quite fancy the new Korg Triton Extreme (Have you heard that grand piano sample? STUNNING!) .... or maybe another synth (as the extreme is quite expensive for a first synth! Never having owned a synth before I may hate it!)

I have the option of a VA7 at a very reasonable price and though I think I would prefer the VA76 I am quite tempted.

Saw a Roland Ex 7s at a very reasonable price the other day but did not get a chance to play with it. I have heard mixed reviews about the board which worry me a little but quite fancy the 76 keys! Anyone know much about this board?

There is also a Korg Karma on ebay at the mo that seems reasonable enough.

If I buy a cheaper arranger (rather than go for one of the top lines) then maybe I can also get a piano or synth as well.

My partner is insisting I get something and get it soon because my mooching around the house is doing nothing to help the smooth running of the home and upsets the dog apparantly

So come on guys help me choose and return chez Tony to domestic bliss
Best wishes
Tony

SD-1 & dont look back!!!

"Hello Tony, well hello Tony, it's so good to see you back in your old place . . ."

Just get something! You make anything sound good.
DonM

You may want to have a look at the Roland G70. It has good sounds, workable styles and a lot of other useful features. But most important if you are a keyboard player, it has great 76 keys that would make you want to play.
The good thing about the G70 is that Roland is always listening to the users and constantly up dating the OS.


Another board that is equally good is the Korg Pa1x pro. It has 76 keys and greate arranger synth and sampling features. There is also hard drive, mp3 and CDs possibilities with the Pa1x pro. Korg also listens to their users and is regularly up dating the OS.

Both the Korg and the Roland can function resonably well as a "workstation". I think with one of them you would be very happy.

Tony,

It doesn't really matter what you get !! Of course, it should be something you'll be happy with - you need to get going again (my selfish reason is I love your music). Just don't get something that will limit your tremendous talent (and imagination). Good luck. Looking forward to hearing more music from you.

vc

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Vern

Hi Tony,

If you want info about the EXR7s, I can share the pros and cons with you.

zuki

Tony,

Korg just started shipping the Triton TR workstation keyboard, an updated version of the Triton LE (priced under 1k). It has an expanded 64 MB soundset that includes a new stereo-sampled piano (taken from the same sampling session as used on the OASYS), as well as even more realistic and expressive electric pianos, choirs, guitars, strings, woodwinds and drums. A definite improvement over the LE is that the TR series now uses Secure Digital card storage (up to 1 GB) for saving and loading sounds, sequences and sample data. The new keyboard also uses USB
as a MIDI interface, along with the usual MIDI connections. For the money it looks like a great deal and I like the new black color!

Michael

Tony, my good friend.......

I think you need your dannies slapping.
What on earth is your problem? Do you still not know how lucky we all are, just to be alive! Just look out of the window NOW and think of all the good things going on for all of us....A beautiful new day...A perfectly shaped new Sun which is OURS and brings us hope every day that today will be good for us and shine on the good things in life...then sit down and thank your fate that you are here...and you can bring pleasure to lots of people with your talents whether musical talents or talents of real fellowship to us. Remember also how many millions around the world would give their all to be as lucky as you................

Come on Tony, we need you . We need your influence on our lives . You bring us your music and your vocals and your wonderful talent... don't give up on us when we really need you.
There! consider yourself fully chastised
On behalf of us SZ'ers get smart!

cheers
Eddie



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Eddie from Rotherham
Skype:eddiefromrotherham
www.yamahakeyboards.info

Tony, yeah . . . it really doesn't matter what keyboard you get, just get one (they're really all good now afterall) and 'get back' to making & sharing your music with us again. Of course, I have to admit, you already know what my keyboard choice is. A great BIG welome back to you. - Scott

Thanks guys for your warm words and for the advice!

Donny, I take it you have got an SD1 now. Did the 3k not suit you? I would LOVE to audition an SD1 but have never ever seen one for sale here (at least not locally!) I don't think Ketron are as big here in the UK as they are in the US.
Looking forward to hearing your new cuts on it!

Don, You sir are too kind. (And I owe you a BIG drink one day)

Genesys, I would love a PA1 X pro. I auditioned one a while back. The price of a new one here is still a little steep for my liking though. I have not tried the G70 yet but I have to say it is a stunningly good looking board. I hope it delivers as well as it looks. I am popping into my local dealers today. If he has one in I may be tempted. I'll definately be trying it!

VC, another of lifes Gentlemen, you are too kind. Thankyou for your encouragement though. It is very much appreciated.

Zuki, I would love to hear your candid opinions on the EXR 7s. To me it looks like a really good mid price board with some excellent features for the money. 76 keys is unbelievable at the price, but it worries me that they may have cut corners elsewhere to achieve this?

Michael, I am more than tempted by the Triton range. I quite fancy playing with the arps and maybe some sampling. I really like the idea of having that kind of creativity at my disposal. The only thing that worries me is that I may be a bit of an old dog to start learning new tricks. What are the 'choir' sounds like on the Triton range? I have been looking for some demo mp3's but have not found any to date. I really want to utilise big choir sounds in some of my music. I can quite see myself buying a synth as well just for these types of sounds as from what I hear they are fantastic at such stuff.

Eddie, believe me my friend, I know how lucky I am. For a while I forgot that completely and am actually very ashamed of myself and my self indulgence. It is really not like me to get 'down' but I did and I appreciate that you, along with many of my friends here genuinely care. (even if that means getting my dannies slapped when I need it )

Hi Scott, I know indeed which board you recommend! If I did not feel it would be rewarding my own idiocy I would probably go out and buy the TY2 straight away. (It does sound amazing!) As it is I think I at least have to make amends, kind of like earning the right to justify spending big bucks on a board and work my way up again. (silly I know.... then again I am going to my dealers today so the temptation may just be too strong!)Thanks also my friend for the big welcome back.

Best wishes to you all
Tony