What type of format can you use for samples? Are they only available from the Casio site?
I called a few music stores to see if I could demo the new Casio wk3700. THey had none in stock!!! The clerk was surprised himself. They will sell like hotcakes from now unitl christmas. Get on it Steve's Music.
Kevin

Not sure of all the formats. What I've done on numerous occasion is take wav samples and convert them over. I would assume other sample formats would work. What you're doing is taking the sample. Loading it into the Casio software. You then set your key points, then when you're finished with the sound the software will convert the file to "Casio Format". Of course their will be minor restrictions... You can't convert really large files on the 3000/3500, but with the newer models I would only assume you could due to the new models having twice the sample memory.

Squeak

Could you explain a little about the differnce between an Arranger and a Synth. I'm guessing a synth is just a keyboard, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Also I think my question has changed slightly. Instead of asking which keyboard/synth/arranger to buy, I'm now wondering should I buy a keyboard, arranger, or synth. Maybe someone could post what they are, and the best type of playing each is used for. Or point me to a site/other thread that will explain.


[This message has been edited by BloodBrother (edited 11-21-2005).]

Hi there bloodbrother,

A keyboard is the general description. Synths, arrangers, and pianos are all thechnically speaking keyboards (is board of keys).

Piano you know.

Synth is like a piano, but with many different sounds, and other functions depending on the model.

Arranger is an instrument that allows you to control a whole backing band with one hand (auto-accomp), while playing melody with the other (or singing), in one-man-band style.

Because an arranger is a do-it-all, most people who play in bands use synths, because they don't need the auto-accomp.

Hope this helps,

Zalman

Thank you, yes that helps quite a bit. So I think I'll stick with a synth, since we allready have 2 Mics, yes I will be singing, but I also use both hands on most songs, so a synth sounds best.

Having an arranger gives you the best of all worlds IMO. You can have a synth and a backing band. You can play with both hands with the arranger.

An arranger gives you the ability to practice with drums/rythms and a lot of flexibilities. The CASIO WK3200 is discussed a lot on this board and lots of pros here gave it much praise. The $300 price tag is not hurting it. Plus it has 76 keys ! And it is a full synthesizer in which you can change the sounds and you can even download new sounds from the net.

If you're not familiar with synth or arranger, this keyboard will give you a good intro without spending a lot of money and you can still sound like a pro ! You can buy this at Walmart/Costco that had 30 days return and see if you like it. Little risk

Thank you, for 300 bucks it looks very nice. But I've read some reviews and some say the Casio WK-3200 may not be durable enough for gig playing.

Now my next question... is it beneficial of having a volume pedal, and since you can only have one pedal, do they make a 2 in-one pedal for volume and sustain.

Also, what is a "Vocoder", and an "Expansion Board"?

[This message has been edited by BloodBrother (edited 11-21-2005).]

"Having an arranger gives you the best of all worlds IMO."

I agree - for expensive arrangers.

I would love to recommend any Ensoniq synth (especially the SD1) to you, but I recently had to retire my SD1 as it had become unreliable; I only kept it going this long due to monthly TLC; the control sliders are especially fragile. My problem now is random detuning; I think its a power supply issue but I don't have time to check!

The Roland XP series have a good reputation and are well-built. Ditto almost anything from the Korg Triton line. Yamaha Motif's are also good but I don't know if you can get one in your budget. The Alesis stuff also looks useful but I haven't ever played one.

Hope this helps!

The Ensoniq SD-1 I saw seemed to be quite "out-dated", being made in '92. I believe I could get something newer and be more ahead technollogy wise. Is there a newer model?

The Roland looks great, but I would be using it for rock style music, and some of the reviews said it wasn't great for rock. As for the Korg's and Yamaha's, they look great, but quite pricey. Although I have looked at some Korg's that were only slightly out of my range, so I could look for used ones, and they looked very good.

I still would like to know...

1) What is a Vocoder
2) What is an Expansion Board
3) Is a Moog a brand or a type of Keyboard
4) What is a "Sample Board"

This is a little off topic, but also does anyone have any good websites for free sheetmusic.

[This message has been edited by BloodBrother (edited 11-22-2005).]

The SD1 has the sounds you'd need for rock; the built in FX unit includes "combi" effects (and the leslie simulation is excellent) so there's are some good distorted / echo / leslie B3's in there. The synth architecture and controller routine is extremely flexible and powerful. Like I said, were it not for the TLC and reliability issue I think it would do you a very good job.

I agree the SD1 is rather old but - apart from the tuning - it still sounds fabulous and to me was not surpassed by any newer Enqoniq.

Their later models (KR 76 was thelart) are still pretty good. Ensoniq are now for all intents gone - taken over by EMU. I think the last Enqoniq model was the "Fizmo".

Also I remember looking at the Gem "Equinox" models; the internal architecture looked reminiscent of the SD1 and the sounds were very good.