Originally posted by Dnj:
On & On we go....It's obvious Not many people are "REALLY" happy with their keyboard judging by posts alway looking for the next latest & greatest.....when will it end? I too leave myself open minded to new technology, but I find many people dont even give what they have a chance...we'l see
[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 01-26-2004).]
Donny: the fact is I'm not "REALLY" happy with Yamaha, Roland and Korg - all of whom I have given decades of chances, money and patience to. Even if I just limited my gripes to the Yamaha 9000 Pro, my complaint list would still be quite long. They have not only discontinued my 9000 Pro with no replacement in sight but they didn't support it very well even in it's prime. My 9000 Pro won't last forever nor will it's capabilities increase no matter how many more chances I give it - and for the first time my keyboard future is no longer limited to what keyboard companies decide to make. If I'm going to spend $2k-$3K on my next instrument and go through lots of time and effort to make it do what I need then why shouldn't I consider every alternative? That should be of interest to us all. I'm very interested also in making this concept work for everyone, no matter what your level of need is.
The search for the better instrument will never end... that's why the GigStation concept is inevitable, with every component replaceble and customizable by the user - from the processor to the memory to the display, the keyboard and the I/O interface. And since you would be using current technology even the lowest denominator of user would have a far more powerful and versatile instrument then what they could buy ready-made for the money with no limits on the sounds and applications as they come onto the market. Take the new Yamaha Vocaloids technology - no Yamaha keyboard exists or is foreseen that can make use of it but the GigStation could use it immediately, along with a few thousand other VST apps. If that doesn't interest you then ignore this thread and leave room for the geeks to have their fun.
My wife and I have been avidly discussing the GigStation and we've come up with more ideas. We are searching through trade show displays and office furniture in search of a portable computer table that closely resembles the GigStation concept. Perhaps something can be modified that already exists since the concept isn't all that radical. Many computer workstation desks would suffice but making it self-contained and portable is the trick. We also think that a convenient portable computer work surface like the GigStation may have more applications than just music.