Thanks Spalding, that's just what I wanted to hear!

I intend to use this board for Live gigs, (covers) and in the (home) studio (our originals) - so power and flexibility is paramount!

I'm a little nervous changing boards after so long (bought the VA-7 in early 2001).

After learning so much about the VA-7 I also must say it was one of the most underrated keyboards around!

If you know enough about it, you can make it jump through a LOT of hoops - and I hope the new boards can match all of it's sounds (and more).

When I played with the G-70 recently I noticed an improvement, but not the quantum leap I was expecting - however 1. That's more a compliment to the VA-7 and 2. I really didn't audition ALL the sounds and it didn't have an expansion board plugged in.


Hope the PAX-1's 32 meg of memory for sampling is enough (what's up with THAT???)

Any other suggestions or comments??????

It's betwen the PAX1-pro and the G-70 now!

(Thanks for all your help so far - great forum as always!!! - I'm a long time reader/member, seldom post).

Oh... does the PAX-1 have an easy to use OS - especially in regards to editing Midi Files? Apparently the G-70 Midi Sequence editing is so powerful it's almost like a low-end PC program!

I don't want to have to go running to Sonar etc whenever I want to make some edits/tweaks!

Oh, and Mdorantes - you're quite right of course - I didn't really think of that - I guess ANY new board will be a learning curve of roughly the same proportions - Roland or not!

Hellboy44, I too, own a PA1x Pro, and agree with everything Spaulding said. I also have a Tyros2 but have had no experience with the G70 (used to have a G1000). I would stop short of actually recommending the PA1x only because I won't recommend ANY keyboard, only share MY experience with it. My own feeling is that the Tyros2 has the easier and more intuitive OS and that certain utility functions are more cumbersome on the PA1X, but in a live gig situation, especially if using the sequencing function, the PA1x may actually be the easier of the two to control. The touch sensitivity of the touch-screen could be better but is not a deal-breaker...you sort of learn HOW to touch it (like with a woman). The OOTB piano is not a problem for me as I think that it cuts through the mix better than the T2 which sounds better when playing solo piano. IT IS HEAVY, but after years of hauling around a B3 and (2) Leslies, I feel like a wimp complaining about the weight of a modern portable keyboard. Still, I wouldn't recommend it if you're over 80 . Good luck with your choice. My only advice; if possible, buy from a place where you can return it (or at least trade it) without too much of a penalty if you don't like it.

chas

Thanks cgiles - that's a VERY honest opinion of your own board - just what I need!

Can either you or Spalding tell me if the PAX has velocity switching on it's samples (drums etc) - sorry for the basic question.

I have become used to the terrific V-drums on my VA-7, and (being a formally trained drummer since the age of 11) I can tell you they are (still) the most realistic drums in terms of sampling and dynamics I've heard.

It's really now betwen the PAX-1 and the G-70......

Anyone else?

(What a bunch of helpful responses so far!)

I'm trembling in anticipation of Fran's opinion (lol)....

Go With Roland - G70 mate

yes the PAX1 has velocity switching on the drums. The sampler memory has not been amassive set back to me but i dont use it as extensively as you might. The best advice anyone can give you is to go to a shop preferably that has the PA1X and the G70 so you can compare them side by side. Take some midi files with you and experiment. Best of luck

Ok - I get the hint Spalding - you're on the money, I should stop asking questions and audition the PAX-1 myself.

There's not a ton of them around where I'm from, (which is why I asked all the questions) but I'll be doing just that in the coming weeks.

I've come across some revolutionary keyboards in my research for the "perfect" keyboard.

eg - I'd never even HEARD of the Mediastation X-76 - here'a a cut n paste from an experienced user (it's a bit long maybe...sorry).

I can't BELIEVE the features and innovation this thing has!!

If it were readily auditionable (it's a word!) I would buy it in a heartbeat!

Anyway - thanks for all your help everyone - I'll let you know what I get when the time comes....

For now I'll keep reading (as usual) all the enlightening posts in this great forum!


1. The Mediastation X-76 supports 1024+ voices of polyphony. In future upgrades polyphony will be 2000+ voices.

2. The Mediastations polyphony unlike the Oasys does not suffer when you utilize effects, sequencer files, or audio tracks.

3. The Mediastation has a combination DVD/CD-RW drive and supports MIDI files, MP3, MP4, WAV, CD, DVIX, Audio, and Video files.

4. The X-76 can both read and write CD and DVD files.

5. The X-76 comes with 512 MB of RAM, supports up to 3 GB of sample RAM, and supports 24 BIT Gigasampler and WAV files. The Expanded X-76 comes standard with 1024 MB of RAM, expandable to 3 GB.

6. The X-76 can sample and import files in 24 BIT. The Oasys' sample rate is 48K at 16 BIT, not 24 BIT!

7. The X-76 features arranger styles which the Oasys currently does not support. The X-76 arranger section can play back WAV direct from disk or MIDI files, not just arranger files.

8. The X-76 allows the user to playback MP3, CD audio, style files, drum loops, MIDI, and Video files and alter their tempo, pitch, and playback speed in real time.

9. The X-76 does real time BPM detection. This is a great feature if you want to match an audio file with MIDI files and aren't certain what BPM the file was originally recorded at.

10. The X-76 supports with LINUX ARDUR DAW, 256+ tracks of 24 BIT audio, the Oasys just 16 tracks of 16 BIT audio.

11. The X-76 supports with MUSE SEQ, unlimited Audio-MIDI tracks of sequencing plus VST support, the Oasys is fixed at 16 and does not support VST.

12. The Lionstracs utilizes multiple cards for processing so polyphony does not suffer when you use lots of FX or do extensive audio, the Oasys shares a single processor and DSP so polyphony suffers greatly when the processor is taxed.

13. The Oasys has a larger 10.4" TFT color screen but its resolution is low (640x480), the Lionstracs has a better resolution 8.4" TFT (800x600) Silicon Motion 3D VGA. Korg's resolution can't be upgraded because its limited by its processors fixed speed.

14. The X-76 has an SVGA and Video output so you can connect the X-76 up to any monitor you prefer with a resolution up to 1280 x 1024. In fact the X-76 can drive up to three monitors running three different desktops at the same time. Future upgrades will support higher screen resolutions.

15. The X-76 has a PC keyboard and PC mouse port so you can edit, name, save, etc., using the keyboard or mouse.

16. The X-76 has a LAN port as well as USB ports and can be connected directly to the Internet and used to surf the web, update software, or download files directly to the X-76.

17. The X-76 has two Media Players with independent controls that can play back sequences, audio files, video files, MP3's, and more. The players can run together or separately and the BPM and Pitch of each player can be set independently.

18. The X-76 Expanded comes with Native Instrument B4 installed. B4 functions can be controlled from the X-76's real time controls and/or from the touch screen.

19. The X-76 supports multiple VST's and other software. The Oasys can't run these applications.

20. The standard X-76 has (2) open PCI slots plus (1) open AGP slot. The Expanded X-76 comes with (2) open PCI slots and AGP card already installed.

21. All four Main and Cue outputs of the X-76 are XLR balanced, four 1/4" outputs are also standard. The X-76 Expanded has both 1/4" and XLR audio inputs.

22. The X-76 Expanded comes with two gooseneck lamps which makes it easy to see the instrument in any lighting condition. The lamps can be dimmed directly from the X-76's front panel. All X-76's control buttons are illuminated as well.

23. Last but not least, the Lionstracs Mediastation X-76 standard is less than half the price of the Oasys, around $3500.00 USD. The Expanded X-76 is less than $4200.00 USD.

The Lionstracs board seems like a work in progress, and as anyone will tell you, unless you have unlimited time for tweaking and style creation and conversion, how an arranger sounds and plays OOTB is a very important thing.

The one thing you get from the Big Three is very well developed styles, with perhaps Yamaha or the E80 getting the nod for 'best'. A lot will depend on whether you develop your own styles, or expect them to 'pop' as soon as you get your arranger. The Lionstracs arranger is really a sort of 'computer with an attached keyboard' with all the flexibility, and steep learning curves that this implies. And sonically, you will have a lot of work to make it as overall good as your VA7...... While many sounds are spectacular (Giga and B4 especially) they are a lot more work to balance with each other OOTB. All the balance work is already done for you (mostly!) with Big Three arrangers, and there is a far greater range of choice OOTB.

You haven't had a sampler in your arranger prior to now (unless you used the Varios thingy much in the VA-7), so are you sure you will really need one? A BIG problem with hardware samplers is slow load up times, compared to a computer - at best 1MB/sec, and usually the keyboard is dead during load time. So you have to decide for yourself if you just need the sampler for a better piano (which you will definitely want for the Korg!) or you really want to use sampled loops and other highly specialized stuff, which will make the load time more of a factor.......

If I were you, especially in light of your already familiarity with Roland's OS and basic sound (the V-Drums are in it plus a killer piano and the BEST Hammond in an arranger), the G70 is definitely worth trying out. If you HAVE to have a sampler AND 76 keys, then the PA1XPro is just about it, but beware of it's 48 voice polyphony, something that becomes more of a problem if you use a lot of stereo samples.......

As to the future, who knows.....? Maybe Yammie will finally realize 76 keys is not the kiss of death (and add USB2 sample loading)..... Maybe the E80 will come out in a G70 form factor and allow unlimited external patch selection, so you can use a rack sampler....... Maybe Korg will marry a great arranger OS to the Oasis. Maybe Lionstracs will come sounding as good as a Tyros2 OOTB........

We can but dream.....

Hellboy

I'd just like to tell you of one thing you'll need to keep in mind. As far as point #23- The money you spend there is only the beginning. I have a software based workstation. My laptop cost was only a fraction of what has gone into it. I started out with a lot of the freeware stuff that Mediastation gives you, but in my never ending quest to improve the quality of the sounds, effects, and Host / DAW apps ( Sonar, FL Studio, drum machines, etc ), I've run the bill up to several thousand more over the past few years. There are still plenty of hi end sample sets that I don't have and would like btw.

Regrets ?.... Nah, I don't regret it for one minute... the system sounds awesome ( and it can get even better ) ... but I just thought that you might want to know this before you consider going in that direction.

AJ

Thank you both Diki and Bluezplayer - you bring up good points.

I didn't use the sampler in my VA-7 (much) for 2 reasons.

1. The playback was rather low-grade(ish) and mono - I'm a fiend for stereo everything!
2. The loading time (Zip disk).

Which brings me to the points of - loading time with the PAX-1 - does everything REALLY stop dead as it's loading samples etc? Maybe I can play them as high quality MP3's.

In regards to polyphony (I thought it was 64 notes) - does the PAX-1 "run out of steam" and start noticeably stealing voices?
This would be a big issue for me as I would often crossfade bewtween those lovely dual sequencers during dance sets at live gigs.
Could I substitute some voices with a sample loop from either the sampler memory/playback itself, or the mp3 player to "help the Korg along" if you know what I mean?

Actually can any PAX-1 owners answer those questions please?

Is polyphony (and hell - sampler load times AND limited Memory - 32 meg - dang!) - a problem live with the PAX?????????????????


Thanks for any replies.