I am comparing these 3 unweighted keyboards. I need realistic piano, elec.piano, rotary organ sounds and strings. I think Yamaha has best piano, Alesis has best organ (with ramping rotation!), and Roland has best strings. Please post/email your opinions.

Hey Jim, let me get this straight....... you're looking for a unweighted keyboard that has good pianos, e.p's, organs, and strings. Ok here's my two cents worth, for the 3 you're looking at, I would recommend the XP-80, not only are the sounds of a good quality on the synth itself, but it is also extremely expandable..... so if you don't particularly care for one category of sounds on it, you can buy an expansion board for those sounds. The exp. board collection for the JV/XP series synths is probably the most versatile collection out there.(18 boards in all) And second, it has a sequencer; that can come in handy when trying to think up new music. I just think that you could do better with the Roland than either of the other two. It will keep you busy for a long time.

------------------
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

All these synthes have their strenghts and weaknesses. The Alesis has crappy factory string sounds but it too can accept up to 2 Q cards which contain new samples of whatever you want. I personally do not like the organs in Alesis keyboards but better organs can be found in the vintage keyboards card, better strings in the orchestral card.

Yes for great pianos on the XP80, get the 'Session board' which contains the best acoustic piano this side of the SRX board for XV synthes. for good organ sounds get the 60s/70s board which also has all the Rhodes and Wurly sounds you want and for great strings, the Session board has them also. If you want more, check out one of the orchestral boards.

I like the sound of the Yamaha too!!!! Personally, I have never been a fan of Yamaha keyboards but the new S series has swayed my opinion somewhat- great sounds.

If you don't need a sequencer but like the Roland XP80, check out the Xp30 which has not got the big disply or extra 2 outputs but has the same syntheis and 3 expansion boards as standard (orchestral, session and techno) so this might be your best overall option!!!!

Korg Trinity and Tritons are also worth checking out- I think Korg beats Roland hands down in the organ department but Roland has better pianos. Korg's strings are also excellent but I wouldn't say they are better than Rolands- just different!