I am in need of a keyboard, for my home recording endeavors, and was looking at the Roland XP-10. The price tag ($500) was about what I would be able to spend, and I would just like to know what owners of this 'board have to say about it. I have been informed, however, that since I am in the market for a single purpose unit - I should try to spring for a "sampler" based unit. I shudder to think what a machine of this caliber would command (cost-wise) but any info on a decent unit, that wouldn't break the bank, would also be deeply appreciated.

Nate.

[This message has been edited by NLAlston (edited 06-08-2000).]

As far as an all in one unit, the argument, as always, comes down to what you're going to do with it.
The Alesis QS6.1 is also in the price range of the XP-10, but has more advanced programming capabilities.
Depending on you home studio setup, your sampling could be taken care of with software.
Another option would be to get a nice controller (StudioLogic and Fatar make excellent controllers for the price)
and go for modules. In many cases the rack version of a synth can be several hundred dollars cheaper than the full unit.

Hi Chris,

You inquired about what my application for a keyboard would be, and it is solely for the purpose of midi-ing into my Yamaha QY700 music sequencer. It is a fabulous unit, for what it does, but I am not blown away by the internal sounds. I do have a keyboard, but it is a real cheapie (Casio CTK-541), and I use it mainly as a controller for my QY700. I also utilize the pitch wheel quite a bit, and - aside from the additional tones that the XP-10 offers - there is an onboard pitch wheel, which would prevent me from having to reach over to my sequencer for the purpose of effecting that action. A sound module is indeed an option, with the realization of savings, though I would have to sacrifice the near proximity of a pitch wheel.

You also mentioned software, within the concerns of 'sampling'. Could you please direct me to some software that would be good for this? I would really appreciate it.

Nathan.