Does anyone even CARE that the original poster actually LIKES the arps in WS's, and finds that they get his 'creative juices' flowing...?

To be honest, if these get you inspired, you are NOT going to get the same from an arranger. Chalk and cheese. Different strokes. All that jazz...

I only WISH there was an arranger that the styles sounded even remotely as creative as most WS's loops are. But face it, guys. Arrangers aren't meant to INSPIRE you (unless you're a MOR freak ), they are meant to help you play songs, gig, all that. But try to be CREATIVE on them, and you quickly hit the wall of mediocrity that the styles have...

Don't get me wrong, mediocrity has it's uses. But if you are trying to do ORIGINAL, fresh music, styles aren't really designed to do that. They are generally designed to help you perform music in styles that have ALREADY become popular. WS's OTOH, really ARE designed to try to help you make ORIGINAL music.

Sure, if the manufacturers pulled their bloody fingers out their bloody a$$es, there's no reason why an arranger couldn't do all that... But without the CONTENT (sounds AND styles) designed for that task, it's an uphill battle.

Arrangers are VERY good at doing quick mock-ups of songs, of trying out chord progressions in established genres, and just giving you a quick 'instant fix' of full band accompaniment to try an idea out. But the more original and fresh you want your music to sound, the worse they work as a writer's tool, IMO.

Kingfrog will now disagree with everything I just said...

I agree with Diki..., don't underestimate those arps on the workstation. All you fellas who love those real sounding guitar strums on your arranger keyboards...., what do you think those things really are?????

Those are arps that utilize chord recognition synced with auto accomp. Perhpas some of you have already forgotten one of the leading sale points on the new Motif workstation was these new arps that give the feeling of "arranger style" playing with left hand chord recognition.

The guy says he's impressed with the arps.., those 1000's of arps on these synths aren't just space fillers either. The guy wants to do pop, and new age. Looks to me like he's wanting to play styles that lean more towards the modern areas. For that I'd suggest he stay away from the arrangers because none of them are doing a good job at catering to that.

Stefano.., I'd suggest the workstation man. Arps are a very powerful and useful tool to have on any keyboard.

No I agree.. He should get a workstation. I said as much. Especially if he wants a contemporary sound. I have not heard a song lately that I think will be requested at a party 20 years from now. Unless the "performer" is a DJ.

I could say "it's all been done" but Im 54 years old.........My influences are the same age and older. So in my case using Arrangers for writing is a good thing. Not to mention I am not looking for a "deal" nor would I attempt to write a loop based hip hop. Us old dudes are in good company, Music like that from Diana Krall, Michael Buble, and a whole list of other far more geriatric acts are still relevant.

I prefer "familiar" with interesting melody and lyric,Some would call that Mediocre. 12 bar blues will always be 12 bar blues.

I call playing the same old songs night after night the ultimate in mediocrity. My own wife would differ,but thats her joy. Can't argue with someones passion no matter what it is or the result,

Diki and squeak_D, you two "get it". I have now pretty much decided on the Korg M50. This was a late entry in my search but once I started playing it I could not get away from it. Went yesterday again to specifically play other rigs (to be objective) and still spent 95% of my time on the M50.

If you have not played the Korg M50 check it out, even if you are not looking for a kb right now. When you want a bit of inspiration the "combi's" alone are very cool. Kick in one (or two!) arps and you are flying. Kick in the drum track and you have takeoff !! Some of the arps are so well set up that all of a sudden you hear things you did not hear for the last 30 seconds -- the arrangements (no pun) of the arps are so well done they stay fresh longer than you might imagine.

thanks for your input

Stefano

Good luck with the M50 Stefano! Korg has really put out a winner with that budget workstation.., and YES Korg has amazing Combis. The way you look at those combis is like how Arrangers have OTS. Arrangers you pick a style and the OTS has presets (some good.., some not so good) preassigned to that style through the OTS buttons.

Synths have those Combis..., A good set of patches all assinged with a drum track and killer arps, with preassigned effects routing, ect. Korg IMO has some REALLY good combis.., especially in the orchestral department. So much happening in those..

I'm glad you found which one will work for you. You did your research! That really saves you a lot of headaches and even money down the line. Arrangers are great keyboards..., and they too are good song writing and performing tools. However, an arranger doesn't always fit one's needs. Sometimes you gotta go to the workstations.



[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 01-10-2009).]

All evidence to the contrary

(Just joshing you )

Stephen Kay has also just released his KARMA software for the M50
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=40108

If you like Arps, this will blow your mind totally.

Regards.
James.

I appreciate all the input. Karma is a bonus (for $199) that I will possibly explore -- but only after months of exploring the M50 itself.

thanks
Stefano

Stefano,
Please answer one question for me..Based on all your testing...How good are the instumental (Orchestral) voices on the M50? The real question I guess is how are the samples?

The original M3 AND the PA2/PA800 have quite a few really bad samples. Varying vibrato's, different timbres per sample, weak levels in upper ranges, white noise on a lot of the upper ranges strings... etc

Thanks,
Lee

Lee, while I did not test all String samples, those that I did test seemed very good. As good as those of Yamaha I would say, but not identical of course.