Shame we couldn't meet up because I could give you a demo of both that would show you just how good the M3 is, but also why the OASYS is in a completely different class altogether.

Both are positive experiences, but obviously the OASYS experience is vastly different. You end up going beyond things like does a piano sound like a piano and into another world of clarity.



Every OASYS user on KORG forums will tell you the exact same thing. KORG have even been saying it themselves since they OASYS was first announced. The problem is trying to let people who haven't played the OASYS to try understand all this. Your lucky because you have, but even at that you still really don't know who far it goes. You need to hear all the other Engines and actually sit down and sequence a song, or play with the COMBI sounds.

Here's a little something I sequenced a while back and I think it partly demonstrates how you can run many tracks at the same time and still have super clean separation and clarity in your mix.
http://www.irishacts.com/mp3/OASYS-Forest-Gump.mp3

Bear in mind though that you will not be able to hear the true sound of the OASYS from an Mp3. In case your wondering what the tune is I sequenced, its the Feather Theme to Forrest Gump the movie.



Discontinued simply means that no new features will be implemented. KORG will continue to support it like they do all their products. Even if someone finds a bug 1 year from now, KORG will fix it and release a new OS.

This has always been their way. Just look at KORG forums and you will see what I mean. There's a number of KORG Tech guys hanging out there. Even the guys who built the OASYS.

Regards
James

James....yes, we're probably about 3,000 miles apart, but I sure would have loved to hear you demo the two units for me.

I listened to your Feather Theme. That’s a really pretty song…particularly the way you put it together on the OASYS...very smooth...very melodic. I also listened to a few more Youtube OASYS players. My God, that really is the instrument to end all instruments. The others now sound like toys next to it!

I had another 30 minute conversation with a Korg techie a few days back about the Oasys and the M3. I take back what I said, those guys are OK over there. And very knowledgeable when you get the right "specialist." He explained to me the history of the OASYS and the technology behind it and he stressed the fact that Korg pulled out all the stops to produce an instrument that was way ahead of it’s time and well aware of the (pre-recession) cost factor. They also reassured me as to their undying support for years to come. I came away from the conversation absolutely convinced of the superior sound qualities of that keyboard and the sound investment it would make. Like, even coming across computer desktop speakers those demo's are fantastic. Plus, I still remember my reaction when I first played it at the music store.

Unfortunately, like the top of the line arrangers, I can’t find one in any of the stores to try out again. So I'm going to let my thoughts percolate over this situation. But not too long because my feeling is that now that they're not in production any longer what's left at the dealers will go fast, especially if the price starts to come down!

Lucky

James, I wonder if I might ask a favour?
Could you give me your opinion of the keybed of the Oasys 76 compared to the PA2xpro one?
Thanks
Dennis

Hi miden.
I have the 88 key edition myself so I will have to compare against my past experiences to explain the difference.

The Pa2X uses a FATAR key bed and the OASYS 76 uses a Yamaha bed, the exact same Yamaha bed that KORG use on their Triton Classic, Studio and Extreme keyboards. The Yamaha bed is very light and soft to the touch compared to the Pa2X which is a heavier weighted key. The feel of the key is different and with the yamaha bed there is glassy / polish finish to the keys where the FATAR has a dull finish with an almost grain like feel to the black keys. The Yamaha keys are also rounded more on the corners so when your playing chords spread out, the feel of the neighbouring keys tipping off the side of your finger tips is more pleasing.

They also produce a different sound when played. The FATAR has a nice soft sound almost like playing on keys backed by a fine thick felt stopper, where the Yamaha beds can have more of a thin felt meeting a metal stop sound to them when in their fully down position. The Yamaha beds can also get very noisy over their lifespan because of how the mechanism works in them and how the key is stopped when in it's fully down position.

That said, I sill personally prefer the Yamaha beds regardless of the noise they can make as they get older. The FATAR bed is nice to play too, but there's just something about it that feels “floppy” if you know what I mean.

Hope that helps a little.
James.

Thanks James, yep that does help

Dennis

The posts on this thread have certainly opened my eyes.

I am a long time Technics fan, who has bought a Tyros3 as insurance against my KN7000 dying on me and have been struggling to make my music sound as good on the T3 as it does on the Technics. As a result, I have made a few postings on various sites, expressing my opinion about the T3 - mainly that, apart from a few voices, I like the Technics sounds better - even prefer Technics styles too and I believe that I've made myself a little unpopular with these statements.

After reading of the Oasis, I went in search of some demo's and actually found demo's of the Korg M3 first.

What an eye opener - I never knew such quality sounds existed on any keyboard and find it hard to imagine how the M3's sounds can be beaten by the Oasis but I take your word for it.

I am aware that there is a big difference between an arranger and a synth/workstation but the bottom line is - after comparing Technics & Yamaha sound-wise, it turns out that they both sound like sh*t after hearing the M3.

Why then, don't Korg incorporate these sounds in their arranger keyboards - I for one, would be willing to pay the asking price for a board with this quality of sound.
Tony, Sheffield

Interesting letter, Tony. I, also, am not crazy about the Tyros....it sounds too one-dimensional to me. But that's the way I hear it. Others will rave about the keyboard.

I spoke to Korg about the sounds of the M3 and the PA2XPro in the same conversation. And, as I'm writing this, I'm realizing that I'm confused again about the differences. I'll have to call them again.

I DID like the strings on the M3. That's about as much as I can remember after playing it. But I do remember being very impressed with it, enough to keep it in mind as a supplement to a main arranger.

Reference the Technics...I'm really curious about what that sounds like. If I'm correct, it's viewed the same as the Casio was in it's embryonic days.

My own attitude is that if you're a good enough player, then you don't need a lot of fancy styles and fill-ins, etc on your keyboard. Your playing is what people will listen to. Easier to build a song "up" from a basic sound, than to have to tear away layers of musical complexity in an intricate style to tame it to a level where it's not attacking your audience.

I've been viewing these OASYS and PA2xPro demos on Youtube. Sure these instruments are incredible and the players knock your socks off, but I'll listen to it only 1-2x. Then I'll go back repeatedly to raw, blood and guts music like Alvin Lee (Ten Years After) playing "I'm Going Home!" Pure, electrifying guitar licks and runs with very few effects needed."

Alvin Lee never needed a "high-end" guitar to make himself sound good!

Lucky

Quote Lucky2Bhere:
"My own attitude is that if you're a good enough player, then you don't need a lot of fancy styles and fill-ins, etc on your keyboard. Your playing is what people will listen to. Easier to build a song "up" from a basic sound, than to have to tear away layers of musical complexity in an intricate style to tame it to a level where it's not attacking your audience"

Hi Lucky,
I fully agree with your comments - a good musician will shine whatever instrument they play. However, I don't have immense faith in my own abilities as I taught myself to play and to read music and one can always tell the difference between someone like me and someone who has had a few years of music lessons with a good teacher. I played organ in Pubs & Clubs for many years and always managed to fill the places up somehow but still lack the confidence which proper training would have brought.

As I am almost 70, my pub days are over and in the last 5 years I have only played for seniors at a sheltered accomodation complex where my Mum lives. They love to hear my Technics & Solton MS40 and I would be happy to stay with the Technics but am afraid it may give up the ghost so I want to be ready with my next board for when that time comes.
Thought the T3 would do it but still unconvinced although I must admit I'm rather a perfectionist and take some pleasing.
On the strength of the M3 demos, I would probably go for it if it were an arranger but have spent too many years playing with arranger backings to manage without them now.
Tony

Hi Tony...there are many, many musicians who are NOT schooled, yet they still pack them in like yourself. But.....I DO know how something like that could override your "packed house" and play on you, especially if you're a perfectionist.

I really envy you having played in the Pubs & Clubs for so long. It doesn't matter how good you are there......those places are for one thing only....having fun! For both you AND the patrons. I'd give anything to be back there doing that.

The M3 I would only buy as a supplement to an arranger. And I'm having a hard time with what's on the market now. I'm keeping all my options open, including the OASYS.

Lucky

Dear james,

I was just wondering, as with both an Oasys and a DBeat, you would still not have an arranger in your setup