Need to give my Yamaha MIDI compatible keyboard richer, better sounds. Need nice jazz organ, piano, and brass sounds. Which unit is superior. Found a Korg X5DR for $250. Is the JV1010 really worth the extra money ?(retail is $499, used about $325)

What Yamaha keyboard do you have? The reason why I ask is I have a Yamaha DX7. When I hooked up my JV1010 the sound of the JV1010 is not the same as when I use Roland synth or controller. It has more life when I use Roland module with Roland synth. The JV1010 has more sounds and expandability than the X5DR. I do have Korg X5 keyboard and my JV1010 sounds better than using it with my Yamaha DX.

uh oh - I have a Yamaha DX7 too. But I was going to use this unit with a cheap-o Yamaha PSR70 (just as a second keyboard for gigging). So I guess it will bend & distort the sounds, huh? maybe the Korg will be better with the Yamaha then?

Guys, The DX7 only responds 0-99 velocity,Roland 0-127.....Fran

The JV1010 has a much more advanced synthesis than any Korg N- or X-series. The N- and X-series have Korg's low-end synthesis (AI2), while the JV1010 basically has the same synthesis as the JV2080 and XP-60/80. The down side of the JV1010 is that you need a computer to edit patches.

The JV1010 contains the "Session" expansion-board. This should be good for pianos, brass etc, and you can expand the JV1010 with one more card if you need to.

Stig

What to do? X5DR vs. 1010... You're looking for richer better sounds? I'd go with the roland module. I have a 05/rw module and the X5DR is essentially the same thing, although a later release by korg. Still, the same sound engine. The JV-1010 shares the same sound engine as the JV-2080 and costs about a thousand dollars less. If you have a computer to use for sound editing the 1010 is worth the extra money over a x5dr module. If you don't have a computer in your existing midi setup, I would consider the alesis qsr module. It sorta fits in the price range of the 1010 and x5dr module. The problem with the 1010 is its user interface. You need a computer to edit sounds. If richness in sound is what you're looking for on a budget, I suggest the 1010 or qsr by alesis. The qsr has a user interface which allows full access to programmable functions of the module without computer software. So does the x5dr but at the expense of sound quality/richness in comparison to the 1010 or qsr. The best thing to do is to compare them both at your local music store using a good pair of headphones. Both modules have their pros and cons but how they sound to you is what matters most. On final note, I'd go with the 1010, IF, you have a computer.

Richness is such a subjective term. I don't think you can make a blanket statement that one synth has a 'richer' sound than another. I have both the 1010 and X5DR, as well as about 9 other synths and modules. These two, plus a Kurzweil MicroPiano, I use for quick gigs when loading racks is unnecessary. The 1010 has some good pianos, strings, EPs, etc. The X5DR has much better thick pads, brass, and a Wurlitzer EP that is very authentic. Also a very usable stand-up bass. The term rich can be applied to either box, depending on what sound you're using. Listen to the sounds you will use the most and play them through a rig similar to your own. Then make your purchase. Remember, editing and setting up simple splits and layers on the 1010 is a royal pain in the butt, whereas it is quick and easy on the X5DR.