Hi everyone

dnarkosis:
True, the XV uses stereo samples/waveforms, and can use up to 8 tones per key in patch-mode. This is how every PCM-synth ever has worked. The exception is Kurzweil K2xxx-series. They are hybrid PCM/DSP, and polyphony remains constant.

vic83:
I agree with you that the Fantom should have at least 128 voices polyphony. But Korg Triton/Karma has exact the same problem.. Why? Well, have you noticed how Korg always put their focus on combis (layered performances) instead of patches? Combis are one of the most effective ways to use polyphony and generate timing-problems that I know of!! I have no greater belief in the other synth makers: How could Korg release Karma and Yamaha release Motif with only 62-note polyphony out-of-the-box?? Roland is not the only one here..

Totty:
Correct, the PCM-technology being used today is old, it has been used at least since Korg M1. Roland D50/D550 was a bit different.. But, I mean.. The entire definition of a synth and what it should be able to do is more like 30 years old! And now, synth makers are applying cutting edge technology to RECREATE 20-30 year old synths and sounds....

The "dream-synth" that you ask for is not here yet.. There are still limits in computing power, and more important how expensive a synth can be and still find a market.

I agree with you that one of the really strange things with the Fantom is the REDUCTION in number of real-time controllers. They even have fewer foot-pedal inputs...

I think so far Roland has been right in staying away from the virtual-analogue market. Being an "alternative" manufacturer has been an important part of having success in that market.. Roland are sensible enough to do what they know: PCM. The makers of virtual-analogues have really felt the problems of being at the cutting edge of synth-making.. Some of these synths have had greater technical challenges than the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter-aircraft..

And about the other manufacturers: They appear to me no better than Roland.. Korg Karma released this year, is by no means a technological breakthrough. A good synth, but no really important changes.. Yamaha? Well the Motif looks promising, but almost like a downscaled EX-5. The EX-5 had 128 voices you know, and it was more ambitious in every way..

Stig

[This message has been edited by stigf (edited 08-24-2001).]

//How could Korg release Karma and Yamaha release Motif with only 62-note polyphony out-of-the-box?? Roland is not the only one here..//

you do know that Motif can be Expanded in it's polyphonic to up to "256" voices with their boards!. and, you know well that if the Motif came with "128" polyphonic, it would be more Expensive than it's price now. because those chips are Expensive just like a 64MB SDRAM and a 128MB SDRAM.why give you the more Expensive one when you can acutely pay that money later on an simple upgrade that you may use or not and you don't have to pay it on the Motif...you get my point?..for Korg you know the moss adds 6 voice which I know is nothing but at least we know that the MOSS will of course be upgraded in the future to more polyphonic and that of course may reach up to 64 polyphonic.it's a prices things just like Computers.and for Roland and what the Fantom got? if this Keyboard are more than US1599,99.I would say they are cheating very big.ate least they got teh range of US1700 and US 2400(motif and Triton in 76KEYS versions).but I don't know why they kinda made in a very old specification.and Ignore teh sampling that Yamaha and Korg are playing with.at least that Keyboard won't be good for studio stuff Except for sounds and that's about it if you like the XV-5080 which I do.

that's my Point



------------------
vic:)

I like the idea of giving users the option to fully expand modules for EFX by utilizing plug-in effects cards, e.g. how the VS-series recorders can use VS8F-2 effects cards. Nice, cuz there if you want, not there if you don't.....

Wish my XV-5080 had such an option.

Chris

[This message has been edited by feefer (edited 08-26-2001).]

vic83:

True, the Motif can expand it's polyphony, but if I have got it correct these extra notes are not "universal", they are part of the expansions. This means that the PCM-part of the synth always has 62 notes, but you can add FM, vrtual analog etc. This is of course useful, but not as useful as pure polyhony..

And when it comes to Korg, my opinion is as follows: NEVER, and I mean NEVER believe it when a manufacturer says that "in a near future the OS of the synth will be upgraded to do this, and the expansions will be able to do that.." Sometimes they do what they promise, but sometimes they don't. Buy synths for what they are today. Remember Yamaha EX5.. Yamaha built a monster-synth, and when the users started complaining about problems, Yamaha answered that it would be addressed in OS-upgrades etc. Suddenly one day the whole EX-series was removed from the product range, along with the support for these models..

What I am saying is that it is great for a synth to have the possibility of expansion, but remember that it is very likely that for example the Korg Triton AND the MOSS-expansion is out of production in 3-4 years..

Feefer:
Kurzweil did have effects that you could expand on their K2500. The problem is that for each such smart little function on a synth, it gets more expensive. And suddenly you are in Kurzweil-land, whose synths have all the gadgets ever made... And then they start making synths that cost more than my car... I hope Roland also in the future continue to make synths I can afford.

Still just my opinion.

Stig