I've read several threads on the web debating the merits of the Triton vs XV5080, but I want to pose a direct comparison based on my situation...

I am the singer of a band, and sequence all of our keyboard parts. I currently use Cakewalk at home to sequence, then at gigs, I play the songs back from a MIDI Data Filer through an Alesis QS6.1. I tried adding a Roland JV1010 to the rig, but the lack of a user interface makes it next to impossible.

I'm looking at either

A) Selling the Alesis and the MIDI Data Filer and getting a Triton 61 key, playing the sequences live from the Triton, and sampling things like percussion loops or vocal phrases (backup vox) to play along with the sequences. Big plus is the onboard sequencer, big minus is lack of polyphony and tough to progam on the fly (?)

B) Keeping the data filer and Alesis and buying an XV 5080. Big plus is polyphony, more sampling RAM, and I already like the Roland sounds (from my experience with the JV1010). Big minus is lack of sequencer, which means I have to go back to using the Data Filer or spend extra $$ on an MC-80 or the like.

Is anyone here in this type of situation? I've read on other boards that the sequencer on the Triton isn't that flexible, and also it's been labeled as "Studio Only." If it helps, my band plays everything from Temptations to Journey, so there's no real plus for hip-hop or trance type patches or functions.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks

Hi XFactor,

Your description of everything from The Tempts to Journey leads me to believe that you're looking for a good variety of bread & butter type of sounds. This is a little bit of a tough call. The XV-5080 is nice, has great sounds and is very expandable. You'll need a sequencer as you said. The Triton is nice as well but may not give you enough of the bread and butter sounds that you need (the piano is not very good on it IMHO). For synth sounds, EP's, guitars, and strings it is quite nice. They both have strengths and weaknesses. You have to look at what is important to you.

If the Midi Data Filer works for you, why would you spend the dough on a MC-80? For playback only at live gigs, you really don't need a sophisticated sequencer - just something that plays back and does everything you need for live performances.

The Triton has the sequencer already built in and you can get a SCSI hard drive (only if you also buy the SCSI option but, if you want to use samples this is a must) to load in sequences quickly. I believe that it has a few performance features like if you want to chain songs together and so on. For samples, it depends on what you plan on loading in. If you load in lots of background vox and so on, you may need to spend quite a bit of time in between songs loading in some new ones. It depends on if you sample in stereo or mono.

If the Triton's sequencer is anything like the Trinity's you'll find that Cakewalk has better editing features but it should do the job for live use. Polyphony is about equal even though the 5080 is 128-note polyphony. I own a XV-5080 and I've run out of polyphony before myself. It's all about how patches are created. The Roland can have as much as 4 voices used up by a single patch (many use 3 or 4) while the Triton can use up as much as 2 per program (again, many use 2). So, if you divide up the maximum for each by the maximum voices used by a single program you get 32 (128 / 4) and 32 (64 / 2).

Both units sound great. You'll have to look at how you'll be using it to decide. If you will be using lots of samples, the added memory expansion for the 5080 may be what you need. If you'll be using a limited amount typically for a small number of background vox parts and a few loops, then you may look at the Triton as it will give you everything in one box.

HTH,
Fernando

Thanks, Fernando!

Over the past couple of days, I think I've come up with a serious option, which is to buy an XV3080 and an EMU sampler. Load that baby up with RAM and enjoy the XV sounds, and get the best of both worlds. I'll probably continue using the Data Filer. The Triton just seems too much for a board with so little that comes "standard."

And then there's the Kurzweil 2500S, which is now in price range of these suckers.

Thanks for your help! Any others with experience using any of these modules/boards, your opinion is welcome!