EMUSIC-L Digest Volume 64, Issue 02 This issue's topics: Keyboards (13 messages) Keyboards (M1 & 01/W) KORG M1 PCM KORG M1 PCM Opinions requested (2 messages) M1 M1 Patches (3 messages) Oh no not again... (3 messages) Your EMUSIC-L Digest moderator is Joe McMahon . You may subscribe to EMUSIC-L by sending mail to listserv@american.edu with the line "SUB EMUSIC-L your name" as the text. The EMUSIC-L archive is a service of SunSite (sunsite.unc.edu) at the University of North Carolina. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 17:52:14 -0500 From: Student #8 Subject: Keyboards I would like to know what kind of keyboard I should purchase. I play Christian music and have played the piano and organ for years. What kind of keyboard is most popular with professional musicians that could be used for performances and for recording. My son would also like to be able to use the keyboard with his Vestex 4-track recorder. I don't know what brand is popular but I have looked at Yamaha, Korg, and Roland. What is a good choice that would not become quickly outdated? The workstations looked very interesting to me. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 18:18:56 -0500 From: "J. Michael Roach" Subject: Re: Keyboards > I would like to know what kind of keyboard I should purchase. I play > Christian music and have played the piano and organ for years. What kind > of keyboard is most popular with professional musicians that could be used > for performances and for recording. My son would also like to be able to > use the keyboard with his Vestex 4-track recorder. I don't know what > brand is popular but I have looked at Yamaha, Korg, and Roland. What is > a good choice that would not become quickly outdated? The workstations > looked very interesting to me. Interesting that you bring up the topic of workstations. I wouldn't recommend them unless you'll need to play sequences live. If you do, check them out. If you do not, give the Roland JV-30 a VERY serious look. You can purchase sequencing software for your PC that will turn the JV-30 into a fairly powerful workstation. The JV-30 is not a true synth, so you don't really create your own sounds. The palette of over 300 sounds is more than ample for most players. If you need something more robust, check out the JV-1000, the Yamaha SY series, or the Ensoniq KS-32. Hope this helps. j. michael ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 18:48:00 PDT From: Craig Subject: Re: Keyboards The keyboard that has the most sounds and features that you want and feels the best is the one that's right for you. The "outdated" keyboards (i.e. M1, JV-80 etc.) still sound pretty good and are available on the used market for half of the price of anew keyboard. I swear by my M1 - it is by far the best feeling keyboard in its class that I have encountered. By itself it still sounds----- wonderful, but I've expanded its sonic capabilities by getting M1 sounds on my computer - I have added the capability of 3000 addtitional sounds to my arsenal. Don't write off a keyboard b/c its older and "outdated." If it feels good, look into how easy it would be to expand it's sonic capabilities by addin g sounds. You could add sounds via an external osund module or sounds specific ally designed for that keyboard.. All of these types of keyboards will work quite well with you son's 4-track. Again, I swear by my M1 and I have found it to be a quasi-standard in the industry. Most pro-keyboardists I know own one. Good luck. -Craig > Christian music and have played the piano and organ for years. What kind > of keyboard is most popular with professional musicians that could be used > for performances and for recording. My son would also like to be able to > use the keyboard with his Vestex 4-track recorder. I don't know what > brand is popular but I have looked at Yamaha, Korg, and Roland. What is > a good choice that would not become quickly outdated? The workstations > looked very interesting to me. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 23:53:20 EDT From: "David C. Olsen" Subject: Re: Keyboards I have a Yamaha PSR-500 which I love. It's not a professional keyboard per se but it is LOADED with instruments, rhythms, functions, a sequencer and special memory pages. It's also MIDI compatible and can be used with your computer. Also on a four-track as well. The best things about it are that it is portable, full size with 60 keys, and about $400.00. It could easily be used as a professional board though...the sounds are fantastic. Let me know if you have any questions. David C. Olsen @AOL ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 08:46:40 -0600 From: "ROY E. BREILING" Subject: Re: Keyboards Excuse me, but what is the M1 and who makes it? Is it still available or show I look for a different keyboard to buy? I'm new to electronic music. Thank you. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 17:56:43 +0200 From: Tommy Anderberg Subject: Re: Keyboards I like this subject: which keyboard to buy. Suppose I told you that I'd like a General MIDI machine to hook up to my PC with sequencing software. What's available out there? So far I've been looking primarily at sound cards or sound modules to be combined with a soundless MIDI keyboard, stuff like the CBX-T3 module + CBX-K3 keyboard, but the total cost of such a system turns out to be superior to that of a "home keyboard" - a term which I'm learning no longer means what it did ten years ago, when I had my first MIDI spell. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 11:01:56 -0500 From: Joe McMahon Subject: Re: Keyboards >What is >a good choice that would not become quickly outdated? The workstations >looked very interesting to me. Pardon me for a slight divagation here... There is NO keyboard which will not become quickly outdated if you purchase it solely because it is "new and exciting". If you purchase it because it meets your needs, you will find that it will last you a long time, even if it is not the "hot new" machine. If you are indeed going to have only a single keyboard for quite a while (say two years or more), and you want to have a very portable studio, the workstation approach is a very good idea. It is very possible to set up a studio and make good music with a single workstation keyboard and a mastering deck. --- Joe M. -- "...wax lips -" "No, you're thinking of the Vulcan Mind Probe." "Oh, okay. Deep-six the wax lips." (MST3K) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 10:57:00 PDT From: Craig Subject: Re: Keyboards Sorry I wasn't more complete in my previous note. The M1 is made by Korg. I'v e seen a few floating around on the new market, but they are primarily available, these days, on the used market. I don't know where you're located, but check your local classified ads, classified newspapers (i.e. The Recycler in L.A., bulletin boards in a local university music department. Or, make friends with someone at your local music store, they'll be able to help you track one down. It's a great keyboard/workstation. If it fits your needs, check it out. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Craig izzy1ny@mvs.oac.ucla.edu > > Excuse me, but what is the M1 and who makes it? Is it still available or show I > look for a different keyboard to buy? I'm new to electronic music. Thank yo u. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 17:00:22 -0500 From: John Perser Subject: Re: Keyboards The M1 is one of those keyboards that come along every few years that tends to revolutionize the sounds you hear in music and media. The M1 is made by KORG and originally was introduced several years ago. Like the DX7 the M1 has become an industry workhorse either in the keyboard or rackmount form. As far as I know the M1 has pretty much been replaced by the new 01/W in terms of its position in the Korg lineup. You can find used M1's in good to excellent condition from $600 to $1000. I have one of these and it still sees a lot of action. The actual keyboard action (at least on mine) is excellent. There are patch cards that still can be purchased to add sounds as well as downloaded patches from the Internet and places like AOL. It is a true workstation keyboard with sequencing capability built in but you won't find the sequencing useful for much more than a scratch pad. ----------------------------------------------------------------- John Perser Manager/Audio Products Paradigm Simulation, Inc. email: jperser@paradigmsim.com PHONE: 214-960-2301 FAX: 214-960-2303 AudioWorks: Hear what you are missing ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 10:45:12 MET From: Andrea TONI Subject: Re: Keyboards > >What is > >a good choice that would not become quickly outdated? The workstations > >looked very interesting to me. .. Yamaha SY99 .. but ditto for Joe's note ,everything will be sooner or later outdated .. who cares ? .. most of the old analog synth are 10 or more years old .. but they still sound wonderful to me !! Ciao, ------------------------------------------------ENV---ENV---ENV---------------- Andrea TONI (andrea@sihp03.si.estec.esa.nl) | | | Solar System and Space VCO-->VCF-->VCA--> DUCATI 900SS Science Division (SO) | | | ------------------------------------------------LFO---LFO---LFO---------------- --< mongoloid, he was a mongoloid happier then you and me >-- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 12:23:24 EDT From: Jody Mayfield Subject: Re: Keyboards Here was your letter to me: >> I would like to know what kind of keyboard I should purchase. I play Christian music and have played the piano and organ for years. What kind of keyboard is most popular with professional musicians that could be used for performances and for recording. My son would also like to be able to use the keyboard with his Vestex 4-track recorder. I don't know what brand is popular but I have looked at Yamaha, Korg, and Roland. What is a good choice that would not become quickly outdated? The workstations looked very interesting to me.<<<<< I recommend the the Korg O1/W. I play it at my church. We have 3 keyboards at my church, Roland U-20, Korg T3, and The O1/w. I love the Korg OW/1 because of the response. It is an 88 key model. There are several patches that are very applicable to the church scene. The MIDI Piano patch is incredibly full, and the Ana Strings are very realistic. The Korg also offers pcm cards. these cards are new samples you can load on your keyboard. When you buy a new pcm ca rd you in essence, buy a new keyboard. To put it simply, the korg's sounds are made up of samples. (digitally recorded sounds of the actual instrument.) The pcm card adds new sounds (samples) so you have new patches to choose from. This is not just a patch card, but it adds brand sounds to you keyboard. You never run out of new sounds. If you are tried of the sounds you have, you can go out and buy more. I have played a lot of keyboards, and the korg is the best one as far as church music goes. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 15:15:13 -0500 From: John Perser Subject: Re: Keyboards I have found some M1 patch banks on AOL before but nowhere near 3000 different sounds. Where is a good place to get these? ----------------------------------------------------------------- John Perser Manager/Audio Products Paradigm Simulation, Inc. email: jperser@paradigmsim.com PHONE: 214-960-2301 FAX: 214-960-2303 AudioWorks: Hear what you are missing ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 17:39:32 EDT From: Steven Rowe Subject: Re: Keyboards Who else owns a Ensoniq ASR10? I just 'purchased' one, (actually, I traded everything I owned, except my Yamaha MT44 4-Track and Alesis drum machine) for it. This is my first posting - I'm making music in Philly. Lets rap about this machine. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 02:34:14 EDT From: Chris Anthes Subject: Re: Keyboards (M1 & 01/W) The Korg M1 music workstation is an *excellent* keyboard. If it weren't for the fact that I have a Korg 01/W (:-)), I'd own an M1. The M1 was, to my knowledge (and might still be), the best selling workstation ever. It pretty much _defined_ what a music workstation was and what it would become. Anyways, the sounds are fantastic and it because everyone and their grandmother has (or had) one, it is still very popular and well supported. I am not quite sure if Korg still manufactures the M1, but I know you can get a *new* one for under $1000. Used one's should be considerably less. They are considered a classic. As I said, I own a Korg 01/W (the M1's newer cousin). I personally feel that Korgs have the best sampled sounds for the price. And I have yet to find a better feel than my 88-key SG-1D (of course, *everyone* has a different fave there). The 01/W is a great workstation, but is a bit more than the M1 (although I've seen new ones for under $2000). I've also seen the new 'i' series, but I haven't really had any experience with them. They seem to be aimed at the midrange workstation market. There are also the rack-mounted version of these. I believe the M3/R is the rack-mounted M1 (although with a few improvements). And there are two rack-mounted versions of the 01/W (although I forget what they are called ... I have been so pleased with my 01/W that I haven't shopped for keyboards in a while). Anyways, I feel that you can't really go wrong with any of these keyboards. If it sounds like I'm biased towards, Korgs, you're right (although I have no reason to be except that I am the proud owner of them ... maybe if a Korg rep is listening, they might give me a better reason to be so loyal ... no? ... well, it was just a thought ...) Anyways, just my two cents... Chris Anthes ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 09:47:46 EDT From: Jody Mayfield Subject: Re: KORG M1 PCM Yo pete. The Plus 1 is what you need. I just got one for my M1. WHat this thing does is expand your RAM, then it injects some of the most realistic samples I've ever heard. These are new samples, not just manipulations of the old sounds. They will send you a free demo on CD of the sounds. The upgrade cost me 295.00. This is a great price because you get a whole new keyboard. Here is there number in the U.S.A. 1-800-468-5530. when call ask about the Plus 1 upgrade and mention the number k121. Only the gods knows what it means. Remember they will give you a free demo on CD of the sounds. _____-------JayDawg947@AOL.com A.k.a Jody ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 07:59:50 -0400 From: at BP Norway - Land of the Midnight Rainfall Subject: KORG M1 PCM Opinions requested Hei. While the M1 is a great keyboard, some of the original sounds are becomming either dated or overused. Since there has been some talk on the Korg M1, does anybody have an idea of what PCM sound cards are available for the M1 ? and the cost in $US ?. Is it possible to get a list of the cards available ? Pete ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 15:46:24 CET From: Jack Latanowicz Subject: Re: KORG M1 PCM Opinions requested On Tue, 31 May 1994 07:59:50 -0400 at BP Norway - Land of the Midnight Rainfall >Hei. > >While the M1 is a great keyboard, some of the original sounds are becomming >either dated or overused. > >Since there has been some talk on the Korg M1, does anybody have an idea of >what PCM sound cards are available for the M1 ? and the cost in $US ?. Is it >possible to get a list of the cards available ? > > >Pete Hi ! Yes You are right...PCMs in M1 aren't too good. Sound effects hide the truth. In my opinion of 100 PCMs only few are usable. I bought a card with PCMs called 'SYNTH 2' (PCM 07) and I can tell You it's waste of money. For 110DM You get about 11 PCMs and 50 patches for it. (about 70US$) There were rumours that there was a sampler for M1 that You plug into PCM slot, but it costed about the proce of new M1 or more... Jack L. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jack Latanowicz tel/fax Pl-(0-61) 798-202 Ul.Porzeczkowa 27 jack@plpuam11 or smile@plpuam11 (bitnet) 61-306 Poznan jack@vm.amu.edu.pl or smile@vm.amu.edu.pl (internet) POLAND "'Dancing barefoot' - Patti Smith..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 22:53:00 PDT From: Craig Subject: J.Perser This message is addressed to J.Perser and any other M1 users. I attempted to e-mail J.Perser directly but it was returned as undeliverable. Anyway, here we go: I have accumulated a number of M1 files from friends, etc. I've also recently found some files on the net at ftp.cs.ruu.nl directory/pub/MIDI. J.Perser mentioned seeing some patch files on AOL. Does anyone have any info as to where I can find more M1 patch files on the "net"? Also, I need help decoding them. i'm sure the problem lies in how I downloaded the files, but I can't figure out what I've been doing wrong. When I downloaded the files, they were incomprehensible gibberish and unreadable (according to Galaxy). If anyone can help me step through the process of downloading the files and making them usable, I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance for all of your help. -Craig Marks izzy1ny@mvs.oac.ucla.edu the net as well. Anyone know where to find some? ps. I'm running Galaxy 1.2 on my Mac pps. I'd love to find patch files for the ADA MP-1 or the Digitech 256XL on ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 11 May 1994 01:09:00 PDT From: Craig Subject: M-1 Patches I recently retrieved some banks of Korg M-1 program patches via anonymous ftp from ftp.cs.ruu.nl directory/pub/midi. When the patches arrived at my mac, they were in a strange, one graphic character per line format that's definitely not keyboard friendly. I'm using Opcode's Galaxy 1.2.1 on my mac as the librarian for all my patches. HOW CAN I CONVERT MY FTP-RETRIEVED FILES SO THAT THEY WILL BE COMPUTER AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, KEYBOARD COMPATIBLE? DO I NEED A NEW PROGRAM? Any input that anybody can give will be GREATLY appreciated. Please feel free to respond either through EMUSIC-L or directly to me. Looking forward to any help y'all can offer. Thanks Craig Marks IZZY1NY@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 19:43:00 PDT From: Craig Subject: M1 patches Attention: Any M1 users (or others who might know): Where can I find good M1 patches on the internet? I'm looking for any and all patches that I can find, but I'm especially interested in Orchestral sounds. Any suggestions? Thanks for any help y'all can offer. I'll post a list of all the sites when I've gotten some responses. Thanks for the help. -Craig izzy1ny@mvs.oac.ucla.edu ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 May 1994 20:46:51 -0500 From: "ED BERLETT, MUSIC PREPARATORY" Subject: Re: M1 patches >Attention: Any M1 users (or others who might know): Where can I find good M1 patches on the internet? I'm looking for any and all patches that I can find, but I'm especially interested in Orchestral sounds. Any suggestions? Thanks for any help y'all can offer. I'll post a list of all the sites when I've gotten some responses. Thanks for the help. -Craig Internet Address UCSD.EDU Directory /midi/patches/M1 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 15:33:13 EST From: "" Subject: Oh no not again... Hi everyone, This is my first posting, so be please be gentle with me, especially as I'm going to ask (at some length) that *What keyboard should I buy?* question: I know it's a frequent topic on this list (eg today's 'keyboards' discussion). I've read some of the reviews in Keyboard, looked up the FAQs on nets such as comp.music, and trawled through the emusic-l database. Although much of the advice given has been very helpful, often the replies didn't quite match my specific needs or weren't posted on the list so I can't track them down. So.... I'm a guitarist (I use the word in the broadest possible sense) who's been playing around with 4 track recording for a while now, using a Fostex X-26 with the trusty Strat, a variety of stomp boxes and various other bits and pieces (graphics, Microverb etc). To back this I've been using an ageing (but cheap!) TR-606 drum machine and a little Yamaha CS02 monophonic keyboard (stop laughing, please). This teaches you a lot about the value of patience and just how easy it is to degrade a signal by bouncing it 4 times, but now is probably the time to move into the 20th century and therefore MIDI. Since this is only pure self-indulgent fun and I am in no sense a keyboard player, I can't justify huge expenditure at this stage: probably less than $A500, so we're talking the lower end of the second-hand market here (if it helps the non-Aussies, a 2nd hand Roland D10 would cost very roughly $A700, an E16 $A850, a Yamaha PSR6300 + RAM $A800, and a DX-7 $A600). If I turn out to have a vast (and, let's face it, previously totally dormant) talent, I'll consider spending real money later on. So for now, I'd like a keyboard with the following: 1) MIDI (obvious I know) 2) Good string/bass/drum/percussion sounds 3) Reasonably multitimbral/polyphonic (again obvious) 4) Low price (less than $A 500: see above) 5) If possible, full size keys (I can't get my fat little fingers round those sawn-off keys very easily) Things I don't need (but could live with if necessary): 1) Auto chords/rhythms etc 2) Inbuilt sequencers etc 3) Effects (chorus, reverb etc) 4) Touch sensitivity (just hitting the right note is a bonus as far as I'm concerned) 5) Speakers 6) 88 keys: 5 octaves will do me fine, thanks 7) Thousands of sounds: I'd rather have a few good ones In other words, I'm looking for a tool to start exploring MIDI with: possibly the PSR-500? I'd like to draw up a short-list based very specific suggestions, if possible with points to look out for. A reply like *The Yamarol XXX57 should do what you want, but look out for loose pins on the MIDI out port* would be great. If I'm not going to get anything reasonable for the pathetically small amount of money I have available, or if the comparison with the Australian market is too problematic, I'd welcome your *best buys* in the bargain basement and I'll take it from there. Any total lemons (ie to be avoided at all costs) would also be appreciated. And if that weren't enough, a couple of supplemental questions: 1) Any thoughts on MIDI-Mac interfaces (I'll be hanging it off the back of a Mac LCII) 2) Should I post this question on other lists (eg SYNTH-L was mentioned in my search through EMUSIC-L)? 3) Anyone know of any MIDI user groups or similar in the Sydney area? Sorry this is so long-winded, I've been trying to avoid those *more info please* requests; all replies are welcome, either here or by private email. Thanks again: I know I can rely on you. Clive ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 18:24:24 -0500 From: John Perser Subject: Re: Oh no not again... Get a used M1. ----------------------------------------------------------------- John Perser Manager/Audio Products Paradigm Simulation, Inc. email: jperser@paradigmsim.com PHONE: 214-960-2301 FAX: 214-960-2303 AudioWorks: Hear what you are missing ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 May 1994 10:27:07 -0500 From: Joe McMahon Subject: Re: Oh no not again... >I'm a guitarist (I use the word in the broadest possible sense) who's been >playing around with 4 track recording for a while now, using a Fostex X-26 >with the trusty Strat, a variety of stomp boxes and various other bits and >pieces (graphics, Microverb etc). To back this I've been using an ageing >(but cheap!) TR-606 drum machine and a little Yamaha CS02 monophonic >keyboard (stop laughing, please). No, this is great. You've already got some fun stuff to mess with in addition to another keyboard. This Is Good. :-) >totally dormant) talent, I'll consider spending real money later on. So >for now, I'd like a keyboard with the following: >1) MIDI (obvious I know) >2) Good string/bass/drum/percussion sounds >3) Reasonably multitimbral/polyphonic (again obvious) >4) Low price (less than $A 500: see above) >5) If possible, full size keys (I can't get my fat little fingers >round those sawn-off keys very easily) >In other words, I'm looking for a tool to start exploring MIDI with: >possibly the PSR-500? There are a number of folks on the list here who have a PSR-500 -- generally, the comments have been very favorable. >I'd welcome your >*best buys* in the bargain basement and I'll take it from there. Any total >lemons (ie to be avoided at all costs) would also be appreciated. The Korg M-1 is fairly plentiful on the used market and should be close to your price range - check your local want ads. So many were sold that there's nearly always at least one for sale in larger metropolitan areas. The Ensoniq VFX is an interesting and verycapable board, but be SURE that the pressure-board fix has been installed -- if the seller has been having a lot of problems with the machine crashing, it may not have had the fix. >And if that weren't enough, a couple of supplemental questions: >1) Any thoughts on MIDI-Mac interfaces (I'll be hanging it off the >back of a Mac LCII) For your purposes (experimentation only), either the very cheapest Opcode MIDI Translator (1 in, 3 out, $40 US or so). If you're at all handy with a soldering iron, there are plans available for Mac MIDI interfaces that I can mail to you (very cheap - $10 to $20 at most). >2) Should I post this question on other lists (eg SYNTH-L was >mentioned in my search through EMUSIC-L)? SYNTH-L (synth-l@auvm.american.edu) is another good possibility. That list specializes much more in hardware advice. --- Joe M. -- "...wax lips -" "No, you're thinking of the Vulcan Mind Probe." "Oh, okay. Deep-six the wax lips." (MST3K) ------------------------------ End of the EMUSIC-L Digest ******************************