Yamaha EX5 vs Kurzweil K2500S (Newbie needs advice)
Heiko Stapf
Hi,
I am looking for an "all in one" synth, to do some multimedia
productions. Therefore I am looking for cool sounds and athmos and
many "press one key and have a lot of sound" sounds.
I went to the shop and had a look at EX5 and K2500. Unfortunatelly
nobody really knew something about EX5 so I wasn't able to build up
some infos about the two synths.
Can someone give me some opinions about the two? (or about one of
them?)
Does the K2500 have an arpeggiator?
please give me some opinions and experiences about those synths.. to
make the decision a bit easier...
thanks, Heiko
Steve
------------------------
First of all, if you need effects, don't get the K2000! It has the crappiest
effects processor on the market. If you want more info on the EX5, visit "EX5
Tech" at http://www.wbmedia.com/ex5 . You'll find A LOT of info there and
discussion boards, listserv, etc.
The EX5 is amazing.
-Steve
-EX5 Guru
-Maintaining "EX5 Tech" at:
-http://www.wbmedia.com/ex5
-ex5 at wbmedia dot com
Nbarnes
Heiko Stapf wrote in message <3579abe3...@news.karlsruhe.netsurf.de>...
>Hi,
>
>I am looking for an "all in one" synth, to do some multimedia
>productions. Therefore I am looking for cool sounds and athmos and
>many "press one key and have a lot of sound" sounds.
>
>I went to the shop and had a look at EX5 and K2500. Unfortunatelly
>nobody really knew something about EX5 so I wasn't able to build up
>some infos about the two synths.
>
>Can someone give me some opinions about the two? (or about one of
>them?)
>
>Does the K2500 have an arpeggiator?
>
>please give me some opinions and experiences about those synths.. to
>make the decision a bit easier...
Heiko Stapf wrote in message <3579abe3...@news.karlsruhe.netsurf.de>...
>Hi,
>
>I am looking for an "all in one" synth, to do some multimedia
>productions. Therefore I am looking for cool sounds and athmos and
>many "press one key and have a lot of sound" sounds.
>
>I went to the shop and had a look at EX5 and K2500. Unfortunatelly
>nobody really knew something about EX5 so I wasn't able to build up
>some infos about the two synths.
>
>Can someone give me some opinions about the two? (or about one of
>them?)
Opinions, did someone say opinions?
It's not really fair to compare the EX to the K2500, but.....
For one thing the K2500 requires 2 full wheel barrows of cash to purchase.
The EX only takes a shoebox full.
The K2500 is 48 note, The EX5 is 128, (yeah I know you can count osc.'s
and such, and the EX has limits on VL etc.) Ok, lets call this one a tie.
Did I mention the price difference?
You could debate sound generation capability all day long, the EX has AN,
VL, FDSP, Samples. The K2500 has VAST. Its pretty close on this one..
Did I mention the price difference? Of course you could buy and EX
and then a used K2000R and still have money left over.
The K2500 has it hands down when it comes to SCSI speed.
(Please fix this on the EX Yamaha....)
The kurz has TONS of samples etc available on the net.....
Kurzweil is way over due on coming up with a new synth.
Lets see, if they start now, in KDFX years one should be ready in 20XX
For more info see http://www.wbmedia.com/ex5/ on the EX.
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/palermo/k_main.htm on the K2500
Heiko Stapf
On Sat, 06 Jun 1998 22:55:23 GMT, thi...@notreal.com (Steve) wrote:
>First of all, if you need effects, don't get the K2000! It has the crappiest
>effects processor on the market. If you want more info on the EX5, visit "EX5
>Tech" at http://www.wbmedia.com/ex5 . You'll find A LOT of info there and
>discussion boards, listserv, etc.
>The EX5 is amazing.
>
thanks for you help ... two thinks ... hmm I asked for K2500 ... does
it have the same "effect-crapp" as K2500.
and second: isn't there an effect update for the K2500?
Thanks again ... Heiko
Heiko Stapf
On Sat, 6 Jun 1998 16:15:57 -0700, "Nbarnes" <nba...@psnw.com> wrote:
>Opinions, did someone say opinions?
Yep :-)
>You could debate sound generation capability all day long, the EX has AN,
>VL, FDSP, Samples. The K2500 has VAST. Its pretty close on this one..
>Did I mention the price difference? Of course you could buy and EX
>and then a used K2000R and still have money left over.
hmm ... this is interesting. I have tested the ex and was a bit
disappointed about the sounds. But as I said before I was influenced
by the guy at the shop. I meant to hear quite a difference between EX
and K2500... maybe I was wrong here?? (have to check this again)
Money.. hmm ok the K2500S is more expensive but you get scsi and
weighted keys and TONS of samples. BTW what is K2000R compared to
K2500R?
>The kurz has TONS of samples etc available on the net.....
that is a big poit for kurz. How long does it normally take for a new
synth to build up that support?
>Kurzweil is way over due on coming up with a new synth.
>Lets see, if they start now, in KDFX years one should be ready in 20XX
Kurzweil seems to be a bit slow?
Thanks for your help ..
Heiko
Hyeong-Min Kim
Heiko Stapf wrote:
> and second: isn't there an effect update for the K2500?
>
>
There is an effect upgrade for the K2500, but do you want to spend about
$600-$700 for such an upgrade?
Tony Estrada
Heiko Stapf wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I am looking for an "all in one" synth, to do some multimedia
> productions. Therefore I am looking for cool sounds and athmos and
> many "press one key and have a lot of sound" sounds.
> Can someone give me some opinions about the two? (or about one of
> them?)
>
> Does the K2500 have an arpeggiator?
The K2500 does have an arpeggiator. You asked on a later post what's the
difference between the K2000 & K2500. Well, the K2500 has programmable
ribbons and sliders, 48 voices, and the arp. The K2000 has 1 slider and
24 voices. They both use the same VAST system. The K2500 can be expanded
a lot more than the K2000.
The only big real advantage the EX5 has over the K2500 is price. The
only way you can get close to the purchase price of the EX5 is to buy a
used K2500S. Even there you're still about $1000 over the yamaha. :(
Good Luck,
Tony
bobl...@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
I found two audio demos of the EX5 in mp3 format at:
http://www.yamaha.co.uk/synth/html/current/keyboard/ex57r/s_mp3.htm
Gotee707
>>please give me some opinions and experiences about those synths.. to
>>make the decision a bit easier...
>
Here's something else to consider.... does the Yamaha EX5 have a sampler like
the K2500S? With a sampler, you can put ANY sound you want on the K2500. If
the EX5 doesn't, you may be stuck with what it has or what you can find on disk
(** Gotee **)
Sleeper
I think the massive price difference is more important than anyone
seems to be pointing out.
..::..::.:::Sounds good to me:::.::..::..
You guessed it - remove SPAMSUCKS to reply.
Steve
--------------------
Of course it's a sampler! That is why it kicks the K2000's butt! :)
James Francis
I think price is very important but so is product stability.The K2500
has a large library, sophisticated operating system and fast scsi.I
think the yamaha looks great on paper but basd on what I've read in this
newsgroup it has some serious shortcomings.
1.Slow scsi
2.It can read Akai raw samples not programs
3.Not compatabile with Yamaha's own A3000
In time they can upgrade the OS and make it better but do you wanna be
sitting waiting for an upgrade when you could bee making music.I don't
have either but have worked with K2000/2500.As a synth its great as a
sampler its ok but I prefer the rolands760 or the E6400(which I own).you
should check out the Emu e-synth if you want a sampler/synth combo.If
you work primarly with loops you should checkout Sonic Foundry's Acid.
For loop based music its hard to beat(and cheaper than a sampler)
james
JP
That's funny ; my K2000 IS a sampler... So does the above logic from Mr. EX5
"Guru" suggest that now, since my K2000 really IS a sampler, that it's butt is
no longer kicked ??
People are so funny.
--
Best Regards,
JP.
NOTE: The characters STOPSPAM have been added after the @ sign in the eMail to
prevent spam eMails. Please remove before sending your reply.
ssa...@pop.dnvr.uswest.net
Does anyone have the Emu E-Synth? What is your evaluation of that unit?
Does it include a sequencer.
- Stephanie -
RaisnSpark
How could anybody even compare the two. It is like saying what's better, a
pontiac or Lexus. Geez. If you can't hear the difference, look at the price
tag, that will give you a clue.
Andrew P. Mullhaupt
I got them both. Guess what. I need more clues.
Later,
Andrew Mullhaupt
ssa...@pop.dnvr.uswest.net
Andrew,
How would you compare the units? Where would you say each ones falls in the
sound spectrum? I am trying to choose between one or the other. Not both. I have
a DAW system so I can lock each of the units sequencer to the Work Station and
bring them in as Digital Audio. What I want is a wide palette of sounds. My music
is largely in the Classical, New Age, Electronic Music vein. Ala: Vangeles,
Dempsy,
Roach..
Thanks,
Stephanie
James Francis
I have an E6400 with the E-Synth sound rom upgrade.Mine is the rack
unit.First it does have a 48 track sequencer that records at 480ppq.I
mostly sequence in my computer so I don't use the sequencer all that
much.I think the unit is great if you need a sampler/synth combo.It has
64 note polyphony and can take up to 128mb of ram,it reads Akai and
roland formats and it has balanced outs(great for recording).The e-Synth
sounds are good.Because of its filters and extensive modulation
routings you can get some really great sounds out of it.The only thing
that bother me is that the unit has only 2 ram slots.The only thing
comparable to the E-Synth is the K2500(I've yet to use the EX5).I
considered a K2500 because I used one in the studio and knew how to
program it.But the price difference, the fact that the Emu came with
sampling standard and sound quality made me Go with the Emu.I like the
K2500 but the Emu sounded a bit cleaner and warmer to me.The k25000
sounded good when doing synth type sounds but not as good when doing
emulations of acoustic instruments.And the emuws cheaper and
upgradeable.
james
Steve
In article <357C4F75...@NOSPAMusa.net>, jpmu...@NOSPAMusa.net wrote:
>Steve wrote:
>>
>> In article <199806081600...@ladder03.news.aol.com>,
> gote...@aol.com (Gotee707) wrote:
>> >>>please give me some opinions and experiences about those synths.. to
>> >>>make the decision a bit easier...
>> >>
>> >
>> >Here's something else to consider.... does the Yamaha EX5 have a sampler
> like
>> >the K2500S? With a sampler, you can put ANY sound you want on the K2500.
> If
>> >the EX5 doesn't, you may be stuck with what it has or what you can find on
> disk
>>
>> --------------------
>>
>> Of course it's a sampler! That is why it kicks the K2000's butt! :)
>That's funny ; my K2000 IS a sampler... So does the above logic from Mr. EX5
>"Guru" suggest that now, since my K2000 really IS a sampler, that it's butt is
>no longer kicked ??
>
>People are so funny.
------------------
If you read the whole thread, you would've got my meaning. I wasn't implying
that the K2000 can't read samples, but that since the EX5 sports full
sampling capabilities and graphical editing, all its features outclass the
K2000 - especially the effects processors. Also, note, the K2000 technically
is NOT a sampler, it can only read samples. You need to pay mucho bucks to
upgrade to the sampler option.
NEXT!
- Steve
Maintaining the EX5 Website at:
http://www.wbmedia.com/ex5
ex5 at wbmedia dot com
SlyFrank
> If you read the whole thread, you would've got my meaning. I wasn't
> implying that the K2000 can't read samples, but that since the EX5
> sports full sampling capabilities and graphical editing, all its
> features outclass the K2000 - especially the effects processors.
> Also, note, the K2000 technically is NOT a sampler, it can only read
> samples. You need to pay mucho bucks to upgrade to the sampler
> option.
>
> NEXT!
OK, I guess I'm next. I played the EX5 at my local music shop last week. I
thought it was great, especially for the price tag. But the EX5 *does not*
sport full sampling capabilities. That is, if you consider the ability to read
third-party samples as essential to being a fully-featured sampler. I'm sorry,
but some of us from time to time like to use third-party CD-ROMs. The EX5
doesn't even read in native A-3000 samples! The only samples one can import
from CD-ROMs are raw (programming is lost) Akai format. Hey don't get me wrong,
I dig the EX5. I might even buy one some day, but fully-featured sampler it is
not. OK, so maybe the K2000 can not sample directly like the EX5 - I have never
used Kurzweil, only Emu, so I can't really comment on the K2000 - so there are
pluses and minuses to every instrument. And, after all, if one already has a
sampler that reads in third-party samples, the EX5's limitation does not
matter. But I think the original thread was asking for pluses and minuses as a
*complete* sampler/synth. The EX5 falls short in sampling.
-Simon
Steve
>OK, I guess I'm next. I played the EX5 at my local music shop last week. I
>thought it was great, especially for the price tag. But the EX5 *does not*
>sport full sampling capabilities. That is, if you consider the ability to read
>third-party samples as essential to being a fully-featured sampler. I'm sorry,
>but some of us from time to time like to use third-party CD-ROMs. The EX5
>doesn't even read in native A-3000 samples! The only samples one can import
>from CD-ROMs are raw (programming is lost) Akai format. Hey don't get me wrong,
>I dig the EX5. I might even buy one some day, but fully-featured sampler it is
>not. OK, so maybe the K2000 can not sample directly like the EX5 - I have never
>used Kurzweil, only Emu, so I can't really comment on the K2000 - so there are
>pluses and minuses to every instrument. And, after all, if one already has a
>sampler that reads in third-party samples, the EX5's limitation does not
>matter. But I think the original thread was asking for pluses and minuses as a
>*complete* sampler/synth. The EX5 falls short in sampling.
---------------
Not by my needs. I just sold my ASR-10 for an EX5. The ASR-10 is considered
to be one of the better units out there. I find that that EX5 does better.
If you are concerned about cross-formatted samples, it is not the fault of
Yamaha that the other companies use proprietary formats. Yamaha supports WAV
and AIFF, and AKAI - the most popular formats. If you need to be able to read
A3000, etc. get an A3000. Yeah, its stupid that it can't read them, but who
cares - it can sample, save, edit, etc. That's what makes a good sampler. To
me, a sampler is an instrument that samples, not just reads other peoples
sounds like the K2000. The reason I say the EX5 kicks the K2000 is this:
1. Kurzweil needs a fan to add RAM.
2. Kurzweil voids your warranty if YOU install ANYTHING!
3. Kurzweil has the WORST effects processor every made.
4. Kurzweil uses OLD Mac SIMMS (expensive and hard to find).
5. Kurzweil is complex to navigate - VAST is right!
6. Kurzweil K2000 is small and cheesy (and plastic).
7. Kurzweil K25000 is too f*cking big to take anywhere!
8. Kurzweil has a worse piano (Kurz's baby) than EX5
9. Kurzweil has less ROM
10. etc, etc, etc.
The EX5 is the latest in technology. Kurz is still back in the 80's. You'll
never see MLan on a K2x! A fully loaded K2500 with that expensive KDFX thing
will probably out-do an EX5, but what was the price tag again? And, can I
carry that thing ANYWHERE? No, you need a moving company to come and get it,
and set it up at your gig. Your keyboard stand will break under the
tremendous weight of that monster. I can't even look over to the back to
where to plug in the midi cables - it's like 5 feet from front to back. The
wheels in your flight case will shatter under the pressure. And how much
again? Fully loaded? $5000-$6000? PLEASE! And $20,000 for their new SILVER
and WOOD model in the back of magazines? That is a laugh! I got my EX5 for
US $1800. K2500 owners have gotten ripped off - no wonder they are taking
this discussion so personally. I'd be embarrased too! Take 'em for what you
can Young-Chang!
I guess like it was said before, it comes down to preference. I like the
effects processor in the EX5, along with the price and sound quality. I was
going to buy a K2000 until I found out that the single effect is global. Then
I heard about the EX5 and waited. I'm glad I did!
Heiko Stapf
>2. Kurzweil voids your warranty if YOU install ANYTHING!
about the Warrenty stuff ... there is a (german) "law" (it was said by
a court) that if you have to open e.g. a computer to install
components then you don't lose warranty, cause this is a "standard"
process with this device. I think this should go with synth too... :-)
Heiko
Hyeong-Min Kim
Steve wrote:
> The reason I say the EX5 kicks the K2000 is this:
I was a proud owner of the K2000 until I got sick and tired of keeping
mine up to date. I had to bring mine about 5 or 6 times just to have
options & upgrades installed, which I could have done easily for myself.
The V.A.S.T. is a superb synth engine, and you can do A LOT w/ it. But
to me the stock ROM sounds were joke and the effect processor was real
crap. True, if you have lots of money, you can upgrade the K2000/K2500
to your heart's content, and the total cost of the upgrade itself would
cost more than an EX5. I'm glad I got rid of my K2000.
DarkRaver
OK, my I butt in here? I am in the market for a) a sampler; b) an
analog synth, and c) a synth keyboard (I only have a Korg T1 now which
has a really nice piano touch keyboard but I need a synth feel). So my
thought was: get an EX5, that takes care of the sampling and keyboard
bit, and gives you lots of extras, and a Nord Modular for the analog
stuff (2 voices AN isn't enough for my needs). Now I'm thinking either
an A3000 and an AN1x (with perhaps the Modular added later) or an AN1x
and an Emu E-Synth. I do most if not all my sample editing on PC using
SoundForge, ReCycle and ACID.
Go on, bring out yourt sticks to beat me or agree with me. Real-life
users are welcome to reply!
DarkRaver
PS: visit http://www.xs4all.nl/~rexbo, great for sampleheads, MIDI
freaks and digital audio fanatics. You'll not regret it!
ssa...@pop.dnvr.uswest.net
Thanks for the info John. Even though you are biased I would love to hear your
opinions
on the Emu E-Synth. Especially the quality of the sounds, and not just the real
instrument
type sounds (emulations or sampling) but the synth sounds. Like electronic music,
ambient
textures, new age stuff. How intuitive is the sound editing features? I have lots
of experience
programming synths.
Much Thanks,
Stephanie
John Mirassou wrote:
> In article <357CBCA9...@pop.dnvr.uswest.net> ssa...@uswest.net writes:
> >Does anyone have the Emu E-Synth? What is your evaluation of that unit?
> >Does it include a sequencer.
> >
> >- Stephanie -
>
> I'll refrain from offering an opinion on the E-Synth, as I'm probably biased.
> But I will answer your question. Yes, it does have a sequencer. Here's the
> feature list from the E-mu web site. (http://www.emu.com)
>
> 48 track linear-based with loop record
> 50 RAM/50 Flash sequence locations
> Overdub, Replace and Multi channel Record
> PPQN 480
> Quantize (input, output, swing)
> Cut, Copy, Paste (single and multi track)
> Erase and Delete (note and controller filters)
> Re Channelization
> MIDI clock
> Track Extract
> Standard MIDI-file Compatible (Type 0,1)
John Mirassou
Sean Ercanbrack
James Francis <df-...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in article
<6lialp$b...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>...
> I think price is very important but so is product stability.The K2500
> has a large library, sophisticated operating system and fast scsi.I
> think the yamaha looks great on paper but basd on what I've read in this
> newsgroup it has some serious shortcomings.
> 1.Slow scsi
> 2.It can read Akai raw samples not programs
From what I've heard, the K2000 can only read the raw samples of the 3rd
party sounds too. Only in Kurzweil's format will a Kurzweil play the synth
and effects stuff. Only the mapping of "some" samples is possible. (from
what I've read, of course). Most keyboards are like this when importing
3rd party sounds. Since most keyboards are like this, it isn't really an
issue.
.WAV, AIFF, and AKAI raw samples are the most available samples available
in raw format. This isn't really much of a battle point for either
machine. Nearly everything comes on WAV disks anyway (The EX5 has such new
effects capabilities, that I don't expect to see native format disks for a
while.)
But, as I said, this isn't really an issue between the K2000 and the EX5.
p mac
To my ears, My K2000 always sounded a little lo-fi compared to my other
high-endsynths...
My 0.02$
Mart
Hyeong-Min Kim
My K2000 didn't sparkle like, say, the JV1080. This lo-fi-ness was
actually confirmed by a Keyboard review (I think it was a review for the
sampling option). It was reported in that review that frequency response
of the K2000 started to roll off around 18KHz, whereas other high-end
machines maintained strong FR around 20KHz.
GEOF ABRUZZI
Steve (thi...@notreal.com) wrote:
: 4. Kurzweil uses OLD Mac SIMMS (expensive and hard to find).
The 2500's have benn shipping for 6 months with 72pin simm sockes. Also
the 30pin simms are equivalent in price and pretty easy to find.
: 5. Kurzweil is complex to navigate - VAST is right!
So is a Moog Modular.
: 6. Kurzweil K2000 is small and cheesy (and plastic).
Same size as most 61 key keyboards.
: 7. Kurzweil K25000 is too f*cking big to take anywhere!
Well? You just complained that the other was too small. Make up your
mind.
: 8. Kurzweil has a worse piano (Kurz's baby) than EX5
Noybody has a good a onboard piano sound except the Ensoniq ZR-76.
: The EX5 is the latest in technology. Kurz is still back in the 80's. You'll
: never see MLan on a K2x! A fully loaded K2500 with that expensive KDFX thing
Well, enjoy your new technology. And I'll be playing my K2k while you are
waiting for that sample to load. :-)
Geof
--
____________________________________________________________________________
Geof Abruzzi Language is a virus from outer space.
gxa114 @ cac.psu.edu And hearing your name is better
BeOS Developer #3089 than seeing your face.
-Laurie Anderson
...
Andrew P. Mullhaupt
ssa...@pop.dnvr.uswest.net wrote:
>
> Andrew,
> How would you compare the units? Where would you say each ones falls in the
> sound spectrum?
All over the place.
> I am trying to choose between one or the other. Not both. I have
> a DAW system so I can lock each of the units sequencer to the Work Station and
> bring them in as Digital Audio. What I want is a wide palette of sounds. My music
>
> is largely in the Classical, New Age, Electronic Music vein. Ala: Vangeles,
> Dempsy,
> Roach..
I think you really get about the same amount of flexibility and power
between these two units (which is to say lots in either case).
The EX5 is newer, and they're going to put something in that big slot in
the back they aren't talking about.
I would go with the EX5 which is cheaper unless you really like the
K2500 keyboard feel which is a consideration.
If you want to get into real time control of "analog" type sounds the
EX5 probably has the edge, but I almost never reach for those knobs.
Later,
Andrew Mullhaupt
ssa...@pop.dnvr.uswest.net
Hi All,
Thanks for responding Andrew. I drove to the Yamaha dealer yesterday and
sat with with the EX5 for about 2 hours. I went through alot of the real time control
and sequencer functions with the dealer. The sound. I WAS FLOORED!!!! This
thing sounds fantastic. I have had alot of great synths of the years but this thing has
PRESENCE. Very live sounding. It like your in a great recording studio. The electronics
do not seem to interfere with the sound. I bought one with the SCSI option. They
only had the demo model (I should receive it next week). The dealer said they are
going to fix the SCSI speed. He replaced all of his synths with this one unit. I
actually
think this is a production station and would have to agree. I will be selling alot of
my
synths too, but I will keep my Kawai K5000R with Knobs. I love that thing. Its very
unique and expressive too.
> I think you really get about the same amount of flexibility and power
> between these two units (which is to say lots in either case).
IT sure was. I really think both are really good. They each have different
strengths.The EX5's VL sounds are "TO DIE FOR". Far superior to any other physical
modeling
I have heard. The AN sounds are very nice as are the Rombler sound. The K2000/2500
sampler is very very good. When I had mine I had to buy alot of samples to get the
sounds I really wanted. The EX5 has lots of sounds I like on board. The K's series
8000 note sequencer limitation was an issue with me as I don't like to chain song parts
togeather. Its can be difficult when doing orchestral/ambient/newage music. The EX5's
30K sequencer is more suited to what I do. The pattern generator and key mapping is
an AWESOME live playing feature.Lots of fun.
> The EX5 is newer, and they're going to put something in that big slot in
> the back they aren't talking about.
That will be interesting. I thought had the time that slot was for the analog outs
option.But I realized it was much bigger than what needed for 4 outputs. Should be
interesting.
> I would go with the EX5 which is cheaper unless you really like the
> K2500 keyboard feel which is a consideration.
I thought the keys on the K2500X where to stiff. I don't bound the keys. The EX5
keysare very nice for plastic. Very solid.
> If you want to get into real time control of "analog" type sounds the
> EX5 probably has the edge, but I almost never reach for those knobs.
I like lots of real time control.
> Later,
> Andrew Mullhaupt
Has anyone found a brand of CD Rom for the SCSI bus that works well? Is there a
listing of compatible units somewhere? The little panasonic portables are very nice. I
used to use one with my K2500R.
What about memory? What brands are users having success with? Where can you
buy them?
Much Thanks,
Stephanie
IOstream
Actually, I have a K2000VP, and an EX5, here's the breakdown:
1. K2000: Seems more depth in programming (i.e. more capability), but it
does not have many of the synthesis types that EX5 does. So in this they do
not compare really, but I would say EX5 is a better allaround synth if it
were to be your only board.
2. EX5 has much more polyphony than any of the K2XXX, but it is limited when
using certain synthesis techniques, so sometimes it is better, sometimes it
is worse, just depends, at least with Kurzweil you get reliable polyphany,
regardless of what sounds you are using.
3. EX5 has a much better sampler in my opinion, but both are somewhat
lacking, I would suggest you accompany either the EX5 or the Kurzweil with
an E6400, or ASR-10. (BTW An EX5 and a used E6400 or ASR-10 cost less than
one K2500, and all of the above have MUCH better effects than the Kurzweil.)
4. Kurzweil's effects suck, you can get the KDFX upgrade for the K2500,
which is great, but at least an additional $600.
5. SCSI is MUCH faster on the Kurzweil, but this was a problem with the
A3000 to and from what I have heard, an OS upgrade greatly improved this.
6. Loading other sample formats is bad on both machines. You will find that
most samples you hear on other machines are usually dependant on that
machines effects, filters, or layering scheme, as well as programming
options, which differ on othe rmanufacturer's machines. With this in mind,
the K2000 and EX5 seem pretty close to equal, but the K2000 can extract wave
data from ensoniq, emu, and roland. Either way, try loading an ASR-10 drum
kit on a Kurzweil, it is really waste of time if you ask me. You could find
and download five kits which will give you what you want on the internet in
the time it would take you to reprogram for K, and still would not typically
sound right without Ensoniq effects.
7. Most quality samplers read .wav, and .aiff, sample editing is easier on a
computer than a sampler, and some machines, (the new Akai S5000/S6000) will
begin using .wav as their NATIVE file format, .wave and aiff samples are
becomming increasingly common on the internet, and I think will soon be the
STANDARD for nearly all samplers.
8. As I stated before the cost of the EX5 is considerably lower, and if you
can do sample editing on your PC or Mac, then the sample capabilities are
less important.
I would not give up my K2000, and I think it and the EX5 compliment each
other very well, but if I were in the market and had to get only one at this
point in time, it would be the EX5. And just think about all of the cool
stuff you could buy with the money you saved (actually you could buy a used
K2000 rack, and still be under the cost of the K2500)
IOstream
GEOF ABRUZZI wrote in message <6lom3k$12...@r02n01.cac.psu.edu>...
Peter Seebach
In article <3581F3...@ix.netcom.com>,
Andrew P. Mullhaupt <amul...@nospam.ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>If you want to get into real time control of "analog" type sounds the
>EX5 probably has the edge, but I almost never reach for those knobs.
In my case, the knobs and wheels were the reason I wanted a newer synth
anyway; I got a software analog synth, and suddenly I have a *use* for
having a whole bunch of knobs.
-s
--
Copyright '98, All rights reserved. Peter Seebach / se...@plethora.net
C/Unix wizard, Pro-commerce radical, Spam fighter. Boycott Spamazon!
Not speaking for my employer. Questions on C/Unix? Send mail for help.
Visit my new ISP <URL:http://www.plethora.net/> --- More Net, Less Spam!
fnord
I think that was only with respect to samples made on the k2000
sampler though...it didn't apply to it as a synth or overall...
GOD
In article <357E1E84...@umich.edu>,
--
YOU CANNOT PROVE THAT
I AM NOT GOD
Reign of Terror
I would like to buy an EX-5 because I dont' have access to my studio
as much (remote) I have an AKAI s-95 & S3000 along with Korg M1 &
Wavstation A/D
MY big question is ... Does is MAKE SENSE to buy an EX-5 so that I
could create music using only the EX-5, take it over to my studio, add
to the songs, and record. It's already crazy with 2 samplers, but I
can't work on music as much as I would like and have to have a sampler
to create.
Thanks for any suggestions/input
>> If you want to get into real time control of "analog" type sounds the
>> EX5 probably has the edge, but I almost never reach for those knobs.
>
JP
Steve wrote:
> >> Of course it's a sampler! That is why it kicks the K2000's butt! :)
>
> >That's funny ; my K2000 IS a sampler... So does the above logic from Mr. EX5
> >"Guru" suggest that now, since my K2000 really IS a sampler, that it's butt is
> >no longer kicked ??
> >
> >People are so funny.
>
> ------------------
>
> If you read the whole thread, you would've got my meaning. I wasn't implying
> that the K2000 can't read samples, but that since the EX5 sports full
> sampling capabilities and graphical editing, all its features outclass the
> K2000 - especially the effects processors. Also, note, the K2000 technically
> is NOT a sampler, it can only read samples. You need to pay mucho bucks to
> upgrade to the sampler option.
>
> NEXT!
>
> - Steve
> Maintaining the EX5 Website at:
> http://www.wbmedia.com/ex5
> ex5 at wbmedia dot com
I DID read the whole thread, Mr.
Think-you're-on-the-cutting-edge-but-not-even-close, and to correct you, the
K2000 DOES feature full sampling capabilities ( I didn't pay " mucho " bucks (
mucho ?... Hmmm... ), but only $200 " bucks "... hardly " mucho ".... The
K2000 DOES have graphical editing, ( if you've EVEN used one, you'd know... ).
MY K2000 " technically " IS a sampler ; I CAN and do sample with it, and
considering that SCSI is _standard_ on all K2000s.... I seem to recall that
SCSI isn't standard on the EX-5, but costs " mucho " bucks extra... Does this
still fall under the " butt-kicking " category ??
NEXT !
--
Regards,
JP.
John-Paul
Producer/Composer/Keyboardist
Studio Pacific Productions / JPG Music (BMI)
MacHELP™ Macintosh Consulting and Web Design Services
WWW : http://jpg.cyberhq.com/jpg/
QUOTE OF THE MONTH --
"The only things that separate us from the animals are mindless superstitions
and senseless rituals." - Jim Ignatowski from the T.V. series "Taxi".
Hyeong-Min Kim
JP wrote:
>
>
> I DID read the whole thread, Mr.
> Think-you're-on-the-cutting-edge-but-not-even-close, and to correct
> you, the
> K2000 DOES feature full sampling capabilities ( I didn't pay " mucho "
> bucks (
> mucho ?... Hmmm... ), but only $200 " bucks "... hardly " mucho "....
> The
> K2000 DOES have graphical editing, ( if you've EVEN used one, you'd
> know... ).
> MY K2000 " technically " IS a sampler ; I CAN and do sample with it,
> and
> considering that SCSI is _standard_ on all K2000s....
To correct you, the K2XXX is **NOT** a sampler. Only if you've added the
sampling option, or only if you've bought the K2XXXS model, is it a
sampler. BTW, the fact that SCSI is not standard on the US version of
the EX5 should have not even mentioned in your post because sampling is
not standard on all K2000s.
JP
Hyeong-Min Kim wrote:
> To correct you, the K2XXX is **NOT** a sampler. Only if you've added the
> sampling option, or only if you've bought the K2XXXS model, is it a
> sampler. BTW, the fact that SCSI is not standard on the US version of
> the EX5 should have not even mentioned in your post because sampling is
> not standard on all K2000s.
You know what ? Who the hell really cares ! What DIFFERENCE does this STUPID
"discussion" make, anyway ?? I like my K2000 SAMPLER, and you like your
EX-5... So let's move on, shall we ?!?
Unbelievable !
--
Regards,
JP.
Hyeong-Min Kim
Hmm, funny. I thought the K2k vs. Ex5 thread had ended. You restarted
the stupid discussion. I wish you had made a correct argument in your
previous post. As a long time **K2000S user**, I just wanted to point
out that your remark was only technically wrong....since you seem so
fond of using the word "technical".
Steve
In article <3589435C...@umich.edu>, Hyeong-Min Kim <hm...@umich.edu> wrote:
>Hmm, funny. I thought the K2k vs. Ex5 thread had ended. You restarted
>the stupid discussion. I wish you had made a correct argument in your
>previous post. As a long time **K2000S user**, I just wanted to point
>out that your remark was only technically wrong....since you seem so
>fond of using the word "technical".
No kidding. I gave up a long time ago with this guy.