Korg N-1 vs. Alesis QS8
rms
which is better suited to my needs.
Most important to me is a keyboard with excellent action (as much like a
real piano as possible) and a very good piano sound. In the future, this
keyboard will act as the main controller for a home studio.
I'm interested to hear your recommendations, including instruments I may
not know about. Price range is ~$1500.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
RS
Hyeong Min Kim
> I'm on the verge of buying one of these two instruments and can't
> decide
> which is better suited to my needs.
>
> Most important to me is a keyboard with excellent action (as much like
> a
> real piano as possible) and a very good piano sound.
Then, you must try both of them and decide. Everybody seems to have
different opinions when it comes to piano sounds & action. Personally, I
love the action & piano sounds of my RD-600.
.Slick.
check out these 2 links which should be all the info you need...asside
from the feel of the keys.
http://www.alesis.com/products/qs81/
ive heard the Korg has a better piano inside.
sorry thats all i can do for you
knob twirling drunk,
Slick
In article <01beba05$e4eea340$69d7f0cf@rsorkin>,
"rms" <r...@inch.com> wrote:
> I'm on the verge of buying one of these two instruments and can't
decide
> which is better suited to my needs.
>
> Most important to me is a keyboard with excellent action (as much like
a
> real piano as possible) and a very good piano sound. In the future,
this
> keyboard will act as the main controller for a home studio.
>
> I'm interested to hear your recommendations, including instruments I
may
> not know about. Price range is ~$1500.
>
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
>
> RS
>
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
crem_prod
had a better feel to it, better sounds, esp. Organs and pianos. Some people
love the QS8 pianos and organs though...again, personal taste. One big
consideration, if you plan on using the keyboard as a controller in a live
situation (that is, without a computer in the setup). The Korg is
multitimbral, but DOES NOT transmit on any more than two channels. If you
have more than two modules to control (and one channel each, at that), you
are maxxed out. The QS8 indeed does transmit on all 16 channels. This is
something that rarely come to light...I always assumed if a keyboard was
multitimbral it would receive AND send on 16 channels. Not the case with
the Korg. Good luck in your decision...I think their both fine boards, and
in fact now, I have the QSR and the N1R (rack versions of those two
keyboards) in my setup, with a controller keyboard. Best wishes.
rms <r...@inch.com> wrote in message
news:01beba05$e4eea340$69d7f0cf@rsorkin...
Adrian B. Myers
I'd get a Roland A-70 and toss the Piano Expansion card in... brings you
to just over $1000 and (IMO) you've got something beautiful there. Or you
could get the A-90 (which uses the PA-4 pivot-weight-thingie that the
popular RD-600 uses), but that's like $1800 by itself. Monstrous machine
though.
-adrian.
rms wrote in message <01beba05$e4eea340$69d7f0cf@rsorkin>...
Tock
>>which is better suited to my needs.
>>Most important to me is a keyboard with excellent action (as much like a
>>real piano as possible) and a very good piano sound. In the future, this
>>keyboard will act as the main controller for a home studio.
>>I'm interested to hear your recommendations, including instruments I may
>>not know about. Price range is ~$1500.
>>Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
>>RS
The best piano sound I've ever heard on a synth is my Roland KR-5000 (it's a
spinet piano sized instrument with lots of rhythm doohickies, a sequencer,
and a 40 watt (or 80?) amp built in, cost around $3900 a couple years ago).
The rest of the sounds are pretty ok, not quite as good as the JV-1080 (but
close). The keyboard action is quite good as well . . . I like it much
better than my Alesis QS8.
I say all that to say this . . . if you want a good piano sound, you'll
probably find it on a Roland synth. I don't much care for the pianos on my
QS8--they all have a funny tone to them that sounds like someone's hitting a
coffee can with a spoon, and then the decay is way too fast. No simulation
of sympathetic vibration, either. Alesis tried to cover its flaws by adding
lot of reverb, but it just doesn't cut it . . .
I'd say go check out various synths, buy what sounds 'right' to your ear.
My guess, though, is that you'll find it on a Roland. JMHO . . .
--Tock
Michelle
>I'm on the verge of buying one of these two instruments and can't decide
>which is better suited to my needs.
>
>Most important to me is a keyboard with excellent action (as much like a
>real piano as possible) and a very good piano sound. In the future, this
>keyboard will act as the main controller for a home studio.
>
>I'm interested to hear your recommendations, including instruments I may
>not know about. Price range is ~$1500.
>
>Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
>
>RS
I just sold my QS-8...WHY??? I hated the piano sounds. The split
points were terrible, especially at higher octaves (sounded like a
harp and a piano mixed). I first test drove the keyboard in a music
store with cheap speakers. A word to the wise; bring a good set of
headphones with you to hear how it REALLY sounds!
Tock
>points were terrible, especially at higher octaves (sounded like a
>harp and a piano mixed). I first test drove the keyboard in a music
>store with cheap speakers. A word to the wise; bring a good set of
>headphones with you to hear how it REALLY sounds!
I agree . . . the QS8 piano sounds suck like leeches on chancred peni. They
all sound like a spoon hitting a tin can. Everything else is pretty good,
though.
My Roland KR5000 has a pretty good piano sound . . . a bit of appropriate
rumble in the bass, the treble has a suitable ringing quality like an
acoustic, and the mid range, well, not exactly identical to the real thing,
but then the real thing sounds like it does because the 3 strings on each
key are seldom exactly in tune with each other and have their own sort of
sound. But then, I never have to tune it . . .
When ya check out the various offerings at your music store, turn the
reverb and other effects OFF and compare the basic sounds. Some
manufacturers cover up their inferior sounds with effects . . . piano,
horns, reeds, etc. Judge 'em on their naked merits . . . you can always
dress 'em up later.
--Tock
SUNDA
...ever heard about personal preferences?!
For example: IMHO Steinways in general SUX! But Bösendorfers on the other
hand ROX! But I would NEVER tell anyone NOT to buy a Steinway if that's the
sound they like!!!
Peace!/ Sunda
Michelle wrote:
>>I just sold my QS-8...WHY??? I hated the piano sounds. The split
>>points were terrible, especially at higher octaves (sounded like a
>>harp and a piano mixed). I first test drove the keyboard in a music
>>store with cheap speakers. A word to the wise; bring a good set of
>>headphones with you to hear how it REALLY sounds!
>
Tock wrote...
Rich
Go with the N1
Rich
SUNDA <jp-...@telia.com> wrote in message
news:4Cch3.1160$9Ri.18...@newsb.telia.net...
doug L.
My QSplus has about a dozen piano patches.
Three or four are excellent. Is the QS8 a downgrade? -doug
Tock wrote:
> >I just sold my QS-8...WHY??? I hated the piano sounds. The split
> >points were terrible, especially at higher octaves (sounded like a
> >harp and a piano mixed). I first test drove the keyboard in a music
> >store with cheap speakers. A word to the wise; bring a good set of
> >headphones with you to hear how it REALLY sounds!
>
Tock
doug L. wrote ...
>Hey there,
> My QSplus has about a dozen piano patches.
>Three or four are excellent. Is the QS8 a downgrade? -doug
>
Nah . . . I've heard jillions of pianos (used to tune pianos on the side),
and there ain't any settings on the QS8 that sound like any piano I've ever
listened to. There's some nice rumbling piano-ish tones that might sound ok
in a mix, but there just aren't any that sound convincing . . .
Not that it makes any real difference nowadays, 'cause there aren't that
many people that can distinguish authentic acoustic pianos from synthesized
ones. I can, though, and the QS8's piano is (IMHO) its weak point.
--Tock
DaveBryce9
and there ain't any settings on the QS8 that sound like any piano I've ever
listened to. There's some nice rumbling piano-ish tones that might sound ok
in a mix, but there just aren't any that sound convincing . . .
Not that it makes any real difference nowadays, 'cause there aren't that
many people that can distinguish authentic acoustic pianos from synthesized
ones. I can, though, and the QS8's piano is (IMHO) its weak point.>>
While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, I would dare to say that
there are quite a few people who would disagree with you on the quality of the
QS Bosendorfer piano sample...a few notable folks would be Keith Emerson,
Suzanne Ciani, Leon Russell, Dave Garfield and Oscar Peterson, and I would
think that these are folks who have an idea of what a piano sounds like. As a
matter of fact, the quality of the piano sample is considered by most people
that I've talked to to be one of the QS series' strong points.
As far as any sample coming close to a real piano, I've always been of the
opinion that there's way too much possible harmonic interaction and dynamic
variation inherent in the real thing for *any* ROMpler to faithfully reproduce.
I've always felt that a real piano works best when the performance is that
critical.
dB
Alesis
Todd A. Phipps
daveb...@aol.com (DaveBryce9) wrote:
> As far as any sample coming close to a real piano, I've always been of the
> opinion that there's way too much possible harmonic interaction and dynamic
> variation inherent in the real thing for *any* ROMpler to faithfully
reproduce.
Exactly. I've been looking at the 88-note-controller market, and of all
the machines out there that new QS 8.1 strikes me as having the best
price/performance ratio. I hope to be able to get one soon, I really
enjoyed playing it. Sure, the RD600 piano is a little better.....and it
lacks aftertouch and only transmits on 2 channels. Also, the QS 8.1 is
made in the USA (at least the one I looked at was) and feels the best to
me, ymmv.
Also, how many other manufacturers have their reps out on the net to
answer questions? The USA manufacture and accesiblilty of support must be
worth *something*...
> I've always felt that a real piano works best when the performance is that
> critical.
>
Agreed. I'm that way when it comes to the Hammond organ.
> dB
> Alesis
TP
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Todd A. Phipps and his silly dog Obie *
Board of Directors, the Michigan American Pit Bull Terrier Club, Inc. (UKC)
Hammond+Keys, New Life Church * "Renoir" Christian Rythym & Blues
http://members.aol.com/b3nut * mail: b3...@battlecreek.net
Steve
b3...@battlecreek.remove-to-reply.net (Todd A. Phipps) wrote:
>In article <19990717124148...@ng-fs1.aol.com>,
>daveb...@aol.com (DaveBryce9) wrote:
>
>
>> As far as any sample coming close to a real piano, I've always been of the
>> opinion that there's way too much possible harmonic interaction and dynamic
>> variation inherent in the real thing for *any* ROMpler to faithfully
>reproduce.
>
>Exactly. I've been looking at the 88-note-controller market, and of all
>the machines out there that new QS 8.1 strikes me as having the best
>price/performance ratio. I hope to be able to get one soon, I really
>enjoyed playing it. Sure, the RD600 piano is a little better.....and it
>lacks aftertouch and only transmits on 2 channels. Also, the QS 8.1 is
>made in the USA (at least the one I looked at was) and feels the best to
>me, ymmv.
>
>Also, how many other manufacturers have their reps out on the net to
>answer questions? The USA manufacture and accesiblilty of support must be
>worth *something*...
Nothing, I'll say it again, worth nothing. I've owned japanese keyboards
by Yamaha and Roland, and never had a days problem with them, and they are
gigged with constantly, for years. The american Ensoniq I owned was
always in the shop. I walked into the local Guitar Center a few weeks ago
to try the Alesis, and the 6.1 keyboard they had on the floor didn't work,
none of the buttons were responding. Even the salesperson, who told me
they sold lots of thoses, couldn't get the thing to work, or even reset,
and he said he was an Alesis specialist. I attribute that to the fact
that it is on the floor, and tried and pounded on by everybody, but so are
the Korgs and every other keyboard on the floor and they worked fine.
It certainly sounds good to buy American, and buy a product because it is
made in America, but I tried American with my keyboards and modules, and
it didn't work out. I've been driving Hondas and Toyotas for 20 years,
decided to go American and bought a Ford. In 6 months the water pump and
timing chain went on me, on a deserted road at 2 in the morning. Talk
about unreliable. I'm also back to foreign cars.
I'm not interested in an America vs. Foreign made keyboard or car
discussion. This has just been my personal experience, and I stand by my
statements.
Steve
Mark Bonnington
of the settings on the keyboard so that it did not respond to keyboard events
(probably set the keyboard in a state of waiting for serial input or something
like that), and I think it is very likely that the salesman didn't know crap about
the keyboard.
About buying American products...I don't support purchasing poorly-made
American products over well-made imports. There is, however, a benefit to buying
products made by your own country. The money you spend remains circulating in
your country's economy, keeping the financial net worth of your country stronger
than if you buy imports. This translates into better exchange rates for your
country's money.