Synth-O-Philes...a question

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:26 am

Anyone out there have any experience with a Korg X3? Are they decent?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:13 am

Korg makes good stuff ... I don't know that model ... I have a mid range yamaha cs2x ...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:26 am

I use a CX-3 (Hammond drawbar type synth) in our band on some songs.

Since it belongs to George and spends time at his house, I haven't really investigated its parameters fully.

My experience: Built like a tank. Looks/feels like a single-manual drawbar Hammond. The drawbar patches and mods sound spot-on. It also does a pretty good Vox Continental. There's a lot more to this than meets the eye. I think George paid about a grand for this one, and it's mint. So price should be a factor here, too.

My own digital keyboard is a Casio Privia (610?). I needed key weighting like a grand piano, so this was a major factor in the decision to purchase. It was $500.00 NEW. Its organ patches are pretty good, and there are a total of 202 patches to fool with.

There is a patch on the Casio called "breathy sax" that brings a realistic ballad sax sound within reach of a keyboard player, which I'm particularly thankful for.

Pro keyboard players shun Casios, it seems, probably a boilover from their former low-end position in the '80s. But for their price range (1/4 of a Nord, for instance, for a WK-3500) they offer superb value.

Korg also makes a dual-manual X-3, which I've also used. Same comments apply. One thing to remember: These are out of production and considered a bit obsolete; still high-quality stuff.

A true Libra review, I guess.

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:30 am

I've got a Casio Privia at home too....very happy with the price and the functions.

So Paul, you're in a band with a guy named George? Is there a John?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:33 am

Alisha, have you tried Breathy Sax?

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:10 am

I have a Korg Triton Le61 and a Roland RS-50:

Both are excellent but the learning curve on the Korg is pretty steep - and I'm at the bottom of the hill!!

I can build complicated single finger chords on the Roland and play melody on the Korg. Great fun!

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:19 am

I passed on buying a Korg and bought a used XP-50 Roland Workstation. For what it's worth, it also has several "sax" presets that sound very good when recorded.

Aitch is bang on IMO with his comment. Korg does have a steep learning curve but keep in mind they are very dependable synths.

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:29 am

Here's a link to mine.

www.vintagesynth.com/roland/xp50.shtml

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:41 pm

Paul, I haven't tried "breathy sax" but I'll have to look into it....I more or less use it to play and close my eyes and pretend I'm playing on a baby grand

Thanks for the info!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:22 pm

Well Alisha, it's nice to dream and pretend. I close my eyes and pretend I'm playing!!

Never mind what the instrument is....

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:38 am

Alisha, aren't those drum patches a gas? I especially like the crowd noises and the applause.

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:47 am

NOT a synth... but it does have keys...

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:49 am

And a concrete block to support it.........

35012 · Post by **35012** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:01 am

You Don't have to hide your Les Paul behind the Ric, Bob. We don't mind!
Paul, If you and I have the same casio, then the sitar 2 patch is great for playing Norwegian Wood live.

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:18 am

Les Paul? Umm... Almost... in that same way that Pamela Anderson's a natural F-cup!!!

Concrete block? I wish that organ was that light!