Korg M50 VS Roland Juno Stage. Opinions please!

[John_J]

Hi, guys!
Is this a fair comparison?
Thanks in advance for all input!

[kimu]

it depends on what you need more...

juno stage has not touchscreen, have less ROM, it's heavier and do not comes in the portable 61-keys, have less drum pattern and arpeggio, it is not equipped with MIDI sequencer you can use to record. FX are not as good as korg.

on the other hand, juno stage comes with XLR IN with phantom power, USB port instead of SD as in M50, allows MP3, wave, aiff and midi files playback directly from the USB (this imho is a great missing in korg WS) and as a dedicated out for the click.

[John_J]

Thanks, Kimo!
Will look carefully into it and make a decision.

[John_J]

I just realized that the Juno Stage doesn't have a sequencer!

How about that? LOL.

[kimu]

i guess 'cause juno stage is optimized for live performance rather than a home/studio workstation. it offers playbacking capabilities but not recording capabilties.

[Synthoid]

I just realized that the Juno Stage doesn't have a sequencer!

No sequencer? The 61-key Juno G has a sequencer. I just read this online:

Audio/MIDI recorder onboard

For songwriters and performers, the JUNO-G's 16-part MIDI sequencer is a must. But the addition of four companion stereo audio tracks is a huge bonus, and an unexpected surprise for an instrument in this price range! Now players can lay down the perfect backing tracks plus vocals, live guitar parts, and the like. The JUNO-G's dedicated front-panel transport controls and mixer make the recording experience all the more friendly.

Roland dropped the ball with the Juno Stage.

[valen]

The Juno Stage has a midi player but not a sequencer. In my case I am shopping for one of these two boards as well. I figure I can make my sequences using my PC with Sonar or other software and then put them on a USB key and play them live right from the key.

I am primarily interested to find out which has the better keybed and sounds

[crybaby]

I just got my M50 61 key. What a dazzling machine. Compared to my Juno Stage it does so much more. The M50 is a real all in one keyboard/workstation. I chose the 61 key version because I can control it via the Juno Stage's keyboard which has the 76 keys. If I had to choose one or the other, I would go with the M50. It's a very nice keyboard.

[BasariStudios]

In nowadays technology in my opinion a Sequencer built into a synt is just
a waste of everything and also waste of my time staring at it.

[crybaby]

As far as the feel of the keybed goes, both the M50 and the Juno Stage feel almost identical. They both have a light synth action. Very easy to get around on.

[John_J]

Cool... Thanks for the input, guys.

The Juno Stage DOES come with Sonar LE, and software sequencers like those are typically easier to use than onboard sequencers (YMMV).
Just bring a Juno Stage and a laptop, and you're set?
The Click Out and Vocoder are major features if you ask me.
Of course, touch screen isn't there, and the Juno Stage is kinda ugly. :-p
Assignable D-beam makes up for loss of aftertouch "somewhat".
And the sounds are phat! Haven't really heard M50 sounds, though it has the same ROM as M3 which is mighty impressive.

However, the M50 can function as a plug-in on
"most popular sequencer software" as advertised in the promo vid.

So, really undecided at the moment.

[kimu]

just get out and have a (long) try of both

that's the best way to find out with which one you feel better regardless of all tech specification.

[Donutninja]

I tried them both, and went with the Juno Stage. It's very light, the keyboard action feels great, the sounds are based on the sonic cell engine, which is quite good. The screen is more than good enough, and the dedicated split and favorites buttons make it very easy to get to the sounds you need, or to make a quick setup. There's also a dedicated patch select output that lets you scroll up and down through your patches and performances with a footswitch, very handy.

Nothing but good things to say about it!

[John_J]

Thanks, Donutninja!
How do you find getting around with no sequencer?

[Boynton]

I compared both tonight. The JS is just a Fantom-X with a cheap plastic keyboard with weights installed. It's not a smooth response. Sort of clunky. And as always, horrible DX-7 EP sounds on the Roland. I was very psyched on the JS until I heard about the M50. Now having played both, I think the M50 wins hands down. Just wish they would release the 73. I hope that actually happens and was not just a marketing thing.