A couple pre-buy questions

[Stokely]

Greetings,

I've read a lot of conversations about the M50 here. I'm in the market for a do-it-all rompler to supplement (if not replace) my laptop in a casual (ie, we all have day jobs ) cover band. We are doing stuff ranging from 70s classic rock to 80s pop to newer stuff. I'm very confident the M50 has the sounds I need to do anything we will play.

However, so would a used Motif or Triton most likely (or even an X50). For non-live music I do my sequencing on the laptop. I'm intrigued by the possibility of using the M50 directly in the software sequencer vs hooking up midi and routing audio back through the interface; that alone would justify spending a bit more.

When using the M50 as a virtual instrument (which it appears I could do), does the audio from the M50 appear with that of the softsynths or will I still need to use the hardware audio outs?

Are there limitations other than polyphony when using the M50 on tracks? Do you need to set up the thing in "multitimbral mode" (thinking of the old modules like the Proteus here)?

Finally, in regards with integration with the Computer, does the M3 differ from the M50? I made the mistake of playing a mint used M3 going very cheaply at the local store (less than a grand) and didn't pull the trigger I'm pretty sure that kind of deal won't roll around again but I'm heartened by all the comments that people have made that they are very happy with their M50s My buddy also made the point: would you rather be in a dive bar with an M50 or an M3

Overall, the board itself left me a bit underwhelmed as far as controls...I know from forums what it can do but it's not as apparent on the face of it as say the motif or m3 (which have more dedicated controls). The keybed is growing on me, I much preferred the m3s but I could certainly live with the m50. I love the fact that it is lightweight.

Hopefully soon I'll make up my mind before the wife says we can't afford it I'm probably looking at either a new m50 61, used m50 73 or a used motif at this point barring another good deal coming along.

[runeharpun]

The M50 cannot send audio over USB, so you'll have to feed the analog out from the keyboard into your PC or mixer.

I've never had any issues with the 40 notes polyphony on the M50. But I guess that depend on your sounds and style of playing.

I don't use the sounds of my M50 when I make music on my PC. Not because there is no digital out, but because I find the virtual instruments better sounding.

When I play with my band, I'm really loving the M50. The sounds are great, and I often get comments from people about how great the keyboard sound. I try to spend some time making my own sounds for the songs I play, and the M50 is very easy to program.

I haven't tried any of the more recent models from other brands, so I cannot comment on how they compare. But the thing I noticed the most when I switched from my XV-2020 to my M50 was that there is more "dirt" in the sounds, making it sound more real in a live environment. The sounds don't cut the mix as easily as my XV-2020 did, but it just makes the keyboard blend better with the rest of the band.

So if you liked the M3 then you'll also like it's little brother.

R

[kikedeolivos]

...

I've never had any issues with the 40 notes polyphony on the M50....

It's 80 note polyphony on a single oscillator patch.

[kimu]

my 2 cent:

if you are gonna play live often (or bring keyboard from home to rehearsal and vice versa) go with M50 instead of M3... M50 is really ligthweight and coming from a 10-years trinity ownership the difference was noticeable...

then, it's true that motif has more control, but it is still very heavy and imo the touchscreen of M50 is a real added value over competitors.

last, i agree with runeharpum that new synth sound less dirt and fat than old ones... i still have impression that my some sounds of m trinity comes out much better in the mix than M50's one.

anyway M50 is a great keyboard and if you like M3 you'll know that M50 has the same audio engine of M3 and M3's programs and combis can be loaded in M50 as is (excpet from Karma pattern not present in M50).

[Synthoid]

i agree with runeharpum that new synth sound less dirt and fat than old ones... i still have impression that my some sounds of m trinity comes out much better in the mix than M50's one.

I feel the same way about my Triton sometimes, but I use the M3 for 80% of my music now--some creative effects can fatten up the sound (that, plus I'm lovin' my new Radias keyboard).

[kikedeolivos]

last, i agree with runeharpum that new synth sound less dirt and fat than old ones... i still have impression that my some sounds of m trinity comes out much better in the mix than M50's one)

One would assume that a new synth engine would be a vast improvement over the previous one...I would like to know, seriously, why the M50 sounds so thin.

[kimu]

well, i would not say that all programs or combis sound thin... but rather i would say that some specific kind of sound (e.g. some string patches, some synth lead) of my old trinity were more fat and mix-cutting than the actual ones... say that i also think that m50 is a great improvement over trinity except for a missing MOSS or RADIAS expansion

[Stokely]

Thanks guys.

I'm definitely leaning m50, as I'm leery of used gear (unless it's from a store that offers a warranty/return policy)...it would have to be a great deal on a motif or m3 to get me to get one of those. The guitar center near me has a deal for m50s a couple hundred off so if the finances line up I'll go that direction most likely. As much as I liked the keys and controls on the m3, I'm realizing this isn't going to replace softsynths and computer for home use anyway, so I need to think of whats best for live (light, karma wouldn't be used etc). And it's nice to know Karma is available for the m50 if I ever decide it's something I need.