Sound Comparison between Motif XF, Kronos, and PSR S910

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:12 am

jordanstreet wrote:Hey guys thanks so much for your interest in this! I actually already have a Studiologic SL-990XP haha and I use that controller to run some software VSTs for my recording at the moment. Specifically session strings pro, kontakt 4, true pianos, scarbee vintage keys. They all sound pretty good but not great... I'm looking for something that will top these libraries while still being able to be used for gigs. I've thought about just getting LASS and CineBrass or Hollywood strings/brass etc. I don't think my computer could run it however and the laptop I currently use (with a Novation SLMk2 61) for gigs definitely couldn't. Which brings me to my next point, I want to get away from the computer for gigs. In my experience it just hasn't been very reliable and it's a lot of things to setup and tear down. I would buy the XF6 or Kronos 61 because I don't want to deal with the weight/size, and when I'm recording I have the SL-990 which I absolutely adore.
Thank you all again for your continued input!

From what I read, gigging keyboardists are not comfortable with a Mac or pc software solution. For a home studio, it will suffice

kanout · Post by **kanout** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:01 am

Just a few words:
I think the motif Xf is the best rompler workstation ever made,and with the flash ram and the john melas editor,you can load some great sample library.
(and there are some graet and inexpensive soundbanks)

For someone who don't want to spend time to learn a complicated kronos(even if this is for some good reason)and want a efficient rompler..the XF is not a bad choice.

For what i read about the jupiter 80,while i understand some critic about the file system,i totally disagree about the editing.
I find the jupiter more simple and efficient to edit than the kronos.
Editing the layers in the roland couldn't be more simple.

(just to precise i had a XF,XS,2 kronos and the jupiter 80 so it's my personal user point of view)

alanjpearson · Post by **alanjpearson** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:56 pm

burningbusch wrote:If you buy something like the Kronos based on running through presets at a music store you are very much missing the point of the instrument. I doubt that the OP even loaded the full EXs3 which are on the SSD but not loaded by default.
.......... To ignore that and rely solely on the stock sounds is unthinkable in my view. Add to the sample capabilities all of the sound engines and it's not much of a debate, again IMO.

Busch.

Exactly

neomad · Post by **neomad** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:15 pm

GregC wrote:
jordanstreet wrote:Hey guys thanks so much for your interest in this! I actually already have a Studiologic SL-990XP haha and I use that controller to run some software VSTs for my recording at the moment. Specifically session strings pro, kontakt 4, true pianos, scarbee vintage keys. They all sound pretty good but not great... I'm looking for something that will top these libraries while still being able to be used for gigs. I've thought about just getting LASS and CineBrass or Hollywood strings/brass etc. I don't think my computer could run it however and the laptop I currently use (with a Novation SLMk2 61) for gigs definitely couldn't. Which brings me to my next point, I want to get away from the computer for gigs. In my experience it just hasn't been very reliable and it's a lot of things to setup and tear down. I would buy the XF6 or Kronos 61 because I don't want to deal with the weight/size, and when I'm recording I have the SL-990 which I absolutely adore.
Thank you all again for your continued input!
From what I read, gigging keyboardists are not comfortable with a Mac or pc software solution. For a home studio, it will suffice

+1

Salto · Post by **Salto** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:43 pm

For $1749 the Yamaha 910 is just a pretty awful Keybed, and toyish....I too loved the sound but man how can I live with no aftertouch....

The main thing that kills Arrangers for me is you cannot sequence and then edit drums....it is in one take...

Kronos is SOOOOO much more powerful....Rarely, I mean rarely do you see pros onstage with Arrangers, except Tyros....

Pros wouldn't be caught dead with it. The KORG PA 500 is even more toyish than Yamaha..

The Arranger has it's place for sure....but I wouldn't get one unless if was the 76 key Korg PA4X.....the PA 1X felt good Keybed wise.....

I tried to like the Yamaha 910....but for $1749 way too toyish...IMO

daybyter · Post by **daybyter** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:36 pm

If you already include arrangers, why no PA 600, Pa3x and the Tyros?

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:29 am

burningbusch wrote:I have ZERO interest in any keyboards by Kurzweil, Yamaha, Nord, etc as my Kronos is now loaded with samples from software libraires (VSL, Scarbee, Synthogy, East aWest, etc.) that I use to compliment/replace the stock sounds. Only the Roland Jupiter holds my interest to a small degree as Roland is at least trying to do something different.

A Kronos driving a Roland Integra-7 and a Hamichord EXP-Edition (which is the Mojo version of VB3 in a rack unit) probably gives you the best of everything today, in the most compact, portable form. I only wish Korg made a 73 key Kronos with an unweighted action (ideally with the left-side controllers moved up so that the board wouldn't have to be much wider than the 73-key keybed). That's where they lose ground to an XF7 or Jupiter 50 for gig-friendliness.

Saxifraga · Post by **Saxifraga** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:08 am

GregC wrote:
Saxifraga wrote:If money is not the point and you don´t like a Macmini with Software I would buy this:

But in fact, if I had known in what trouble I get with my Kronos and how inferior the sequencer is, I wouldn´t have sold my SL-880 and bought a Macmini with Abelton Live 8, some NI Products and Korgs Legacy Collection.
It's not too late. The world is not gonna end like the Mayans said.
You can always get what you want and unload your Kronos.

That would come with a BIG discount in price. No one will pay 3400,- € for my Kronos. And I still love it´s sound. I don´t love the keybed problems.

And please stop mentioning that Mayan crap. They NEVER did any prophecies about 21.12.2012 (winter solstice). This is just typical media hype for a none topic. They don´t know what to write and talk about. It´s just that the calendar ends at that time and they could not release a new one. Same will happen to us (my kids and grandchildren) if we don´t reduce CO2 emissions starting now.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 2:42 am

Saxifraga wrote:
GregC wrote:
Saxifraga wrote:If money is not the point and you don´t like a Macmini with Software I would buy this:

But in fact, if I had known in what trouble I get with my Kronos and how inferior the sequencer is, I wouldn´t have sold my SL-880 and bought a Macmini with Abelton Live 8, some NI Products and Korgs Legacy Collection.
It's not too late. The world is not gonna end like the Mayans said.
You can always get what you want and unload your Kronos.
That would come with a BIG discount in price. No one will pay 3400,- € for my Kronos. And I still love it´s sound. I don´t love the keybed problems.

And please stop mentioning that Mayan crap. They NEVER did any prophecies about 21.12.2012 (winter solstice). This is just typical media hype for a none topic. They don´t know what to write and talk about. It´s just that the calendar ends at that time and they could not release a new one. Same will happen to us (my kids and grandchildren) if we don´t reduce CO2 emissions starting now.

do you think all the complaining on the forum impacted your Kronos resale value in your country ?