Racks VS "Full-blown" Synths

MinorKey · Post by **MinorKey** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:02 pm

Hello,

this is a very basic question but I'd be very grateful if someone could take the time to answer. I have googled it, but I haven't found anything comprehensive, so I thought I'd ask.
Basically I'd only like to know what the differences between racks and "full" synths are apart from the fact that rack modules don't have a keybed. What are the drawbacks of using a rack with a MIDI controller in a live setup, for example?
The reason I ask is, because I'd like to get some new synth in the future, possibly one from the highest class, but good music gear is not cheap, not even if it's used. For example, the average price of an used Triton Extreme moves between 1000 and 2000 Dollars on Ebay whereas the price of a Triton Rack is roughly some 300 Dollars. So for the same money as a used Extreme I could get 3 or more racks while still getting the highest quality sound, right? So why the big price difference? Is it only about the keybed and portability or is there something else too?
It's obviously more practical to use full-blown synths in a live setup, but which advantages does owning a rack have?

Thanks for making it clear...

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:46 pm

A rack takes up less space. That is the main reason.
It makes them ideal as sound sources in studio setups where you want a lot of variety that you can access easily from a complex MIDI setup. Or if you want a bunch of different sound sources 'off stage' i.e. in a touring rig that is easily transportable as a single rack, then you just have your MIDI controller on stage.

The difference between the Rack and Keyboard versions is always down to the manufacturer. Often they are identical or only with a few differences. Korg's racks for example often lack the sequencer that the full blown keyboard workstation would have, instead sporting a 'multi' mode where you can arrange tracks assigned to channels that you would drive from a computer or hardware sequencer or other workstation.

Note though that the Triton Rack is older than the Extreme and they aren't equvilent products. The Rack is more like the Classic or Studio (I forget the exact differences), you can load expansion cards into it for more ROM samples for example, whilst the Extreme has a fixed 'best of' aforementioned ROM built in and no expansion option for those boards.

MinorKey · Post by **MinorKey** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 8:08 am

X-Trade wrote:A rack takes up less space. That is the main reason.
It makes them ideal as sound sources in studio setups where you want a lot of variety that you can access easily from a complex MIDI setup. Or if you want a bunch of different sound sources 'off stage' i.e. in a touring rig that is easily transportable as a single rack, then you just have your MIDI controller on stage.

The difference between the Rack and Keyboard versions is always down to the manufacturer. Often they are identical or only with a few differences. Korg's racks for example often lack the sequencer that the full blown keyboard workstation would have, instead sporting a 'multi' mode where you can arrange tracks assigned to channels that you would drive from a computer or hardware sequencer or other workstation.

Note though that the Triton Rack is older than the Extreme and they aren't equvilent products. The Rack is more like the Classic or Studio (I forget the exact differences), you can load expansion cards into it for more ROM samples for example, whilst the Extreme has a fixed 'best of' aforementioned ROM built in and no expansion option for those boards.

Thank you, it was very helpful.