How does the M50 compares to a Kurzweil SP4-7?

[levis]

import PRELOAD.M3all to m50 editor

[theplague]

import PRELOAD.M3all to m50 editor

Ok so you're importing M3 programs into the M50 but they use different samples, don't they? (EX-USB PCM samples that are not included on the M50).
If I'm wrong please correct me.
Thanks!

[levis]

import PRELOAD.M3all to m50 editor

Ok so you're importing M3 programs into the M50 but they use different samples, don't they? (EX-USB PCM samples that are not included on the M50).
If I'm wrong please correct me.
Thanks!

oops, you're right

[theplague]

import PRELOAD.M3all to m50 editor

Ok so you're importing M3 programs into the M50 but they use different samples, don't they? (EX-USB PCM samples that are not included on the M50).
If I'm wrong please correct me.
Thanks!

oops, you're right

Question to you Levis, if I upload a sample from the SP4-7 to soundclound can you play something on your M50 and upload back to me to compare? I'll play something very simple.

[levis]

I sold my M50. Kronos will buy. you can record MIDI on the sd-card and play it in guitarcenter on M50 .

[Scott]

it amuses me that the M3 may not sound as good as the SP4-7 with the factory rom samples since it is supposed to sound just like the M50, my expectations over the M50 were based on its inheritance from the M3.

My understanding is that the M50 does sound just like the M3, except that the M3-EXP has the additional EXP sounds (and the piano sample may be different). Similarly, the SP4 should should just like the PC3, to the extent that the same programs are compared, except for the "double Leslie" effect on some of the new PC3 organ sounds, which require more effect processing than is in the SP4.

That said, that only applies to individual programs. If you're comparing combis/setups, there can be more differences, since the lower end models can't support as many simultaneous effects. There are also differences in polyphony, sequencer/karma, real time processing (number of available knobs, pedals, and other controllers), pad triggers, and so forth... but that's separate from comparing the sound quality of the individual voices.

If you like (non-EXP) M3 sounds better than PC3 sounds, you should like the M50 better thand the SP4, and vice versa.

[Scott]

in pc3 only 4 keymaps rhodes samples
...
in m3/m50 rhodes 20 multisamples

That may be, and maybe the M50 can have a wider variety of different Rhodes sounds as a result... but I only need one good Rhodes sound (my real Rhodes only had one sound), and while (as I said) these things can be subjective, I wasn't able to find a Rhodes sound on the M50 that I liked as much as what I got on the Kurz.

I happen to like a dark, pretty aggressive Rhodes, with a good bark... it's not what everyone is looking for, so it does get back to personal taste. I do recognize that the limited velocity layers on the Kurz has its drawbacks as well, but for my purposes, the sound worked well.

Also, when I talked about liking the Kurz EPs, I wasn't just talking about Rhodes, there are a variety of other EPs in there, and I especially like their Wurly.

[kikedeolivos]

All tracks (except the B3) are stock M50 sounds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooEzjzf1 ... ature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAL8zUrq ... el&list=UL

I think the M50 is still a good all purpose keyboard.

Regards

[sheenaherself]

How does the Kurzweil compete with the Korg M50 soundwise? Excluding all the workstation abilities and drawing on the things they both have? That is, the sounds (for Kurzweil, including the free downloadable patches), the feel of the keys, action (if any), durability, quality, etcetera.

[lorien42]

I have owned both a Kurzweil SP4-8 and a Korg m50-61, so I can comment with an opinion on sound....

Granted this is subjective, but I have always been a fan of the Kurz acoustic pianos, and this is no exception, the SP4's standard grand isn't as much to my liking, but with download from the website, the Pro Piano SP is awesome, as is the Studio Grand from the factory pre-load. For Rhodes patches, I don't really like the preloaded ones that much, BUT the website download Stevie's Rhodes is quite to my liking. I generally prefer the Kurz pianos over the m50. Other sounds go both directions. Generally speaking the m50 CAN sound better on most things because of its more complex effects system....The effects on the SP4 are dumbed down from the PC3 series, and as such aren't in the same league, but then again it is a stage piano.

That being said, with the exception of pianos, there are many things that I prefer the sound of my Triton extreme over the m50 on. All three boards complement each other, and I have gotten some sick pads by using different combis on the m5o and TritonExtreme and playing them together. Nothing that I have used live yet, as I am just getting back into that, and so far I am just using my Triton Pro for live work.

Regarding the key feel, ugh, not a fan of the m50-61 keybed. Definitely a regression from the Triton-era key beds. The SP4-8 has a really nice feeling weighted keybed, although I can't comment on the 76 note version. If it is anything like the key bed on my old SP76 it will be quite nice.
Just a few thoughts.

[Scott]

The effects on the SP4 are dumbed down from the PC3 series, and as such aren't in the same league.

AFAIK, not "dumbed down," just fewer. Full PC3 (not LE) has 16 fx units, SP4 has 10. Korg M50 has 5, plus 2 master.

[lorien42]

When I said "dumbed down" for the SP4 effects, what I meant was that rather than having each configurable individual effect like on the PC3, you have several preconfigured effects chains, that aren't as granularly editable as the normal KDFX system.

Also, I forgot to mention, if you like to tweak sounds live, the m50 has the advantage with more knobs. The SP4 just has one live parameter knob with five options via selection switch.