Sequencer/New synth questions

[R Tobin]

I"m about to pull the trigger on a new synth/workstation along with a DP with weighted action. I have a few questions and I"m hoping someone can shed some light. I"m sorry if the questions are dumb, but I don"t know, and the good folks at Guitar Center were of no help at all. Anyway, If I get a synth without a sequencer, can I record that instrument using the sequencer from another board that does have one? If it"s possible, that would open up a lot of new options. My combined budget for both is around $3,000, and right now, I"m leaning toward a Roland FA-07 for the synth, and a Yamaha P515 for the DP side of my rig. I"ve played the P515 recently and I liked it, although I"m open to other options, especially if both boards won"t require a sequencer. I"m also considering the Yamaha MODX 76 and Roland Juno DS-76 if anyone can AB either of those vs the FA-7. If anyone has other suggestions, I"m definitely open minded. I"m mostly an acoustic and basic digital piano guy, so this synth/workstation stuff is way out of my wheelhouse. My top priorities are budget, a good sequencer (unless I can use the digital piano sequencer) and good synth action. I"m not too worried about the sounds as I"m sure any of these would sound fine to me.

 

Thanks!

[Nathanael_I]

Are you willing to use your computer for the sequencer? I don't think the DP sequencers record external devices.

 

P515 action is very nice. If you like it, I wouldn't hesitate. The CFX sample is very well done. I have it and use it regularly. Amazing board at any price, but for the price, wonderful.

 

I can't help on the other boards, but all are quite competent. I think you'll get people here who use them to help with that.

[R Tobin]

I can use a computer for a sequencer, but I like to record ideas on the fly and it always seems like I lose the idea before I can get an external sequencer fired up. I prefer just having a record button on the keyboard to keep it fast and simple if that makes sense. But yes, the P515 was a joy to play. I read comments where people say the action is too heavy etc, but I didn"t have any problems with it. It"s worlds better than the GH action in my old P255.

 

Thanks

[Dnsmo]

I can use a computer for a sequencer, but I like to record ideas on the fly and it always seems like I lose the idea before I can get an external sequencer fired up.

Hi, and welcome to KC! This same concern has bedeviled me for a long time and I have yet to find the simple, elegant solution you're seeking. I recall a synth/workstation that was 'always recording', i.e. capturing what you're laying down into some kind of buffer memory so you can recall the MIDI data later. (Does any such rig still exist?)

 

Have you considered the Kurzweil PC4? I don't know anything about its onboard sequencer, but it could meet a lot of your other needs.

 

Dennis

[Ken Beaumont]

That's an issue I have with the FA-08, I just can't press record and play something. I have to select sequence, initialize the sequence etc. I regularly play connected to my FA and pianoteq has a continuous midi recording feature. So its easy to go back and look at what I played earlier without even telling it to record. I remember my old CASIO had a dead simple record function.

[Dnsmo]

... pianoteq has a continuous midi recording feature. So its easy to go back and look at what I played earlier without even telling it to record.

That's very cool. Is that feature available in all three versions of Pianoteq 6? And when you're not playing along to Pianoteq's built-in metronome, are you able to readily make use of the separate MIDI files it creates by exporting them to a DAW?

[R Tobin]

I"m not very familiar with Kurzweil but I"ve heard good things. I usually try to stick with Yamaha or Roland because those are the only brands I can demo in my area. I"ve always had excellent luck with those brands as far as reliability goes too so I usually gravitate toward those companies first.

[R Tobin]

Wow. I have Pianoteq and never realized it offered continuous midi recording. I"ll have to look into that.

[R Tobin]

Back in the 80s I had a Korg that had the infamous 'record button'. It was so easy and perfect! I"m not sure why things have gotten so complicated since then. The P515 has the insta-record button though which is one of the reasons it"s on my short list.

[Ken Beaumont]

Wow. I have Pianoteq and never realized it offered continuous midi recording. I"ll have to look into that.

It is on all the versions I have the "Stage" just click "recently played". Beware it records all the time so it can be quite long. You can also export it to a .wav file.