Michael W

The iRig Keys Pro is very portable, especially because it is extremely lightweight and doesn't need an AC power source. In terms of fitting into a backpack, probably not, unless it was a BIG backpack, or you didn't mind it sticking out of the top. The keyboard is about 2' long/tall. If you're looking for something smaller, there is the original iRig Keys, but it has mini-keys instead of full-size keys. One potential downside is that the iRig Keys Pro doesn't take batteries, or even have an AC connection, so it always has to be powered via USB or the iPad/iPhone itself. And when the iRig is plugged into an iPad, it draws power from the iPad, and the iPad itself can't be plugged into an outlet. This means that you can only use the keyboard with an iPad or iPhone to the extent that the i-device has the internal juice to power it. This isn't an issue for me, but anyone looking to gig with it would want to find out how long their iPad could power the iRig before needing to be recharged. I should plug mine in and see for myself. But the iRig can also be used with a laptop, or other computer as well, which is handy. I am using mine as a compact keyboard for my desk when working with software instruments. The action is decent and it is nice not having to deal with an AC cord when moving it around the house. 37 keys is a reasonable compromise between 25 keys (which is too small for my practical use) and 49 keys (which is too big for my desk).

Ahhh... That's a photo I got off the internet, not one of me.

I bought an iRig Keys Pro to use with my iPad. http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/_Oa6fRWcISo/hqdefault.jpg

?? Isn't that the correct lyric? Yes, I believe so.

I always thought that Boy George was singing about becoming a comedian. "Be-come-a come-a come-a come-a come-a-com-edian...." I am totally serious.

As of right now - Nov 11 - the website says "In Stock!"

That looks like an ad from the back of a 1965 magazine.

Thank you very much. I don't have a lot of equipment, but the keyboards I have at this point have been carefully chosen. I often think that if I had the money, I would love to upgrade the J-50 to a J-80 and the MOX6 to a Motif XF7. But on the other hand, I love the portability of the two I have, when I do take them out.

Here's my latest incarnation... the latest addition is the 27" iMac which runs Digital Performer and a number of software instruments. I mostly just entertain myself in my little studio here, although I occasionally take my Jupiter-50 out to various jam sessions. http://www.fototime.com/9267C54AF314C33/medium800.jpg These are the instruments I use the most. I just LOVE Roland's Supernatural acoustic and synth sounds. And I've been a Motif fan ever since I had the original model in 2002. http://www.fototime.com/DBFA2EF87E1EB7A/medium800.jpg Here are my Moog Little Phatty (Tribute Edition) and Virus TI Polar, each of which I purchased when they were first released. These are two of the best synthesizers ever designed and built, IMHO. http://www.fototime.com/21F28D54BBAB2C3/medium800.jpg And finally, my 27" iMac - 3.2 GHz quad core i5. I would love to replace the second monitor with a 27" thunderbolt display, but this works just fine for now. http://www.fototime.com/92B1B31BB039B16/medium800.jpg

That's the MiniKorg 700, the original single-oscillator version. I played in a band back in the 70's and the guitar player had one of these - I used it to play synth bass on occasion. I loved it. A few years ago, I bought a 700s two-oscillator version on ebay. It was a lot of fun - I played it for a year, and then sold it for about what I paid for it. Vintage Synth Explorer - MiniKorg 700/700S

Thanks for the tip. It is always interesting (and annoying) to learn about limitations infused into these budget-priced keyboards. There are any number of reasons why the FA could have ended up designed this way. I have never used internal sequencers to control external synths, but would expect more flexibility.

When auditioning these instruments, it is worth remembering that even with "romplers", the factory sounds are not engraved in stone. By tweaking just the EQ, other effects, and velocity, you may be able to come up with piano sounds that are more exactly suited to your tastes. And, of course, sounds can work much differently when in the mix, whether recording or playing in a band. These instruments come with 1,000 - 2,000 presets, and there is always so much attention paid to solo, acoustic piano sounds. When composing and recording my own music, I have to remember that I actually don't use very much acoustic piano in my material. And when I've played in cover bands over the years, I've used these instruments for so much more than acoustic piano. Actually, when in bands I've probably used organ sounds a lot more than APs, and while I haven't used brass as much, coming up with realistic brass patches is probably more difficult (and at times, more critical) than seeking out the world's greatest AP. Anyhow, I remember when I first heard a Roland Sound Canvas, back in the 90's, and thought it's acoustic piano sound was just killer. Listen to it now. Bottom line is that I think the APs in both the MOX and the FA are completely playable and usable by any standard. The differences are quite subjective and the preferences are completely personal. I've got the J-50 with Roland's SuperNatural piano. While I think it's really very good, I've tweaked it up with a bit of boost to the low end, added a wee bit of midrange punch, and thrown in a bit of concert hall reverb, which I prefer. These are all wonderful instruments to have available.

There are some great photos in this thread, obviously take by pro-level people with pro-level gear. That is not me. I take zillions of photos, but typically only while traveling, and just using point-and-shoot cameras and (yes) iPhone cameras. I have recently put together a collection of my favorite travel photos (and no, these don't contain pics of me or family members). Some samples are below, and the rest are here: Michael's Favorite Travel Photos Venice http://www.fototime.com/BE26C2E943E8D36/medium800.jpg Madrid http://www.fototime.com/F92CC5E2063C215/medium800.jpg Moscow http://www.fototime.com/656DC6332D67026/medium800.jpg Sevilla http://www.fototime.com/2CB4717AC9D5C7D/xlarge.jpg Paris http://www.fototime.com/9A231D3575A9531/medium800.jpg Hawaii http://www.fototime.com/45FBFFBBAE41C15/medium800.jpg Prague http://www.fototime.com/8DEDDC0426E4AE9/medium800.jpg Los Angeles http://www.fototime.com/757EEC525202EC7/medium800.jpg Istanbul http://www.fototime.com/B09F430E9E5BDCC/medium800.jpg

Yes, if you use a regular MIDI cable to connect the MIDI OUT of the MO08 to the MIDI IN of the FA, you should be able to quickly and easily use the MO08 keyboard to play the FA. Regarding using the MO08 to "control everything else" in your FA - what is it that you want to do, exactly? Someone with more knowledge than me would need to explain if it is possible to map the cc numbers transmitted by the MO sliders and knobs to specific parameters in the FA.

I was able to compare the FA-08 action with the MOXF8 and Krome 88, and definitely preferred the FA-08 over the three. I like the "ivory feel" of the keys. That being said, I'd have to rate the action on the FA08 more like "acceptable" than "excellent."

I have not played the 06 yet, but it seems as though the actions on these lower-priced boards are always disappointing. What a shame. Higher-quality actions must be a real factor in keeping prices down in the $999 - $1,199 range. Perhaps they add to the weight as well.

I have zero need for an FA-06, but still kinda want one anyway. I don't know you, so I have no idea if you'll be disappointed or not. Just keep in mind that these are not $2,500 workstations. I have only seen the FA-08, but it's pretty "plasticky". But the knobs and whatnot didn't seem to be overly cheap. The good news is that all of the plastic makes these things exceptionally lightweight. If that's something you want, you'll be thrilled. Me, I am a fan of the Roland SuperNatural sounds, and lots of the PCM ones as well. While I do all my sequencing with my computer, I am very interested to hear "real world" reviews about the sequencer in the FA, and if it is as user-friendly as it is supposed to be. Self-contained workstations DO have a certain attraction for me, but the somewhat obtuse design of the ones in the original Motif and MOX always turned me off on the idea. One that was easy to use - and even FUN to work with - might be an interesting idea for me to embrace.

Sweetwater is showing the FA-06 in stock: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FA06

Here are a couple of pics I took of the FA-08 in Sam Ash a couple of days ago. Something to clarify (for those who have only seen photos) - In pictures, it often looks like a number of bright orange items on keyboard might be illuminated. It would be cool if they were, such as the circles around the knobs and the little spindle lines on the big knob. But they're not. Only the screen is illuminated, along with the numerical display, and the pads. Everything else is just bright orange-ish paint. http://www.fototime.com/7024C960593423B/large.jpg http://www.fototime.com/0DD47886B19CC83/large.jpg

I guess it was from the perspective of piano playing. I was playing Beethoven, Bach, and playing fast solos and riffs. For me, it's largely about speed. Inexpensive weighted keyboards can seem very mushy to me. But despite the feel, I should remember that all three keyboards were unplugged, and I wasn't playing with audible feedback.

I buzzed up to the local Sam Ash store in between lunch and a meeting - I only had about 15 minutes to see the Roland FA-08. The good news is that the FA-08 was set up right next to both the MOXF8 and Krome 88, so I could easily compare the actions. My conclusion is that the action on the FA is my clear favorite of the three. I am not a fan of weighted actions on synths - especially bad weighted actions - but the FA-08 definitely has the one that would be the most playable for me. The "ivory feel" of the keys on the FA is very nice. It's a bit of a textured feel, as opposed to simple, smooth plastic. I liked it. Concerning the looks of the FA, it is about what I expected. I agree with others, however, that the shiny surface around all of the controls is a questionable design choice. Given that this is where you'll be putting your finger tips all the time, why have a background surface that is prone to smudging, and that will need cleaning and wiping all the time? And it's not as though the shiny surface looks astounding or anything - they just should have left it with some kind of matte finish, or something that wouldn't show fingerprints and whatnot. Regardless, this is a very gig-able keyboard. While plastic, everything seemed reasonably well made and put together. The FA comes across as inexpensive, but not necessarily cheap. But most importantly, how did the FA sound compared to the MOX and the Krome? Well, based upon my visit to Sam Ash today, I can't tell you, because NONE OF THE KEYBOARDS WERE PLUGGED INTO ANY KIND OF AMPS OR SPEAKERS. I was too rushed to try and snag cables from somewhere else to get them hooked up, so I just left. There's no wonder why stores like this are going out of business...

Well that would make sense. A Motif XF8 is $3,599. A Korg Kronos X 88 is $3,999 (I'm guessing they haven't sold a ton of those). The most I ever paid for a keyboard was about $2,400, which was for my Virus TI Polar. This was about 8-9 years ago, when they first came out, and prices were lower. And the economy was booming, and I hadn't yet been laid off from the place where I'd worked for 18 years. But these days, as a "home hobbyist," about $1,300 is tops for me.

Also, Cybersoniq, you make a good point about simple edits to factory presets, especially the effects. Much commenting is done about these instruments based solely upon auditioning presets. The fact is, a few parameters, especially effects, can contribute greatly to a sound's qualities. I had a Korg M3 for about a year, and initially really found that I did not care for it. Long story short, I ultimately realized that 90% of what I didn't like was tied to the various effects that the sound designers had attached to many of the presets. I went in and EQ'ed things to my taste, and changed a bunch of reverbs. Got rid of unwanted choruses and added some delays here and there. It took me a while, but I finally ended up with an M3 that (to me) sounded GREAT. It was also helpful that (unlike the Yamahas) you can overwrite presets on the M3 without having to save slightly tweaked patches in a User bank somewhere.

Cybersoniq, thanks for the review. I hope to get up to my local Sam Ash in the next few days to check out the FA-08 myself. As the owner of a Jupiter-50, I am disappointed in the size of the SN Acoustic library in these FA instruments. Yes, I know that many of Roland's PCM patch library is great. But it's hard to imagine buying a state-of-the-art workstation keyboard in 2014 where the majority of sound on board are what, 10... 15.... 20 years old? The SN sounds should become Roland's "new normal", and I wish the FA boards had all of the SNA sounds that are found in the Integra. All that being said, I am sure the FA sounds great and will provide a great alternative to the MOXF (the quintessential bread and butter keyboard these days) and the Korg Krome.

I called my local Sam Ash, and they also have the FA-08 in stock. None of the Chicago area Sam Ash stores have received any 06's yet. I will probably go up there this weekend and check it out. Also, I see that as of this writing, the Sam Ash online store is indicating that they have the FA-08 in stock.