Justin Havu

Wonder if the Nektar 88's are the same way with that velocity limitation.

I always thought M-Audio made their own keybeds, but I could be completely wrong. It's been 10 years since I owned or played one (I have a friend that has the Alesis Q88 which is pretty much a rebranded Keystation [Mk II, probably] that I tried out a few years ago). I had both a Keystation 88es (That would be the Mk1) and two different Axioms (1st Gen 49 and 2nd Gen 61). The keybed on the Keystation was okey, but I hated the Axioms. Those felt very spongy compared to the Keystation. I too, have been thinking about getting a semi-weighted 88 again. Unless I'm on my trusty RD-1000, any other weighted/hammer action keyboard is extremely fatiguing, even with the velocity set to the lightest setting. Since my carpal tunnel fiasco nearly five years ago (surgery in the left hand, cortisone shot in the right), my hands have not been the same.

Cherry Audio Synth Stack 3 bundle. Also bit the bullet and got a couple more subscriptions: - UVI Sonic Pass subscription to try that stuff out. Really like the Vintage Vault stuff as well as the KeySuite. - PreSonus Sphere.

I've had mine for over 15 years without any issues. Like Dave (EscapeRocks), I've even used it in a 3-tier configuration without any issues, even with an RD-1000, 01/W ProX, and a MODX7.

A big thanks to Eric Persing and the Alpha Juno for that. All I can say is: What the??

IMO, Korg's Kronos (or Krome EX) is probably going to be your best option. I started composing with a Triton in very much the same way you're describing, and while I can't speak for others, I found the sequencer quite intuitive and easy to get around. The cool thing about it is if you've stumbled upon a sound that inspires you in some way, you can simply hit the sequencer's RECORD button (or ENTER + RECORD on older Korgs) and it'll copy the entire program or combination, with all of the effects, over to the sequencer.

Amen! One of the reasons why I heft around an RD-1000! That, and I can't find a lightweight DP with an action that feels as good to me as this one does.

In my normal setting, doing praise/worship stuff, usually B or C depending on how many presets I need for the occasion. If the set is being done exactly as planned, it'll be C, with a MODX7. If there's some structure, but a little room for improvisation and I need to get to different sounds quickly, I'll do that with the MODX, but I'll bring along the RD-1000 as my main piano/EP sounds. On a very rare occasion, I'll go with F, where we're calling out songs and just going with the flow, and I can get to different sounds as I need to. I haven't played a large rig in a while, but even though it's a ton of work to set up/tear down, it's quite fun watching audience reactions to a large rig, at least the audiences I play for.

This. Also, Hornsby's "Spider Fingers."

Steve Porcaro - Someday/Somehow Toto - IV, Hydra, pretty much any album that Steve's appeared on. Brilliant sound designer, and a pretty good player too.

I did that deal as well, mainly for the Prophets and CS80 V4. Everything new (as well as the OP-X and SQ80) is way more CPU-hungry than the previous versions. Augmented synths are totally unusable for me.

Toto had CS80's as well.

Korg Collection 4 for $299. Couldn't pass on it.

A portable and affordable way for a beginner to get into synthesizers. Also, a compact way to add VA to the palette, but with only 4 voices. I always used it as a monosynth.

I was thinking about all-in-one solutions, but I agree--the action in the Arturia is horrible. If it's a studio piece, than a VPC1 paired with a control surface might be the way to go. Or grab a Keylab 49 or 61 if you don't mind having an additional synth action keyboard with plenty of control options.

What's your budget? Also, how picky are you about the keybed itself? Three that come to mind right away would be: Arturia Keylab 88 MkII - $999 USD NI Komplete Kontrol S88 Mk2 - $999 USD M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro - $799 USD

I've also read elsewhere, after some googling, that other TR8 owners were getting RF interferance issues, mainly sounding like a faint radio station. Probably tells me that the TR8's themselves aren't well shielded. Anyhoo, I moved my computer about 6 feet away from the desk, and it's still happening. Might be time for some new monitors, as soon as the budget allows for them.

Phone was in the bedroom being charged. I've tried two different locations. My apartment, and my church, which are in the same building. I want to leave them set up in the church, at the soundboard (a Behringer X32.) In my apartment, it'd be whatever monitor is on the left side that would have the interferance. In this case, it's whatever monitor is on the right side. Either one will get very stactic-y. Hang on... I just had to answer a text, and the static got way worse. So I'm betting it's either my phone, or quite possibly, my computer. But the weird thing about it is, it's only happening on whatever monitor is on the right side.

Back in 2006, I had a MIDIBoard given to me in exchange for a few lessons, mainly on how to use a keyboard. Action was second to none, and I loved playing it. However, any time I played too hard on it, or too fast, it would freeze up, and I'd have to power it off, and back on. I stupidly traded it for a Keystation 88ES, mainly because I wanted something a bit more portable, and something that wouldn't freeze up on me all the time. If I had the chance to get another MIDIBoard, I certainly wouldn't pass it up.

So, I love my TR8's. However, I'm getting a lot of noise on the right monitor. Sounds a bit like computer noise. My computer is about 3-4 feet away. I've tried swapping monitors, audio cables (both XLR and 1/4" balanced, and RCA unbalanced, static is still there even with no audio connected), power cables, even plugging power into a separate circuit from my computer, as well as a power conditioner. Can't get rid of the static at all. Shielding issue, perhaps?

Last outdoor run of the year, on probably the last really warm day we'll get this year, at least here in southern Maine. It'll pretty much be treadmill and cross training for the next few months.

First thought was the Kross, or maybe a used M50, or dare I say a Karma (paid around $450 for mine). I also second the Alesis QS boards. Lightweight with good onboard sounds, and those can be had for not a lot of money.

8.26 miles today. Garmin says my fitness level is decreasing, but after a two-day rest, and seeing as this is my fastest time for this particular route, I disagree. Lol

10.66 miles today. The first 8 miles felt great. Last 2.66 was quite challenging.

Went out for another 8 miles yesterday. It was too beautiful outside to not do anything.