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Cybersoniq

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Posts posted by Cybersoniq

  1. Modeled grand piano, not the sampled one in the Gemini. I wonder if that engine will make it into any of the other DSP based instruments.

    Or maybe better...have the option to add the Gemini module (as you can with the GSI DMC 122). Missed opportunity for expansion and to add flexibility at the Seven's $2399MSRP price point.

    I guess this is only seven of nine :snax:

  2. My wish; 76 or 88 note with pitch and mod wheels. Maybe based off the DMC-122 form factor. The ultimate "take one board to the gig solution". Would sell like hotcakes!

    Well we will just have to standby for the news from GSI:

    https://www.facebook.com/GenuineSoundware/photos/a.537502179674328.1073741828.532502670174279/1409485209142683/?type=3&theater

     

    With the combo 73-key/waterfall key form factor competition heating up with the Vox Continental ($2199) and the Roland VR-730 ($1499)...maybe a DMC-73/Mojo 73 can slide in between in price with its top class tone-wheel organ models/rotary sim and growing stable of modeled and sampled-based instruments. What does Guido have cooking in the lab??? :keys2:

  3. pjd,

    I looked at a Youtube vid about Rick Wakeman's gear. He's got two Korgs, two Rolands, two Moogs, one Yamaha Montage. No Tyros. If the Genos/Tyros is targeted at performance, I'd assume he'd go that route...

     

    LOL...Wakeman is guilty with the excessive number of keys on stage, but adding a Genos to his herd isn't something even Rick would get carried away with...forbide the day when arranger boards hit the senior prog circuit. :cop:

  4. New video from Chris Martirano/Kraft that walks through the Numa 2 Organ features/essentials ...Chris does a great job to cover a variety of organ sounds & they sound very good to me. The Numa 2 looks straight forward and easy. One thing to note...Chris mentions but doesn't demo/compare the three different Hammond organ models. So what do you Organ gurus think?

    Demo vid:

    [video:youtube]

    Performance with different presets/styles:

    [video:youtube]

  5. Stacking on top of the Numa is plenty safe for me as long as there is support to the rear of the top keyboard as well. A Kronos 61 or Nord Stage 2-76 fits quite nicely although you do have to add a DIY support for the rear. I made one from about $12 of ABS plastic from Home Depot which weighs less than a pound and inserts into the slots of a K&M lightweight stand. Quick, easy and very light set up if that's a priority.

    Can you post pics including some front, back and side shots? We love to see creative DIY projects :hitt:

  6. "There are some things that can fit up there, like an iPad Mini or a waldorf blofeld module. With a little velcro, a Korg Microstation would work, maybe even something a little bigger. But also, the surface can be used to hold the front of whatever keyboard you want to put on it, if you add something like an x-stand or whatever to support the rear."

    I do get the value of using the Numa Organ 1 slim flat top space for utility stuff and for small gigs/spaces this could be a life saver. My comment was about how Dglavko mentioned he stacked a "Workstation" on top of the Numa Organ 1 slim flat surface area. I do this with my EPS sampler on top of the flat area of a large Roland RD250s digital piano and the EPS sits fully on top. However, stacking a full-sized workstation (like a Kronos, Motif, etc.) on that Numa 1 Organ flat space doesn't seem feasible or safe.

  7. ...it's not as cool looking, making it smaller was a bad idea, the Numa was the perfect size, small enough to be portable, yet big enough to have a presence, and have an organ vibe, this trend of making boards as little as possible sucks IMO, lightweight yes.

    If we want the size & weight cut from these clones...then the result is often a loss of that B3 heft. I'm totally OK with that and I think the Numa 2 design is focused well to cover most organ sound & performance needs along with a cool retro vibe (...our keyboard look & beer opinions can be very subjective) :cheers:

  8. Personally I think the layout of the Numa 2 is a step backward as there is little real estate on top to stack, but that is just me.

    I really like the Numa 2 black design & slim profile. The white flat top area on the original Numa Organ does look kinda slim to me...what do you stack on top there?

    Also for those interested, the original Numa Organ can be updated with the Numa 2 software/features. That's pretty cool :thu:

    See video at 5:32:

     

     

  9. " Out of stock, but more will arrive soon!"

    It's easy to put a picture up on your webpage and advertise. I mean I have never seen one to put my hands on it - not just the Numa organ, but Numa anything.

    Guess we'll have to go to Strumenti Musicali Palma in Milano to check it out in person. Looks and sounds tasty :2thu:

    [video:youtube]

  10. That is all I do in the 10-piece band. In the the 10-piece band I use no MIDI. I now have a studio set of a 14 lead patches and a couple of polysaw patches and I scroll to the patch I want with the scroll buttons on the FA-06. We a couple a new tunes where I like to use the poly saw patches on the Roland. But the FA-06 still acts as a lead synth primarily. In this band I play mostly Hammond Organ and APs, EPs and clavs on the S90XS.

    Have you played the FA's SN APs/EPs/Clavs via the S90XS keys at all (via MIDI)? I'm sure it would be a world of difference and better experience than just playing these SN instruments using the FA-06's lower quality/non-weighted keyboard action.

  11. For those interested in hearing the FA in a prog-ish setting, here's a video by members of Tangent with a homage to Tangerine Dream's Ricochet. The video captures the synth side of the FA and per the keyboard player Andy Tillison: "There are two parallel 4 note sequencers running for the duration of the song in the same way as Tangerine Dream would have used analogue step sequencers. This piece features the (currently) new Roland FA-06 workstation which is responsible for all the keyboard sounds you hear (minus the ebow guitar patch and the Mellotrons) - regardless of which keyboard appears to be being played." This performance captures the TD vibe nicely (BTW...the FA sounds really great too). :thu:

    ...hope Tangent comes to this side of the pond.

  12. I also have a fondness for the Motif sound set. There's a reason it's been a pro staple for many years now.

    As I was discussing elsewhere while this forum was down, I think that's the biggest advantage of the MOXF. The Roland has a lot of benefits... sample pads, aux out, big color screen with a better interface, VA synth, organ model... but if you're talking about rompler-style sounds, I think the Yamaha has more to offer.

     

    The basic "rompler" section of the FA is the 64 mb soundset from the XV-5080 (which is 14 years old); if you load up the two virtual SRX slots, you're up to 192 mb. The MOXF starts at 741 mb, and if you install a flash card, you can download another 500-600 mb of free sounds from Yamaha, and also add third party downloadable sounds (or create your own). You can have a total of up to 1765 mb of wave data, 9 times more than on the FA. Size isn't everything (I still think Kurzweil did amazing things with 64 mb!), but it's not totally irrelevant, either. (Though to be fair, the Roland figure doesn't include the new SuperNatural piano, EPs, clav, basses, acoustic guitar, or ensemble strings, nor the aforementioned clonewheel and VA synth, nor the memory for the samples you can trigger from the pads.) On the Integra, Roland's advantage comes out in the SuperNatural acoustic instruments, but only a small subset of those made it to the FA. Of course, if the FA has the sounds you need, and you like them, the rest may be academic.

    Besides the size/scope/breath of the MOXF and FA ROM/Flash libraries, I also find that the sound designers/programmers at Yamaha and Roland really define their sound set philosophy (Motif vs. FA/XV)...whether you're listening to an AP, EP or Synth program. So if you are looking for the cleaner/less processed Yamaha sound, I'd go to the FA MFX/Chorus/Reverb (and maybe IFX/TFX as needed) and dial things back on the FX Sends and Wet/Dry ratio on over-processed sounds to have them fit better in the mix. BTW it goes the other way too...I find that many Motif ES stock sounds really don't take advantage/show off all the Insert FX/Types and real-time processing control possibilities to create sounds with unique character and performance variation. Add or change an Amp type Insert FX on a Rhodes or Clav voice/tone and you have a whole new vibe. :cool:

     

    For me while both instruments have deep/sophisticated sample synthesis tools and ROM to work with, the FA really goes the extra mile and gives you your choice--a four partial PCM synth for sample synthesis with variable structures or a three partial/discreet VA synth path with lots of PCM wave options. And add that you can select a SN-S or PCM-S engine in any/all 16 parts and you have a real beast in your hands!

  13. Does the FA-06 keyboard feel good enough for organ and synth lead and pad parts where you also use a weighted action or better quality bottom keyboard for AP and EP? I guess our expectations at this price point shouldn't be that high. :deadhorse:

    I think so.

     

    CEB Quote: I think for organ part the quality of the action will depend on what keys you play in. Sitting here right now playing the organ set to 888886666 3rd percussion on soft fast. playing in E - A - C -F - G ect aint too bad. Playing in C#m and F# are worse. Black keys respond worse than the white keys.

    Thanks Guys! I finally got to demo the FA-06 keyboard this W/E at GC. Maybe because my expectations were set low, I thought the 06 keybed felt OK for organ, synth and clav parts. That said, my fingers were still hoping in vain for keyboard aftertouch to modulate things. For two-handed keyboard parts, I'd have to get an extra expression pedal to remap aftertouch for mod control.

     

     

  14. So, studio sets on the FA are NOT the same as Yamaha performances and I was trying to get the drum kit to play arps on a preset studio set but was unsuccessful. I would be surprised, once again, if this capability is not present.

     

    On Yamaha performances, the drum kit selected in the performance has various arps which can be selected to play on latch or momentary. Korg has the same capability in it's combis with Karma (or even just drum arp). Kurzweil also has similar drum arp capability within it's setups.

     

    I selected the drum kit in a studio setup and went to the menu page to scroll thru the preset arps but did not see dedicated "drum" arps, only synth types.

    Am I missing something? (Again....?)

    Be sure to check out the FA Rhythm Patterns and Groups (RP/RG) which I had fun playing around with during my last FA-08 demo. It's super easy using the soft keys under the FA's display to switch between drum track preset/user patterns for intro, verses, fills, etc. and you can play along on the keys in single/dual/split or multi-parts. I like the FA RP/RG better than the Korg drum track and I think it works like switching between drum arps in the Motif/MO. See FA manual pages 36-38 for the scoop on FA RP/RG. I'd assume you could also save your favorite Motif drum arps as SMF and import them into the FA RPs.

  15. ...all parts of a studio set are on the same MIDI channel, they cannot be separately controlled by the assignable knobs as was alluded to above....strike one.

    In the "mixer" section of the edit mode you can adjust the level of an individual part but can't listen the the other parts simultaneously as you do this. No good. Strike two.

    I suppose I could select the part I want to adjust via the pads as was suggested above (once again, great reply posts) and move that level in real time...

    I am disappointed by this limitation. I guess I assumed the FA08/06 had this capability of real time multi-voice dynamic control as other workstations do (previously mentioned in my earlier post)

     

    During my 2nd demo of the FA-08 I also confirmed that the FA Sound Modifier knobs ONLY control the CURRENT selected part and its associated MIDI channel. However, while CC07 Volume control only adjusts this one part, all other layered parts can be played/heard at the same time as long as the Keyboard Switch (Parameter Guide page 9) is set to ON for the split/layered parts (1-16). And using PAD mode 6 lets you quickly turn the Keyboard Switch ON/OFF for any of the parts 1-16. So this would work for me to balance part volume levels fairly quickly.

     

    BTW...this works in a similar way when sequence mixing. Again, while you can only adjust the CURRENT selected part volume and other mix parameters with the data wheel, you can do so while the other parts are played back in the current song. All that said, it's too bad that the knobs can't be used as volume pots/per part while in Mixer Mode or when balancing Studio Set multi-parts in a layer/split. Yammy and Korgy sliders do this in mixes/combis :crazy:

  16. The paper manual blows. What I need to know is stored on a pdf in the FA memory. How do it get that to the laptop where I can read it. I want to make this unit a MIDI slave to the S90.

    For external MIDI slave/control, use the FA in Studio Set Mode.

     

    The key Roland FA PDFs: reference manual, parameter guide, MIDI Implementation and Soundlist can downloaded at: http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=manuals&p=FA-08

     

    In Studio Sets, the following parameters are key to set-up of FA MIDI channels and as well FA keyboard splits/layers/multi-parts. (I checked during my 2nd FA08 demo and these paramaters are all there and are accessed through the Studio Set Edit Mode/Menus):

    Parameter guide 9:

    a) Sw (Rx Switch) OFF, ON

    For each part, specify whether MIDI messages will be received (ON), or not (OFF)

    If this is OFF, the part will not respond Normally, you should leave this ON, but you can turn it

    OFF when you do not want a specific part to be playing during song playback

    b) Ch (Rx Channel) 116 Specifies the MIDI receive channel for each part

    c) Kbd (Keyboard Switch) OFF, ON

    Turns each parts keyboard switch on/off

    ***Note*** You cant change this setting if the Keyboard Mode is SINGLE, SPLIT, or DUAL.

     

    BTW, all the needed FA tone and studio set MSB/LSB/PC info is found in the FA SoundList guide PDF.

    Regards,c

     

     

  17. I really like the filters .... or fake filters. (I don't understand VA architecture.) I am getting a lot more comfortable with the keys. This will replace the SH-101 in my pop band also. The saws are nice

    Does the FA-06 keyboard feel good enough for organ and synth lead and pad parts where you also use a weighted action or better quality bottom keyboard for AP and EP? I guess our expectations at this price point shouldn't be that high. :deadhorse:

     

  18. He said teh PIANOS don't compare on the M3. I'm not sure I would disagree either, even though the M3 is a badass synth.

    From my FA-08 quick audition, I would say the FA SN Acoutic Piano is as good as or better than the Expanded M3 piano (which happens to my current favorite in my studio). Eldar happens to like the M3 Piano too:

     

  19. I've been reading the manual..

    It seems that FA can transmit MIDI only on one channel at the time. The 'keyboard split' is only for inner voices. You cannot change midi parameters (eg. MIDI channel or controller functions) separately by keyboard zone. Think for instance disabling hold pedal for only lower split. Not possible.

     

    Even D50 (over 20 years ago) could do these basic functions.

    I'm not sure this is correct. For what you want, I think you'll want to use Multi-part and Sequencer set-up screens. :snax:

     

    First, please keep in mind that the Studio Set Multi-Parts (1-16) equate to Sequencer tracks (1-16). The diagram on page 10 of the ref. manual shows this relationship.

     

    The reference manual (pg 68) shows each track's data which is sent and this includes MIDI note number, PC, CC, etc. Also see that (ref. manual pg. 63) each track can be set for internal (FA sounds), external (MIDI)or BOTH.

     

    So based on this, my reading is that each part/track can transmit its own MIDI data with each part having its own settings including MIDI channel,note program, CC data, etc. Let me know if you think otherwise.

     

    Also note in the MIDI Implementation Guide on page 9 regarding MIDI channel and program TX:

    n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - 16)

    pp = Program number: 00H - 7FH (prog.1 - prog.128)

    * These messages are transmitted when Tone, Drum Kit or Studio Set is selected.

    * But not transmitted when Transmit Program Change parameter (SYSTEM SETUP: MIDI)is OFF.

     

    Regards, C

     

    Hi, thanks for the info. I skipped the sequencer part because I use a computer DAW.

     

    So a "part" in "studio set multi" functions also as "keyboard zone"? Then you would have up to 16 parts (zones), each having essential midi parameters available. That would indeed be good news.

     

    It would be good to have some tutorials about FA combined with outside DAW or midi modules. For instance: do you have to record in FA sequencer in order to transmit same midi data out? Are the midi filters (Microscope etc) only "after the fact"?

    You are correct that Parts can also be set up into zones for multiple splits and also for cross-fading between multiple layers across the keyboard.

     

    Also note that MIDI data is sent out when a tone, drum kit or studio set is selected. From the FA MIDI Implementation Guide Page 7:

    "Control Change

    * By selecting a controller number that corresponds to the setting of parameters of controllers (knobs, etc.), the FA-06/08 can transmit any control change message."

     

    Also Bank Select:

    "Bank Select (Controller number 0, 32) Status 2nd byte 3rd byte

    BnH 00H mmH

    BnH 20H llH

    n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - 16)

    mm, ll = Bank number: 00 00H - 7F 7FH (bank.1 - bank.16384)

    * These messages are transmitted when Tone, Drum Kit or Studio Set is selected. But not transmitted when Transmit Program Change (SYSTEM SETUP: MIDI) or Transmit Bank Select parameter (SYSTEM SETUP: MIDI) is OFF.

    * Although with the FA-06/08 you can select the Bank Select messages to be transmitted, be sure to refer to the Program Change Map on Sound List for the Bank Select messages transmitted when the FA-06/08 is select a Tone, Drum Kit or

    Studio Set."

     

    Per the FA Reference manual (pg. 44) the MIDI RX Filters determine which MIDI data is received (active) in each part (1-16) and this should concurrently be true for the associated MIDI track (1-16). Sequencer Microscope editing can change/insert MIDI data after the track is recorded. The specific Part MIDI filters are listed in the Parameter Guide (pg. 13)and include PC, BS, PB, Mod, Hold, Pressure, Pan, Expression and Volume control filters.

     

    So not only can we send Part MIDI data/CCs for internal, external or BOTH sounds, but we can filter this data on per part/track basis. :thu:

     

    Regards, C

     

     

  20. I've been reading the manual..

    It seems that FA can transmit MIDI only on one channel at the time. The 'keyboard split' is only for inner voices. You cannot change midi parameters (eg. MIDI channel or controller functions) separately by keyboard zone. Think for instance disabling hold pedal for only lower split. Not possible.

     

    Even D50 (over 20 years ago) could do these basic functions.

    I'm not sure this is correct. For what you want, I think you'll want to use Multi-part and Sequencer set-up screens. :snax:

     

    First, please keep in mind that the Studio Set Multi-Parts (1-16) equate to Sequencer tracks (1-16). The diagram on page 10 of the ref. manual shows this relationship.

     

    The reference manual (pg 68) shows each track's data which is sent and this includes MIDI note number, PC, CC, etc. Also see that (ref. manual pg. 63) each track can be set for internal (FA sounds), external (MIDI)or BOTH.

     

    So based on this, my reading is that each part/track can transmit its own MIDI data with each part having its own settings including MIDI channel,note program, CC data, etc. Let me know if you think otherwise.

     

    Also note in the MIDI Implementation Guide on page 9 regarding MIDI channel and program TX:

    n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - 16)

    pp = Program number: 00H - 7FH (prog.1 - prog.128)

    * These messages are transmitted when Tone, Drum Kit or Studio Set is selected.

    * But not transmitted when Transmit Program Change parameter (SYSTEM SETUP: MIDI)is OFF.

     

    Regards, C

     

     

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