pjd

Still on preorder as far as I can tell. Roli revamped their web site recently, so I assume the status info is current. I looked into Lumi Keys and Roli BLOCKS recently. The Lumi and Seaboard BLOCKs look good, but there seem to be a fair number of user complaints (e.g., charging, Bluetooth connection). Lumi Keys is on sale until January 12, 2023 ($254USD). Can't quite bring myself to buy one although I'm anxious to experiment with MPE. The Seaboard BLOCK is discontinued and only available used. -- pj

Yamaha has always supported MIDI standards, so this could be the year for MIDI 2.0. Maybe "controller keyboard" includes MPE with an MPE-compatible synth to go along with it? An MPE AN-X engine? Another suggested meaning for "CK" is "Classic Keyboards". I do believe we will see the "CK" reveal in '23. All the best -- pj

Geek stuff first... The Reface YC and Reface CP digital logic boards are essentially the same. Both use a Yamaha SOC (system on a chip) that combines AWM2 synthesis and a host processor in a single IC. Reface YC organ waveforms are sampled. Reface CP uses both AWM2 and Spectral Component Modeling (SCM). Don't want to deep dive SCM here, but SCM is synthesized through Yamaha's AWM2 pipeline. Hands down, the Reface YC has been a very useful keyboard, especially for rehearsals when I don't want to drag everything in. I love the combo organ sounds. I agree with the limitations mentioned by others -- the rotary speaker fast setting really bites and I don't use it much anymore. I do not regret the Reface YC! Having played other sampled and modeled Hammond lately, Yamaha could up their B-3 just by using beefier samples. Maybe give the player a choice. They've been using the same thin samples for quite some time now in both the synth and arranger product lines. The YC stage models are a different and better story. I have lusted after a Reface CP, too, but the recent price increase has put me off. -- pj

I had one of these beasts in the late 70s, early 80s. Had to haul its miserable weight up and down one flight of stairs -- just to get it to the car for a gig/rehearsal. Lord knows what was at the job... I LOVED that flat top and had a Sequential Circuits Pro-One riding on it. My only regret -- not having a Pro-One for each hand so I could play bass or a lead when I wanted to. Kind of awkward to have the Pro-One on the left a la Manzarek and wishing to solo with the right. Eventually put the CP-30 on consignment to buy a Yamaha CE-20. Ran that sucker through a slew of pedals. Ah, the good old days. 🙂 Still have the Mu-tron pedals. -- pj

I got curious about how much space I use for music apps on my iPad: App Total App Sz Data --------------- ------ ------ ----- iSymphonic 2.30GB 1.41GB .89GB SampleTank 2.11 1.58 .54 GarageBand 1.67 1.66 .01 Cubasis 1.45 1.15 .30 Sibelius 1.30 1.29 .07 Module Pro 1.28 1.28 .04 Music 1.22 .02 1.21 Casio MusicSpace 1.18 1.14 .04 Hammond B-3X 1.11 1.11 .01 Korg Inc. .86 .86 Gadget .82 .82 .01 Model 15 .43 .43 .01 Model D .28 .28 .01 Mobile Sequencer .27 .23 .04 JeuxdorgMini .19 .18 .01 Chord Tracker .18 .14 .04 forScore .14 .02 .12 iSymphonic, SampleTank and Module Pro include add-on expansions like Miroslav, Cinematic Brass, General 128, Neo Soul, Module Performance Expansion, Organ & Clav Collection. Overall, 39.3GB used out of 64GB -- mostly Apps, iPadOS and System Data. I don't do video or many photos. Digital music is modest, a couple of hundred backing tracks. Hope this info helps someone plan. All the best -- pj Music blog: sandsoftwaresound.net

Hi -- The CT-S500 and CT-S1000V include all of the new instruments in the CT-S1. They are a superset. The 500/1000V display, assignable knobs and editable DSP effects sold me. All are fun instruments for not much $$$. -- pj

Got to agree, the Casio CT-S1000V is a pretty decent budget board. I prefer its keybed over MODX! Roland GO:KEYS is one of the very few keyboards that I ever returned. The keys are horrible. Although the basic tone engine is good, I got bored of the loops right quick. The PSS-A50 is a lot of fun and good modder fodder, too: http://sandsoftwaresound.net/pss-a50-midi-mod/ http://sandsoftwaresound.net/yamaha-pss-a50-stereo-mod/ Here's a few other posts that might be of interest to PSS-A50 people: http://sandsoftwaresound.net/yamaha-pss-a50-midi-notes/ http://sandsoftwaresound.net/yamaha-pss-a50-motion-effects/ All the best -- pj

Amen to "all good." I enjoy reading the different solutions posted by folks. Never can have enough ideas. I thought about putting all the pieces and parts into one of those weatherproof boxes for stringing Christmas lights. I hear ya about nervousness -- we have choir members who insist on tripping their way through the musicians "pit" instead of walking another 10 feet to the other end of the choir area. Cheesh. The Lightning extension cable is from Amazon -- got two (silver and black). Both are working fine. Brand is DESOFICON, $10USD, 6ft and claims to be Apple MFi Certified. Fortunately, this stuff isn't too expensive -- pj

Lots of good suggestions, here. I'm using an older iPad with 3.5mm audio and Lightning. I don't like taking audio from the 3.5mm jack -- too prone to physical disturbance and noise. External audio is the way to go especially if the interface has a robust jack and the interface sits on a sturdy surface (like the floor). Extension cables are a real boon. I don't like the short cable on most adapters (like Apple's). The short cable puts the stress of the adapter and attached cables on the Lightning jack. I recommend an extension cable between the iPad and adapter in order to put everything on the floor. Haven't had a problem with Bluetooth or BLE latency. Bluetooth can really simplify an iPad rig. Don't sweat latency unless it is so bad that it throws off your playing. Delay like that drives me nuts... Hope this helps -- pj P.S. Korg Module "try before buy" trial periods have saved a lot of disappointment.

So far, I see no problem. You are present everywhere in the quantum field. Your wave function keeps collapsing to where you perceive yourself to be. Collapse happens when you are being observed. Tell people to stop looking at you. Me, I need to start taking my meds, again -- pj

Haven't been mentioned yet... Audio Modeling have 1/3 off until November 30. Just sprang for Camelot Pro IOS ($20) and wondered "Why did I wait so long?" I plan to try one or two of the SWAM solo instruments, too. Toontrack are running a BF sale with a few special deals each day of the week. I always find at least one MIDI pack or even an EZKeys expansion. Toontrack have a similar pre-Christmas holiday sale (special deals per day, watch for it) and I've picked up several expansions that way. Collect them all! I feel like I'm collecting action figures... 😀 Happy holidays -- pj Tech blog: sandsoftwaresound.net

Got a Lester K, here. Have to hit the church PA in mono and don't really miss the stereo. As to the differences, I wish I could control the acceleration. That I miss. I like a long ramp up and down -- kinda like somebody pulled the old belts out of their VW bug in order to fix their Leslie for the gig. 😃 My other bug-aboo is the speed/brake button switch (already mentioned). It is so close to the bypass switch that I sometimes tromp on both. Replacing the switch with a jack and external pedal sounds like a good idea/mod. Hope this info helps -- pj

Been in a similar situation before — family visit, nothing on the line professionally. Often have considered buying a cheapo keyboard then leaving it behind for the youngins. — pj

Just went through this myself after my old Roland 2x2 completely died. Pure MIDI 2x2s with USB are thin on the ground. One option is the Nektar Midiflex4. I had to settle for a Roland UM-ONE cuz I needed something right darned now. Manufacturers seem to have abandoned pure MIDI interfaces without built-in cables or with 2x2 5-pin. It stinks — I know — pj

I appreciate all of the tips about gizmos for iPad. Here are a few things that I've found useful when using iPad for tone generation. Lightning extension cable. Makes up for the short cable on most adapters. Puts the adapter on the floor where it belongs. Belkin Audio + Charge Rockstar. 3.5mm stereo jack plus female Lightning charge port. Good when using MIDI over Bluetooth instead of USB cable. Sound Blaster Play! 3 dongle. 3.5mm audio IN and 3.5mm audio OUT to USB-A host connector. Not much bigger than a flash drive. I'll leave it to you to figure out how these might help you out. 🙂 None of these gizmos are very expensive. -- pj http://sandsoftwaresound.net

Thanks for posting the link, fleer. I have to give credit to Jan for getting me thinking about this. I burned up so many brain cells diving into old service manuals that I was a veg at rehearsal last night. 😄 The SK-30 mono (solo) synthesizer uses the same ICs as the CS-80, but not the same circuits. The SK-30 VCF doesn't have the same envelope parameters, etc. However, Yamaha could model (VCM) the ICs and implement a better-featured CS section. I wonder if they did any circuit modeling for Reface YC? Was surprised to see actual sine waves for each drawbar footage instead of square waves a la combo organs. CK - who the heck knows -- pj

This track made my day! 😁 Concur on the console overdrive. Blast it through a compressor, tape sim and don't forget the vinyl noise. 😏 Thanks -- pj

MPC Beats is a free way to get your feet wet with the Akai MPC approach. I started horsing around with MPC Beats and the creative approach is different than a standard DAW (e.g., Cubase). It relies more on pads and knobs than keys. Using pads for chords, etc. has turned me around 90 degrees. MPC Beats has device presets for a bunch of controllers, or you can use MIDI learn. I bought a used MPK Mini Mk2 on ebay and it's sufficient for learning/experiments despite its crap mini-keys. If you have a controller with pads, then you're good to go. I was going to strip the MPK Mini for parts, but now I'm not so sure! 😀 I've been tearing MPK Mini Play apart for mods (links below). Hope this suggestion is helpful. A way to test out MPC for not much money, if any -- pj http://sandsoftwaresound.net/review-akai-mini-play-mk1/ http://sandsoftwaresound.net/akai-mpk-mini-play-gm-gs-midi-mod/

Manuals now available on the Japanese Yamaha site, but a real yawner at this point. Really pushing the Bosendorfer… — pj

Jason pulled some info from the cache at YamahaSynth.com confirming what we've learned. Tomorrow (8/1) is the drop. BTW, usually the keys on the MODX6 don't bug me, but two weeks ago the key noise sent me bonkers. It's a church gig, not super loud where I play, and relatively easy to hear extraneous noises. Funny, the key noise doesn't hit me over the head when practicing... Not likely to upgrade -- pj P.S. I make a few extraneous noises, too, like crashing the hi-hat while taking off my fleece mid-sermon. Whoops. 😀

Hyperbole on the Interwebs? I'm positively shocked and outraged! 😀 Personally, I get along fine with the MODX UI. I've been programming and tweaking voices back to the TG-500. Anything more than a 2 line by 24 character display is a luxury. 😉 I stand by my earlier comment, however. This forum is a community of experienced users. Other forums, not so much. Although it's not MODX (synths), I hang at the PSR forum, too. Arrangers are supposed to be smooth workflow, easy to use. Yet, players remain baffled by the UI and other features. Yamaha have been removing front panel buttons, etc. to reduce the intimidation factor felt by in-store customers. [Source: private conversation with Yamaha marketing.] So, yes, many customers are intimidated by these instruments. As someone once observed, synths often return to the shop for trade-in with the original factory patches in user memory. All the best -- pj P.S. Just looked at the Google Analytics for my site. One of the most consistently hit pages: How to create a split on MODX.

I think CyberGene's comment is worth repeating and re-reading. Imagine AN-X buried in a menu system which many people now find impenetrable? Yamaha would need to give the Montage/MODX user interface (UI) a major overhaul. Plus, MODX+ is slider and knob challenged. Yamaha learned a lot from their experience with the current "focused" stage instruments -- specific-purpose UIs and engines are preferred by players and sell. Putting AN-X into a new stage instrument (the CK?) takes care of monetization, too. I liked CyberGene's comment so much, I quoted it on my site. 😃 Back to tearing Akai MPK Mini's apart -- pj http://sandsoftwaresound.net/where-to-put-an-x/

Killing time waiting for an ebay auction to end. 😀 Maybe start with "Vinalog saw". Add a little MOD wheel. Maybe edit and add some chorus? Have fun -- pj

OK, after reading the blurry intro pages -- 1.75GB expansion memory and a plus sign. No change in audio spec. Back to work, then. Nothing to see here. Move along. -- pj P.S. Next time anyone gets a leaked manual, please copy the spec page!!!! 😀

Totally. I would have bought a Montage6 right on the spot at launch except for its weight. Well into geezer-dom, here. 😃 -- pj