dje31

Geoff Downes has had a Sledge in his live rig for years, not sure if currently. But I read he buys just about every synth that comes out.

Oh, man, how I pined for the Promega back in the day...never saw one in real life, but still lusted for one. Even the Finnish(?) re-issue that came out a few years ago.

Waterfall / piano-style keys?!

If it's any consolation, from a recent Carl Palmer drum solo on YouTube, at least he doesn't take his shirt off during the double bass drum section...mercifully. I mean, he's still a beast on drums, regardless of age...but perhaps he got the memo, or self-awareness finally kicked in.

Not to thread derail, but this conversation has renewed my interest in picking up a like-new CP5...

I'd be curious about preferences between the full-size YC vs CP

So, it's a cosmetic update primarily? Like Platinum editions of the workstations?

I know I've pined for a Nord piano multiple times...but since Yamaha is now giving the ability to update sounds like Nord, at a lower price point, that interest has faded. Now a Stage 3 is another matter...

For a lot of folks, the nostalgia aspect is worth paying for...even though an updated, improved version, with all of the appropriate updates and inclusions, would be a better solution. If I ran the company--and I clearly don't--I'd have the nostalgic repro for sale as option one, as well as the new-and-improved version aforementioned, as plan-B. Win-win, for the company and the consumer.

Thanks for that perspective...will have to take another view looking for that angle. Not doubting, but definitely interested.

Interesting sidebar: in watching the Union Live DVD, which, with the album was a shotgun wedding at best (thought I thought it had some strong bits and still do) the best rapport noticeable was between Wakeman and Rabin, who never collaborated--that I'm aware of, at least--prior. They also worked and played well together on the YES / ARW tour.

I'd take a CP sound--even a sketchy one--over that damnable DX7 bell-EP. STILL sick of it, four decades later.

Purely from aesthetics, in no particular order: CP1, CP5, GEM ProMega 3 & 2

Fires up newly reissued and released Prophet 10 for YT video demo... 2:03-3:19: Can't wait to create a synthesized accordion Said no one, ever Sounds great otherwise. I suppose it's good to know that it can make a sound I'd never want, need, or use.

DX-5 seems almost as rare as the DX-1, no?

I'm not Greg, but have had an XP-30 since they came out, and still enjoy using it. Re: the Krome, many folks here and elsewhere have said that they like the sounds, but hate the keyboard action.

About half of REM's early catalog? I'm a fan, but man, there's a reason that, in trying to pick an album title for what became, "Out of Time," an option--jokingly, I'm sure--was, "The Return of Mumbles."

Agreed...I even like about half of Open Your Eyes, though it didn't do much for me when it came out.

There's Rhodes on New Language, from the The Ladder, an underrated and often overlooked album, IMHO. Igor Khoroshev on keys. EDIT: Can't verify, confirm, or refute, but suspect it probably wasn't an actual Rhodes, but a sample / patch on a ROMpler or digital stage piano.

Still waiting for a Reface Pro, with 61 full-size keys, and all Reface pieces included...though at this point, the YC61 may be close to that; in spirit, if not execution.

Love prog, really like ELP including P, but as I've gotten older, I've found that Palmer can be pretty loose (read: sloppy) at times, and timing can be sketchy, but you know it's real, warts and all. If ELP were new today, they'd quantize everything and snap it to the grid and it would sound like robots. Thanks, Rick Beato!

I am admittedly a huge fan, since the late 70s. They were / are all having physical issues. Neil was already having tendonitis, arthritic, and joint issues from years of 3-hour sets regularly, not to mention the cardiovascular element. Alex has been battling carpal tunnel and arthritis for years as well. And Geddy's voice has been in decline for some time, requiring at least one off day after a show. They preferred to pack it in before things went south badly, embarrassing themselves, ruining their legacy and reputation, on their milestone 40th anniversary, more or less. Lots of other bands, including some of my personal favorites would do well to learn from that example. Their was talk and speculation that they might still write and record, but not tour...perhaps doing a PPV event one-off, but don't see that happening. Heartfelt sorrow for all his loved ones, and thankful his suffering is over. Thanks to all three of those crazy Canucks for everything.

Layout, especially on the right side, hearkens back to the GEM ProMega UI. Also, will probably be able to load new, updated sounds like the CP73/88, also a dig at Nord's wheelhouse.

You'd think that Nick from SonicState would know the proper pronunciation of "moog."

Thanks for your input, unitjazz. I agree, the original looks way better, IMHO, aesthetically. Just looking at it, it looks like it'd be 40-50 lbs, not 20. The second gen looks like a cheap, flimsy toy, at least in online pics, never having seen one in real life. Appreciate the insight on being able to change models, though it sounds like a bit of a pain...but okay if you find one that you like and works for you. I wonder if / when there'll be a gen 3?