Paul Woodward

Indeed, it's an undocumented bonus and, with WiFi and BT off on my Ipad 9, it's no different from playing a dedicated board. This is why I wish Korg would update and expand Module. It's pitched, like the Keystage, as the perfect setup for rehearsals, practice, gigging and studio, but it's a long way off being perfect for some of those. When released, Module was great, it just hasn't advanced much. Keystage deserves a bit more from Korg to 'showcase' what it can do.

Must admit to being a bit deflated that the app itself wasn't getting an upgrade. 2020 was the last 'feature' upgrade and even basic iPads can do so much more now than 112 notes and just two sounds at a time. I would pay for an upgrade that had Kronos sounds, drawbars for the organs, more poly, splits etc. it really could be the heart of a great setup paired with their own Keystage boards.

Firmware update 1.05 released recently for anyone with this board. For a minute I thought they had removed the ability to power up over lightning cable, but it’s still there.

I had a dream that someone mocked up a ‘Kronos’ app for the iPad as an April’s fool. Opened my iPad today and saw an Oasys Piano update for module and gadget….expected the worse given the date, but there it is. I already have a few piano expansions, but would be interested to try this out and maybe grab it when it drops in price. Now, this is only the Oasys German piano, but I would love to think this is the start of a new set of sounds. As some speculation has been that there might eventually be a Kronos app, it’s easy to forget the Oasys is a much older instruments and, like the Triton, more likely to get an app than the Kronos which, from a sound aspect, is still available in the Nautilus. Let’s hope eh?

Perhaps not, maybe just a fix or two. I wonder if the YC range will get any more updates. If so, something might trickle down. Both gone from my arsenal now and I’m pretty sure I won’t buy them again.

Not underselling, just clarifying that, unlike the Nord for example, there is no downloading additional samples or waveforms. The YC had some new sounds added, but it's not clear yet if the CK can or will have additional sounds via updates. Soundmondo has some great live sets, particularly those from Blake at Yamaha, but I found there were long periods between new sets being uploaded and then some were a bit meh. It's a set at a time but easy enough to load the ones you want and edit your sets in a few hours.

Indeed, I got my last YC61 for less than the price of a CK which is why I moved on from the CK. I do like a good bargain, but not everyone can get them at any given time so, for someone looking to buy a board new, the Casio has to be hard to beat.

The CK is more than twice the price of the Casio and heading more into 'pro' territory with the sounds and features, and the CK is half the price of a YC61 that is has much in common with. Working back down, the Casio looks an absolute bargain and Roland are clearly dipping into similar territory with the new GO range.

Gadget Producer Bundle gives you 40 of the 45 'gadgets' of the £299 version and lots of those pop up in Logic which is great. Wavestate Native is also pretty awesome with much of what you need from the £199 version to make noises. A decent bundle really. Module is my go to for 'performing' sounds. I have the Ivory expansion and the Scarbee EP. Both play very well especially if you disable Bluetooth and Wifi on the iPad to reduce any lag. Im really hoping Korg will update Module now the Keystage is out. We need more sounds, midi 2.0 like Gadget has, drawbars on (and better) organs, additional splits/layers and some sounds with aftertouch response. Otherwise Module and Keystage paired feels like a bit of a dud.

Well, quick card model says it should work 🙂

I believe the producer bundle stuff is all mac based (maybe also windows?). They just link you to Gadget LE for iPad

A friend of mine has a laser cutter and is going to try that cable hook in 1.5mm metal plate which is the same material as the extension plate. Will see how it works out and maybe get a few made considering how small they are. Will certainly be a niche little object, but might make a decent enough little cable tidy for the 61 key version 🙂

I just grabbed the sample of the intro and triggered it in Module

Indeed, forgetting the somewhat gimmicky accompaniment, this has some decent features (even if they are presets). It can do splits and layers too, again making it a decent little board for not a lot of money.

See screen grabs in an earlier reply, capable of loading new sound sets and wave expansions using Roland Cloud Manager

256 max

Joking aside, if you don’t want the ‘extras’ of the Go 5, there is a full size keyboard full of Roland Zen Core sounds (and expandable) that can connect with your DAW for audio and midi for £350 (and expect that to drop a bit over the coming months). Jam with your friends, play with accompaniment for fun. Take it out with batteries, lend it to your dad to gig with at a push. Not bad really and it sounds pretty good. Add a basic iPad for a hotel room songwriting setup. I’m certainly more impressed for the price point than the RD08 announcement.

Im surprised the audio interface is not locked behind a lifetime key......or is it? Modulation is only possible via aftertouch which is an additional cost..... 😉

Lol, no....the Keystage is still in my setup and Im interested to see where they go with it. This just looks 'interesting' for certain applications, not something I am looking to buy. I think we have all tried to do a few numbers on a dodgy keyboard in the past. This looks like it could get through a basic gig and offer a little more in the studio, and would be great for a youngster who might also want to get into making their own music.

Aside from the 'entry level' vibes, its reminding me of the CK61 but geared towards the learner rather than the performer. If it had drawbars maybe to go with the rotary effects....

Its only 5.5kg and the speakers are nearly half a Kg looking at the weight of the Go 3. Interesting that you can load up sounds and wave expansions too:

Says the USB C is class compliant for audio and midi.... Im assuming therefore that a USB C to USB C cable would connect the latest iPads as well? Same feature on both boards, so if you just wanted a full size midi controller with Roland Zen sounds built in for £350....

Video pretty much sums up the target audience 😉 Feels like a nice little 'grown up' jam box to buy for the 'aspiring musician' kids that dad (or mum) might nick to get them through a pub gig

Maybe the new $499 GO:Keys 5 will offer more of what you need? https://www.roland.com/au/products/gokeys_5/

Aside from the 5 having passive radiator speakers??, its also supports more connections as you can connects a mic and use it as an all in one performing device.