Looking for a midrange workstation

[Paul koh]

Hi all, I'm rather new to this forum.

 

But I would like to ask for your recommendation on a workstation below USD 1700. I've been looking, but I've only found a few in the Korg M50, Juno-G, Yahama MM-series and stuff.

 

I've been really interested in the M50 since I've read that it produces good sounds and has a longer keyboard range over the Juno. But the sampling on the Juno still holds me back on buying the M50. Is sampling really important? I'm not sure, I've never used a workstation. I've always been on just the usual pianos. Can I do sampling on my macbook pro instead?

 

Thanks in advance!

[bloodyMary]

Hi Paul, greetings! Where are you from? Regarding your question, please be more specific so we can help you. Which styles do you play? Do you play with a full band? Which venues? Which keyboards do you presently own? Do you want to compose using a workstatinon? How important is keyboard action (piano vs. Synth)?

Everything can be done with a laptop, but are you comfortable with carrying extra piece of gear?

[JpScoey]

Hi all, I'm rather new to this forum.

 

But I would like to ask for your recommendation on a workstation below USD 1700. I've been looking, but I've only found a few in the Korg M50, Juno-G, Yahama MM-series and stuff.

 

I've been really interested in the M50 since I've read that it produces good sounds and has a longer keyboard range over the Juno. But the sampling on the Juno still holds me back on buying the M50.

 

Is sampling really important?

 

I'm not sure, I've never used a workstation. I've always been on just the usual pianos.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

I personally don't think sampling is all that important in the general scheme of things.

 

If you you want to to go way more 'technically advanced', then maybe.....

 

but in my opinion, for general playing it's not necessary.

 

 

The weighted keybed of the M50-88 will fulfill all your piano-playing requirements,

 

+ all the additional pads/synth sounds etc etc will provide you with endless hours

 

of creativity & enjoyment.

 

 

I think it's a fantastic keyboard - & I don't think there's a better value-for-money

 

'board anywhere out there.

 

 

I've said this before on other posts, but I'll repeat myself.....

 

If I was to only have the choice of 1 'board, it would be my M50.

 

(The organ sounds are 'passable', but not great - that's why I use my Electro for that)

 

But otherwise the M50 is a great instrument - with loads of flexibility for

 

editing/adjusting sounds. And the the touchscreen makes it so much easier.

[workstationM.I.]

Investigate the possibilities of a Yamaha Mo 6 or Mo 8.

 

GREAT acoustic sounds and a healthy assortment of most everything else! Not so hot on polophony (64) but in the 'puter that doesn't matter.

[Paul koh]

Thanks guys for your input. I currently do not own a keyboard. I've always been playing on a traditional piano but I'm very interested in expanding my set of fingers and would like start composing, learning the trades of the workstation and such. I have a band waiting for me to get a keyboard to join them. i'm from Malaysia btw.

 

I'm not sure about sampling, but what I think is that it's more likely dealing with the recording process and the availability to shuffle your music to different sounds. So, I'm sure I wouldn't mind doing that on a computer at home. But it's really if a computer is capable of doing this instead of doing it on the workstation itself. How important is sampling if I want to compose music? So far I've composed a few, but they lean more on the film score sorta genre, but I'm slowly moving into more of a rock/alternative composing (Muse, Coldplay, etc)

 

I looked at the Yamaha series. Probably not as impressive as the M50. I really envy the sampling option on the Juno though.

[bloodyMary]

You probably won't need sampling capability since you've got all the sounds you'll ever need in the workstation.

[bloodyMary]

You probably won't need sampling capability since you've got all the sounds you'll ever need in the workstation.

[Meisenhower]

If you're buying new, the two leading contenders (in your price range) have already been touted.

 

Korg's M50-88 and the Yamaha MO8, if you want 88 key weighted action.

 

I wouldn't sweat sampling and the M50 or MO8 will offer you a much broader sound palate than the Juno (which is fine in it's own right, but isn't going to go head to head with the Fantom line).

 

If you don't mind going used (if the market in your area is robust enough), then you will have additional options.

 

YMMV.

[Tusker]

I'll join the chorus. Good recommendations in this thread. Motif ES might be on sale/used as well. The Juno had a very flimsy keybed feel, last I checked.

 

If you don't know what you want to use sampling for, you don't need it.

 

Playing in a band is different from composing music in a home studio. Your macbook will do a better job of being your home studio.

 

Selamat Datang Paul!

[Paul koh]

mm. Alright then! I guess the M-50 it is. Hope I don't regret on the sampling part.

 

Thanks so much guys!

 

Terima Kasih Tusker. You've been here have you?