Mogut Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 I nominate XK1c... what have you guys thought were good ones? Ive been very impressed with the owners manual for the XK1c. It has alot of extra info beyond just the functions. It references things like popular drawbar settings, explains drawbar colors, and the pitch of each drawbar is illustrated. I actually learned some things I did not know about the hammond (always still alot to go too). Was a pleasant surprise to see a manual like this still being produced in this day and age. Bravo! hammond/suzuki XK-1c owner's manual Quote -Greg Motif XS8, MOXF8, Hammond XK1c, Vent Rhodes Mark II 88 suitcase, Yamaha P255 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 The original Hammond manuals had a whole bunch of stuff like that as well. I have the manual for my 1961 A100. dB Quote ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Affiliations: Cloud Microphones • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Eventide 2016 digital reverb. This is a product with dedicated front panel encoders for all the parameters. No owner's manual - just a double sided sheet. ARP 2600 had a pretty good owner's manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadslayer Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Early 1980s Roland products. just kidding Quote Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdh25 Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 I always found the Mackie user manuals to be quite entertaining & funny....as super-nerdy as that sounds. -Mark Quote Crumar Mojo 61+ 61B - Korg Triton Extreme - Voce V3 (with drawbars) - Kawai MP-9000 - Yamaha M207 upright piano... wishing for a Hammond & Leslie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legatoboy Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Roland made good ones as someone mentioned . . . Quote SP6, CP-50, FP-80, PX5-S, NE-5d61, XK-3, CX-3, Yamaha YUX Upright, '66 B3/Leslie 145/122 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Davis Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 You're all gonna laugh, but I nominate the manual from the MicroMoog. It explained basic synthesis concepts by comparing the oscillator, filter and amplifier to the mouthpiece, body and bell of a trumpet. A good starting point for learning about signal flow! If I remember correctly, it was written by Tom Rhea, a member of the Moog team in the early days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Someone Roland mentioned made as ones good . . . Uncorrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboyNQ Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Ok, it's not the best overall owner's manual, but the JX-3P manual contains something that I would nominate for best "Australian attitude". She'll be right, mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Its been ages, but IIRC, the manual for my first Nord was logical and thorough. I always download the manual for intended purchases - they can be good GAS dispellers. Quote ____________________________________Rod victoria bc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefDanG Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 I purchased a Yammi CS60 @ 1980. It had the best manual I ever owned. Not only helped me understand the instrument, but was a tutorial on synthesis itself that helped me understand later (subtractive) synthes I bought. Quote Professional musician = great source of poverty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Williams Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Honorable mention to the Mackie mixer manuals, some of the best (and funniest) technical writing anywhere. But I have to give my vote to the Ensoniq EPS manual, which (among other strengths) explained sample manipulation better than anything I've ever seen since. I fear that no one will ever again properly invest in good user documentation which, due to the increasing complexity of software, has probably become too much of a moving target. Quote -Tom Williams {First Name} {at} AirNetworking {dot} com PC4-7, PX-5S, AX-Edge, PC361 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewall08530 Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 I've found the Nord manuals very helpful. The Casio PX5S manual was a waste of good trees..,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin_havu Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 I like the K2000 manual quite a bit. Well-written and easy to understand. Quote Hardware Yamaha MODX7, DX7, PSR-530/Korg TR-Rack, 01/W Pro X, Trinity Pro X, Karma, MS-20 Mini/Ensoniq ESQ-1, VFX-SD Behringer DeepMind12, Model D, Odyssey, 2600/Roland RD-1000/Arturia Keylab MKII 61 Software Studio One/V Collection 9/Korg Collection 4/Cherry Audio/UVI SonicPass/EW Composer Cloud/Omnisphere/IK Total Studio 3.5 MAX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doerfler Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 I always found the Mackie user manuals to be quite entertaining & funny I haven't bought anything from Mackie in at least 15 years but I remember this to be true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillearning Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 My vote fot best: Nord Stage. Worst: Roland. Any model. Quote I would like to apologize to anyone I have not yet offended. Please be patient and I will get to you shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjosko Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 I seem to remember the manual for my MS20 was fine, with lots of examples, but its gone, more then 30 years ago. Another great manual was The Soundcraft guide to mixing. Quote /Bjørn - old gearjunkie, still with lot of GAS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamanczarek Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 I still have the owner's manual for the ARP Odyssey I bought in 1974. It has some good tutorials and patch examples. Quote C3/122, M102A, Vox V301H, Farfisa Compact, Gibson G101, GEM P, RMI 300A, Piano Bass, Pianet , Prophet 5 rev. 2, Pro-One, Matrix 12, OB8, Korg MS20, Jupiter 6, Juno 60, PX-5S, Nord Stage 3 Compact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 You're all gonna laugh, but I nominate the manual from the MicroMoog. It explained basic synthesis concepts by comparing the oscillator, filter and amplifier to the mouthpiece, body and bell of a trumpet. A good starting point for learning about signal flow! If I remember correctly, it was written by Tom Rhea, a member of the Moog team in the early days. No laughing here. That's the same manual as the Multimoog and yes, it's very good. Quote Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricBarker Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 I dunno the best, but I can tell you the worst: "Sibelius" notation software (at least back in the version 3-5 era when I used it). Commonly made underhanded remarks about compositional workflow that came across as extremely elitist and snooty... and this is coming from someone with composition degree. Quote Puck Funk! Equipment: Laptop running lots of nerdy software, some keyboards, noise makersâ¦yada yada yadaâ¦maybe a cat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 I'll put in a good word for my old Ensoniq ESQ-1 manual. Quote When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 I'm enjoying this thread, and will add a +1 for the original Nord Electro manual. But this thread surely will fuel negative stereotypes about keyboard players. I'm quite certain the drum/bass/guitar forums don't have a thread about favorite manuals!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 But this thread surely will fuel negative stereotypes about keyboard players. I'm quite certain the drum/bass/guitar forums don't have a thread about favorite manuals!!! Meh. Keyboard players don't need to discuss favorite drumsticks or guitar strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Keyboard players don't need to discuss favorite drumsticks or guitar strings. Just Roland amps. Quote When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadslayer Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 I'll put in a good word for my old Ensoniq ESQ-1 manual. I had to mention that every time I see your avatar I'm reminded of this Gary Larson cartoon that was banned from publication as inappropriate. When_Car_Chasers_Dream Just what IS Snoopy doing to that pumpkin? Quote Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Just what IS Snoopy doing to that pumpkin? I thought he was loosing his breakfast. Quote When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Early 1980s Roland products. just kidding Those are the best. My JX10 manual was a hoot. Also the JV880 manual. "TVF- this parameter adjusts the TVF". Cool thanks! Nowadays, the Chinese to English translations that come with instructions to fish tank supplies I've purchased rivals the old Roland manuals. Quote Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1 Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6 www.bksband.com www.echoesrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 IKEA Quote ____________________________________Rod victoria bc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polychrest Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Basil Fawltys Manuel. Quote “Old keyboard players don't stop playing because they lose interest... they quit because of all the sh&t they have to carry around.” — ITGITC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Nowadays, the Chinese to English translations that come with instructions to fish tank supplies I've purchased rivals the old Roland manuals. Some interesting signs out there too... Quote When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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