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Which is the best workstation/synth to chose for playing jazz/funk etc


Nu Soul Bro

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Please I have been saving up for years for the chance to buy a snyth/workstation and before I go to try out the products I want to know which of them you would recomend for me to buy. I am into jazz funk, hip hop, modern jazz and "jazz rnb fusion". Which workstaion/syth would be best for this stlye in an 88 key model?
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It all boils down to a personal thing. For me, it's a motif for that purpose, but what you really want/need is everything that's going to be suggested. You need'em all...........
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Hey Synth Novice,

 

I am going to recomend the Yamaha Motif ES8. The 3 layer grand piano is superb, and so is the action, which is balanced hammer. Plus, it has tons of other sounds that are excellent. The electric pianos are great, too.

 

The synths are great on the ES. The pads are lush and rich. The leads are great too, they have some real funky cool sounds.

 

Overall, the Motif ES is the king workstation, IMO.

 

Regards,

p120dUdE :thu:

My Gear: Yamaha P120 Professional Stage Piano, Yamaha CS1x Synthesizer, Yamaha MSP5 Monitors, Behringer Eurorack UB802 Mixer

Music I Play: Classical, Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock, Rock

 

The Yamaha P120 Pro. Stage Piano is absolutely superb, fantastic, awesome! It rocks!

 

Chris M.

West Brook Music Studio, New England USA

Yamaha P120 Specialist

 

My Synth Group

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I play jazz and funk - and "grew up" on hammer-action keys. For me, the Yamahas really feel great. I've got a Mo8 ES which I really love - but at 62 pounds, it's just heavy enough to be a real pain to move (especially if you're a 53 year old guy with a bad back and a flight of narrow steps to get it down). So it's my back-up, and the board I use for song writing and production. And I don't have to rip it out of my studio twice a week for gigs.

 

I use an S-90 for gigs - it's about 50 pounds, and it makes a difference (plus I can leave it downstairs near the car in its case for the next gig). If the Mo 8 ES is too rich for your blood, look at the S-90... same great keybed...many of the same sounds - including a nice triple-strike piano (though no sampling, and only a MIDI play-back sequencer (for the few sampled things I need on gigs, I use a little Boss phrase-sampler). Or, you might find a Mo8 "classic" on EBay for around $1500.

 

When I was looking, the Roland RD-700 was in serious contention. The piano sounds just aren't as good (to my ear) - though I kinda liked the organs. I can see how people might like the feel of the keys. A little lighter, and a tiny bit shallower (some people feel the Yammys are a little heavy or stiff). It's worth a try (though it's not a workstation) - and maybe check out a Fantom X88 (which is). I've read some good things about it.

 

I haven't played a Korg Triton Extreme -- but have played the 88 key classic Tritons, and the key feel isn't bad - in fact, the keys on the Le88 feel fairly good (though the synth weighted keys on the Le's are really cheap). For me, the original Tritons' piano sounds just don't cut it. That may have changed with their "extreme" version. So, try the Tritons.

 

But - it's all about what you like. Get to a big music store and try as many as you can. You really can't do too badly with any of the "big-name" workstations. Have fun.

_______________________________________________

Kurzweil PC4; Yamaha P515; EV ZXA1s

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Consider the S90 as the "Motif Lite" for those who can't afford, or don't need a full blown workstation. If that describes you, the S90 should be a very serious consideration. If not, go for the Motif. I bought an S90 since I am currently more focused on performance than composition and arranging, but I would definitely have the Motif on my short list if I decide to get a workstation.
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Brief note for clarity - I like, but don't often play funk, so I find the voices on the S90 well suited to my repetoire of jazz, blues and some ELP, Doors, etc. now and then. Per Nolight's advice, play the S90, but also try the Roland and several others to ensure you are comfortable with the action. The S90 has a heavier action than most, which, being a classically trained pianist, I prefer.
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