NAMM Observations

[Tusker]

Aye. Aye. And you didn't even mention tear down.

 

Jerry

[MikeT156]

Great post. Quite true too. I've done my share of verbal body slams about the price of a Moog Voyager, previous to NAMM. The fact is, I really don't know what it costs for R&D, design and build it, market it through dealers, pay the "help" and turn a profit. Although I've worked for music dealers in a past life and know what the typical "markup" is, which seldom can be achieved anyway, I really don't know what it costs to get it to arrive at the door for dealer cost.

 

Korg got a lot of bashing because they're "apparently" selling repackaged current technology for a premium price. That may not be the case as we see the instrument develop. On the surface, it appears to be unlike when Yamaha introduced the FM based DX7, which was a new technology at the time. However, the above lack of knowledge of the actual cost on end users part still applies.

 

Mike T.

[Magpel]

Originally posted by capnzoot:

Let's not turn it in to just another one of those opinion vacuums where losers arm wrestle their brand affiliations from the shelter of cyber space.

Well, now, that's just brilliantly phrased, though I would drop the word "loser" as it is nothing but a dismissive, hateful term and it is inconsistent with the passionately reasoned tone of your post.

[gangsu]

Aye! I wish I was qualified to comment. Capnzoot you kill me.

 

That was an enlightening, brilliant and humbling read. I wish I was qualified...

[coyote]

Oh Capnzoot's just a marketing weasel trying to convince us to believe all the hype and run out to buy an overpriced Oasys

 

Seriously, I hear ya. On another forum some folks decried how NAMM failed to meet their expectations and therefore was a big dsappointment. Even if it IS a bit rudderless right now (hmmm, does the industry ever think about replacing sampling with physical modeling?), it continues to spew out amazing new products that, 25 years ago, would have been considered almost miraculous. I'm never disappointed to walk into my local music stores - I don't see how NAMM could disappoint anyone.

[Dave Bryce]

Originally posted by capnzoot:

NAMM is hard work. Glad those attending enjoyed it. Demo presentation is hard work. Try it before you slam it. Let's open our minds, before our mouths, plumb the depths of the concepts. This forum has the ability to drive the conceptual end of the business, for our greater good. Let's not turn it in to just another one of those opinion vacuums where losers arm wrestle their brand affiliations from the shelter of cyber space.

Brilliant post, sir. Spot on in every way.

 

Thank you sincerely for taking the time.

 

dB

[funkphingerz88]

Hello its me come to cause trouble in the neighbourhoo!Only joking! I can understand what capnzoot is saying-its all valid but i feel Namm for those of us that don't live in the US and have to judge Namm by the merit of the products over the net was boring to say the least. .

 

Sample playback boards don't excite me. The only reason i own any digital rompler boards is because they are useful on some level whether for standard sounds or whatever but i hardly find them to be hands on or inspirational. I hate traversing arcane menu systems.Sound design is tedious to say the least on the likes of Triton/Motif.

 

Whilst all this r+d money is being spent on trying to make digital sound analog you can go and buy new analog/digi hybrids which are so much fun to use i.e.polyevolver/voyager/andromeda. Turn some dials make sound-thats what its all about for me. More focus in boards like Triton/Motif goes on the screen and using the operating system than the actual sounds/sound design.I for one aint interested in the next rompler as i'd rather have an empty box with the option to load in samples/mac/vst plugins etc. The Neko is still the most excting product in that respect. Thats why the Oasys is so old hat already.It might sound great but its just a Triton on steroids and the Motif/Triton are boring keyboards to me.They are run of the mill and useful but not exciting or particularly fun by my book.

 

Whichever manufacture gives us the flexibilty of mac/pc software in a portable unit with the ability to load vst/coreaudio plugins will get my vote as thats the future of digital boards for me. I'll never buy another digi board until this happens. New real analog designs are so much more interesting.The polyevolver is next on my list and for me is the most exciting product to come out of Namm.

[Stephen Kay]

Originally posted by Dave Bryce:

Originally posted by capnzoot:

NAMM is hard work. Glad those attending enjoyed it. Demo presentation is hard work. Try it before you slam it. Let's open our minds, before our mouths, plumb the depths of the concepts. This forum has the ability to drive the conceptual end of the business, for our greater good. Let's not turn it in to just another one of those opinion vacuums where losers arm wrestle their brand affiliations from the shelter of cyber space.

Brilliant post, sir. Spot on in every way.

I must echo that in every way - brilliant. Thanks for taking the time to say what should be said.

[RABid]

Originally posted by capnzoot:

Hey, repackaged technology, wtf else is new? ....

I drive repackaged technology every day to work. I ride it after work for exercise. I watch it glow in the corner of my living room. I sleep on it, read it, eat it, and depend on it to keep the lights on in my house. New technology is great but you just cannot toss out everything that has been successful just for the sake of new.

 

Robert

[MikeT156]

Quote by Rapid:

===================================

I drive repackaged technology every day to work. I ride it after work for exercise. I watch it glow in the corner of my living room. I sleep on it, read it, eat it, and depend on it to keep the lights on in my house. New technology is great but you just cannot toss out everything that has been successful just for the sake of new.

 

Robert

====================================

 

True, but then you shouldn't be charging 8 grand for it either. That's where the entire name calling and vendor slamming started.

 

I have to agree with Phil on this and ask the Korg folks to explain why its worth it or why should I think it is?

 

Mike T.

[Dave Bryce]

Originally posted by MikeT156:

True, but then you shouldn't be charging 8 grand for it either. That's where the entire name calling and vendor slamming started.

 

I have to agree with Phil on this and ask the Korg folks to explain why its worth it or why should I think it is?

Sigh...

 

Okay, I've tried to stay out of this, but this is just getting out of hand.

 

Guys...the selling price of a product is not simply based on the parts involved in building it. There's a whole bunch of other things that play into that. Surely you must understand that.

 

Do you seriously believe that the Korg folks jacked the price up artificially? Do you seriously believe that they didn't know what the effect of having an $8k price tag would be? Don't you realize that designing, marketing and selling musical instruments is what these people do for a living? This ain't a hobby for them - it's what they do - all day, every day. I am SURE that there were more meetings than any of us can imagine regarding design, concept, feature set, price point, price point, and (of course) price point.

 

I promise you - if they could have brought the thing in for any less, they absolutely would have. They built the machine they wanted to build...that they've been dreaming of building for years.

 

When I was at Alesis, we made the Andromeda because we really, really wanted to. We took all kinds of flak for it...a $3500 16 voice analog synth? With VA synths costing so much less, with lots more polyphony? With all these vintage synths that are made by well-recognized companies floating around for lots less? With all these software synths taking off the way they are? With workstations doing so much more, with tons more polyphony, for the same and/or less money? That's just insane, we were told. One of the senior management people at the time told me that we'd be lucky to sell 50 of them...and yet, Andy seems to have done pretty well, and is still on the market five years later....and I'm pretty sure that Alesis has sold more than 50.

 

Admittedly, my perspective isn't that of the average person/end user, but I did grow up with the Jupiter 8 ($5k), the PPG Wave ($8k, not including WaveTerm), the K250 ($20k loaded) and the Fairlight and Synclavier (way more than a car...in the Synclavier's case, way more than a house), so the OASYS's price tag doesn't knock me back the way it seems to have done for some of you (especially given the feature set).

 

Look - it's real simple. If you don't think the OASYS (or any other instrument) is worth the money, then don't buy it. But please stop the Korg bashing, and please stop treating their people as if they owe you some kind of explanation.

 

One other thing - I've played the OASYS, and I'm here to tell you - you may actually want to lay hands on one before you form a concrete opinion.

 

BTW - Mike, this isn't aimed at you - sorry of it appears that way. I'm just tired of the Korg bashing. It just isn't deserved, IMO.

 

Thanks,

 

dB

[Mike Martin]

Capnzoot a brilliant post. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

dB - Excellent follow up!

 

The threads following NAMM sure do demonstrate how things have change in the music business. The fact that anyone can make a judgement about an instrument without having played it just amazes me. Now, a list of specifications and a 128kps MP3 file is how people make purchasing decisions.

 

When I worked at Kurzweil, we had exactly the same problem. Only 48note polyphony, only 44MB of ROM Maximum???? Even today these are phenominal instruments that anyone considering an Evolver, Andromeda or dare I say any other synth/workstation should consider yet no one seems to take the time to listen to one or play one.

 

To follow up on dB's post...

Although I'm not in the synthesizer division at Yamaha I've noticed several people say "only a Motif Rack ES from Yamaha, how come they didn't release anything new?" Having worked in several different parts of this industry, I can truly say that I have been guilty of saying "could just take part of this machine, take this feature out, add x,y and z and make half the price." The reality of the situation is remarkably different.

 

People need to take a step back and realize what incredible tools we all have our disposal. We have some remarkable instruments out today, we have never had so many choices either. why does any of this have to be out the specs? Instead why don't we talk about HOW we use these instruments and the music that we make with them.

 

-MM

[steadyb]

Mike (Martin),

 

Since you and Dave (Bryce) are friends this should be fairly easy for you guys to put together...

 

A 64 voice PolyEvolver/Motif Rack hybrid, with a collapsible 61 key waterfall keyboard built in, that can change to an 88 key Steinway action keyboard with the simple touch of a button.

 

Don't forget to include the wireless pitch/modwheel/joystick/ribbon control.

 

Oh, and make sure it's $999.

 

Heck, while we're at it, since I know you guys too, we'll make sure it also includes GarageBand and a 30" HD Cinema display.

 

[MikeT156]

Dave and Mike Martin:

 

No matter how you slice it, people listen to the sound, look at features, user interface, expansion capability, KB quality/action, etc. and then look at the price. Same holds true for cars, houses, clothing, you name it. I really don't have a use for the Korg from what I can see. I think the demo sounded wonderful. But, no sense in trying it, can't afford it. I won't test drive a BMW for the same reason. I think its a case of market reality. What things cost is a consideration. I'll vote with my credit card.

 

I certainly didn't intend for my posts to be yet another Korg bashing episode. I apologize for what appears to be stepping on the forum's proverbial price land mine these days, I'll butt out.

 

Mike T.

[Jeep]

http://www.cementimental.com/circuitbend/pics/parcelbomblarge.jpg

[coyote]

Ummm, cuz talking about music is like dancing about architecture??

Originally posted by Mike Martin:

why does any of this have to be out the specs? Instead why don't we talk about HOW we use these instruments and the music that we make with them.

-MM

Part of the problem here is the industry itself, and it dovetails with human nature. I'll use telescopes as an analogy: The less informed population thinks that the more you spend on a scope, the greater magnification it should have. They are therefore stunned when a $79 Sears scope advertises 579x POWER!! on the box while a $2K Celestron shows a useful magnification of say "290X, further limited by observing conditions". After all, you're spending exponentially more $$$; shouldn't you get 3000x magnification? And almost very marketer in the music biz has been guilty of using specs as a selling point, KNOWING that it will appeal to many folks. Look at the DVD audio thing that's all the rage - do we get sound so vastly superior to CD-quality that it makes LimpBizkit suddenly sound beautiful?

 

Ahh well, enough of this. Let's go back to analyzing chords & things.

[zeronyne]

Originally posted by Mike Martin:

People need to take a step back and realize what incredible tools we all have our disposal.

We need to take a further step back than that.

 

Just how is the Oasys or its price preventing anyone from writing, recording or performing the music that they want to write, record or perform? You don't need to bash it over and over. What is the purpose of doing so? Organizing a boycott? Venting? Trying to sway people over to the side of Oasys-haters?

 

Harmony-Central has 500 NAMM press releases, and we are rehashing the price of a keyboard?

 

And, to stay on topic, I'd say that I do not think that there isn't that much wrong with MI today. It has always been a tough market, the unit sales numbers are miniscule compared to just about any other manufactured item with a similar margin. It's also a hybrid market, where Dave Smith and Yamaha have an equal chance of putting out the next big hit keyboard.

 

But I think the results of the last 15 years of R&D have been exhausted. The only real improvement in ROMplers is the amount of ROM, and that is simply a product of Moore's law. Sampling has become an afterthought...any workstation or softsampler available now has exponentially more sampling power than the mighty S1000. And we've reached a point (and the economy is at a state) where boutique analog and commoditized virtual analog can exist side by side.

 

The exception to this, of course, is physical modeling, but it is truly in its infancy. I was stunned by my VL1m, not by it's expressiveness, which I'm sure I'll find quaint in a few years, but because it was only $2500.00. PM, I think, needs to become more of a buzzword for the next big push to occur.

 

I also think softsynths need a big shakeout. There's serious saturation in this market...there either needs to be more integration or more industry-standard pieces.

 

I hope this stayed in the spirit of 'zoots original intent. I do not mean to seem negative. I think there's a lot to be excited about right now, Oasys included.

[steadyb]

Originally posted by coyote:

They are therefore stunned when a $79 Sears scope advertises 579x POWER!! on the box.

Are you saying I should have sprung for the $2000 telescope?

 

If the lighting is good, I can see across the street, er, I mean the moon and stars just fine.

[resigned]

-----------------------------------

Instead of freaking out over the price tag of some new piece, maybe some discussion along the lines of why? might help. In a world of price compression, why do manufacturers think ANYTHING they build should carry and exclusionary price, and if they do, why get pissed off because some new toys are out of reach? I mean, WHY, not just the reaction, might help open all of our eyes.

------------------------------------

 

Discussion? What discussion? When? Remember we're talking dealers-only NAMM here, which happens to be the first and often only source of information for many of us about upcoming new products. Ordinary consumers have no such music product show to attend in the US and are forced to wait for leaks, posts and whatever makes it out of the NAMM show to learn anything. Car shows are open to the public as are many other kinds of product shows, but not the sole US music industry show. There should be a better way for consumers to get real information about upcoming products other than second-hand. Would it really hurt to open the show to the public the last two days? That would give us the opportunity to have that discussion about why products cost what they do - we certainly don't get that information through our dealers or magazines or even through manufacturer's websites. Maybe NAMM could add a couple of days on the front end so dealers can get their business done and end users can meet directly with factory reps and talk about their new products. For that matter, perhaps a public show completely seperate from NAMM is the answer, similar to MusicMesse. I've seen this question asked many times before but never answered - perhaps now is the time.

[RABid]

Maybe informed people are trying to buy a synthesizer with the same mentality they use when buying a computer. Surely this does not happen with a drum set, guitar or grand piano, does it?

 

I think this group is already moving past that. Polyphony was important when you had 32 voices on a workstation and wanted to produce a complete song with one sequence. I stopped needing polyphony when I matched a Motif ES with a Roland XV-5080. Now the spec that means something to me is synth structure, not how many notes and how much memory a unit has. It is the same for most members here. What do you read most in the threads on this forum, how much polyphony the ES has or how good the piano sounds. When people compare it to the Fantom X they dont compare specs, they compare the sounds. As a group we have moved beyond specs. Well, at least we had before NAMM.

 

Robert

 

Edit to fix a typo. The surly instead of surely error may have been a Freudian slip, considering I have a caffeine withdrawal headache. Someone give me chocolate, NOW!

[Byrdman]

Originally posted by steadyb:

Mike (Martin),

 

Since you and Dave (Bryce) are friends this should be fairly easy for you guys to put together...

 

A 64 voice PolyEvolver/Motif Rack hybrid, with a collapsible 61 key waterfall keyboard built in, that can change to an 88 key Steinway action keyboard with the simple touch of a button.

 

:

We had one of these. Converted from 61 to 88 keys with touch of a button. Change virtual hammer hardness with touch of a button. Select room size and mic distance with the touch of a button. Even had a "weeks since last tuned" parameter you could change with the touch of a button.

 

Only problem was we they were all the same button. We spent so much on R&D one button was all we could afford to put on the synth.

[synthetica]

Im sure the Krg is Oasys is every biit as good as the $8000 it cost. It is just alot more than I can afford so I will not be looking at one seriously or buying one,just like a Ferrari I'm sure it is a fine ride, but i can't afford to buy one so no sense in seriously considering it lookin or test driving. I'm sure it will be a fantastic board for those who can afford, I am just not one of them so not interest. No bashing of the product just no interest due to cost.

[Dave Bryce]

Originally posted by MikeT156:

No matter how you slice it, people listen to the sound, look at features, user interface, expansion capability, KB quality/action, etc. and then look at the price.

This is true, of course.

 

Same holds true for cars, houses, clothing, you name it.

Also, true.

 

I really don't have a use for the Korg from what I can see. I think the demo sounded wonderful. But, no sense in trying it, can't afford it. I won't test drive a BMW for the same reason. I think its a case of market reality. What things cost is a consideration. I'll vote with my credit card.

That's all there is, and what was at the heart of what I was getting at in my post.

 

Try it. If you can't live without it, buy it. If it doesn't knock you out, don't buy it.

 

In the end, that's all there is.

 

One of the things I mentioned (and Mike Martin also brought up) was that some people seem to be forming some pretty hard and fast opinions much more these days without actually trying the piece, though.

 

Between manufacturer web sites, mp3s and user forums, there's no doubt that the internet makes this an easier proposition than it was in the past; however, there's still no substitute for sitting down at an instrument and seeing if it cranks yer prop.

 

I certainly didn't intend for my posts to be yet another Korg bashing episode. I apologize for what appears to be stepping on the forum's proverbial price land mine these days

Yeah, it kind of is, isn't it?

 

As I said, I've been trying to stay out of this...and I really didn't want it to look like I was busting you. Once again, my apologies if this appeared to be the case.

 

dB

[eric]

I always look forward to reading the NAMM reviews and watching all the videos and try to remain open-minding, while drooling with audacious GAS all the while. I think there are some amazing instruments available and often try to step back and re-evaluate what I really need to make the music I need to make vs. the flavor of the month mentality. I think there is a happy balance in there somewhere. I go through a lot of gear and enjoy every minute of it! Though I cannot easily afford an OASYS, I am intrigued and look forward to playing one. I have lost track of all the rampant Korg threads and stopped following most of them at least a week ago.

 

Originally posted by steadyb:

Since you and Dave (Bryce) are friends this should be fairly easy for you guys to put together...

 

A 64 voice PolyEvolver/Motif Rack hybrid, with a collapsible 61 key waterfall keyboard built in, that can change to an 88 key Steinway action keyboard with the simple touch of a button.

 

Don't forget to include the wireless pitch/modwheel/joystick/ribbon control.

 

Oh, and make sure it's $999.

 

Heck, while we're at it, since I know you guys too, we'll make sure it also includes GarageBand and a 30" HD Cinema display.

Paging zeronyne: Can we have a photoshop of steadyb's dream keyboard???

 

Regards,

Eric

[jerrythek]

This is a fine and reasoned response. Everyone has the right to offer these types of personal opinions and perspectives. It's earlier statements calling the product recycled technology that irk me. I don't mean to attack you personally Mike, but hear me out - I'm just "using you" as a platform:

 

After stating a number of times that the voice architecture of the HD-1 engine is completely new (new osc design, new filters, new EG, LFO's etc. etc.), with many things done in response to user requests, and to develop a completely new VA engine in the AL-1, along with many new effects and Stephen's 2 years of development into new KARMA functions - to have all this new development called repackaged technology is ill-informed.

 

If you're not interested in new developments in a PCM/subtractive engine, or another great VA design, or technologies like KARMA advancing that's fine. You're free to feel that way. But dismissing all that as "repackaging" is a cheap shot. Unintentional or not.

 

Quite honestly, I can't even stand to listen to the Press Conference in RealPlayer format, it sound horrible. But it is an accurate visual/talking portrayal of the event, and a few 192kB MP3's can't begin to convey the beauty of the sound of the OASYS.

 

The singular positioning that I see for a given category, stating that since product X exists there's no reason to consider anything else is not reality. People like choices, and different approaches to sound, interface, form factor, price, whatever. Differences make the world go round...

 

Likewise, many of the great plug-ins are not always innovative, but if they sound great, recreate a classic synth of yore, or provide new inspiration they are valid to spur on your creativity and help your music-making.

 

There...that felt good. Sorry to "vent" but continually stating misinformation (unintentional as it may be) needs to be addressed. Remember - for many, if you read it enough on the Internet it must be true...

 

:-)

 

Regards,

 

Jerry Kovarsky

Korg Guy (who cares)

 

Originally posted by MikeT156:

Dave and Mike Martin:

 

No matter how you slice it, people listen to the sound, look at features, user interface, expansion capability, KB quality/action, etc. and then look at the price. Same holds true for cars, houses, clothing, you name it. I really don't have a use for the Korg from what I can see. I think the demo sounded wonderful. But, no sense in trying it, can't afford it. I won't test drive a BMW for the same reason. I think its a case of market reality. What things cost is a consideration. I'll vote with my credit card.

 

I certainly didn't intend for my posts to be yet another Korg bashing episode. I apologize for what appears to be stepping on the forum's proverbial price land mine these days, I'll butt out.

 

Mike T.

[Soundscape Studios.]

Y'know - what this really all boils down to is the fact that we have all been spoiled by how cheap things have gotten on PC's.

 

Dave - when you were growing up around all that great stuff - Fairlights, Synclaviers, etc... there really wasen't much else you could do to get those sounds. So $250,000 wasn't all that crazy!

 

But with the advancement of technology, people have come to really expect things to be very cheap, and powerful at the same time.

 

Consider this - I just bought a brand new computer this week with 1.2 TB of internal HD in a RAID setup, centered around a 3.8 GHz P4 for only $2500 !! And this included a 20 in. flat panel!

 

It's really a new age, where people bitch about paying $2,000 for the best DAW on the market. Is that normal? Just 15 years ago I recall some big studios plunking 1/4 mil. on a 3348 which does alot less than the DAW!

 

The point is that 2005 is not 1985. I'm not surprised about the mindset of people, and their complaining about this issue, though I will say that it is ridiculous to do so.

 

We really have been spoiled...

 

It is what it is - Shut up and play yer guitar! (In the immortal words of Frank Z.) Or should I say "yer Rompler"!

[MikeT156]

Jerry:

 

A better understanding of the product would certainly help. I listened to the NAMM demo, and I thought it sounded great. Ultimately, we have to look at the specs to see the potential; how it generates sound, capability, action, etc, as I mentioned above. Correct me if I'm wrong, The Oasys has a 16 track recording capability, uses Linux OS, so there's an 8 letter file name limitation, same technology that generates the CX-3 organ, PCM synth, analog synth, analog and digital outs, full compliment of effects, CD burner, hard drive, and a color touch display. It also has a P4 2.8 GHz CPU. I realize that when you go from the design stage to the production stage, there's going to be a time delay, so we shouldn't expect the more recent processor clock speed because the processor and system board, memory, etc. has to match. I wonder how much $$ was eaten up by a pop up color dispaly, CD burner, and internal hard drive? I have no use that those things personally, but someone that wants an all in one unit to go from idea to finished product might.

 

As you already know, the major beef is the price/capability comparison. Feel free to enlighten me if I'm missing something here, maybe the Oasys will develop into something a lot more than what it appears to be "on the surface".

 

Mike T.

[MikeT156]

A note to db:

 

Quote:

=====================================

One of the things I mentioned (and Mike Martin also brought up) was that some people seem to be forming some pretty hard and fast opinions much more these days without actually trying the piece, though.

 

Between manufacturer web sites, mp3s and user forums, there's no doubt that the internet makes this an easier proposition than it was in the past; however, there's still no substitute for sitting down at an instrument and seeing if it cranks yer prop.

=======================================

 

Dave, something I want you to consider is that I live in a rural area in central PA. I have to depend upon the Internet to get a feel for what's available on manf. web sites to give a listen to their products, read forums and compare notes with other players. I bought my Yamaha ES8 and Alesis ION, Yamaha P7000s power amp, Furman power condition, a couple of KB stands, without ever setting eyes or hands on them. "As luck would have it" the Motif ES8 as well as the ION sounded suspiciously just like the audio demos on the manf. web sites. I'm familar with Yamaha's KB action so I wasn't concerned about it, the only thing that was a crap shoot was the KB action on the ION. Some players don't like it, but I find it acceptable for the price.

 

I have called local music stores to get prices on the above gear, and they weren't competitive (not even close in some case) and I'd have to pay sales tax on top of that. None of the local dealers had ANY of the above gear in stock to try. They wanted me to order it first. Good luck. Some of the local shops know less about the gear than I do, and I've been away from the music business almost 10 years. So, no value add there. What it comes down to is, I WON'T go to a local music store, play their demo units, take up their time, only to buy it over the Internet. I use to be a part times KB salesman, and it drove me nuts when other people would do that. I shop the Internet, and make sure the dealer has a liberal return policy so I can return something that doesn't cut it.

 

Mike T.

[burningbusch]

Originally posted by MikeT156:

Jerry:

 

A better understanding of the product would certainly help. I listened to the NAMM demo, and I thought it sounded great. Ultimately, we have to look at the specs to see the potential; how it generates sound, capability, action, etc, as I mentioned above. Correct me if I'm wrong, The Oasys has a 16 track recording capability, uses Linux OS, so there's an 8 letter file name limitation, same technology that generates the CX-3 organ, PCM synth, analog synth, analog and digital outs, full compliment of effects, CD burner, hard drive, and a color touch display. It also has a P4 2.8 GHz CPU. I realize that when you go from the design stage to the production stage, there's going to be a time delay, so we shouldn't expect the more recent processor clock speed because the processor and system board, memory, etc. has to match. I wonder how much $$ was eaten up by a pop up color dispaly, CD burner, and internal hard drive? I have no use that those things personally, but someone that wants an all in one unit to go from idea to finished product might.

 

As you already know, the major beef is the price/capability comparison. Feel free to enlighten me if I'm missing something here, maybe the Oasys will develop into something a lot more than what it appears to be "on the surface".

 

Mike T.

Mike,

 

I'm going to play a little "what if" here:

 

What if, due to the fact that Korg has developed a completely new "ROM" set which is three to ten times larger than the competition, the OASYS samples just flat out sound better than any other ROMpler?

 

What if, due to the fact that this has a large full color display, people actually make use of the sequencer and HD functions they find unusable on the current small LCD displays?

 

What if, due to the fact that the OASYS capabilities are not burned into hardware as they are on other synths, the functionality of the OASYS in 12-24 months is significantly enhanced from what it is today?

 

What if, because of what Korg has done in terms of maximizing the system for music performance, the 2.8Ghz OASYS far outstrips a similarly configured PC with regards to stability, # of voices of polyphony for soft synths, FXs, etc?

 

What if, because all of these technologies are accessible via one common interface, the composer/performer is more productive, focused, inspired?

 

I could come up with more but I think you get the drift. I don't know the answers to these. Only time will tell. But the answers can't be found in simple spec comparisons.

 

I only know that when the OASYS comes available I will give it an extended tryout (at home on my ADAMs) and if I'm pleased, I'll buy it. It's that simple.

 

Busch.

[Markyboard]

Paging zeronyne: Can we have a photoshop of steadyb's dream keyboard???

Don't forget "Pink Polly"!