ORIGINAL: bitflipper

If you like the Motif, check out the MO6/MO8. Same sounds, better keyboard and about a grand less money.

Since i tried MotifXS i am not sure but thanks for the info. I didn't know about MO series

Looking on ebay, it looks like your estimates are closer than mine on new equipment. I paid $1700 for my FantomX6 more than a year ago and can probably get $1100-1200 for it now. When I was looking to buy, the street price for a new one was $2000 and were going for about $1500 on ebay. That was last year and the Fantom was the latest model. The new G model will decrease the X's value.

But the return on used equipment looks much better. I'll bet an X6 in good condition bought today for $1200 could be sold for almost the same price a year from now.

OTOH, a computer is worth practically nothing after a year's use and used software and sample libraries have no resale value.

If I had to choose, I would drop the hardware, but having both is the best and worst of both worlds. The things I like best about the FantomX are the portability, sounds, midi accuracy, and reliability. Everything ends up the computer for ease of editing and audio tracks. The FantomX has 8 audio tracks but they take forever to load.

Hi Dave-

Thanks, makes good sense. The MO series wasn't available when I was looking, as I said, but I might have gone with the Motif anyway. I used to play acoustic piano, but after years on the DX7 I was so accustomed to that feel that I wanted to stick with it. I've played a real piano a few times since, and wow! It's like it requires a totally different muscle set! I get what you say about the synthy, plastic feeling of the keyboard, though.

Thanks again, and I'm glad you're happy with the MO8. I keep going back to many of my Motif sounds no matter how many softsynths I accumulate!

-Susan

Susan G have you tried XS? If yes can you compare sounds?

Hi-

Susan G have you tried XS? If yes can you compare sounds?

No, I haven't, but there are some demos here.

-Susan

ORIGINAL: jimack

Exactly right. I bought a Yamaha S90 a few years ago. It has great sounds right from the Motif series. I rarely use it with my DAW, except for Piano parts. But even then, I don't use it for the sound, I use it for the action. The main reason I bought it was so my kids could have access to a somewhat "real" piano. And the action on it is superb, so it fills that bill quite nicely. I NEVER use the workstation features on it though. Save yourself some money and take bitflipper's advice.


Edit -->> The only exception I could see to this is if you do a lot of Live Performing. In that case, a workstation might make your life easier.

The S90 and newer S90ES are excellent weighted keyboards with great sounds. They are also set up to be decent controllers. If I ever need an 88 key controller, my first choice would be the original S90.

The M-Audio Axiom series is a nice controller. Not a workstation, but you will save a fortune.

Timing is everything. Before I read through this thread, I saw some comments/diff thread... on capitalist America, etc...RE the Roland bit.

I read this at just the right time, and about fell off my chair.

ORIGINAL: John

Ah let me think about this, ah yes, Roland. I can't think why that popped into my head.

John, I have been searching for some help and I'll try anything at this point. I'm trying to transfer 24 tracks from my TASCAM DA-38's to my Sonar Studio. I can not find anyone who can help me out. I'm trying the FORUM as my last option. Any ideas?

I have an M-Audio ULTRA 8R interface, Toshiba satellite lap top computer, realtek soundcard,and tons of other studio gear to include TASCAM DA-38's, FINALIZER EXPRESS, DAT, and every cable in the world