I like to work up old and new mostly rock songs I like and share them with friends. I sequence them in real time one track/instrument at a time. The intro might be one sequence, the verses, chorus, break and outro others, strung together as a song. At least that’s the way my old Ensoniq VFXSD works, and I like it. I believe that is what may be called linear sequencing, although it seems like every brand has its own terminology. I don’t have this capability now but I’d also like to add vocal and guitar via the workstation w/ effects and vocal correction. (I'm no singer!) I’m not interested in the DAW route, nor anyone else’s beats or accompaniment, although the latter might be fun just for kicks. I am not into sound programming so just a good onboard selection of reasonably accurate instrument and drum sounds. Considering what I do, I need adequate polyphony and storage. I am open to any make, current or past (to a point), new or used, but I prefer a 61 key due to space limitations. There may well be other features and functions that would be beneficial to me that I am not even aware of. A side question for conversation: what is the best workstation of all time?
Which Workstation Will Do What I want to Do?
- Thread starter bldn10
- Start date
happyrat1
Destroyer of Eardrums!!!
How much ya got to spend?
happyrat1
Destroyer of Eardrums!!!
Roland - Fantom-X8 | Workstation Keyboard
Fantom-X8: Workstation Keyboard - Powerhouse Workstation with an Ultra-Friendly Interface
Megabucks.
Yamaha Montage, Roland Fantom, Korg Kronos (new model, 61 key £2649).
More affordable.
Yamaha MODX, Roland O series, Korg Nautilus.
Mute point……A side question for conversation: what is the best workstation of all time?
I would say a Korg Kronos.
Yamaha Montage, Roland Fantom, Korg Kronos (new model, 61 key £2649).
More affordable.
Yamaha MODX, Roland O series, Korg Nautilus.
Mute point……A side question for conversation: what is the best workstation of all time?
I would say a Korg Kronos.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2010
- Messages
- 1,759
- Reaction score
- 642
Yes, you're probably looking for a linear sequencer (one that is multitrack and editable), and few boards have that these days. (Yamaha and Roland have largely abandoned that functionality in favor of pattern sequencers and DAW integration.) To make matters worse, there's this...
I think you're only real options here are Korg Kronos and Nautilus. (And even then, I believe you'll need an external device for your vocal correction.) Yamaha Genos 2 (pricey!) and some Korg arrangers might also do it (PA700, PA1000, PA5x), though I think with only 2 tracks of audio.
You also mentioned "adequate storage" but how much is adequate? Again, I'd suggest Kronos/Naultilus because their built-in SSDs give them the greatest capacities.
If your budget is lower and you're willing to sacrifice the audio track part, you can look at Korg Krome and Kross, I think some lower model Korg arrangers (PA600, PA300?), and maybe Kurzweils.
As for used stuff, on a budget, a Roland Juno-Gi might do what you need, a lower end model with more audio track orientation than most. For higher-end used stuff, my choice might be a Fantom-G.
One thing to consider is that the interfaces on these things vary tremendously. Seeing that a board can do something doesn't mean it can do it as easily as something else.
Inclusion of analog tracks (i.e. from a microphone) is even more rare.
I think you're only real options here are Korg Kronos and Nautilus. (And even then, I believe you'll need an external device for your vocal correction.) Yamaha Genos 2 (pricey!) and some Korg arrangers might also do it (PA700, PA1000, PA5x), though I think with only 2 tracks of audio.
You also mentioned "adequate storage" but how much is adequate? Again, I'd suggest Kronos/Naultilus because their built-in SSDs give them the greatest capacities.
If your budget is lower and you're willing to sacrifice the audio track part, you can look at Korg Krome and Kross, I think some lower model Korg arrangers (PA600, PA300?), and maybe Kurzweils.
As for used stuff, on a budget, a Roland Juno-Gi might do what you need, a lower end model with more audio track orientation than most. For higher-end used stuff, my choice might be a Fantom-G.
One thing to consider is that the interfaces on these things vary tremendously. Seeing that a board can do something doesn't mean it can do it as easily as something else.
Thanks, everyone. I'll have to do more homework now. 
Ideally I'd like to spend around $1500 but would go to $2000.
The Kronos always comes to mind but everything I read is that it is pretty complicated. Of course, I'm not going to be using many of the more sophisticated features in any board. Nautilus was supposed to be the newer, cheaper, simpler Kronos but many reviews think it was over simplified - not enough front panel control, too much page diving.
The Fantom G gets good reviews for the kinds of things I want to do but I will look into it vs. the 4 year older X. I believe the Juno Di has an audio recorder but does NOT have a sequencer.
No one has mentioned the Akai MPC Key61. Linear sequencer, audio, and AIR Vocal Suite.
Ideally I'd like to spend around $1500 but would go to $2000.
The Kronos always comes to mind but everything I read is that it is pretty complicated. Of course, I'm not going to be using many of the more sophisticated features in any board. Nautilus was supposed to be the newer, cheaper, simpler Kronos but many reviews think it was over simplified - not enough front panel control, too much page diving.
The Fantom G gets good reviews for the kinds of things I want to do but I will look into it vs. the 4 year older X. I believe the Juno Di has an audio recorder but does NOT have a sequencer.
No one has mentioned the Akai MPC Key61. Linear sequencer, audio, and AIR Vocal Suite.
Rayblewit
Love Music / Love Life
I think you need to re-adjust your budget
Kronos are way above $1500.
Korg Kronos series offers advanced music workstations with various models and configurations, leading to a range of prices in Australia. Here's an overview of current offerings:
Korg Kronos 3 61-Key Music Workstation
Priced at $6,527.00 AUD, this model is available through Awave.
awave.com.au
Korg Kronos 2 88-Key Music Workstation
Found Sound offers a used unit for $3,299.00 AUD.
Korg Kronos v2 61-Key Music Workstation
A used model is listed on Reverb Australia for approximately $4,001.13 AUD, plus shipping.
reverb.com
Korg Kronos 2 61-Key Music Workstation
Derringers Music offers this model, with pricing available upon inquiry.
Used Korg Kronos 88-Key Workstation
Available on Gumtree for $2,999.00 AUD.
gumtree.com.au
Happy shopping.
Keep in touch and let us know which way you end up going.
Cheers
R
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2010
- Messages
- 1,759
- Reaction score
- 642
Oh, right! Never mind about that one. ;-)
Probably worth looking at too. I don't know much about that one, it didn't seem well-suited for the kinds of things I need (live performance rather than sequencer/production related), but it might work for you.
If he's in the U.S., he should be able to find a used Kronos 61 in his $1500-$2k range.
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2021
- Messages
- 118
- Reaction score
- 31
I've used the Roland Fantom X6 and Xa since 2004 - both great work stations. Whichever brand / model you choose - the manual will only give a small depth into the board. Find a good forum that specializes in the keyboard you choose. I learned at least 80% of the Fantom's abilities from high tech professionals on a now defunct website called "Fantomized".Roland - Fantom-X8 | Workstation Keyboard
Fantom-X8: Workstation Keyboard - Powerhouse Workstation with an Ultra-Friendly Interfacewww.roland.com
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2021
- Messages
- 118
- Reaction score
- 31
I've used the Roland Fantom X6 and Xa since 2004 - both great work stations. Whichever brand / model you choose - the manual will only give a small depth into the board. Find a good forum that specializes in the keyboard you choose. I learned at least 80% of the Fantom's abilities from high tech professionals on a now defunct website called "Fantomized".Roland - Fantom-X8 | Workstation Keyboard
Fantom-X8: Workstation Keyboard - Powerhouse Workstation with an Ultra-Friendly Interface
OK, off the wall suggestion.
Ignore the fact that it is an Arranger as you Do Not have to use the Styles.
In any case you can create your own if you want, as you can with beats, bass, etc.
Watch this video:-
Korg Pa1000.
If you can find one pre owned then a Pa4X will do what you want but has much more instruments and more memory onboard.
Ignore the fact that it is an Arranger as you Do Not have to use the Styles.
In any case you can create your own if you want, as you can with beats, bass, etc.
Watch this video:-
Korg Pa1000.
If you can find one pre owned then a Pa4X will do what you want but has much more instruments and more memory onboard.
Just to throw a stone into the pond - I am doing exactly this audio style of recording with my Medeli AKX10 Arranger.
I have recorded my previously saved Yamaha PSR sequencer song tracks through the stereo audio inputs into the AKX.
I then play this back and real-time record/save individual track overlays saving each take into the USB flash drive - easy unlimited editing by going back to the previous take. plus it has its own 16 track sequencer.
There is also audio mike/guitar inputs with effects & vocoder - I use these for live performance with the keyboard/usb memory playback accompaniement.
Cost under US$1000 including necessary sound upgrade packages from Global Sound and some tweaking of the huge selection of editable factory styles and sounds - a bloody good customised machine that has impressed other keyboard users - and more importantly the listeners.
I bought this latest version AKX after testing it against Korg PA1000 and Yamaha PSR X900 - mainly for the excellent colour touchscreen and easy to use touch menu and assignable controls - saves a lot of frustration especially when live!.
Test it out - and note that now there are great sound upgrade packages that raise it to pro level.
I have recorded my previously saved Yamaha PSR sequencer song tracks through the stereo audio inputs into the AKX.
I then play this back and real-time record/save individual track overlays saving each take into the USB flash drive - easy unlimited editing by going back to the previous take. plus it has its own 16 track sequencer.
There is also audio mike/guitar inputs with effects & vocoder - I use these for live performance with the keyboard/usb memory playback accompaniement.
Cost under US$1000 including necessary sound upgrade packages from Global Sound and some tweaking of the huge selection of editable factory styles and sounds - a bloody good customised machine that has impressed other keyboard users - and more importantly the listeners.
I bought this latest version AKX after testing it against Korg PA1000 and Yamaha PSR X900 - mainly for the excellent colour touchscreen and easy to use touch menu and assignable controls - saves a lot of frustration especially when live!.
Test it out - and note that now there are great sound upgrade packages that raise it to pro level.
Depending on your Budget maybe an older option, like: Yamaha Motif XF6, Korg Kronos 61, or Roland Fantom G6
And for vocal correction even a dedicated vocal processor (TC-Helicon) could be worth looking into.
And for vocal correction even a dedicated vocal processor (TC-Helicon) could be worth looking into.
Both Kronos and Fantom G have been on my watch list. I've seen Kronos 61 for $1850 and Fantom G6 for $1250. Could have had a like new Nautilus for $800 the other day but just not sure about it. I have begun to think about a separate vocal processor as an alternative.
Fair enough - reliability does not appear to be an AKX10 issue, but I am aware that in some geographic areas support & maintenance is a problem, most notably on the American continent. Not such an issue in much of Europe, SE Asia and NZ/OZ (e.g. I have a local Korg/Yamaha keyboard technician who also has access to Medeli AKX parts and tech guidance).
Hopefully, you will end up with the Board that meets all your requirements and, just as importantly, you feel comfortable with when playing/performing.
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2021
- Messages
- 118
- Reaction score
- 31
Very true about the US having limited maintenance / repair outlets for even the most common keyboard brands. After seeing Jeremy See's video on the Medeli - I wanted to buy one, but after finding a zero-option on getting it repaired here in the US - that kept me from getting it.
Understand that RedEyeC - Russian roulette of keyboards if you are unsure of support!
I wish you had got an AKX10 because it would have been great to share tech/usability details with you - it is a versatile and surprising machine.....still exploring its full potential........
I wish you had got an AKX10 because it would have been great to share tech/usability details with you - it is a versatile and surprising machine.....still exploring its full potential........