Hi Guys,
Time to update my Keyboard selection: "NEED ADVICE"......
I have been looking into the Yamaha Montage & the Roland Fantom. I have previously owned several keyboards brands, Roland, Korg, Moog & Arturia. I have never owned a Yamaha. So first things first, I believe that the Layout & the Logic to how everything is laid out and connected thru keyboard controls ex. Oscillators, Filters, Faders, ADSR are important as to the how friendly & easy the work flow can be in 2 aspects.
1. How you get around in creating actual Sounds & Scenes.
2. How the workflow works while actually using the keyboard in live situations, ex. pulling up sounds & patches for the next song on the "Set-List" etc.
I do not have any experience with the Logic & Workflow in Yamaha Keyboards. I do have decent knowledge with Roland & Korg using these keyboards, and keep in mind the boards I am referring to are either a combination of Analog & Digital or totally Digital. I have to admit, I find the work flow a bit easier on a Roland. To me the Logic just seems to work with my brain better...LOL... Now Moog on the other hand ex. Minimoog, Moog Prodigy, are fully fledged Analog Synthesizers. In some case I prefer the use Digital or Digital/Analog and some cases, the use of Completely Analog Synthesizers, but that's another discussion for another Post...LOL....
I like the Sounds of both keyboards so far that I have heard on YouTube online demos. I have had a chance to play on a Montage over at Sam Ash for about an hour, but for the first time I feel I only got a slight taste for it, which was very tasty....LOL.. The Roland Fantom I have not been able to try out yet.
The Yamaha “Montage”: I like the features it offered and the "Superknob" which I like the idea of connecting it to a Pedal. One thing that concerns me and you will understand when I get to the Fantom is that on the right side there seems to be an abundance of buttons that are small and trying to read them was difficult in the store. But I think I prefer actual analog knobs as well. Both keyboards seem to have awesomely Great sounds. So if we get past the Sounds and focus on the Layout & Logic, I think that's where I get a bit Hung up. I also like the feature is the ability to synchronize the input of an Audio signal coming into the Keyboard. Ex. a mic placed in the Kick Drum allows the Montage to Sync up the Sequencer (tempos) together for pre-programmed type music with a live drummer.
The Roland “Fantom”: I like the fact that after owning several of Roland's Drum machines, that they have incorporated the same type of button set up for use with Drums & for Sequencing, known as TREC. They also have incorporated on the right side of the Keyboard what appears to be a decent amount of Analog control knobs like for ADSR Filters etc. The Pads are a nice touch, but I am not sure how useful they could really end up. I own an Arturia MkII Kybd with 16 Pads and I rarely if ever use them if ever. Also having a Pitch Bend and the Wheel is nice but adding the second Wheel opens up other possibilities.
Concerns:
Maybe someone who have played one or the other or both, can help me answer some of these concerns of mine.
1. The size of the Display Window. Is one bigger and easier to read then the other? The eyes are not what they use to be...LOL..
2. The Keyboard Beds themselves: I played the Montage but not the Fantom. The Kybd bed on the Montage seems OK, Typical, decent maybe a cut above some of the older type of Kybd beds. I also own a Korg M1 and it seemed close to the same with after-touch, but without having them side by side I cannot fully compare them.
3. Does the Fantom also have the Audio input ability like the Montage to Sync its internal Sequencer (Tempo) with a Live Drummer? I could not find that info. anywhere.
4. Can anyone explain or compare the 2 boards, as to which one is more user friendly as compared to the Logic & Workflow as I mentioned before above? If you have played on both kybd's, which do you prefer? Being fairly New here I see that when posting there's a choice for a "Poll". Maybe a "Poll’s” is in order?
5. Then there's the $Price. As a reference, I will use the 61 key versions of both kybd's.
The Yamaha "Montage-6" generally seems to sell currently at $2,999.99.
The Roland "Fantom-6" generally seems to sell currently at $3,399.99. ($400.00 more)
The prices go up equally the same for these kybd's in all sizes at all of the big Music retailers.
6. Lastly I have found the Roland "Fantom 6" being sold at "Pro Sound Gear" - Pro Audio & DJ Gear down in Florida for $2849.99 compared to the price at all the other stores for $3,399.99. The only thing is I have read about "Horror Stories" and "Really Bad Reviews" from people who have had major issues after they have made a purchase. Theses reviews are on their own "Website", "Trustpilot", and the "BBB". People say that they received floor stock, used or damaged equipment & just trying to get there Customer Service on the Phone is very difficult for a resolution. But for all I know this could be a small percentage of the overall purchases. As you know you can do 10 great things and 1 bad & which do you think gets talked about.
Unfortunately the savings is quite substantial, almost a saving of over $766.00...After Ship Chgs. & Taxes.. (That's A lot more $Money to spend on Equipment) I am just really concerned after reading all of that & then speaking with Roland's Customer Service trying to verify if they are indeed a registered dealer, which Roland's Customer Service says they are. Years ago I had owned a small music store, so I have some experience with these Manufacture's as well. When I asked if they have had and issues with them she refused to say anything about them, except they are a dealer. However the Tone in her voice led me to believe that they are not happy with them... Especially as I mentioned all of the bad publicity.
I am not trying to knock anyone, that’s not my style. However with regards to a Kybd that locally cost almost $3700.00+ and I can save over $766.00+
I want to hope that the bad rap they have is just some people with anger issues. But with that amount of money I think you can understand why I am concerned.
Has anyone ever had any dealings with "Pro Sound Gear" - Pro Audio & DJ Gear down in Florida? If Good I would Love to save all of that money....LOL...
Thx
ElectricEddie
Long Island, NY
Time to update my Keyboard selection: "NEED ADVICE"......
I have been looking into the Yamaha Montage & the Roland Fantom. I have previously owned several keyboards brands, Roland, Korg, Moog & Arturia. I have never owned a Yamaha. So first things first, I believe that the Layout & the Logic to how everything is laid out and connected thru keyboard controls ex. Oscillators, Filters, Faders, ADSR are important as to the how friendly & easy the work flow can be in 2 aspects.
1. How you get around in creating actual Sounds & Scenes.
2. How the workflow works while actually using the keyboard in live situations, ex. pulling up sounds & patches for the next song on the "Set-List" etc.
I do not have any experience with the Logic & Workflow in Yamaha Keyboards. I do have decent knowledge with Roland & Korg using these keyboards, and keep in mind the boards I am referring to are either a combination of Analog & Digital or totally Digital. I have to admit, I find the work flow a bit easier on a Roland. To me the Logic just seems to work with my brain better...LOL... Now Moog on the other hand ex. Minimoog, Moog Prodigy, are fully fledged Analog Synthesizers. In some case I prefer the use Digital or Digital/Analog and some cases, the use of Completely Analog Synthesizers, but that's another discussion for another Post...LOL....
I like the Sounds of both keyboards so far that I have heard on YouTube online demos. I have had a chance to play on a Montage over at Sam Ash for about an hour, but for the first time I feel I only got a slight taste for it, which was very tasty....LOL.. The Roland Fantom I have not been able to try out yet.
The Yamaha “Montage”: I like the features it offered and the "Superknob" which I like the idea of connecting it to a Pedal. One thing that concerns me and you will understand when I get to the Fantom is that on the right side there seems to be an abundance of buttons that are small and trying to read them was difficult in the store. But I think I prefer actual analog knobs as well. Both keyboards seem to have awesomely Great sounds. So if we get past the Sounds and focus on the Layout & Logic, I think that's where I get a bit Hung up. I also like the feature is the ability to synchronize the input of an Audio signal coming into the Keyboard. Ex. a mic placed in the Kick Drum allows the Montage to Sync up the Sequencer (tempos) together for pre-programmed type music with a live drummer.
The Roland “Fantom”: I like the fact that after owning several of Roland's Drum machines, that they have incorporated the same type of button set up for use with Drums & for Sequencing, known as TREC. They also have incorporated on the right side of the Keyboard what appears to be a decent amount of Analog control knobs like for ADSR Filters etc. The Pads are a nice touch, but I am not sure how useful they could really end up. I own an Arturia MkII Kybd with 16 Pads and I rarely if ever use them if ever. Also having a Pitch Bend and the Wheel is nice but adding the second Wheel opens up other possibilities.
Concerns:
Maybe someone who have played one or the other or both, can help me answer some of these concerns of mine.
1. The size of the Display Window. Is one bigger and easier to read then the other? The eyes are not what they use to be...LOL..
2. The Keyboard Beds themselves: I played the Montage but not the Fantom. The Kybd bed on the Montage seems OK, Typical, decent maybe a cut above some of the older type of Kybd beds. I also own a Korg M1 and it seemed close to the same with after-touch, but without having them side by side I cannot fully compare them.
3. Does the Fantom also have the Audio input ability like the Montage to Sync its internal Sequencer (Tempo) with a Live Drummer? I could not find that info. anywhere.
4. Can anyone explain or compare the 2 boards, as to which one is more user friendly as compared to the Logic & Workflow as I mentioned before above? If you have played on both kybd's, which do you prefer? Being fairly New here I see that when posting there's a choice for a "Poll". Maybe a "Poll’s” is in order?
5. Then there's the $Price. As a reference, I will use the 61 key versions of both kybd's.
The Yamaha "Montage-6" generally seems to sell currently at $2,999.99.
The Roland "Fantom-6" generally seems to sell currently at $3,399.99. ($400.00 more)
The prices go up equally the same for these kybd's in all sizes at all of the big Music retailers.
6. Lastly I have found the Roland "Fantom 6" being sold at "Pro Sound Gear" - Pro Audio & DJ Gear down in Florida for $2849.99 compared to the price at all the other stores for $3,399.99. The only thing is I have read about "Horror Stories" and "Really Bad Reviews" from people who have had major issues after they have made a purchase. Theses reviews are on their own "Website", "Trustpilot", and the "BBB". People say that they received floor stock, used or damaged equipment & just trying to get there Customer Service on the Phone is very difficult for a resolution. But for all I know this could be a small percentage of the overall purchases. As you know you can do 10 great things and 1 bad & which do you think gets talked about.
Unfortunately the savings is quite substantial, almost a saving of over $766.00...After Ship Chgs. & Taxes.. (That's A lot more $Money to spend on Equipment) I am just really concerned after reading all of that & then speaking with Roland's Customer Service trying to verify if they are indeed a registered dealer, which Roland's Customer Service says they are. Years ago I had owned a small music store, so I have some experience with these Manufacture's as well. When I asked if they have had and issues with them she refused to say anything about them, except they are a dealer. However the Tone in her voice led me to believe that they are not happy with them... Especially as I mentioned all of the bad publicity.
I am not trying to knock anyone, that’s not my style. However with regards to a Kybd that locally cost almost $3700.00+ and I can save over $766.00+
I want to hope that the bad rap they have is just some people with anger issues. But with that amount of money I think you can understand why I am concerned.
Has anyone ever had any dealings with "Pro Sound Gear" - Pro Audio & DJ Gear down in Florida? If Good I would Love to save all of that money....LOL...
Thx
ElectricEddie
Long Island, NY
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