Any recommendations from keyboard players, I'm looking to add additional sounds to my keyboard rig, synths, strings, brass to use live. I use a nord stage 73 but it lacks those sort of sounds.
Trying to keep my rig size down to a bare minimum, I've been thinking of going down the module route.

Question is what would people recommend, looking through other forums and the internet there doesn't appear to be a great deal available. Would want to buy new ideally rather than 2nd hand.

Any replies greatly appreciated

When you say 'workstation' do you mean with sequencer etc or just a module with a huge range of sounds? Many of the rack versions of keyboard workstations lose the sequencer etc Exceptions include the Korg M3-M (which isn't a 19" format but is a compact 'table top' module) or an older but effective EMU Proteus 2500 which has some wonderful sequencer modes but an older soundset (although you can add EMU ROM - some of which are fantastic even 10 years on - Vintage, World Expedition, Protean Drums for example)

M3-M about £999 new
Proteus 2500 about £200-300 second hand

Jon

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Jonny

Edited by fatbenelton (12/07/12 03:27 PM)

A huge range of sounds is the mean feature I'm after. The sequencer feature would be a bonus.

Thanks for the recommendations.

Just checked out the Korg M3-M, sounds great. Has anyone used one in a live environment or studio?

Take a look at the Kurzweil K-series rack modules. Every sound you could ever want is in there, or can be loaded as a sample.

or

Roland JV/XV series.

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An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

I'll second the Kurzweil K series. I have a K2500r with 3 ROMs - so loads of sounds, an on-board sequencer/arpeggiator and optional sampling. If you do decide to go this route, try to get find one with the sampling option. Plus, it can read Ensoniq, Roland and Akai sample disks.

I like the fact that the K2500r takes 3 AA bateries as opposed to having, say, a soldered battery.

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Duncan J. White

I bought a used Yamaha Motif ES module a while ago. It is a fine sounding unit. I also own a much more costly Motif XF7, but for strings and electric guitar sounds, I actually prefer the ES to its big brother! Its brass and synth capabilities are also very good.

Avoid the original Motif rack. It was very slow over Midi. Yamaha later released an XS module, which to my ears fell a little short of the ES in some departments, though it's still a great module. The ES sounds a little better than the Roland JV2080 module (which I also own!) imo.

I will proffer the thought that, for me at least, there is much to be said for using more than one keyboard on stage. Having a few boards allows you to spontaneously add a different sound with one hand, while continuing, say, a piano part with the other etc. Of course, if you know exactly what you will be playing then all can usually be played from a single board.

I have tried a Korg M3-M and I liked it a lot. From memory I'd say it's probably not as hi-fi sounding as the ES, but it does have character.

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm swayed between the Korg M3M module and the Motif XS rack. I've used Korg stuff before and like the sound and feature set. The Karma technology looks really interesting. Can't seem to find many places offering the M3-M for sale in the UK?? The Motif seems to be available most places.

Quote livestagekid:

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I'm swayed between the Korg M3M module and the Motif XS rack.

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Although the ES is an older model, it beats the newer XS on certain types of sounds, strings in particular.