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Rich C



Joined: 01/09/04
Posts: 261
Loc: Leamington Spa
Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new
      #952782 - 11/11/11 12:59 PM
I am looking for a really good sounding Rhodes piano sound for playing live. Can anyone recommend something as cheap as possible?

I have tried my Proteus 2000 and a controller keyboard, which to my untrained ear sounds reasonably good, but I wanted something self-contained if possible. I have attempted to use my laptop running Lounge Lizard - but it really is wobbly and not what I am prepared to use live. I have an old Korg N1 and even to my cloth ears does NOT sound like a Rhodes. I was hoping someone could recommend an alternative that sounded better than a Proteus.

I am looking for something that changes timbre appropriately when I play harder and want it to be my main instrument live. My budget is low but I would push it as hard as I could if someone suggested something that I really SHOULD try.

I would really appreciate any thoughts on this at all. Thanks

--------------------
www.slowworm.net


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Richie Royale



Joined: 12/09/06
Posts: 3369
Loc: Bristol, England.
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new [Re: Rich C]
      #952787 - 11/11/11 01:20 PM
I found it very hard to find a good Rhodes sound in the late 90s, so I bought a proper Rhodes eventually. Lounge Lizard is pretty convinving, but as you don't want to use a laptop I can only recommend the only other hardware syhtn I have heard which is the Nord Electro. But this is very expensive!

Otherwise, maybe try and find a later module from Roland or Korg. Maybe have a look for the Emu Vintage Keys module? I can't vouch for the quality of these though. A good portion of the sound frequently comes from the tremelo/panning or the amplification, so perhaps consider adding a trem pedal if the synth doesn't have the option.

--------------------
http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale


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Chaconne



Joined: 21/02/05
Posts: 1109
Loc: Oxford
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound [Re: Rich C]
      #952867 - 11/11/11 08:08 PM
A DX synth!? Honestly, they sound great through a little distortion.

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



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Scramble
active member


Joined: 11/09/02
Posts: 1669
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new [Re: Chaconne]
      #952898 - 11/11/11 11:20 PM
If you get a Roland module it will have decent Rhodes sounds. If you're very picky try getting second-hand the electric piano SRX expansion board for it, this will cost you about £100-£130 off eBay if you wait around for one (you'll need an XV-series module for this).


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TheChorltonWheelie



Joined: 22/09/09
Posts: 867
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new [Re: Scramble]
      #953053 - 13/11/11 08:26 AM
Quote Scramble:

If you get a Roland module it will have decent Rhodes sounds. If you're very picky try getting second-hand the electric piano SRX expansion board for it, this will cost you about £100-£130 off eBay if you wait around for one (you'll need an XV-series module for this).




+1 for that: get an XV2020 and an SRX Ultimate Keys, you'll have the best Rhodes this side of a Fantom G/Korg Kronos.


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Peter Conz Connelly
active member


Joined: 17/09/02
Posts: 2190
Loc: Tyne & Wear, UK
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new [Re: TheChorltonWheelie]
      #953065 - 13/11/11 09:59 AM
Quote TheChorltonWheelie:

Quote Scramble:

If you get a Roland module it will have decent Rhodes sounds. If you're very picky try getting second-hand the electric piano SRX expansion board for it, this will cost you about £100-£130 off eBay if you wait around for one (you'll need an XV-series module for this).




+1 for that: get an XV2020 and an SRX Ultimate Keys, you'll have the best Rhodes this side of a Fantom G/Korg Kronos.




+2

I had a Proteus 2500 and hated the Rhodes sounds. The Roland / SRX are your 'cheapest' best bet.

--------------------
Composer, Producer, Sound Designer
www.universal-sound-design.com


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The Elf
active member


Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8158
Loc: Sheffield, UK
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new [Re: Chaconne]
      #953088 - 13/11/11 12:19 PM
Quote Chaconne:

A DX synth!? Honestly, they sound great through a little distortion.



+1 Something like an old TX7 would cost the price of a bag of crisps and do a decent enough job.

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


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fatbenelton
member


Joined: 22/08/02
Posts: 574
Loc: Liverpool, UK
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new [Re: Rich C]
      #953099 - 13/11/11 01:59 PM
If you like the Proteus 2000 you can get it in a keyboard - EMU PK6. Usually under £200 on ebay and it can take another three ROM cards as well (Vintage keys for example).......IN fact you can get any of the EMU keyboards (PK6, MK6, XK6) and put your P2000 rom in it..........

Otherwise, how about a Korg Z1? ...Physical modelling and the EP's are very well regarded...........

--------------------
Jonny


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grab



Joined: 08/07/07
Posts: 2626
Loc: Cambridge, UK
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new [Re: TheChorltonWheelie]
      #953205 - 14/11/11 09:42 AM
Ooh, another recommendation for an XV-2020. That pretty much ensures I'll be getting one of them for my YouRock then.


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Bob Moose



Joined: 17/01/08
Posts: 885
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new [Re: Rich C]
      #955762 - 27/11/11 12:53 PM
Hi,

I am also looking for a more portable Rhodes alternative for rehearses, etc
I have tried many solutions but still did not find the right one, especially because I often play the bass part on the Rhodes. I never tried the Nord Electro / Stage because of price (and weight) issues though. I have an old Rhodes piano at home and will probably sample it one day, I'm afraid it's the only working solution for me.


Maybe this one is quite decent:
http://www.ketron.com/specs_descrit.asp?mod=KLAVIPRO
http://www.ketron.it/index.php?option=com_content&id=120&lang=eng< /a>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXfnojcgqhM&feature=related
at 6'20 --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moN9PaZls2w&feature=related

But from the demos it is difficult to tell how good the lower and upper notes are, because they do not play them --- and this is the very problem I have with the NI/Scarbee Classic Electric Piano VST instrument for example (weak bass; starts from low C; highest notes are voiced way too loud; overall voicing is not that homogeneous).

Cheers
-j


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alexfp



Joined: 14/09/10
Posts: 6
Re: Cheapest GOOD hardware Rhodes sound new [Re: Rich C]
      #965237 - 20/01/12 03:13 PM
Roland SRJV 80-08 expansion board - Keys of the 60's & 70's - patch 118 "NY Rhodes" - killer.

And you can get an XP50 for about £200 on ebay, or one of the JV modules if you don't need a keyboard.

http://www.synthmania.com/sr-jv80-08.htm (sadly 118 is not there, but 120 will give you the idea)


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