new hardware at NAMM?

[HanafiH]

Its intriguing that you are able to make such pronouncements without actually having used the thing. For all you know, and its certainly within the realms of possibility, it could be the most amazing synth of all time. Anyway, I don't look at hardware and software the same because I use them for different things.

BTW, anyone know what the list price for the micro-X is gonna be?

Well OK Bones, it could be the most amazing synth ever, but the details don't exactly jump out of the spec. It's Korg's new MMT technology, except it's not new, it was released at Messe 03, and everybody who's ever used an electribe is very familiar with it.

The buttons look like Electribe buttons, the effects block appears to be the usual excellent Korg fare, and there's loads of sequencers and a vocoder with a big buffer. I'd look before I slag it off, but I'm expecting a very big very expensive electribe with an optional keyboard at this point in time.

What I couldn't understand about it was who the devil is this synth for? The very good demo that Korg guy did didn't sound like much you ever hear in the Cafe, or the kind of downloads I frequent. It sounded like the kind of music you hear in better class hotel lobbies in California. Perhaps there's a market there, I don't know, but I started out very excited and ended up feeling a bit despairing.

[BONES]

But how it's better than Sytrus with its fully flexible modmatrix and far more sophisticated eqs? How it's better than very old Yamaha EX or Fs1r?

Well for starters it has a keyboard and real controllers. Then there's the fact that it doesn't require a computer or a host in which to run. And there's the built-in drum kits, vocoder and external audio input. The arpeggiator and twin step sequencers might be great for triggering loops live. But most of all, who knows until they get a chance to play with the f**ker? Spec's and MP3 demos are just the most basic guide. The PCM sounds could be the most amazing things ever heard for all I can tell [or equally, they could be rubbish].

How it does compare to other old synth - the Z1?
(from 9 years ago - Radius doesn't even have that many more polyphony than expanded Z1...)

Judging by the demo's it is far more versatile and it has loads of features that the Z-1 didn't. Its also in a much more compact and flexible package with plenty of front-panel knobs and a better LCD display. An dall that without having played with one yet.

[BONES]

What I couldn't understand about it was who the devil is this synth for? The very good demo that Korg guy did didn't sound like much you ever hear in the Cafe

Not a very big hardware market in the Cafe, is there?

It sounded like the kind of music you hear in better class hotel lobbies in California.

Now there is a hardware market if ever I saw one.
KORG demo's always sound appalling. I've always assumed they do 'em for the Japanese market. The Trinity demo's all sounded like they were pitching theme music for US tele-movies.

[Ildon]

The Trinity demo's all sounded like they were pitching theme music for US tele-movies.

[fac]

Features and polyphony are not everything. Most people never use the dozens of modulation possibilities newer synths offer, anyway. It's good to have them, but (IMO) six modulation connections are usually enough for 95% of the sounds.

In any case, if the Radias is as easy and fun to program as the MS2000, then it's one point to its favor. I have tried (for example) Sytrus and it's a pain to program, so no matter how good it sounds or how complex it is, I would reach for my MS2000R first.

As for how does it compare to other synths (FS1R, Z1, etc), we will have to wait and see, but I would say you cannot compare them at all - they approach synthesis in different ways and each will be better suited to different people. I would certainly like to have all three (I'm hunting an FS1R right now).

I also guess the price in stores will be probably around $1600, which makes it more reasonable (still out of my reach, though). Sure, a copy of z3ta+ or absynth and a MIDI controller are much cheaper, but like Bones said, they're different tools.

Also, I think it was about time Korg put out cheaper versions of the Triton engine. Tired design? Well, let me tell you there are TONS of people still looking for a second hand Triton cause they can't afford a new one.

No, I really think this time Korg came up with some well-though products after people got deceived by the Oasys' pricetag.

Roland themselves might have a hit with the SH-201.

[BONES]

Yeah, KORG did it to death with AI synthesis via the N series synths but seemed to not bother at all with Trinity/Triton derivatives. micro X looks like it could be great for live use to take some of the pressure off my underperforming, so-called "mobile workstation".

[Radek]

But how it's better than Sytrus with its fully flexible modmatrix and far more sophisticated eqs? How it's better than very old Yamaha EX or Fs1r?

Well for starters it has a keyboard and real controllers. Then there's the fact that it doesn't require a computer or a host in which to run. And there's the built-in drum kits, vocoder and external audio input. The arpeggiator and twin step sequencers might be great for triggering loops live. But most of all, who knows until they get a chance to play with the f**ker? Spec's and MP3 demos are just the most basic guide. The PCM sounds could be the most amazing things ever heard for all I can tell [or equally, they could be rubbish].

How it does compare to other old synth - the Z1?
(from 9 years ago - Radius doesn't even have that many more polyphony than expanded Z1...)

Judging by the demo's it is far more versatile and it has loads of features that the Z-1 didn't. Its also in a much more compact and flexible package with plenty of front-panel knobs and a better LCD display. An dall that without having played with one yet.

Ok but it could be a bit better technically don't you think? The price isn't that great after all... The ~1500$ pricetag isn't encouraging if we look at what we could get instead.

Mind you I don't unlike the Radius but I'm just puzzled by it... It could be offering just little more or be cheaper a bit. As it's now I'm not sure where it'll fit in a marketplace.

[BONES]

Ok but it could be a bit better technically don't you think?

I don't know, how could I? That's my whole point, under the hood it could be the most amazing thing ever, its just not possible to say at this point.

[fac]

Well, it has similar specs (and price) than the Nord Lead 3: 24 voices, 4 parts, 2 oscs per voice, two filters, two LFO's, four audio outputs.

The NL3 has two envelopes, the Radias has three. Also, the Radias has two insert effects and 2-band EQ per part, plus master effect, and the step sequencers. Plus vocoder, audio inputs and envelope follower - and comes with a mic.

Spec-wise, the Radias is looking better than the NL3.

[Radek]

Features and polyphony are not everything. Most people never use the dozens of modulation possibilities newer synths offer, anyway. It's good to have them, but (IMO) six modulation connections are usually enough for 95% of the sounds.

In any case, if the Radias is as easy and fun to program as the MS2000, then it's one point to its favor. I have tried (for example) Sytrus and it's a pain to program, so no matter how good it sounds or how complex it is, I would reach for my MS2000R first.

As for how does it compare to other synths (FS1R, Z1, etc), we will have to wait and see, but I would say you cannot compare them at all - they approach synthesis in different ways and each will be better suited to different people. I would certainly like to have all three (I'm hunting an FS1R right now).

I also guess the price in stores will be probably around $1600, which makes it more reasonable (still out of my reach, though). Sure, a copy of z3ta+ or absynth and a MIDI controller are much cheaper, but like Bones said, they're different tools.

Also, I think it was about time Korg put out cheaper versions of the Triton engine. Tired design? Well, let me tell you there are TONS of people still looking for a second hand Triton cause they can't afford a new one.

I was once looking too. But had to resign as found a viable alternative (and new). And overall much better I think...
My point is the Tritons have some excellent sounds and some very nice features. Unfortunately they have many drawbacks too what weren't corrected yet. I will repeat that we have 2006 now and using simms for ram (and only up to 96MB) where competition long time moved to dimms is looking like... medieval. Then we have the polyphony issue (the split 62/62) where competition is free of such thing. Then number of insert effects could be higher especially for Le/Tr/X50/mX. They have only one when Roland's new entry workstation "Juno-G" has full synth engine of FantomX and cheaper Motif variants (the "MOs") are much better in that regard too.

No, I really think this time Korg came up with some well-though products after people got deceived by the Oasys' pricetag.

Roland themselves might have a hit with the SH-201.

But it will be cheap (or even dirt cheap?) from the start. The Radius is targeted higher so it will have to compete with more sophisticated synths. It's new, it has the "buzz" so it will sell. But being practical I would think twice when searching for a new synth.

[fac]

Yeah, I know lots of people who have jumped ship from Tritons to Motifs.

I love the sound of Korg romplers and that's why I may consider the microX if it's below $500. But you're right, these new products from Korg are competitive, but not necessarily breakthrough.

One thing's for sure: Korg beats Roland in the "looks" department. The Radias and microX look modern and serious while the Juno-G and SH-201 seem toyish.

[Ildon]

I love the sound of Korg romplers and that's why I may consider the microX if it's below $500.

Me too. That'd be a dream come true. I hope it'll be about the same price as the MicroKorg.

[ugo]

Judging by the demo's it is far more versatile and it has loads of features that the Z-1 didn't.

really? judging from the demo's all i heard was mostly just a lot of standard va with some vocoding. the Z1 at least had a lot of physical modeling in it. (which korg now only hands out in little scraps and pieces to oasys owners.) i wanted to be more excited by the radias but its not grabbing me yet.

the new lower end korg synths with the triton engine are long over due. they havent had anything worth knowning about in that end since they discontinued the N series. looks like these new ones will be great (provided the price is reasonable), but im not in the market for that kind of synth these days. btw...think they'll finally retire the X5D? 10 years on the market is quite a run.

in general, im not all that thrilled by too many of the namm announcements. the openlabs miko seems cool, but once you upgrade it to reasonable specs, the price goes way beyond my range. CME's bitstream X3 could be a fun controller, though im not drooling for it.

the big NI announcements seemed very underwhelming to me. i was interested in cakewalk's new synth right up until i found out its not 'that kind' of wavetable.

i did find it funny that gibsons maGIC guitar made it to yet another namm show. for how many years has that thing been in R&D limbo?

all in all, the gear addict in me is generally disappointed by this shows offerings. i keep hoping that news of something cool by some small company will catch the taill end of the namm press release postings. nothing yet though. :shurg:

-ugo

[Ildon]

Yeah, 2006 NAMM sucked. I mean, shit, the only things that've really grabbed my attention were those tiny Korg keyboards. The Roland Juno-G looks fun, but hell, it's a Fantom Xa with a Juno sticker on it. I'm waiting for Yamaha and Roland to come out with a new workstation.

[fac]

Well, according to Sonic State, the Korg X50 has an MSRP of $749, so it's likely that the microX will have a street price of $400-$450.