KVR Audio

Lode_Runner · Post by **Lode_Runner** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:00 pm

It's funny hearing 64MB and 128MB - sounds really 1990s. I wonder why modern Keyboard's don't have specs like modern computers? It'd be great if there was something like a PC3x/Receptor hybrid. Something you can install your own vsts and sample libraries on, to take with you on the road. Anyway, that's a topic for a different thread.

From what I hear, the PC3x may rely on stretching and looping to fit onto small memory capacity, but still sounds great.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 1:44 pm

Because it's smaller market, hence computer components are more expensive with low production numbers (which for music industry is counted in thousands, whereas in IT industry it is in hundreds of thousands).

Even Korg Kronos is using now old Intel Atom with older generation Toshiba SSD. Newer components like i7 and DDR3 would propel the cost of Kronos in OASYS range ($8000).

Lode_Runner wrote:It'd be great if there was something like a PC3x/Receptor hybrid. Something you can install your own vsts and sample libraries on, to take with you on the road.

Ever heard of Open Labs, or newer offspring of that company, Music Computing?

That stuff has prices to match.

tapper mike · Post by **tapper mike** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:48 pm

I have nothing but tales of woe concerning hex pickups. They are okay if you are using the gr module but forget it if you ware sending it to anything midi.

I don't think of my ztar at all like a guitar. With "tap/poly" you get multiple notes per "string" and with all the zone/layer options it's easy to play
bass left/melody right
chords left/ melody right
bass and chords left/melody right.
bass left / chords right.
chords left/ bass right
chords left/ melody right

All that being said I will say this for PCX3's Hate the UI love the vast engine.

Lode_Runner · Post by **Lode_Runner** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:05 pm

EvilDragon: I see, it's the production costs for non-mass production. Understood.

Tapper Mike: I can see what you mean about ztar not being like playing a guitar. From what I saw on youtube it would be best for a guitar player who plays Shred Metal with a lot of tapping etc. For a guitarist like me, I could still use it with the picked string approach, but it looks like it works much better with two hand tapping, so for me it would actually be like learning a new instrument to play it well.

K-Bee · Post by **K-Bee** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:34 pm

EvilDragon wrote:It's not "expansion pack", it's ROM board - 64 MB of new samples. Will have new programs and setups to go along with it, though.

That's the one! I want it. Wonder when they're gonna put it out?

As for processing power and memory size, I couldn't care less. It's a matter of sound, and the PC3 sounds gooooood!

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 3:07 pm

I think it's gonna come out till the end of the year. This month the factory should start producing them.

tapper mike · Post by **tapper mike** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 7:21 am

Lode_Runner wrote:EvilDragon: I see, it's the production costs for non-mass production. Understood.

Tapper Mike: I can see what you mean about ztar not being like playing a guitar. From what I saw on youtube it would be best for a guitar player who plays Shred Metal with a lot of tapping etc. For a guitarist like me, I could still use it with the picked string approach, but it looks like it works much better with two hand tapping, so for me it would actually be like learning a new instrument to play it well.

you can play it either or but I personally enjoy it more for two handed tapping.
Two handed tapping on a ztar is almost nothing like tapping metal on a guitar or chapman stick tapping to me. It's actually more like playing an accordion or organ. It's great for single note lines, it's great for harmonies. It's most challenging for me when I'm trying to play two or three parts at the same time.

Some harmonies you just can't play on a guitar no matter how you tune it but they actually lay down well on a keyboard. and Some ideas for harmonies (chords) don't work out to well in practice on a keyboard. I can't do everything conceivable for a keyboard on my ztar But I can do many things that couldn't be achieved on a keybed with the ztar. It's been fun and frustrating but the rewards outway the challenges.

keyman_sam · Post by **keyman_sam** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:47 am

Nothing beats trying out yourself.

I went to Guitar Center and played all the keyboards there - Yamaha CP5, Roland RD700NX, Korg kronos 88, Motifs, etc. I wasn't happy with anything there xcept the kronos, but that too because of the whole package not just because of the keys. Everything felt light. Nothing felt like the true piano action.

The Korg SP250 felt good, but it was merely a compromise at a price that I can afford. Then I read, read, and spent many a sleepless night wondering if I should buy the Korg save money or buy the best controller that money can buy.

And then I bit the bullet and bought a Kawai MP10. Having grown up on acoustic pianos, and having played on steinway grands and yamaha uprights in my college days, I can tell you that this is the most realistic feeling digital piano/controller I've ever played. If you can afford one, THIS is the one you should get. That being said, nothing is a substitute for trying out yourself. GOod luck!

Lode_Runner · Post by **Lode_Runner** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:15 pm

Thanks Keyman Sam - sound advice

Agathodaimon · Post by **Agathodaimon** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:27 pm

Sorry fr late response but life caught up on me xD, really busy with my upcoming album

Anw what I meant to say is yes it can work like receptor, you store actual sounds on it, rudess did it both with kirzweil and with the oasys he used to use, now he is using Kronos.
But ye you can take any sound you want and load it of corse depending on the memory you have which is also of corse upgradable.
There are tons on videos and tutorials how to do it on YouTube give it a try :p
It's really simple.

Lode_Runner · Post by **Lode_Runner** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 1:46 pm

No problem Agathodaimon, I'm still checking the thread

Thanks for the info. I'll look into the Youtube vids.

Still haven't purchased either. Damn car keeps costing me $!

Good luck with the album

Agathodaimon · Post by **Agathodaimon** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 4:46 pm

If you want to check fast what's happening just check the video of jordan rudess (dream theater) using omnisphere sounds on korg oasys, hmmm basically 90% of the album black clouds and silver linings is only omnisphere sounds, it's the same deal with kurzweil, just he changed his keyboard!! If you need anything let us know! And get a new car xD

Thanks!! Am really exited about the album. I can drop the links in one month if you interested to hear when the recordings are done

tapper mike · Post by **tapper mike** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:03 pm

Action is of less concern to me as quality of sound, Architecture, sampled environment and engine or often more important then the file size of a given sound.

If anything receptor has proven you don't need that much ram or processor speed if you have a strong architecture and lean engine.

That being said (here is where some of you might think me evil) I love performing covers as realistically as possible and Kurzweil reigns supreme in that area.

Lode_Runner · Post by **Lode_Runner** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:51 pm

keyman_sam wrote:Nothing beats trying out yourself.

Sigh, that's not happening. I called 3 different stores, the few that actually sell Kurzweil, and none actually have it in stock. I'll just have to go on everyone's recommendations on this one.

Agathodaimon wrote: And get a new car xD

It's not the car's fault - it required a few repairs true, but it's also the insurance, and the roadside assistance membership, and the registration, and the servicing, and my bad driving, and the overdue car wash, and the person who couldn't hold their liquor, and the way all of this hit in quick succession...

Thanks for the tips on the Korg Oasys. Omnisphere and Oasys are an amazing combination.

Would dig hearing your album

tapper mike wrote: That being said (here is where some of you might think me evil) I love performing covers as realistically as possible and Kurzweil reigns supreme in that area.

I like the sound of the Korg SV-1 for realistic on board sounds. I don't know how they compare to those on the Kurzweil, but they sound pretty damn good to me (just don't a-b them with the originals - I saw videos on youtube where they did that, and it shattered the illusion that I would never want a Hammond and a Rhodes). I considered this one for a bit, I love the sound, the 12ax7, and the retro look, but then decided I want mod and pitch wheels and draw bars...

Agathodaimon · Post by **Agathodaimon** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:08 pm

If you can't find the kurzweil PC3X just go for the PC3X K8 Itd the same thing just updated version of the keys coz the 3x is quite old, so the k8 actually allows you take more sound quality with amazing MASSIVE sounds that are coming out ATM and for the next loads of years :p coz they are only updating the systems every 6-7years so your very covered

Your welcome for the rest
Also ps get a motorbike :p

Should I go for a Kurzweil PC3x or other controller?