Other Keyboards besides Nord that have 3rd party sample libraries

[TS-12]

Are there any other keyboards besides Nord that can store samples in non-volitale memory and have such a vast, large and always growing, 3rd party "sample library" ?

[Uncle E]

Prophet-X

[TS-12]

Prophet-X

Thanks, I'll check it out.
Do you have a link to the place where users share the sounds for prophet X ? I can't find it

[Uncle E]

The most notable sources of Prophet-X sounds are 8Dio and Espen Kraft. You can also check the following link:

https://yehudarothschild.com/prophet-x-patches-samples/

[TS-12]

Ah ok.
Looks like Nord is a better choice still, since most of the Nord user and factory sounds are free, and there's A LOT of them

[Jim Roseberry]

I use two Nord Stage 4 keyboards.

FWIW, I think the Piano libraries are great.
The Strings, Brass, Choir, and other libraries are okay… but not nearly as complete/comprehensive as something like Montage M.
If you’re going to make heavy use of the keyboard (live or studio), you’ll need to supplement the Nord libraries. The upside is that it’s easy to get samples into Nord keyboards. The downside is there’s no velocity-switching for user-samples.
By the time you layer samples… and use Filter/Envelope, the sounds still work well. In fact, the Nord solo violin samples (even with no velocity cross-switching) sound more authentic than those on Montage.

Stage 4’s Synth section now has 56 note polyphony (separate from the Piano and Organ sections).

Prophet X has maximum of 32-voice polyphony.
That’s one of its weak points (especially if trying to play acoustic piano samples using sustain pedal).

Montage M has almost 4GB for user-samples.
If that’s enough, I’d give it a serious look.
Programming is far deeper than Nord (and a little less immediate).
Using Sample Robot, it’s relatively easy to get user-samples into Montage M.
If you keep Performances limited to 8 Elements (loosely an oscillator), you can also use Dave Melas’ Waveform Editor (made for the OG Montage).
Montage M’s included sample libraries are much more comprehensive.

Note I’m not saying Montage M is a better keyboard than Stage 4.
That depends on your specific needs.
If you need to get things done fast, it’s hard to beat the Stage 4.
They make a great pair (each filling the other’s weaknesses).
Montage M is also a great source of user-samples for the Stage 4.
I’ve also done the opposite (sampled Stage 4’s individual Drawbars, Percussion, and Noise from the Organ section)… so Montage M sounds more like the Nord.

[Uncle E]

Montage is a great recommendation. Also check out Roland Fantom.

[BBFG#]

Korg Kronos

[dumbledog]

MPC Keys comes to mind, but of course most MPC sample packs are geared toward drum pads.

[loctune]

All the modern workstations (Korg Kronos/Nautilus, Kurzweil K2700) and workstation-type performance boards (Roland Fantom, Yamaha Montage M) can run third party patches. Some patches are free but most of them require purchase.

Many modern stage boards also allow third party patches, but there aren't many people creating things for them.

[TS-12]

I use two Nord Stage 4 keyboards.

FWIW, I think the Piano libraries are great.
The Strings, Brass, Choir, and other libraries are okay… but not nearly as complete/comprehensive as something like Montage M.
If you’re going to make heavy use of the keyboard (live or studio), you’ll need to supplement the Nord libraries. The upside is that it’s easy to get samples into Nord keyboards. The downside is there’s no velocity-switching for user-samples.
By the time you layer samples… and use Filter/Envelope, the sounds still work well. In fact, the Nord solo violin samples (even with no velocity cross-switching) sound more authentic than those on Montage.

Stage 4’s Synth section now has 56 note polyphony (separate from the Piano and Organ sections).

Prophet X has maximum of 32-voice polyphony.
That’s one of its weak points (especially if trying to play acoustic piano samples using sustain pedal).

Montage M has almost 4GB for user-samples.
If that’s enough, I’d give it a serious look.
Programming is far deeper than Nord (and a little less immediate).
Using Sample Robot, it’s relatively easy to get user-samples into Montage M.
If you keep Performances limited to 8 Elements (loosely an oscillator), you can also use Dave Melas’ Waveform Editor (made for the OG Montage).
Montage M’s included sample libraries are much more comprehensive.

Note I’m not saying Montage M is a better keyboard than Stage 4.
That depends on your specific needs.
If you need to get things done fast, it’s hard to beat the Stage 4.
They make a great pair (each filling the other’s weaknesses).
Montage M is also a great source of user-samples for the Stage 4.
I’ve also done the opposite (sampled Stage 4’s individual Drawbars, Percussion, and Noise from the Organ section)… so Montage M sounds more like the Nord.

I like Montage M for most of the sounds except pianos and EPs, Nord just really good pianos and good EPs. Montage EP's sound a bit thin compared to Nords.

[Uncle E]

I like Montage M for most of the sounds except pianos and EPs, Nord just really good pianos and good EPs. Montage EP's sound a bit thin compared to Nords.

I'm in love with the Yamaha CK88 lately. Hard to imagine the Montage pianos and EP's sounding thin when the CK88's are so warm.

[Jim Roseberry]

I like Montage M for most of the sounds except pianos and EPs, Nord just really good pianos and good EPs. Montage EP's sound a bit thin compared to Nords.

I definitely felt that way about the OG Montage.
Slightly less so with the Montage M.

Though I prefer the Nord Royal Grand 3D for many things, I like the CFX acoustic Piano.
I have the CFX Piano tweaked really nicely... and response on the M8x is better (for whatever reason) than my old OG Montage 8.
First thing I do is get rid of the effects... and slightly tweak the EQ.
Yamaha has the CFX presets sounding a bit "tubby".
Get rid of that... and the CFX fits nicely in a band type scenario.

With the Stage 4, it's crazy easy to get good sounding Piano's and E. Pianos (and analog type Synths).
Stage 4 has some quirky limitations... but nothing that ever prevents me from getting things done quickly/effectively... and sounding good.

[k3v7nm]

Has anyone tried/used/own the Numa X Piano GT?