From tonysounds@yahoo.com Fri Sep 10 21:32:23 2004
Subject:Re: KX-88 is RIP. Need controller recommendations.

As for new controllers, I'd second getting a Motif8 or Motif8ES. I own the Motif8, and while it has OKAY controller-ability, it's not the bomb. However, depending on how extensively you delve into the "controller" aspect of your midi keyboard controller, it may be enough for you.

Myself, when I want to use a controller, the Motif is a bit less than satisfactory. If I'm using a controller, it's because I'm using my big rig, which is 5 or 6 midi modules, all with independent CCs and sustain pedals, mod routings, etc. For that, I have yet to find anything to rival my Roland A90. They don't make them anymore, but you can find them for $500-900 on ebay or as used merch at a lot of music stores. With the piano card installed (look for A90EX), you have very useable pianos. I love the Motif pianos, but I think the A90 pianos are very good too. I'm not as crazy about the EPs onboard, but the Semi Grand and Full Grands as well as the RD1000 sounds are very good, and I would gig with them in a heartbeat.

The A90 is very sensibly laid out, and won't take long to learn at all. Most everything you need is available at one button push, and only a handful of system and utility and chain functions (things that tend to be global as opposed to incidental) are usually only one menu away. With the sound card enabled, you have 4 external zones of midi control including splits, and 4 internal zones; with the card disabled, you have 8 external zones. Independent keyranges can be set for each zone, and each zone can be activated or deactivated with its own dedicated button. You can set up interesting things with fewer pedals as well: if you only wanted to use one foot controller for all volumes, but didn't want the volume sweep to go from 00-127 on zones 1 and 2, but you did want that for zones 3-8, you can do that, changing the settings for each zone to any combination of numbers between 00-127. (I used to do this with my Hammond XM1 module...I'd set the Expression to 64 -max-, and then set
its zone volumes at 56-127 so that when the pedal was at its quietest, you still heard it...sort of emulating expression without bringing even more pedals.)

It's relatively slim, especially compared to my Motif 8, and weighs about 10lbs less than the Motif. It's action is a bit faster than the Motif8 and has independent velocity curve adjustments for each zone. It's a cool piece.

T

chain_recurrent wrote:
I absolutely love the action on my Yamaha Motif ES 8. It has a great master mode for
setting it up as a MIDI controller. The internal voices are the best all-around IMHO. The
acoustic piano sounds are very good, and there's a new plug-in expansion board
appearing this month dedicated to variations on a Yamaha 9' Concert Grand Piano sample.
I have a Roland XV-5080 and an E-mu E4, but I always go to the Motif for acoustic pianos.
Down side: This baby is HEAVY to carry around. I bought a collapsable dolly and can
handle it by myself up a couple of flights of stairs, though. Keep in mind that I'm 33 years
old and in at least decent shape. Hope this helps!