From jukefox@jukejoynt.com Fri May 11 12:42:08 2012
Subject:[CWSG]OT: Korg Virtual Models vs. Yamaha. was Re: OT--- Free Minimoge VST

"Different strokes...," I suppose Daniel. I have an EX-5 as well, yet prefer Z-1 and Prophecy acoustic and analog instrument emulations over Yamaha's VL and AN engines of that era. However, my primary use for Prophecy has been analog synth emulation and, contrary to your assertion, Prophecy is NOT primarily an "acoustic instruments emulator"...Korg originally introduced it specifically as a classic monosynth modeler in the tradition of Moog, Arp, Sequential and Waldorf, hence the name, "Prophecy" (a take-off on Sequential's classic "Prophet" franchise). IMO, Yamaha's AN engine at the time didn't even begin to compete in this area.

Evidently, during the time you were working as a Yamaha demonstrator, I was working in the trenches, selling (and thus "demonstrating") not only Yamaha (including the AN1x, EX, etc.), but Roland, Korg, GM, Ensoniq, etc. for a "pro shop" in Grand Rapids, MI, back in the days before big-box monopolies such as Guitar Center moved in, when one could actually make a decent living (without touring) by gigging and selling pro-level keyboards on the side, all while enjoying the "good life," living on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Many manufacturers' reps seemed brainwashed by their own product lines and their job was to convince us that theirs' were better. Unfortunately for them, when one has a long-term opportunity to compare products side-by-side, sound-for-sound and feature-for-feature, one is able to make sound personal purchases, based upon a high degree of research through field-testing, daily use and frequent demonstration performances ... hence, I wound up purchasing several different brands over that time-frame, each to perform specific functions in both my live rig and in my studio, based upon each instrument's unique areas of competence.

My primary use for EX-5 (prior to getting my Triton) was for classic combo organ sounds (fabulous Farfisa Combo and Vox Connie patches), as well as Clavs (you can even hear the picks brush back across the strings upon release), Wurlis and DX-7-type FM synth sounds. The EX excels in these areas.

While I respect your opinion regarding Yamaha's AN and VL engines Daniel, as a current owner of both products mentioned, I must respectfully disagree with your assessment. I'll try to dig out my Z-1 and run another side-by-side comparison when I get some time, but I know that I used the Z-1 primarily for brass, reeds (especially rock-n-roll sax, which I triggered from a Yamaha WX-5 wind controller) and lush string sounds, preferring these emulations over those in my EX-5 which, again, I valued almost exclusively for the classic electric keyboard sounds. While I quite liked the plucked string models in the EX-5, I recall preferring Z-1's acoustic guitar emulations as well.

I only put the Z-1 in storage because I have the Z-1 board in my Triton and needed the real estate more than the redundancy. I honestly have no idea why the EX-5 is still in the studio, as it adds little, if anything, to my current setup, unlike the Prophecy, which is a great performance axe for throwing in quick analog-esque synth rides, particularly playable with that great little "log" controller.

BTW, at this point in the evolution of this topic, it may not be so far off topic, as Virtual Models are what make clonewheels clones. I've often wondered why Yamaha never became a serious player in the clonewheel field, and why they off-loaded so much of their research and so many of their patents in this area to Korg and other competitors relatively early on in the game. They could have been a colossal clonewheel contender!

Best,
Fox