Synth/Key Players

[Fetzer]

I wish I took piano for 11 years... would have helped me out today lol.

I wish I would have been more devoted to music when I was 5 years old, would have helped A LOT for now

I also play the keyboards. I own a Roland Juno-D, but I'm not satisfied I fill limited with it... The D-Beam is impressive at the start but god knows it's pretty useless It got is utility as a third controller (with the Bend/Modulator and the pedal) but it does the same as the knobs on it do, so... the only utility I found is to controller the Cut-Off freq on my lead sounds, so I can achieve "Wah-Wah" effect while leading.

Tho it's usefull for nice Theremax effect. Take the D-Beam, set it on "Bend", then allow the sound to bend 24 h/t and voila!

But honestly I did used it like in 1 song and 2 time live...

The patchs are pretty good tho. There's some impressive sound for the price, easy to access live but I don't find the keyboards enough programmable to make it do what I want...

 

[Tatu]

I went to two music stores today. The first one had the cheapest price in Europe (the saleperson told me that if I find it cheaper somewhere they will reduce the price too). First they told me that Juno-G would be great, but I didn't get to try it. I told him that I am intrested in Juno-Stage, because it has more keys, but they didn't have it yet.
At next store I tried Yamaha MM6, which didn't have that great sounds IMO. Playing with 61 keys was weird after being used to 88 It was very cheap though (500&#8364.
I hope they get Roland JS soon, it seems perfect for me, and the price is not THAT bad for great synth (1180&#8364. What do you guys recommend for audio output? I currently have only computer speakers, are these enough?

 

[Speedyjx]

You'd need a set of headphone or monitors, as typically computer speakers don't have a 1/4 inch jack connection.

If you're going live though you'll need to get two (for stereo!) 1/4 inch jack leads as well, as you'd probably be DI'd straight through the front of house speakers.

 

[Tatu]

I was told that I can plug the synth I'm getting (Juno-Stage)to the line-in of my sound card. I'm also thinking about getting headphones because I will probably get better sound that way.

 

[Fetzer]

I was told that I can plug the synth I'm getting (Juno-Stage)to the line-in of my sound card. I'm also thinking about getting headphones because I will probably get better sound that way.

I record with my stuff being plugged in the "Mic" plug of my PC

 

[Speedyjx]

I was told that I can plug the synth I'm getting (Juno-Stage)to the line-in of my sound card. I'm also thinking about getting headphones because I will probably get better sound that way.

If you're using a basic sound card (IE 3 ports, red, blue and green) then that'd not be an option, as the jack socket on those cards are incompatible with a 1/4 inch jack lead.

IMO the best idea would be to get a half decent set of headphones. Try reading reviews on stuff, generally with speakers and headphones it's best to buy based on reputation tha specs.

 

[Tatu]

Thanks for the info. I just remembered that I also have guitar amp, but will it change the sound? And can it break if I use it with keyboard?

 

[Fetzer]

If you're using a basic sound card (IE 3 ports, red, blue and green) then that'd not be an option, as the jack socket on those cards are incompatible with a 1/4 inch jack lead.

Hmmm...

no?

 

[Speedyjx]

Thanks for the info. I just remembered that I also have guitar amp, but will it change the sound? And can it break if I use it with keyboard?

Guitar amps would work, however the frequency response on them isn't tailored to keyboards. If you must use an amp, try getting an actual keyboard one or a bass one.

And I'd strongly advise against plugging your keyboard though a basic sound card for practicing purposes. It's a lot of hassle considering you could just use headphones for a better sound anyway.

 

[Tatu]

I tried Juno-Stage, and it was nice BUT I didn't really know how to use it and I didn't find good lead sound. I really liked the feel of the keys. Piano and harpsichord sounds were really nice. It seems to be great synth for me even though I didn't know how to use it

 

[Speedyjx]

Really? IMO some of the leads on the SonicCell (the module version of it) are really good, there's a wide variety too.

Programming Roland synths is something I've yet to work out though...

 

[Tatu]

Well I know it has good leads sounds, at least according to sample on official roland website, but I couldn't find one. I might get Juno-Stage tomorrow =)

 

[666Metal666]

i'm a keys player

 

[Tatu]

I got Juno-Stage and it's awesome But I'm total synthesis newbie so I don't know how to create my own patches yet. I like the presets though, and the keys have nice touch.