--- In
AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Metlay" <metlay@a...> wrote:
> > poly aftertouch gone forever as an actual
> >> keyboard-based control;
> >
> > probably true but not for certain. Unfortunately the market has proven over
> > and over
> > that this is not an option enough people are willing to pay for.
>
> That's because the one company that got it right made a mistake elsewhere and
> jinxed the reputation of their keyboards. Poly AT is practical and cheap but
> no one wants to go there...there are issues of bandwidth, public perception,
> and other things as well. I personally wonder if the advent of the CS-80V will
> bring poly AT keyboards back in any form.
>
Interesting thought regarding the CS-80V. It's been more than a few years since that
'jinxed' keyboard - certainly everybody is long over that by now...and the compnay
remains in name only...
> > And there
> > have been,
> > what, two(?) 'recent' keyboardds that even support release velocity (K5000s
> > and XTk.)
>
> Bah! Apples and oranges. Release velocity uses the same two sensors that
> attack velocity uses, just in the reverse order. Adding it to a keyboard is a
> trivial matter, done in software; no one chooses to implement it, that's all.
> Not too surprising, as it's a tricky parameter to use, but I enjoy it when I
> use it (my D-70 has it and my Xpander uses it very effectively, as did my
> Prophet T8).
>
The point being was not the technical implementation of Poly AT vs. Release Vel but
rather the similarity in that both are expressive controller features for which is there has
never been much demand :-(
> > arpeggiators multiplying in presets but not providing
> >> actual editing capability any more;
> >
> > ...becuase it's better done in software. Geez, how many arp enironment layers
> > can be
> > had for Logic Audio alone? I'm certain it's a similar situation for
> > Cubase/Sonare/etc.
>
> Using a computer to operate arpeggiation on stage in a live environment? I'd
> rather drink beet juice. I want solid firmware arpeggiation control inside my
> live synth, right there, no computer.
Right - and I suspect MANY (such as Ed for example ;-) agree with you but there's
nothing stopping a user from mapping the knobs in his little Evolution/MIDIMAN
controller to his iBook with Cubase or what not.
>
> > tuning tables and intonation adjustment
> >> pretty much gone;
> >
> > ...again, not enough demand in the market for this feauture (you really should
> > pick up
> > a couple of 2nd hand Ensoniq keyboards: maybe a VFX-SD or TS10 and a MR Rack.)
>
> I'm actually looking for a VFX or VFXsd for this very reason, primarily for
> poly AT use.
Good luck - always liked that keyboard. Still wish I'd bought one when they were new
instead of the Korg I ended up with.
>
> >> vector synthesis gone;
> >
> > ...unless you count the ES2, XPhraze, and the upcoming Wavestation softsynth.
>
> Software. Software. Vaporware. BZZZT so sorry, thanks for playing. (BTW, Korg
> has cancelled development and release of that softsynth, along with the
> others. They realized they'd be shooting themselves in the head if they tried
> to compete selling softsynths.)
>
Again, the current trend is toward softsynths and plug-ins - and this is NOT for
everybody, granted - but the approach resembles modular synthesis (pick and choose
plug-in!) with the A/D converter of your choice (or what your budget allows :-)
Interesting news about the WS plug-in - hadn't heard that yet.
> The XT is still available, although for how long I don't know... and the PPG
> plug-in is an enormous pain to work with and sounds like, well, an early
> generation VST plug-in.
>
Yeah, I've heard the rumblings regarding the XT being put to pasture :-(
> > User Interfaces and build qualtiy have improved dramatically. Have you checked
> > out
> > the Access Indigo or Waldord MicroQ keyboards? Built like tanks they are (as
> > is the
> > new Alesis ION and just about every Nord keyboard.)
>
> Don't put the Ion in with the others until you do some research on its
> reported reliability in the field.
been lurking on the ION list...
The MicroQ is decently well built, but it's
> a Q and therefore not worth buying (sorry, but I get enough promises of
> features in software that will be there someday soon in my computers, I don't
> need them in my synths), and the Indigo2 weighs twice as much as it should,
and the cost of Access gear is prohibitive too...and that V-Synth from Roland is a little
pricey too. Sheesh.
> it's possible to make a synth roadable and sturdy without giving it solid
> aluminum end panels capable of stunning an ox. The Nords are a good example of
> light-but-tough; Clavia needs to be packaging the Indigos for Access.
>
> If anyone wishes to conclude that I'm an old curmudgeon who's simply never
> happy with anything, they're free to.
Nope, don't think that - just trying to point out some alternatives :-)
I know what works for me as a player and
> composer, and it's going away, which was all I ever said in the first place. I
> don't think there's no hope at all, but I don't get nearly enough encouraging
> news.
regards,
Jon