The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Hello!
the Roland SH101 looks like a variation on the previous SH201 theme, 
with 3 oscillators and not only 2 etc... And some curious features : why 
put only 37 keys with 64 voices available and only one part ? Maybe they 
will sell an optional "real" keyboard in the future, and it is more 
likely an expander with a basic keyboard embedded, something like my 30 
years old Casio CZ101 ? If it sounds well and is not expensive, why not ...
Yamaha is a huge company, selling quite anything from pianos to 
motorcycles and pocket radios, Korg or Roland are smaller and more 
specialized in musical electronics, leading to some differences in 
strategy...
Cheers.
J.F.

jondl_2000 a \ufffdcrit :
>
> Yesterday I stopped at the musical instruments department of a Best 
> Buy (who ever thought they see THAT?!?) in Reston, VA and had 
> opportunity to try out the new Roland Gaia SH-101. I was impressed - 
> clearly they've taken the JP-8000 experience to a new level. The 
> interface is so immediate, no menu's - no cryptic LED. The layout is 
> remarkably similar to an old Juno or original SH-101. The sound was 
> good, perhaps a little too good - but the presets we ho-hum. The price 
> point was $700 USD (and I had a 10% coupon in my pocket... ) It felt 
> very solid and even the funky Roland Mod/Pitch bender felt above 
> average. Color me impressed.
>
> Korg has recently reintroduced the Electribe series and has churning 
> out mini-synths for what seems like years now. Even Akai is in on that 
> act - as Novation has been for years -with mini-synth/controller 
> combination units.
>
> So where's Yamaha? Are they going to follow suite? They had a period 
> of engaging synthesizers at one point (CS1x, AN1x, CS6x, AN200/DX200, 
> RM1x, A3000, EX5, etc.) but have since been successfully riding the 
> workstation bandwagons. Is there any cause to believe they've 
> something up their sleeve?
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon
>
>