Hi,

I have an XF8 and am PERFECTLY happy with it.

But just as a thought, what other keyboard out there would best complement the XF8?

Would you give me your thought and a reason to explain your choice?

Someone suggested a Dave Smith Prophet 8?

As I said, I’m perfectly happy with the XF8 and am not interesting in starting some kind of opinion war. I’m just interested in what else is out there.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Phil

janesmith230 - 25 June 2011 02:57 PM

[...] what other keyboard out there would best complement the XF8? [...]

There are almost as many answers to that question as there are keyboard models. If you would give us an idea of what genre of music, etc., you want to play, that might narrow the range a bit.

1.Korg kronos!
2.2nd hand Motif xs if u cant get kronos.

Kind of music I play:

1. Classical (the least of the 4 below)
2. Jazz
3. Rock
4. Pop

Absolutely all kinds (except Barber shop quartet :-))

Phil

janesmith230 - 25 June 2011 05:54 PM

1. Classical (the least of the 4 below)
2. Jazz
3. Rock
4. Pop

Which (if any) of those do you think the XF doesn’t cover well enough? (I’m still trying to figure out what area needs to be “complemented”.)

Are you looking for more “synth”, “acoustic”, “Hammond/B3/Leslie”, ...? :-)

Should you not first start to ask yourself which kind sounds you are missing or find not good enough from the XF.

That should give you a more specific direction in your search.

Regards Effie

if you wish to experiment or get picky a nice used VA could be fun but i kinda think you have what you need for those 4 genres?..

I’ll second the question.  I love my XF, but there are songs where I use 4 octaves set to one voice (or combination of voices), another 3 octaves set for another purpose, and I’m just flat out of the octaves/range I need for additional parts.

So I can start doing switching on and off, if I don’t need them all at the same time.  Or I can get a second board to compliment my XF and make life easier.

I play rock.  Synth rock.  Classic rock.  Piano and Strings rock.  Weird sounds in rock.  EP and Organ rock.  Pop-rock.  Alt-rock.  New Wave rock.  You get the idea.  I think I need a second board more toward the synth vs natural emulation.

motidave - 27 June 2011 03:29 PM

[...]I play rock.  Synth rock.  Classic rock.  Piano and Strings rock.  Weird sounds in rock.  EP and Organ rock.  Pop-rock.  Alt-rock.  New Wave rock.  You get the idea.  I think I need a second board more toward the synth vs natural emulation.

Okay, that helps somewhat. What’s your budget?

5pinDIN - 27 June 2011 06:18 PM

motidave - 27 June 2011 03:29 PM

[...]I play rock.  Synth rock.  Classic rock.  Piano and Strings rock.  Weird sounds in rock.  EP and Organ rock.  Pop-rock.  Alt-rock.  New Wave rock.  You get the idea.  I think I need a second board more toward the synth vs natural emulation.

Okay, that helps somewhat. What’s your budget?

Sorry I can’t be more specific. I could send today’s set list, but who knows what the next 30 songs will be, its everything from The Cars to Pink to Muse to Heart to Van Halen to Paramore to Bon Jovi to Flyleaf to Killers to ... who knows whats next?

If it was today, about $1200-1500 US.  6-12 months from now ... maybe I save up and have more ambitious aims ($3k?).  I’ll probably wait until I can buy a second grown-up board.

motidave - 27 June 2011 06:51 PM

Sorry I can’t be more specific. I could send today’s set list, but who knows what the next 30 songs will be, its everything from The Cars to Pink to Muse to Heart to Van Halen to Paramore to Bon Jovi to Flyleaf to Killers to ... who knows whats next?

If it was today, about $1200-1500 US.  6-12 months from now ... maybe I save up and have more ambitious aims ($3k?).  I’ll probably wait until I can buy a second grown-up board.

A virtual analog (VA) synth would cover some of that… but I’d like to see what others think, since I’ve never been good at hitting a moving target. :-)

I am myself trying to find a second keyboard. It is a pleasure and I’m taking my time. At the moment, my “second” keyboard is a combination of an old Korg Poly 61 midied to an Ensoniq ESQ 1. I am able to create a wide variety on analog sound that go well with my XS7. Analog is a key word here cause in my opinion that’s what would go best with the Motif. I have tried a Prophet 08 and a Virus TI2. Both are real cool but expensive. I also tried a Nord lead which I did not like. I think that for under 1200 dollars, you could get a used Polysix or a Juno 60 (even both). There is a lot of old synths on the market that could fill the spot, depending on what you need to do with a second board. To conclude, I say that there is no perfect keyboard to complement a Motif.

Waldorf Blofeld? How about a used AN1x?