6 replies to this topic

[ztnap]

hi guys,

Im looking to buy a sound module and got a few questions to ask you guys..

I have a tough time deciding between these two..

1) The Motif XS Rack
2) Roland Fantom X6

I included the fantom because it's kind of in the same price range..(btw is there a rack ver for this?)

Also since I'm only interested in the Rack version of the Motif, is there a big difference between the "ES" version and the "XS" ?
Because I've read many reviews (harmony central, gearslutz..etc) that difference is not worth the extra price! Is it true?


And one more question: Do u guys know any good places around melbourne to buy music gear? Brandnew or Second hand stuff..Shops that might drop the price for cash maybe? 

Cheers

[ztnap]

I haven't had a chance to test the rack versions of anything simply because i couldn't find any store that had them on display.

But my friend has a motif XS workstation and I just love those sounds..also I've never touched a fantom X..the stores only got G's no more X's

I've already had the VSTi Vs. Hardware module fight in my head and decided to go with the latter..

Im not interested in the workstation/sequencer functions on those keyboards..i just want to use them for sounds only.. As long as I can hear them the same way they sound in the keyboard version Im good!!

I have a M-audio 61es midi keyboard..does that effect the articulation effects of some of the sounds in any way?

Thanks
~Z~

[lightfoot]

motif es to motif XS is not a major difference IMHO... the rack version and the keyboard of the XS dont take expansion boards, which is annoying as they were quite handy, ... that main thing they seem to be seeling over the ES is that it has more appegiators, which are rediculously good in the motif so maybe thats an worthy upgrade.

the rack XS is more user friendly to use over the ES especially for live as it has the knobs on the front, which is annoying on the es rack, but its only a matter of mapping the midi controller to do it anyways..

The fantoms arent as good I dont think, but thats only in the keyboard domain, they feel far shitter than the motif. and build quality seems to be less.

we are devout users of a motif ES7 so I may be biased, but it is a ROCK SOLID piece of kit, we gig with it regularly, no sign of stopping, pretty much all our songs utilise the motif sounds. have been considering getting the rack version of the motif for live work for some time, but there are next to no ES racks in 240v. and cant justify going up to the XS as we would lose the use of the expansion boards live

hrmm enough rambling. If you have any direct questions feel free to ask

[lightfoot]

oh and both of the motif racks have software editors that are really handy and depending on your daw can be used the same as a VST but with no CPU strain

[ztnap]

hey thanks for the info..I just noticed The ES rack has more assignable outputs and MIDI thru..wonder why they got rid of those!!

I don't play live so the knobs won't be a problem..(and as u said they can be assigned to a midi controller)
The only reason im going with the rack version is my budget..

btw do u know any good places around melbourne that sell them cheap..i wouldn't mind second hand.

again thanks for the advice..

Any fantom users out there??

Cheers

[lightfoot]

mate if I knew of any places in melbourne that still had a motif ES rack in stock, I would be all over it like a rash!

ES i reckon is a more user friendly unit than the XS, no idea why they dropped so much out of the XS upgrade

[ztnap]

thanks man...any Fantom Users out there?

No?