Price Paid: US $599
Ease of Use: 10
I'm a player, not a programmer, but as far as just plugging in and playing, it's easy. You can also do some easy quick-editing on the sounds. I haven't got into any in-depth programming yet, and don't know if I will, but it doesn't look like it's any big problem.
Features: 8
Can someone tell me why the module has 128-note polyphony but the keyboard just has 64? That irritates me a litte. I do like the option of expansion (in fact, I installed a "Definitive B-3" card for more organ sounds, but that's another subject). The keys on the keyboard seem to have rather sharp corners, so if you're not careful when doing a glissando, you might have to keep the Band-aids handy.
Expressiveness/Sounds: 9
I'm not a purist, first of all, but the sounds are great. The electric pianos are some of the best I've heard. The FM pianos nail that DX7 electric piano sound perfectly, and the Rhodes and Wurlis are great, too. The B-3 patches should please everyone that doesn't have to have drawbars. The synth sounds are wonderful. This is a $600 keyboard, and some of the sounds on here are better than the ones on my Triton.
My biggest complaint about the sounds, and the reason I don't give them a 10, is that the volume levels vary widely. You could crank up a soft EP patch, and then switch to a loud syth patch and it will just about blow you out of the room. This could be the pits in a live situation.
Reliability: 9
Haven't had it long enough, but it seems pretty solid to me. Some people may regard the keyboard a flimsy, but it's a lot more solid-feeling than the similarly-priced Yamaha CS2X that I have (and will probably get rid of).
Customer Support: N/A
No opinion yet.
Overall Rating: 10
This keyboard is definitely worth it. As I said, the built-in sounds are great, I've already added a B-3 board for more B-3 sounds, and will probably add a ZR board for that Perfect Piano, then I'll be all set. Great bang for the buck. I'd definitely buy it again if it got ripped off.
Submitted by Tom Hinkle at 06/10/2003 08:32
