Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Hi

There are notes here dedicated to the VFX and the Korg M and T series.  First
I'd check those notes.  T1 is almost twice the money of a VFX SD, has a longer
and different keyboard, etc.  They are different architectures, though the
differences aren't radical.  Play them both a lot before you buy. 

The only Steinberg stuff I'm familiar with is for the Atari ST.  (That doesn't
mean they have no PC stuff -- I just haven't heard of it if they do.)

Try looking at the list of keywords to find notes on your questions.

Chad

    Both the T1 and the VFX SD have onboard sequencers.  Do you instead
    to use them instead of your IBM/STEINBERG?
    
    If you are interested in using them with a computer-hosted sequencer,
    it seems like you might be able to save a bit of money by going with
    the VFX instead of the VFX-SD.  The basic difference is that the SD has
    a sequencer and a floppy disk drive.
    
    It's going to be very hard for anyone in hear to give you a good
    comparison because it's unlikely that any one person would have spent
    much time become familiar with both the T1 and the VFX.  Having both
    would involve a certain amount of duplication and, especially
    considering the weighty price tag of the T1, not too many folks could
    afford that duplication.
    
    I should also mention that the VFX demos include the most convincing
    synthetic orchestra music I have ever heard.   It was extremely
    "convincing" and I can't say that about any other orchestra music
    I've heard done by a synth or sampler short of things in the
    Synclavier/Fairlight range.
    
    	db

RE .2:

I was wandering what is the advantage of having a built in sequenzer compared
to using a PC or Atari or whatever. I did some experiments with an
Atari and I found that if the MIDI traffic load get's high the Atari run's
a lot slower, anoying. And how about functionality differences between the
builtin sequencer and Steinberg 24 track?

    
    This has been discussed elsewhere, but...
    
    Basically, using a computer you can pick and choose any sequencing SW
    package you might like.  You have lots of storage space on the computer
    so you're not very limited in how many notes you can have in a
    sequence, and better sequencers let you edit *anything* in the MIDI
    stream.
    
    Built-in sequencers tend to have less storage (although the T1 gets up
    there with over 50,000 notes, that's a lot) and less editing
    capability.  The big win is having the sequencer permanently connected
    to the keyboard, it's a self-contained system.  This is the so-called
    "workstation" idea, that you can just sit at the keys and create.
    
    There'a lot of debate over which is better, but almost anyone in here
    will agree that having the sequencer *not* built in gives you greater
    flexibility in the long run.  However, since so many keyboards nowadays
    come with decent sequencers built in, it's almost like paying for
    something you don't intend to use.
    
    							Brian

    What he said.  There's also advantage to having both.  That way, you
    can noodle on the keyboard and dump to/from the computer.  Kind of the
    best of both worlds.
    
    Steve

In an appropriate note (one about Atari), please describe the problems you've 
been having ("slowness"), etc.  I use an Atari and have never experienced this.
Maybe there is just too much MIDI data for the MIDI spec bandwith?

Chad

    Brian pretty much covered it.
    
    With a computer you get:
    
    	o Flexibility (you choose the sequencer)
    	o Modularity (since they aren't bound together in the same
          package, you can always upgrade/sell/etc either piece
    	  independently
    	o Computers use video screens instead of 3x40 LCD displays
    	  and thus have a better display mechanism
    	o Computer sequencers are generally more powerful, although the
    	  VFX-SD sequencer is probably the best "builtin" sequencer
    	  to date.
    	o If one fails you've still got the other
    
    With a builtin sequencer you get:
    
    	o Mainly convenience and economics
    
    	  + You carry two pieces instead of one
    	  + Less setup and breakdown time
    	  + Everything in one package
    	  + Costs (much) less than a computer+synth
    
    If I weren't gigging, I'd definitely go with the computer+synth instead
    of the builtin.  However, I find having everything in one nice package
    to be too valuable to give up for gigging.
    
    I could do a whole gig with nothing but:
    
    	o My Ensoniq SQ-80 (sortof the precursor to the VFX SD)
    	o My amp
    	o One audio cord to connect the SQ to the amp
    	o Two power outlets
    
    I place a lot of value on that, and the SQ-80 sequencer suits me
    fine cause all I really need is something that records what I play
    on the keyboard.  I use it as little other than a "tapeless
    multi-track recorder".
    
    My guess is that you'd be better off with a computer+synth unless
    you do a lot of gigging and (like me) HATE complexity and shlepping
    around lots of stuff, setting it up, breaking it down, etc.  I'm
    known for being somewhat anal retentive about keeping things simple.
    
    	db