What's Your Keyboard?

[preachingtruth]

Hey guys! I bought a Yamaha MO-8 about 4 months ago and love the feel and sounds it has. However 'cool' the sounds are, I can't find a good use for them in church. Not sure if I made the Best decision because I hear averyone talking about the different kinds of Sounds produced by the Fantom, (aka the Rhoads etc) and others. I would love to unlock the full potential of this board for live church services and Youth explosions, but for now I only really find myself using it just as a piano... Any Ideas?


I'm really curious as to see what kind of keyboards are the most popular here in this forum.

Thanks 

[GospelEngineer]

I own an original Motif 6 but my church has a MO-8 and it has some decent sounds. I use the Rhodes sound a lot, sometimes the organs, I'll add strings on top of the piano sound, I've used brass off of it, synth leads and synth pads. The best way to get into using other sounds is to emulate whatever sounds were used on the recording of a song.

[preachingtruth]

I own an original Motif 6 but my church has a MO-8 and it has some decent sounds. I use the Rhodes sound a lot, sometimes the organs, I'll add strings on top of the piano sound, I've used brass off of it, synth leads and synth pads. The best way to get into using other sounds is to emulate whatever sounds were used on the recording of a song.

Ahh! I love the suggestions man, Thanks! So you're a Yamaha fan as well? I eventually want to upgrade to the Motif XF8... but that's gonna be a while LOL

[apex]

Right now, I'm running a two tier keyboard set up with a rack case on the side.

My keyboards are:
Triton Extreme -88 key (on bottom)
Roland Fantom G7 (on top)

my rack modules are:

Motif Rack XS
Roland XV -5080
Roland Fantom XR
Korg m3m

I have a friend that has some HEAVY use of the mo8.  I will get with him later tonight or tomorrow afternoon and get a list of some of the best patches to be used in your mo8.  One suggestion that I could make that would add a quick arsenal of sounds to your set-up with low cost is some type of sound module.  I was telling some guys earlier today (on the Korg forums) that the Roland XV/JV modules have become a staple for Gospel Keyboardist.  Nice thick/warm sounds and 64 more voices of polyphony.  You could get a 1080 or 2080 for under $250... (you could probably get a 1080 for under $175.  Check your local/surrounding craigslist and just type in Roland XV or Roland JV and see what you find. 

That would be a quick and easy way to improve your sound palette.  I'll check with my guy and get a quick list of some sounds you can use in church!

God Bless!!!

[DREICO]

No matter what yamaha you have. . Eventually you will learn that they all are pretty much the same engine. And whats really funny is you pay all that money just to have a few performances you actually use. If you find the best sounding performance on your keyboard( no matter what the category or sound) and change the voices to the voices you would prefer. Youll find yourself with a great performance. Its the effects and filters that make the performance sound great. But the advantage is you already found the great effects and filters, because you searched for the best sounding performance first. Usually its the first voice in master mode.

[T-Block]

Casio WK-1630

This board is my baby and I ain't never getting rid of it. I don't care what nobody says, I love this board.

[docjohn]

XS 6 for strings/brass/piano  drums/grooves  and organ  (if I don't have a B3 or my CX3 organ).

PT-join the "Motifator" forum   www.MOTIFATOR.com  free and a LOT of good stuff.Get the "how to "video on your board and study as well as all the U-tube clips out there.

There's some differences-but as Apex said some basics btwn all the Motif seris.

Another nice module is the JV1010 from Roland

[musallio]

Casio WK-1630

This board is my baby and I ain't never getting rid of it. I don't care what nobody says, I love this board.

Casio wk-3800. Definitely not the best board out there, but I know how to make co-players who rush to other brand keyboards very jealous of some explosive & majestic sounds this machine makes. Just tweak it right and you have a board to kill for. I know the board's limitations, but make the best use of most of it's capabilities.

The mo-8 is a powerful tool. Before you rush to upgrade to the xf, I suggest you spend time learning which voices to use when on the mo-8. The suggestions made above are very solid. I make limited use of it because the Casio does 80% of what I want it to do

[ma1ne]

Casio WK-1630

This board is my baby and I ain't never getting rid of it. I don't care what nobody says, I love this board.

Yo I have the Privia 575r and I feel the same way. I used to be torn about getting more of a stage piano, but for what? The Privia has everything I need and its SIMPLE to use. My man has the MO 8 and I feel like Im pressing a cheat code for Mortal Combat when I work it lol. IMO, the Privia organ patches CRUSH Yamaha. ::puts on helmet and vest::

[docjohn]

I agree-the casios have some decent sounds.

Their B3 sounds-thru a good amp(Fender bass amp w/15") could fool ya.A little better sample and tweakin' and move up the contender  level.

I still like my XS organ-pretty close to Korg CX 3 and Nord-the f/s leslie could be better.

[Mrandrew]

Korg X3, Korg M50-61 and Roland Fantom X8. Love each one, they each have their own pro's/cons, but love them all the same.

[preachingtruth]

Right now, I'm running a two tier keyboard set up with a rack case on the side.

My keyboards are:
Triton Extreme -88 key (on bottom)
Roland Fantom G7 (on top)

my rack modules are:

Motif Rack XS
Roland XV -5080
Roland Fantom XR
Korg m3m

I have a friend that has some HEAVY use of the mo8.  I will get with him later tonight or tomorrow afternoon and get a list of some of the best patches to be used in your mo8.  One suggestion that I could make that would add a quick arsenal of sounds to your set-up with low cost is some type of sound module.  I was telling some guys earlier today (on the Korg forums) that the Roland XV/JV modules have become a staple for Gospel Keyboardist.  Nice thick/warm sounds and 64 more voices of polyphony.  You could get a 1080 or 2080 for under $250... (you could probably get a 1080 for under $175.  Check your local/surrounding craigslist and just type in Roland XV or Roland JV and see what you find. 

That would be a quick and easy way to improve your sound palette.  I'll check with my guy and get a quick list of some sounds you can use in church!

God Bless!!!

Apex that would be wonderful if you could talk to you friend about th best patches for the MO*. Thanks for the tips as well man. I have heard about ppl getting actual sound modules...but i just never heard one, or played with one enough to go get one.

...My man has the MO 8 and I feel like Im pressing a cheat code for Mortal Combat when I work it lol.

BAHAHAHAHA!!! dude I know exactly what you mean! I do get the same feeling I had when trying to bust out a 'Fatality' years ago when MK first came out! lol It's going to take some getting used to, but being as this is my 1st keyboard...it's kinda tough. (YES believe it or not I only practiced on my upright piano at home for the last 8 yrs! So glad to have a keyboard now. It makes my practice more efficient)

DocJohn! Thanks so much for the link man, I've been browsing them  and loving it!!

[Tiptip357]

I have a Motif XS8, which I just love! My church has a MO8. I never really played on it much, because I bring my boards to church and my lil sis in Christ plays on the MO.  I, too, am interested in knowing more about this board so I can help my sis work her way around it better. 

[keyz2life]

Roland Fantom X6 (on top)
Yamaha Motif XS7 (on bottom)

Kurzweil SP76 (mid week) - I use this board during the week and for rehearsals/bible study since I don't want to carry the XS every single time.  I plan to use this board as a midi controller for software instruments I  plan to use from my macbook.  It's semi-weighted and also light so its pretty portable.

I thought real hard about getting the MO8, simply because I want weighted keys and didn't want to pay 2 or 3 grand for a "motif 88". 

your MO8 will be great for church service...

[rayjohnson83]

I have a mo8...its pretty cool.

[T-Block]

the Casio does 80% of what I want it to do

EXACTLY!! The only reason to get another board is for more sounds. The features on my Casio are not found on too many other boards. If I could transport a few cool organ and e.piano sounds, I would be set.

[Tiptip357]

EXACTLY!! The only reason to get another board is for more sounds. The features on my Casio are not found on too many other boards. If I could transport a few cool organ and e.piano sounds, I would be set.

Maaaaaaaaaan, I LOVED my casio. The "F2" key broke during transport and I use that key a lot, so I decided to upgrade. I definitely don't regret my upgrade, but I did love my casio. 

[theLearner]

EXACTLY!! The only reason to get another board is for more sounds. The features on my Casio are not found on too many other boards. If I could transport a few cool organ and e.piano sounds, I would be set.

Do you know if Casios like the  Wk 7500 be used to play vst sounds like on Logic?

[floaded27]

Casio WK-1630

This board is my baby and I ain't never getting rid of it. I don't care what nobody says, I love this board.

Lets join hands in prayer for T-Block's Casio endorsement. maybe it'll even come with a few digital watches. lol


Im rocking all yamaha. Have a Motif ES6 that stays at my church (that sucka is heavy), an MM6 (the sounds pale in comparison to the motif, but better than my E313) that i used either as a second board hooked up via MIDI to the motif or to travel with (so light), and my E313 thats my practice board at home. Dont get to play around with sounds and performances all that much though.

[preachingtruth]

Thanks for all the comments! Yeah so Far Yamaha is dominating this post

So far here's my list of Pro's and Cons (review) of the MO-8: This is just with about 4 months of using it and NOT an exhaustive list by any means. Just my opinions

Pros:
*Weighted Keys -  Love the feel especially when playing piano sounds. Feels real.
*The multitrack faders -  The BEST way to fade in or out whatever you want! I use strings or brass mixed with piano and fade the other two out if i just want piano. It sure beats clicking buttons and having a cut in the music.
*Performance tracks - Hard to figure out, but when you got it down, you have the ability to do a whole church service (drums, bass, clicks etc) by yourself! You can instantly go from shout to a shout run or perticular 'run' or Vamp, then back. even make your own intro's and endings. Takes a TON of work, but it's possible.

Cons:
*This sucker is BIG and HEAVY!! - it makes me not ever want to take it anywhere. Have been deciding on getting an 'additional'  cheap and light (CASIO lol) keyboard just to take everywhere.
*"I feel like Im pressing a cheat code for Mortal Combat when I work it lol" (Ma1ne) LOL Couldn't have said it better man. Hard to figure out, and the instruction book is not very kind either! Could have been easier to get where you want to go IMHO
*Every change you make has to be stored on a flash drive! - It's frustrating sometimes making little changes here and there, and even after its all saved to the board, if you turn it off without saving Everything once again to your flash drive, everything you did will be ....gone!