Korg X5

What type of keyboard (piano synth ...)? How many octaves?
This is a synthesizer to 5 octaves

Jai nothing wrong just read the instructions on Korg .com

USE

The config Gnral is simple. it has 2 up its program up to 100
and where you can supperposer 8 sounds of the two programs. this synth is very versatile

We chose a sound or changing its was using the arrows.
Editions are more complex. we must know the abbreviations as cuttoff: CU
Graphically speaking sounds is represent by a curve but saw the lcd screen smallness is reprsenter cipher.

As soon as you understand the abbreviations and what each config is simple to handle

Anyway I got do.

I have no manual and I've understood from A to Z how it works

SONORITS

The kill her. I use cloths String, This is really excelent sound depth
Although his work stripped.
Parcontre it is not done for a good piano because the sound of the piano is a bit rotten
but there his Inconvenient me the rest of his kills.

NOTICE GLOBAL

Its been 5 years since I use is no problem. I have a Yamaha CS2X Who's upper range yet I was not the impression given the depth of the sound it makes
What I like least is the old piano sound that I like most about it is settle it offers versatility and its captain techno style WYD ... huge and so on the best

For the price it is to become what is donnbr />
With experience, you do again this choice?
Biensur yes it is worth it

- What type of keyboard (synth, piano ...)? How many octaves?
The keyboard-type synthesizer, key "soft", you can adjust the sensitivity in the menus. 5 octaves seems to me there.
- What controllers (pitch, modulation, sustain ...)?
On the left we have the pitch wheel and that of modulation. At the rear of the jacks are for connecting a sustain pedal and an expression pedal.
- What connection (Audio, MIDI, Pedal ...)?
For audio: headphone jack on the front (practice), two stereo outputs on the back. For MIDI: classical trio.
- How many sounds, effects? What styles? Are they edited?
The synthesizer operates on the basis of 300 sounds (samples) that can then be combined in a user memory (100 patches) and another called combination (100 papers as well). Two effects can be applied on each patch. There are a quite varied range and they are quite effective.
- Via a utility Mac / PC?
Apparently there are editing apps, but I never managed to find one that works properly (perhaps a history of operating system obsolete?).
- What is polyphony? ...
64 votes seems to me there.

UTILIZATION

Ease of use is not the strong point of this machine. In fact, even if it is not very complicated (it is in the field of subtractive synthesis), the editing mode (one page) which is extremely tedious and the abbreviations that require some time Familiarization navigate.
The manual is quite big, I had read it twenty times (this was my first synth) and it's a little depressing sometimes when you start to hear a sound and not being able to get hold of the setting that prevents you from sleeping peacefully!
The ergonomics of this machine is, in my opinion, its main weakness (which is a pity because there is finally a lot of things to be learned).

SOUNDS

- The sounds they are suitable to your style of music?
It is quite versatile, as craft. I started using it in a group of trash (strange environments, crisp, Gothic, etc.).. I still use it today: this summer, I had fun to program it to "mimic" of vintage keyboards (like the pink floyd sound, or cure). I would still sounds lovely.
- Are they realistic?
It depends: you can draw things that look like nothing, but you can also imitating models from other instruments with varying degrees of success (I think he does well for all the instrumentals on a keyboard When mixed with all, some layers of violins are still quite usable). I could also use it as a drum, it's a substitute drummer, but it helps out on the rig and it goes very well.
- The effects are they effective and responsive?
Effects are important. They remain classics (chorus, distortion, delay, phaser, reverb, etc.). But can change drastically the basic sound. Some sound a little flat can be fully reliftées with (it is also a risk: I had a period where all background reverb sounds found themselves lost in endless resonance).
- The expression is good? (Response to velocity, aftertouch to)?
It's not very convenient to access (as for other parameters), but after a good review of 1 / 4 to h we get the doc to find what to do. I use the term primarily to control the frequency of low pass filter: it's ok.
- What are the sounds you prefer, you hate ...?
I have already said, the sounds of keyboard instruments, the layers of violins, a few programmed sounds (from Synth planing to ambient sounds). I find it very ugly in the wind instruments and guitars (I'm guitarist at the base).

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
1995
- What is so special that you like most and least?
It offers an interesting range of sounds provided one takes the trouble to grind. Although presented as a tool to emulate with its samples, it is better to give up the idea of ​​having the whole orchestra at home. However many sounds can be diverted from their use, hacked to find new sounds and enhance the tone. In short, do not think in terms of imitation.
Again, the ergonomics are horrible (again, the navigation keys are aging badly and editing becomes a painful ordeal for the fingers).
There is still a strong point of this synth is its mode combination.
Indeed, as the name suggests it combines up to eight sounds in different ways (split keyboard, or a reaction to the velocity). In preparing its good combi was a great keyboard for live performance. I speak from experience: it is the only keyboard I have ever used in concert and I was able to bind three or four sounds easily in the same piece. The only drawback of this method is that the same effect section applies to all selected sounds (bye bye the sounds that were well parqu'il there was a good distortion, delay, or a good something or other else).
- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
No it was my first synth (Yamaha Psr there was a 47 before, but it is a toy and a Casio VL1 but also incomparable). I was amazed by his sound palette and realistic at the time!
- How would you rate the quality / price?
In retrospect, I think it is a useful machine for the price.
- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
Why not? I have gained from other synths are easier to program, more complete in terms of editing capabilities, but none that claim to replace the Korg sounds "realistic". I will continue to emulate a Rhodes or piano, I see no reason why I get rid of (except for a real Rhodes, a real piano and real organs).

This is a synthtiseur entry (the era in 1994) playing fairly standard sample (type AL) with a pseudo engine synthse subtractive result. The Controller is fairly standard pitch bend and modulation, MIDI connectivity correct, a polyphony of 32 voices and selection buttons in the same spirit as the Korg M1 and trs impractical. All at a weight not to exceed the 5 kg which is an important advantage. Finally we have a standard power and easily replaceable in case of failure but of poor quality.

UTILIZATION

The manual is quite well done, but despite all of his edition is difficult with a small notch trs and impractical and select buttons not convenient at all tend to skip values. The edition is not practical at all. In addition, the touch (keyboard) is pretty strait mdiocre keys are (for a dynamic keyboard).

SOUNDS

We must put things in perspective. The synth in 1994 and the dj era c'tait the entry level. Despite this, compared to its competitors, addressing the same audience and era, the sounds are great much better than the competition, the presets correct (without being extraordinary) make a good synth " Swiss Army Knife ", all coupled to a super lightweight weight, it goes without PBME of rpeter rpeter in concerts and concerts both in master keyboard synth lightweight. So today regarding the sounds and in comparison with what is happening today:

- The piano is passable, but ... Must not ask too much, they fit right on the cover and of course should not be used as lead piano. Nothing like the great piano numrique today.

- The bass and guitar are going to say ... make us smile.

- The Hammonds are quite correct (but really no more) IDAL for tablecloths, but no more. Nothing compares to the top of what is done today, or know of Nordstage Nordelectro, but hey we ask so much an X5.

- The violins are not quite terrible, nothing compares to the estate (ie Triton) or the violins are gniaux.

- The "analog sound" bah I catch myself sometimes with my nostalgia rutiliser Premire expriences group, some presets are now "my classic" and yet I have a cot a Nordlead Prophet 08 and Andromeda. Cel says we must remain raliste, compared with a real analog synth, the X5 is pulvris.

In the end this keyboard is a nice little Swiss Army knife for his cot support "boat", but this must be limited rle.

OVERALL OPINION

This is a great synth synth "troubleshooting, Swiss Army knife" given its weight and versatility of sounds available to him (today and in view of what it is today), very practical for rpeter / concerts you Vitera many herniated discs! It can also make side dishes "fast ad-hoc" in troubleshooting clear Manir nice, and can be a good first synth for a small budget, although recess if you want to go further, it will not suffice.

Keyboard 61 keys, modulation and pitch bend, sustain pedal + control pedal, 32-note polyphony, integrated multi-effects, 100 tones + 128 GM sounds, 100 combis ...

COMBI mode peremettant combine up to 8 sounds, and set them differently to create a set of scene VERY effective: split, layer, velocity response and modulation wheels picth, reply to sustain and control pedals, midi channel.

This mode is really fantastic COMBI power and simplicity: it allowed me to use the X5 as the only sound source (with a midi controller Roland PC-200 as second keyboard), single (one jack-up to the commissioner who not believe his eyes), at concerts, it was progressive rock with lots of sound changes ...

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is childish, the manual clear and sufficient. Editing the sounds is pretty easy although the screen is small

A graphical editor (MAC or PC) came with, convenient to edit the sounds in a more visual, but also very practical for arranging the re-combi, and save / inject configurations

SOUNDS

The sound palette is varied, but limited. The realism was very good for its time, the effects too. Preference for Wurlitzer EP.

Piano sounds, electric pianos, organs, orchestral (strings / chorus especially), but also some synthetic sounds (bass pedal) constituted the bulk of my different sets. All good in the mix.

OVERALL OPINION

In use since 1994, three groups (rock, progressive rock, blues), I tried mainly Roland (JV30) and Yamaha (SY22 I think), putting your fingers on the X5 came out gave an immediate effect, cheaper than the competition, the choice was quickly made!

A choice I would do without problem, but with a few months of delay, this would be the X5D double polyphony, some samples and effects and more.