Adding another key to Genos..

[Bachus]

When using Genos as your materkeyboard(lower position)
Which instrument adds most as the upper position keyboard..

- Yamaha modx/montage
- another arranger keyboard (korg pa4x/ketron sd9)
- korg Kronos 61
- nord stage 3 compact
- a dedicated synth like : Rolad system 8, prophet X, novation summit, moog one
- a 61 key masterkey ( NI komplete control 61, novastion SL mk3, akai advance) with VST's

Or just get another 76 midi key under the genos and use V-console to turn it into an organ kind of instrument?


And yes, i understand most people are completely happy with just their Genos...

[Graham UK]

Here's my T5-76-NP30 Twinset.  In my case no pedals but it looks impressive and I do like the double manual.
The lower NP30 is muted and triggers T5's ACC -Styles & lower voice.

Sorry I have to Zip before the forum will accept the attachment.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Bachus]

Here's my T5-76-NP30 Twinset.  In my case no pedals but it looks impressive and I do like the double manual.
The lower NP30 is muted and triggers T5's ACC -Styles & lower voice.

Sorry I have to Zip before the forum will accept the attachment.

Yes, the np32 seems to be todays choice for lower keybed..
Don't like the sound quallity (but thats not being used)..
The keybed trails the Genos by miles, and has no aftertouch..

But your setup definately looks ( and sounds) great...

[Tommy 73]

How about Waldorf Kyra added to that list (soon to be released) https://youtu.be/mj5KhuTSzGQ

[Joe H]

Since you are talking Analog, how about a AN1x... it's got 61 keys... maybe that's not enough though.  They should have put the soft-synth version of the PLG-150 AN in the Genos instead of the 8 Operator FM synth.  Analog is the way to go!

http://www.jaybmusic.net/sounds.php#end

Listen to both the AN1x and PLG-150 AN / AN200 sounds programmed by JayB. They are same synth engine.

BTW... the video link that Tommy posted also features the Waldorf Quantum keyboard.  that may be your best bet.

Joe H

[Bachus]

Since you are talking Analog, how about a AN1x... it's got 61 keys... maybe that's not enough though.  They should have put the soft-synth version of the PLG-150 AN in the Genos instead of the 8 Operator FM synth.  Analog is the way to go!

http://www.jaybmusic.net/sounds.php#end

Listen to both the AN1x and PLG-150 AN / AN200 sounds programmed by JayB. They are same synth engine.

BTW... the video link that Tommy posted also features the Waldorf Quantum keyboard.  that may be your best bet.

Joe H

i could add a 76 key version of Motif ES? With AN board..

But i am more leaning to the nord stage 3 compact now
Its got the 3 weak spots of the Genos on board..
- physical engines for B3, Vox, Farfisa and church organs
- great diversity of acoustic piano's
- a real VA synth

But then, i could get the same from any software solution i choose..

The new Novation mk3 makes a perfect solution for controlling a software setup.. witouth having to continously watch the screen..

Before making a move, i first need to decide if i want to move away from an 88 key lower to an 76 key upper...  my piano training has hit a ceiling... and i get better results playing piano's on the genos then on my modx8 keybed...

And moving the Genos from the upper position in the setup to the lower position just makes reaching things on my mainkeyboard so much easier then now...


Now, decisions like this take me in general like 6 months or more to make...so in ni hurry, maybe even waiting for Winter namm what new options arise there..

In the mean time i will keep enjoying the genos, which now is a single keyboard/ipad setup.. while the modx is in another room connected to teh macbook

I find myself only playing the genos/ipad... which makes a point about my Genos

[Tommy 73]

Or perhaps https://youtu.be/4Rbg5COdBNE
https://youtu.be/osNX2Q9zt2o
https://youtu.be/RDo3TJCdq5o https://greatsynthesizers.com/en/review/baloran-the-river-an-elemental-sound-force/

[soryt]

I am using the Nord 5D/61 on top , and taking the Nord out when playing with band .
One of the best hammond sounds and a lot of outstanding samples ( free)
Here you vcan see it >>> https://youtu.be/5z-AJuj9qGM

Soryt 

[Joe H]

Finland artist Kebu, is instrumental in the revival of the analog synthesizer... he uses mostly Korg and Roland keyboards. He also records to 8 track analog tape recorders. When he plays live he plays along with his prerecorded sequences.

His music is like a modern-day symphony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBpfjSPDjos

Joe H

[Bachus]

Finland artist Kebu, is instrumental in the revival of the analog synthesizer... he uses mostly Korg and Roland keyboards. He also records to 8 track analog tape recorders. When he plays live he plays along with his prerecorded sequences.

His music is like a modern-day symphony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBpfjSPDjos

Joe H

Kebu is great, visited a concert of him in Germany a few years ago.. when vissiting musik messe... one of the most entrrtaining evenings i had in a long time

[KeyboardByBiggs]

I could add a 76 key version of Motif ES? With AN board.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this and whether I want to add a second keyboard. For now, I want to keep it as simple as possible and try and do everything I can with just the Genos. I added the Lester pedal to drastically improve the organ sound, so that really helped.

If I ever decide to expand I think I would find a controller keyboard I liked for its feel and then MIDI controllability. I'd hook that into a laptop where my sound engine was limitless and I could pick the best of everything I wanted.

[Colin D]

Hello,

I really like the Registration you have for this song. would you share a copy or is it already on the Genos please?

Kind Regards

Colin

Finland artist Kebu, is instrumental in the revival of the analog synthesizer... he uses mostly Korg and Roland keyboards. He also records to 8 track analog tape recorders. When he plays live he plays along with his prerecorded sequences.

His music is like a modern-day symphony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBpfjSPDjos

Joe H

[Bachus]

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this and whether I want to add a second keyboard. For now, I want to keep it as simple as possible and try and do everything I can with just the Genos. I added the Lester pedal to drastically improve the organ sound, so that really helped.

If I ever decide to expand I think I would find a controller keyboard I liked for its feel and then MIDI controllability. I'd hook that into a laptop where my sound engine was limitless and I could pick the best of everything I wanted.

Thats probably where i am now..  just add a 76 midi keyboard under the genos..a keyboard however with quallity keys and aftertouch .. and 2 wheels (modulation/pitch) is hard to find..

Another option would be a high end 76 key keyboard with sound engine...  and then use it as a midi controller, Genos directly on too of it... set local sound of make it transmit midi over the full keyboard.. i could even controll the sounds like a module..

[Wouter1972]

Hi Bachus,

I'm using my Tyros 5 in combination with the Komplete Kontrol mk2 and Komplete 12 which give me an enormous wealth of sounds/fx without even the specific need to start up my DAW because I can make presets and listst of favourites on the board itself.



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[Dromeus]

Which instrument adds most as the upper position keyboard..

The best answer is as always: it depends.

The second keyboard I acquired was a stage piano and of course it found it's place UNDER the Tyros. There was no other choice for me at that time. Essentially I'm a piano player, graded hammer 88 keys feels like home.
Third was a virtual analog synth. How else could I design sounds and shape 'em in realtime?
Next was a Hammond B3 clone. You just can't substitute two waterfall keys, drawbar sets and a decent B3 physical model engine.

I really believe those four types of keyboards form the basic set that keeps me happy.  But this path is dangerous  , right now my arsenal includes 8 keyboards and two expanders...

But it depends where you come from and where you want to go...

[pjd]

A bit of a flame here...

I wish that MIDI controllers were scriptable. Then it would be soooo much easier to build the correct MIDI message.

Sometimes one needs Sy*** where the values are embedded in the message. I think the old JLCooper FaderMaster had this capability...

-- pj

[panos]

Hi Bachus,
may I say my opinion although I don't use 2 keyboards? 
Use something that has good piano keys and perfect piano sounds.
All the rest, Genos little or more has got them.
Although I don't think this instrument can be used properly as the upper keyboard.

[Joe H]

i could add a 76 key version of Motif ES? With AN board..

Several advantages with the Motif idea are:

1. Lots of arps to play on your Genos (especially with the Motif XS)

2. An Arp Editor built in

3. Lots of expansion packs (new analog wave forms for Motif XS with DIMMS memory boards installed)

4. You can create dummy packs in YEM to access Motif Voices and Performances directly from the Genos

Joe H

[Dromeus]

A bit of a flame here...
I wish that MIDI controllers were scriptable. Then it would be soooo much easier to build the correct MIDI message.
Sometimes one needs Sy*** where the values are embedded in the message. I think the old JLCooper FaderMaster had this capability...

Hey pj

I spent a lot of frustrating time in the past to connect my gear by MIDI trying to implement what I had in mind, just to learn that it fails because of a limitation here and a quirk there... nahhh.... Today all of my keys are MIDI-wired to a no thrills MOTU Express 128 Interface, and all those MIDI streams are controlled by Cantabile. This software is just brilliant and let's you do ANYTHING regarding MIDI mapping and scripting. Additionally using a decent audio interface it's an awesome VST host. It's a dream come true and so stable and versatile, that I will use this technology in my band rig, too (with the help of the brilliant Radius Key-Largo Mixer/Audio/MIDI/Interface).

PS: Sorry to Bacchus for being slightly(?) off-topic.

[Bachus]

The best answer is as always: it depends.

The second keyboard I acquired was a stage piano and of course it found it's place UNDER the Tyros. There was no other choice for me at that time. Essentially I'm a piano player, graded hammer 88 keys feels like home.
Third was a virtual analog synth. How else could I design sounds and shape 'em in realtime?
Next was a Hammond B3 clone. You just can't substitute two waterfall keys, drawbar sets and a decent B3 physical model engine.

I really believe those four types of keyboards form the basic set that keeps me happy.  But this path is dangerous  , right now my arsenal includes 8 keyboards and two expanders...

But it depends where you come from and where you want to go...

I currently have a lovely modx 8 under my Genos..

However i have come to the conclusion that i want my main arranger keyboard in the lower position
I am on the verge of making a decision of moving away from an 88 key..

[Bachus]

Hi Bachus,

I'm using my Tyros 5 in combination with the Komplete Kontrol mk2 and Komplete 12 which give me an enormous wealth of sounds/fx without even the specific need to start up my DAW because I can make presets and listst of favourites on the board itself.

Great keyboard..
But not really suited for use with my ipad (camelot pro auv3)

I am definately looking into a 61 key with
- 9 sliders
- 8 encoders
- 16 drumpads..

If you want a midi keyboard with 9 sliders, and quallity keys with aftertouch
Then there is only 1 option from Arturia.

[KeyboardByBiggs]

Then there is only 1 option from Arturia.

What's the model?

[ton37]

Just consider and look at the Nektar T 61 series with Nektarine plugin, if you want lot of midi control ...

[Tommy 73]

May as well add the new Roland Fantom (as it evolves) to the list of hardware keyboards and that's with out thinking about any predictions from the next Namm show...

[Bachus]

May as well add the new Roland Fantom (as it evolves) to the list of hardware keyboards and that's with out thinking about any predictions from the next Namm show...

Not as long as they don't add the super natural acoustic sounds and live sets..

[Bachus]

Been on vacation to vietnamm recently (could not log in from there, due to ip banns) which gave me some time to think about this question...

And it didn't get me anywhere...
As there is still to many options..

First there is an option to have a 76+ keybed directly under the Genos, in an organ like fashion..
But there are not to many high quallity keys available..

- Piaggero n-32 seems the standard option for this.. i need to try it once more.. but remember i didn't like the keybed that well
- Nektar LX-88 is another option.. as is the studiologic numa compact X2.. but both have some controllers on top, wich would mean the genos would be 2" further back then a trx organ..
- and then there is the dexibell s1, which triggers all my bells and whistles.. has great spunds onboard to and controlled to the left side of the keys.. sadly its only 68 keys.. this might look kind of strange under the genos..

Then there is an option to have a keyboard on top of the Genos... but how does this affect the GNS-1 sound if i have another keyboard hovering above the speakers?

In this case there is basically 2 options

A normal 76 - 61 keyboard (non arranger) which gives a long list of possible options..
For convienence the keyboard shouldn't be to deep.. this is my short list
-nord stage 3 compact
-korg kronos 61
-yamaha modx7
-roland fa07
-roland vr-730 combo
-roland jupiter 80
Some options like the montage and the new fantom are just to deep..

Or a 61 key master keyboard..
-novation sl mk3
-arturia keylab mk2

I dismissed the idea of a 61 key knobby synthesizer..


If dexibell S1 would have been 73 or 76 keys, i would have made my decision..
Now i am still in doubt..  a keyboard like the nord stage 3 adds really a lot in combination with v-console and the genos..



But for now, i am just happy i can log in to the forum again..

[Tommy 73]

Perhaps a Korg Grandstage ? But size may be a negative factor...

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[Bachus]

Perhaps a Korg Grandstage ? But size may be a negative factor...

I am stepping away from hammer action keyboards..
Back to semi weighted..

[Tommy 73]

Ok I see now... seeing the jupiter 80 on your list maybe the jupiter X pending more information on release???

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[Bachus]

Ok I see now... seeing the jupiter 80 on your list maybe the jupiter X pending more information on release???

Compared to the jupiter 80, the jupiter X seems quite limited... only 5 partials in a voice and 16 voice polyphony...   on the jupiter 80 you could have 10x3 partials ..  and 256 voice polyphony.


Personally i think the jupiter 80 has the best possible sound architecture... if it was an arranger, you could layer 4 voices on the left, 4 voices on the right... have a solo voice on the top right end (like the r3 on the Genos) and have a manuall bass, or percussion on the lower left end...

You could not want more then this as an arranger player..