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Korg X5
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soopalonyon soopalonyon
Published on 03/06/07 at 10:53
- 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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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).