Korg X50 - any good for analog?

In my country Korg X50 got a very tempting price. I am considering buying it, and I have to do it soon.

My main question - is it any good for analogue type of music. I know it's a digital ROM based synthesizer, but how good does it emulates analogue sounds? Is there a way to play with the sound with parameters? Are those knobs OK for realtime work?

Specifically, are there good moog-like leads and solina sounding pads for atmospheric music?

Since you appear to be a novice, the X50 will probably be able to do all the sounds you know how to create. So you'll need to spend a lot of time learning how to do that, because the X50 Triton engine is very powerful. It isn't a virtual analog synth, so if that's all you need, then the Radias/R3 and the MicroKorg XL are real VA synths. The X50 is more generally versatile, while the others are more focused on VA synthesis. Yes you can change the sound parameters and use the knobs for realtime changes, on all of them.

X50 is great for pads, but I don't think it can do Moog-like leads very well. Portamento is important for many vintage-sounding lead sounds and the portamento on X50 just doesn't sound right to me. Otherwise, it is still a good board.

The X50 has a very comprehensive sound ROM inside of it. I think it's brilliant for the price, but the keybed is what ruins it for me.

Evidently, the M50's isn't much better.

Why don't the Big 3 just make a QUALITY ROMpler?

SIGHHHHHHHHHHH

Interpreting that statement literally, I can't help but wonder what a Big 3 collaboration effort would be like... it'd either be the most awesome thing in the world, or some fuck-ugly frankenstein's monster of a thing Hopefully Yamaha and Roland would bully Korg into leaving their box of piano samples at home...

You really need to go for their top line for a good feeling keybed, and quality features.

A lot of people have said they liked the feel of the keys on the M50, though - better than the competition

I have a suggestion for your top tier, by the way. Instead of a Nord Electro, get an M3-61 for a few hundred more. Will still be less than NE+XS Rack, and with the expansded version and all, the EPs are said to be gorgeous, the organs are also very good, and you get high quality brass, as we've seen. What do you think? If you're not set on the NE, it might be a very worthy upgrade from the TE.

You really need to go for their top line for a good feeling keybed, and quality features. A lot of people have said they liked the feel of the keys on the M50, though - better than the competition I have a suggestion for your top tier, by the way. Instead of a Nord Electro, get an M3-61 for a few hundred more. Will still be less than NE+XS Rack, and with the expansded version and all, the EPs are said to be gorgeous, the organs are also very good, and you get high quality brass, as we've seen. What do you think? If you're not set on the NE, it might be a very worthy upgrade from the TE.

I've definitely considered it.

A few reasons:

1. I prefer the touch of the electro's keybed. Having owned one before, I really "gel" with it.

2. The organ samples are great on the M3, yes, but adjusting/playing them on the NE is in a different league.

3. I'd like to start building my rack unit competencies.

4. I've already decided there's no justifying the cost of an XS Rack, so I'll probably be able to get a used ES rack for quite a lot less, making the whole operation cheaper than the M3-61.

Don't get me wrong, I'd jump at any opportunity to add an M3 to my rig, but for the reasons above, I've talked myself out of it.

Interpreting that statement literally, I can't help but wonder what a Big 3 collaboration effort would be like... it'd either be the most awesome thing in the world, or some fuck-ugly frankenstein's monster of a thing Hopefully Yamaha and Roland would bully Korg into leaving their box of piano samples at home...

How about a very professional 76 key unit with the XS, G, and M3 samples included. No sequencer; no sampler. Just an ultimate ROMpler. Priced at $1799.

Sorry for jumping in. But does it have a VEGAS mode ?

I'd buy that instrument right now.

So would I.

Well yeah 1799 is bit different than 600 or something, don't you think so ?

Well yeah 1799 is bit different than 600 or something, don't you think so ?

I know. I wasn't bitching about the cost of the X50. I was bitching about the fact that in order to get professional action with a decent soundset, you have to go into $2500+ workstation territory-- there's no "pro" ROMpler available.

True,companies and marketing are washing people's brains...

Well you can always buy something like a 'Mini Motif' and believe this will really sound Motif-like...

I don't think it will be changed, situation was different with Alesis Fusion, a decent workstation for very attractive price, but Alesis aimed for bit higher price...

As we say

'cry and pay'

I don't think it will provide such features though...

If the OP wants a better keybed and virtual analog, then the X-Station is my goto player. It has electric piano and a few other advanced waves, even though it's not a ROMpler. I'd buy the X-Station and a ROMpler module like the Roland soniccell if I wanted a little of everything. The X-Station keybed, midi controller config, and audio input keep it useful even if you upgrade later to workstations.

The best advice we can give you:

PLAY the damn thing!!!!!

Then make a decision based on your playing ability.

Korg is analog, so it will definitely be more than good for analog.

The question is can you tweak?

If no, learn synthesis. Then apply techniques used to create sounds you want in your arsenal.

Easy money.

Uh, no, sorry. The Korg isn't analog. It's not even a VA.

It's is a ROMpler

Have you played the board?

I mean it's no Moss board and whatnot, but it can sound like analog.

That's not what you said though. You said it was analog. (neither is MOSS btw, and I don't think either of them sound analog, but of course that's subjective. The fact that it's not analog certainly isn't subjective.)

I have a Korg Micro X, which I believe has the same synth engine as the X50. It does have some analog sounding emulations. The one's I use the most are the sine wave leads and arpeggiated Tangerine Dream-like patterns. However I get better analog-type sounds from my Novation X Station.

I live far away from the only store in my country where you can try it and buy it and that's why I asked the community for a help, can it sound analog or not. Thank you for your advice, it's certainly the best thing to do anyway.

Isn't it inherently obvious that NOTHING is analog, except analog?

With that said Korg isn't analog from a literalist's POV, but does a pretty damn good job of replicating it (to me), although I'm not an analog nut as some are on here. Considering the lack of responses for the OP, I felt I'd contribute my opinion.

So while YES, it isn't analog, to *me* Korg, the name Korg is a worthy board to play on if analog (or analog emulation) is the OP's thing?