Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Question on Racks/Sequencers etc......

I used to have a Motiff and now just use my P140 or P85. I have been missing the huge selection of voices and the sequencer abit lately. But not enough to buy a motiff again although it may be the cheapest way but Im not sure.
I have3 questions since I am not up to date on all the new gadgetry out there.
1. Does buying a rack just give you more sounds...so like buying a motiff rack does it just give you the sounds on the motiff what are the advantages disadvantages??
2. Is there a cheaper way to get most of these sounds.. like buying a sequencer that has sounds in it?? My main concern is piano,strings, brass sounds.
3. I used to be able to play and have background instruments and drums going and they would change key right along with me. Was this the sequencer doing all this?? What is the cheapest way to accomplish this and still use my DP's??

Yes, you could buy a Motif rack mount unit. But an Apple notebook computer costs less and does more. The Mac comes with the recording a sequencing software pre-loaded and has a few dozwn decent voices with quality about like the Motif but you can add hundreds more if you need them

You have to think about the user interface on the Motif too. Just a few LEDs and buttons that you will have to operate. The computer has a full size screen and much better user interface. You can upgrade to Logic and MainStage if you need tit later.

One of the things I'd do if I were using a computer like that is buy a MIDI control surface. These things look a little bet like an analog mixer panel but they are just MIDI and add a bunch of slider controls so that you don't need to use a mounse while playing. You can assign each slider or pad to a software parameter and then I guess use postit notes or a sharpe so you remember what is what.

I've been looking at the nanoKONTROL - USB-MIDI Controller. It's about $60.
but it's USB. I want something like it but using "real MIDI".

Thanks for the info ChrisA.
So what is on this Apple Notebook or is it a Macbook...why cant I just install these programs and voices on my PC ??? Why buy a whole new computer??
What kind of $ are we talking for the Apple do you have a link or two?
Appreciated