Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Re.: .0
    
    I got the same brochure.  In fact, they sent me two brochures. 
    I was interested in getting a controller to use with my Dr. T's
    Keyboard Controlled Sequencer software I just ordered, but figured I 
    could never afford one, but the XK sounded intriguing: 
    
    From the brochure:
    
    Velocity, pressure AND release sensitivity, with velocity scaling.  
    
    Keyboard can be split into three zones, each with it's own range and
    midi channel.  Spillover plays two synths as one intrument with
    twice the voices.   Remote sequencer/drum machine controls: Song
    Number, Start/Stop/Continue. Levers and pedal can be assigned to
    any of 100 midi controllers, 100 Master Programs each store Zone
    settings, instrument Patch Numbers, controller assignments, "and
    more!"    Suggested retail $1058.  Going for $499.
    
    What little research I've done makes this sound like a helluva deal.
    But I'm no keyboard player or expert.  
    
    Any caveats that anyone out there is aware of?  Is this a good deal?
    
    Rodney M.
    

    LaSalles in Boston is moving their Keyboard section upstairs and
    has EVEN BETTER PRICES than these on the Oberheim stuff (granted
    their stuff is demo stuf not new).  I think that these prices are
    pretty goo however. Xk is a good controller.
    
    	- Rick
    

Is there an address and phone number to get these goodies?

Could they be refurbished or does it specifically say 'NEW'?

Could someone send me a copy of the brochure?
	(PKO3-2/K84 | Pole 22F for those who might want to stop by)

Thanks,
Dan

RE: .1  ...Oberhiem trying to keep their head above water...

This "Musicians Direct, Inc." may be a new company and Oberhiem is just
lowering their cost to the dealer.  I've been calling around looking for
Matrix-6 and the prices haven't been the $1050-1150 I've heard for a while
now.  It has been $895.00, so...

This new company may be using Oberhiem latest price break as a way of
announcing themselves.

Dan

    I got the same brochure.  But, I remember seeing this topic come
    up on an outside net.  The response was that Ob is closing this
    stuff out.  May have also been some rumor about the dealership and
    not the manufacturer providing the warranty, but don't quote me.
    
    Steve

    The brochure states that the stuff is "new - no reconditioned units or
    look alikes". 

    Place is legit.  According to Oberheim, they are "discontinuing" some
    older model equipment - probably to make way for some new stuff that's
    soon to be announced.  (No, I DON'T know what ... I'm just
    speculating.) 

RE: Xk

    Nice controller, but some nits ... if you don't like the Oberheim feel,
    don't get one.  Compared to the DX, the thing is incredibly arthritic.
    I checked into one seriously about a year ago.  Aftertouch is mono, not
    poly.  And my biggest gripe - the 100 patches could NOT be mass stored,
    either via MIDI or via tape.  >8-(  Could have been a brain damaged
    sales rep, too, who knows?  I also prefer Xk bend/mod bars to the
    wheels/joystick type controllers. 

    One man's opinion, for what it's wo - er - FWIW ...

8^)

    re XK 'aftertouch is mono not poly'
    
    .. I believe only the Kurzweil and Fairlight implement true polyphonic
    aftertouch. So the lack of it in a lowpriced controller is NBD.
    
    TIGOOH (This is getting out of hand.)
    
    km�

I have an Xk.  I think it's terrific feature-wise, but the keyboard takes
a lot of getting used to, and the inability to save the programs is scary.
Oberheim is aware of it, and they are working on it.

$499 is very cheap.  LaSalle's sells them new for $799, maybe $649 on
sale.

/Andy

				  (oh)

    
    Gawd. I hope you didnt buy it at Lasalles.
    
    Look. This aint new. Howard Goldman Musician Supply (see FIRST note
    on mail order dealers) has been trying to sell me a Xk for about
    3 months at the same price. I bet he would beat $499...anyway, I
    think Ob has special deals on volume buys that dealers cant refuse...
    
    CALL SOME MAIL ORDER DEALERS BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING.
    
    I got this flyer too. Anyone guess where our names came from??????
    I bet this company is just a another dealership that bought some
    volume Ob gear....and now is ADVERTISING (unlike mail order dealers).
    A nice idea. It could even be Oberheim itself going direct to
    customer....
    

    Rumor from the USENET has it that these items are ``soon to be
    discontinued.'' And that is why they are so cheap.  I dunno.  (Call
    Oberheim.  That's what the guy who sourced the rumor did.)

RE < Note 814.10 by JON::ROSS >
    
>    I got this flyer too. Anyone guess where our names came from??????

	My guess would be from magazine subscription lists, KEYBOARD, ELECTRONIC
MUSICIAN,...

RE:< Note 814.10 by JON::ROSS "Network partner excited first try!{pant}" >
    
>    Gawd. I hope you didnt buy it at Lasalles.
      NO!!!  It's a mess down there, as usual.  I can get the Matrix-6
mail-order, new, for $895 with no sales tax.  Whereas LaSalle had the
demo for $999 plus tax.

      I actually went down there yesterday to see how "arthritic" the
keyboard is, and it is!  I never noticed it before(I guess I was to anxious
to buy back then (January), glad I held out).  Maybe the 6R after I get a
keyboard.
     
      They are selling all demos.  ESQ-1 for $1095, Kurzweil for $5000+ and
$3000+(can't remember the names of the units tho')

Dan

RE: note 814.13

RE:< Note 814.10 by JON::ROSS "Network partner excited first try!{pant}" >
    
>>    Gawd. I hope you didnt buy it at Lasalles.
>      NO!!!  It's a mess down there, as usual.  I can get the Matrix-6
>mail-order, new, for $895 with no sales tax.  Whereas LaSalle had the
>demo for $999 plus tax.

I guess it's who you know...

    Has anyone actually called this place to see if they're legit?

    To boot, do they sell anything other than Oberheim gear?  The letter
    enclosed with the flyer alluded to such ...

8^)

RE:.14

"It's who you know..."?  If this pertains to where can I get them for that
price, you can either get the Matrix-6 at Sam Ash or Thoroughbred for $895.


RE:.15

I called yesterday and the answering service only knows the items listed in
the brochure.  She did ask if I wanted a complete catalog, so I should get
one of those whenever...

As for the address I asked for before(Thanks to Mr. Eaton)...

	Musicians Direct Inc.
	12021 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 315
	West Los Angeles, CA  90025
	1-800-443-0100, ext 321

There is one thing that bothers me in the flyer, tho.  The flyer says on the
bottom 'All sales are final' while an insert 'Risk Free 10 day return
privilege, all sales guaranteed.'

As to the warranty, it says 'Factory Warranty  All products are new and
covered by the Standard Oberheim 12 Month Limited Factory Warranty and
delivered in factory sealed boxes.'

Dan

re: .16

> "It's who you know..."?  If this pertains to where can I get them for that
> price, you can either get the Matrix-6 at Sam Ash or Thoroughbred for $895.

No, it doesn't pertain to that at all.  It pertains to LaSalle.  I have never
paid their asking price for anything.  As I said, I guess it's who you know.
I suspect it also depends on how much business you've done with a retailer or
how much business you've recommended.  Same with car repairs...

    I got this as well.  Mailing list must have come from any of:
    KEYBOARD, MUSICIAN or MUSIC TECHNOLOGY.
    
    Richard
    

    Re: -.18
    
    I only get MUSICIAN of the three you mentioned so that must be it...
    
    BTW, They are really heavily keys oriented these days, aren't they?

    re: .19
    
>    I only get MUSICIAN of the three you mentioned so that must be it...

    Wrong!!!
    
    I don't get MUSICIAN and I got it too.
    
    I get Keyboard, Guitar Player and Guitar for the Practicing Musician.
    
    	db
    
    p.s.  of course, this does not include Newsweek, Canoe, the Journal
          of Irreproducible Results, plus a few other subscriptions
          I have.

    Re: -.20
    
    Then it must be Guitar Player &/or Keyboard because both are from
    the same publisher (likely have a common mailing list) or...
    
    They got more than one mailing list (what a *cosmic* idea)..
    
    Or they got a mailing list of DEC noters :-)

    They probably all had their mailing lists bought by a broker who
    does sorts and extracts.
    
    Edd