| I just found the review (Keyboard, Nov. 87). Looks like lots of nits
and not what I was hoping to find. (Sigh.)
Maybe the A-80 from Roland will be the ticket (assuming, of course,
that I will be able to afford it).
-b
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| At the risk of fulfilling my reputation as the resident KAWAI
bigot...
The M8000 is real nice. The feel is IMO just like their acoustic
keyboards and there are full-keys (not the ones with scooped-out
bottoms like on many synths). There is aftertouch (mono) and also
release velocity something which KAWAI is one of the few companies
that offer this feature. (I think release velocity is a bit under-
rated. If you know what you're doing, you can make an extremely
realistic patch for complicated sounds like harpsichord or flute
by taking advantage of this feature in addition to attack velocity
and aftertouch). As mentioned in .0, the M8000 can broadcast over
four channels simultaneously. Combined with multi-timbral (I can't
believe you said that word, Bill :-)) devices like the K5 or D110,
that gives you one heck of a lot of flexiblity in program changes,
stacking voices, and more splits than an early James Brown concert
(sorry 8-0). It also means more complexity.
I suspect that many folks have a hard time understanding these
beasts; they offer so much but you don't realize that you might
need what they offer! After I bought the K5, I realized that I
might have been better off getting the K5m module and an M8000.
Although I love the K5, I could have gotten more flexibility and
the extra 28 keys not to mention a spiffy stand with the M8000.
And, oh yes, the list price is $1895.00. I doubt that anyone is
selling them for this, though. They have not been a "hot" item.
I would guess that you could get one for about $1300.00.
Clusters,
Bill Allen
ps If you know where they are letting them go for <$1000, SPEAK!!!
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