Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    Sounds like you might want to wait for the much vaunted Emu
    Proteus.
    
    Anyway, I think there are now a number of things that are preferable
    to the MT-32 and perhaps the D-110.  I think the prices on those
    things are going to drop within a half year.  I'd only get the MT-32
    if you're really bound price-wise.
    
    I might go for the U-110 before the D-110 considering your needs.
    
    It sounds like you would be better off with something that is sampled
    based than synthesized.  The Proteus is sample based.  If it's
    everything people say it is (and people HAVE seen it demonstrated),
    it's the next "revolutionary" product in terms of meeting needs
    and price/performance and achieving wide spread popularity.
    
    	db

         You may also want to look into a Kurzweil 1000PX. It has 24 note
    polyphony, the best (by far, in my opinion) acoustic grand piano/
    great choirs/strings/etc. I think the 1000PX takes up two rack spaces.
    I think they can be had new for around $1500-$1700. Don't quote me on
    this as I was looking for one about 3-4 months ago and they were going
    for about $1700 then. 
    
    enjoy,
    
    Frank

DIR/TITLE=110 will point  you  to  the  U-110 note (#1671) and the D-110
     note (#1396). There is lots of info there on these two units.

>     I'm looking for:
>       - 'great' piano sound          
>       - strings / choir / orchestra wind instruments (clarinet/sax etc.)

The U-110 is great for  these sounds, the D-110 is not so good for these
     sounds.

The D-110 is great for percussion sounds and  synth type sounds, but not
     piano or string or choir sounds.

>     Recently I've seen (and tried) the Roland U-110. The brochure claims
>     a maximum 31-voice polyphony over a maximum of 6 midi channels. 

Correct.

>     The piano 
>     sounds alright to me. It sells at fl. 1750 here in the Netherlands 
>     (about $ 800).

$800 is a good price.  It went for  $900-$950  back  in February here in
     the US of A.

>     Questions:
>        - does 31-voice polyphony on U-110 really mean 31-note polyphony
>          or are there any 'hidden' limitations (like on the MT-32).

The U-110 has a minimum of  16-note  polyphony  and a maximum of 31-note
     polyphony.  The exact number is  determined  dynamically  based  on
     which sounds you're playing (single vs dual sample based).

>        - the salesman said there is no limit on the polyphony per channel,
>          i.e. one channel might be 16-note at one time, and 4-note the
>          next moment (dynamically!). Can anyone confirm this?

Confirmed - No limit on a per channel basis.
However...  there is a limit on a per  audio output basis (believe it or
     not) if you choose to utilize separate audio outputs.

>        - I heard some rumours about a high noise level. Is this true?

Fact: There is little  or  no  noise  problem  if  the  built-in effects
     (chorus/tremelo) are turned off.    There  IS  a  bothersome  noise
     problem if the built-in effects are turned on. Try it.

>        - are there any good alternatives?

The  Emu-Systems "Proteus" sounds like  a  good  alternative  -  initial
     deliveries due in late April 1989 (sic).

The U-110 and the Proteus are the  only  decent  units  that  I've  come
     across in this "sampled sound module" niche and price range.

/Mitch

    re .3
    
    I would second much of what Mitch has said: The D-110 is a great,
    cost effective way to get excellent synth sounds, very good percussion
    and bell-like sounds, and good strings and choir.  The additional
    Choir patches on supplemental card #2 (Natural Sounds?) really have
    some tone and body to them as do some of the new strings.  The biggest
    disappointment of the D-110 to me was the poor keyboards in general.
    (The one exception to this is its Organs; both Pipe and Electric
    are pretty good IMO).  But then, I have a K5 which I use for Piano, 
    Harpshichord, Celesta, etc..
    
    I don't own a U-110 but have listened closely to it.  It has a very
    good set of Pianos in it and some nice strings and choirs.  If variety
    is what you really want, you're better off with the D-110, though,
    because I don't think the U-110 gives you enough choices for the
    money.  However, the SOUND QUALITY on the U-110 is clearly superior
    to the D-110.
    
    A lot has been said about PROTEUS here.  It is as db says possibly
    the "next great leap" in both sound quality and affordability. 
    The problem is that having said all that (and given the inevitable
    price cuts on both the U-110 and especially the D-110), you will
    be able to buy the ROLAND units for much less.  You will have to
    give up the ultimate in sound quality, but depending on your
    application, that might not be a problem.  Another thing is that
    PROTEUS although it has been shown up here (MPLS) will not be available
    to buy until Mid to Late JULY (!).  I don't have a clue when customers
    outside the US might expect to see one.
    
    Clusters,
    Bill Allen
    

I tried out the Proteus at Wurly's in Boston last Saturday. On a scale of
1-10 I'd give it a 9, the Kurzweil 1000PX being a 10. The acoustic guitar
patch is clearly outstanding, IMO. The pianos and organs are very usable.
The horns have potential, and the drums are fine. This is the box that I
had hoped the D110 would be. The Proteus built-in demo gives a pretty
honest indication of "normal" usage capabilities. I feel that the best
thing about the D110 and U110 is their demos. After owning the D110 for
about 1 year, I sold it off. I was never able to get results with it that
even approached the quality of the demos. The f/x noise in the U110 is
prohibitive for me, but the demo is fantastic. I prefer the card slot
capabilities of the D110/U110 and wish the Proteus had those. There will
be an add-on sound card (internal) for Proteus and there is already talk
of a Proteus II that might have card slots. List on the Proteus is $995.
I'm on the list at Worcester Wurly's for the first one available. I'll
post a complete review asap. Eddie says next month, *maybe*.

dave

    Thanks for all your input. I've read all the notes on the *110 and
    the Proteus and found them very useful.
    
    BTW, the dealer for the Emu Proteus in the Netherlands just went
    bankrupt and Emu is looking for a new dealer, so it might take some
    time before we can see one (or buy one).
    
    I'm still puzzled about the polyphony on the U-110. Does the manual
    give a list which samples take up 1 or 2 voices or can I see it
    on the U110 itself? The salesman claimed that, using only the basic
    99 samples, the U110 would actually give 31-voice polyphony.
    
    Any comment?
    
    John.
                             

> < Note 2033.6 by IJSAPL::BOUWMANS >
>     I'm still puzzled about the polyphony on the U-110. Does the manual
>     give a list which samples take up 1 or 2 voices or can I see it
>     on the U110 itself?

The manual gives  the  list indicating how many voices each sample takes
     up (1 or 2).

>     The salesman claimed that, using only the basic
>     99 samples, the U110 would actually give 31-voice polyphony.

Dead wrong.  Using  only  the  basic 99 samples will give you between 16
     and 31 note polyphony,  depending  on which samples are sounding (1
     or 2 voice based samples).

You can also build "patches" consisting of  more  than one sample played
     over the same channel which reduce the  polyphony further.  I don't
     use "patches" in this sense.  I have  found  the individual samples
     to provide satisfactory sounds.

/Mitch

>     I'm still puzzled about the polyphony on the U-110. Does the manual
>     give a list which samples take up 1 or 2 voices or can I see it
>     on the U110 itself?

oh. you can't see how many voices each sample takes up (1 or 2) from the
     U110 panel itself, only from the manual list.

/Mitch