Pros and Cons of RME vs keyboard version

The Moog Forum Minimoog Forum
1

I expected to purchase a Voyager somtime soon. In the meantime the rackmount version came out adding additional factors to consider.

The first and foremost I see is the missing touch screen. I must therefore ask Voyager users the following questions:

  1. Do you use the touch screen often?

  2. What do you use it for?

  3. Do you consider it a significant part of the Voyager?

  4. Are there alternative ways to acheive the same functionality you get with the touch screen.

As you can see, I am really asking whether the lack of a touch screen warrants the additional expense of the keyboard version. I realize there are other factors, differences etc. between the keybaord and rack version but the touch screen seemed to me that it had alot of potential and promise and I would hate to have a voyager and not be able to do everything a voyager can do.

So, if you have other comments on why the additional expense of the keyboard version is justified or not justified, please feel free to include them.

2

I would buy the keyboard version. I don’t like rack sizers, I like to be able to play the keyboard when I’m creating sounds. I don’t use the touch screen much but it is nice to have. I like the Voyagers ergonomic design, the hinged panel and lovely backlit wheels. The keyboard has a nice feeling to it and is really fast to play. It feels really nice to play the keyboard and turn knobs in the same time.
Another reason why I like keyboard versions is that I don’t have to start additional gear to play the sizer. I don’t have to hock up MIDI, start computers and master keyboard if I just want to play a few minutes.

Regards
Demokid

3

If you play buy the keyboard.

If you sequence buy the rack.

If you do both maybe we can work together :slight_smile:

4

If you plan on getting the rack unit, you could get a Kaoss Pad on Ebay for a touchscreen. The Kaoss Pad transmits MIDI so you can connect via MIDI to the Voyager Rack.

5

I use the touchscreen often. It’s not a scientific, precise controller unless you move your finger in very gentle movements. You can get finger vibrato with it, when you train your fingers.

I use it more often as a “controlled chaos” source. You can set it up to control feedback parameters (osc 3 → osc 3) so that it responds as you “punch it”. This can feel a lot like playing an acoustic instrument. Many have been the times when I’ve bodily pushed my Voyager via the touch screen. The keyboard stand is rocking and swaying, and the Voyager’s putting out semi-controlled noise, just like getting feedback on a guitar, or banging the guitar’s body with your fist.

It makes the experience more visceral, as opposed to clinical. Very nice. Of course, the sheer depth of the Voyager itself has something to do with the ability to get controlled evil…

Still, the touch pad makes the V-ger feel like an instrument, not merely a MIDI module.

If you plan on getting the rack unit, you could get a Kaoss Pad on Ebay for a touchscreen. The Kaoss Pad transmits MIDI so you can connect via MIDI to the Voyager Rack.

Well, sorta. The touchpad transmits in 3 dimensions, so when you push your greasy palm into it, it responds.

I have used simple XY controllers before (the Kaoss pad, and the joystick of a Yamaha TG33), but their depth doesn’t quite match that of the Voyager.

That said, you may be better served by the rack, if you’re not trying to learn new playing techniques. The Voyager responds better and better as you learn how to properly caress her, but if you only want the girth and depth of the V-ger’s synth engine, the rack may just do it for you.

-Hoax

6

To rack or not to rack is a difficult question …

I wouldn’t use a rack synth for soloing as I play the Voyager.
The touch panel is a plus to me. But I could live without it.
A joystick could be used a bit like the touch panel.

7

The touch screen is a subtle gem on the Voyager…

YES, it DOES add a visceral effect to the playing experience just like the mod wheel, pitch wheel, foot controllers, CV controllers do.

MAN! Sometimes I get into this aweome space where I’m totally rockin on the Voyager with my foot on the pedal, one hand dancing on the keys and jumping over to the mod wheel sporadically, the other hand wigglin on the touch pad and jumping over to the mod wheel or pitch wheel or filter spacing or whateva!
All intermittently and sporadically! Feels like I’m in a DJ battle or something! Whhosh!!! Magic happens, and I’m joyously reduced to a child doing stellar travel as my secret career.

That’s one of the things that sets this synth apart from all the rest! If you don’t get into all the different controllers on this BEAST, it will remain a PET that occupies less space in your creativity, but more space in your (me too)silly musical formulas… ITs true…

I had an Access Virus KB for 2 years and I sold it to get the Voyager…know why? The interface was cold, not very responsive(not to mention the sound), but I did like the feel of their mod, pitch wheels… I could get around and do what I needed to do, but it wouldn’t respond like the Voyager does.

And so I say this to you! Save you dough for another month or three and get the keyboard version…You won’t wish you got the Rackmount one instead!

peace
:wink: