Used XL or new Voyager+VX351?

[MBlom]

I've decided to buy a new Voyager, used ones rarely appear for sale. But I've found a used XL for the price of a new Voyager and a VX351. I've always been tempted to buy the XL because of its built in semimodularity, but the price for a new is too high. The thing though is that the XL is so big. I don't gig much but I want to be able to move it around to jams, occasional gigs and rehearsals.

So. Should I jump to the occasion? My main questions are:

1. Will the extra octave on the keyboard make a difference? I'm a very unexperienced keyboard player, but eager to learn.

2. Do the extra features (ribbon control, LFO2 synced to midi maybe more...) provide something useful or just something fun every now and then?

3. Will I be able to move it without too much hassle?

Please, share your opinions and experiences.

[stiiiiiiive]

I've decided to buy a new Voyager, used ones rarely appear for sale. But I've found a used XL for the price of a new Voyager and a VX351. I've always been tempted to buy the XL because of its built in semimodularity, but the price for a new is too high.

Go ahead!!

The thing though is that the XL is so big. I don't gig much but I want to be able to move it around to jams, occasional gigs and rehearsals.

Oh wait waiwait... no, don't go ahead!!

1. Will the extra octave on the keyboard make a difference? I'm a very unexperienced keyboard player, but eager to learn.

I'm an experienced keyboardist (experienced does mean I've been playing for years now, it doesn't mean I'm a shredder or talented huh?) and I'm used to play on a 73 keys board for electric/acoustic pianos or organs, and on 2.5-4 octave keyboards for synths. Under 3 octaves, I begin to feel limited since I don't always have a free hand for hitting the transpose button. Honestly, the 44 key Voyager is quite enough for me with regards to its duties.

2. Do the extra features (ribbon control, LFO2 synced to midi maybe more...) provide something useful or just something fun every now and then?

It all depends on you I guess... XL users will tell you better than me though.

3. Will I be able to move it without too much hassle?

Honestly, set apart the fact I am not a wrestler, but for the moment I don't feel like moving my Old School every now and then. So I don't see myself moving an XL at all. Plus the Moog ATA case is quite heavy on the car and on the wallet. But hey, that's me.

[EricK]

I would certainly get it if you can get a New Voyager and VX-351 for the same price. Go XL. You get the bigger keyboard, the extra lfo and the ribbon controller and the bragging rights.

I actually considered trading my Voyager vx/cp combo for a demo unit XL but they only wanted to give me 1700 for mine, and it is all in fabulous condition.

Eric

[Themaktima]

Well, I own a Voyager/VX-351 combo and I can tell you that sometimes I´m quite annoyed when I take it to rehearsals because it´s so heavy (and I only use a soft bag). I´m pretty sure I wouldn´t go anywhere with an XL. I´d still love to own an XL, I think it´s a great machine; a big advantage imho: the CV ins and outs are much easier to access (on the Voyager, CV in points to the back, and the VX simply sits somewhere and the connection cable to the Voyager always gets in the way). If I could afford it, I would leave the XL at home and the Voyager in the rehearsal room

[EMwhite]

Used XL for sure.

It's a Midi kbd also and very nice feel so there is nothing stopping you from using it to play with the other modules in your rig.

It is, as the Voyager is, a nice pice of furniture so may as well go XL. Yeah, it's a bit heavier, but buy a hardcase with wheels if you gig alot. When you set it up on stage, people will want to see it and chat. I've only seen one once (not counting the one that Mike Adams gave to Mark from Devo or Thomas Dolby). Plus the 2nd LFO is Midi Sync'able and some other niceties like ribbon.

[thealien666]

I add my vote for the used XL. Especially considering also that Moog Music certainly didn't produce as many XL as other models of the Voyager, so it's bound to keep/increase in value with time.

[namahshaman]

another vote for XL.

if you don't like it, I'll trade you my Voyager PE + VX351 +CP251. haha

[Voltor07]

Two words on the XL: STAGE PRESENCE!

[ColorForm2113]

Go xl, sometimes I regret not getting it when I had the chance (I went with select series, vx, 108m and 104m) sometimes I wish I had that extra lfo and ribbon controller. I really love touch control and gobs of modulation. But then I figured there would be no way I could rationalize the 104m &108m later. ..bit of a catch 22

[hooshirn]

I own and XL and the Fun flow witch is not at all similar to workflow is amazing. The ribbon can do some amazing things through the patch bay and the second lfo adds a much more modular touch to the process. These are two things you won't get with a standard voyager + expansion set up. Also the way the expansion features have been set up on the XL makes things easier and more intuitive in my opinion very easy and quick to change the sound around.

[stiiiiiiive]

Hey MBlom, here is a testimony from the heart

[kosmasepsilon]

hello, I sell my Voyager in pristine LIKE NEW condition. Would you be interested in it? I sell it at 2/3 of the price of a new one. Let me know

[MBlom]

The awesomeness of an XL was sadly not enough. I want to be able to transport my Moog to gigs and jams without breaking my back. So in a few days I'll be tweaking myself to ecstasy with a new Voyager Electric Blue.

Sorry, kosmasepsilon, I live to far from Greece.

[thealien666]

I think you'll find the EB quite heavy still... Unless you get a good carrying case for it (preferably with wheels).

[EMwhite]

That's the thing: keyword "wheels"

Get a case that has wheels on one end and a handle on the other and tow it luggage style.

When you get to the gig, place it on a stage stand and you are done. Much easier to tote a piece of luggage with good wheels then carry something heavy but every situation is different. Check out this case: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VoyagerXLcs/ The XL deserves it!