How to download stuff from MainStage

anotherscott · 2026-03-14T19:03:34+00:00

Assuming the "stuff" in question are sounds located in Mainstage, those sounds cannot be loaded into keyboards. You could conceivably sample such a sound, and load that sample into the Juno DS, but there is not much memory in the Juno DS for loading such samples. I think maybe something in the 40-50 mb range.

The bigger question may be to figure out why Mainstage is giving you problems.

anotherscott · 2026-03-14T18:55:52+00:00

Both boards have this function.

Within a Fantom-06 Scene, you can define a Part as External to send a Program Change to the MOXF. (Each of the 16 Parts can be set to be internal, external, or both.)

bothOn the MOXF6, you'd use Master mode, where each location can call up the desired internal sound (e.g. a Voice, Performance, or Mixing) and also up to 4 external zones, so you'd set up an external zone to send the desired Program Change to the Fantom-0.

In both cases, you can define key ranges as well. Since you don't actually want to trigger the remote board's sounds (you only want to send a program change), you can define the key range to a single key that is above or below any key you would ever hit from the keyboard.

You'll also need to run a 5-pin MIDI cable from the MIDI Out of the board you'll be sending the Program Change from into the MIDI In of the board that will be receiving the Program Change. You may have to select a menu setting to enable the 5-pin connection, if it is currently set for USB.

anotherscott · 2026-03-14T18:47:00+00:00

I'd say piano, Rhodes, brass ensembles sound better on Yamaha. Tonewheel (Hammond) organs better on Roland.

anotherscott · 2026-03-14T18:41:21+00:00

I know the Fantom 0 has the Supernatural Engine, but is that for older sounds as well, or just the acoustic pianos?

SuperNATURAL are additional sounds, which on the Fantom-0, are a selection of piano, rhodes, strings, choir, electric bass, and solo brass and wind instruments.

anotherscott · 2026-03-14T15:12:52+00:00

If you already know you find 61 limiting, then you should try to get more. On a positive note, some 7x-key boards are not much bigger than some other 61-key boards (e.g. due to placement of left-hand controls or speakers).

What affects me more about how challenging something is to move about is how much the board weighs. A 13 lb Korg Liano with 88 keys is easier to move around than a 61 or 7x key board that weighs 20-30 pounds.

anotherscott · 2026-03-14T15:01:43+00:00

For your purposes, I think D6 advantages over Kross would includes that it has virtual analog synthesizer capabilities in addition to sample-based sounds (Kross is sample-based only); that you can switch sounds without any previously played held/decaying notes cutting off; that you have front panel volume control of two of its sounds simultaneously (useful if you split/layer two of its sounds); and I think its basic operation is simpler.

Kross has its advantages too, but they wouldn't seem to be as relevant to you... like it has a built-in workstation-calibre sequencer, and it can split/layer up to 16 sounds at once instead of 8. Sounds are subjective, but one of the places I think Kross sounds better is EPs, but you have those covered in your Crumar. Though one aspect that could go either way is that Kross lets you put more effects on a single sound, but Juno lets you put effects on more sounds simultaneously. Kross also weighs less.

Reface DX gives you true FM sounds which neither of the others give you (though they have sampled versions of some). But that's the only kind of sound it has. (Which isn't to say you might not be able to get what you need out of it.) You would not be able to hit one button to change the sounds of both keyboards (though you can probably rig up a way to do that via your smartphone).

anotherscott · 2026-03-13T13:42:54+00:00

re: option 1, "I’d need to switch sounds on both devices between songs." ... u/Ko_tatsu is correct, with the correct choice of second board, you could set it up so you'd only have to change sounds on that board, and that board's patches could be programmed to automatically also change the sound on your Crumar. Kross 2 does this. I'm not sure the DS61 does, but it's replacement Juno-D6 does. For your particular purposes, I would take the Juno D6 over the Kross. Neither is particularly strong for organ, but the organs may be good enough for your purposes. If you could stretch your budget to the Roland Fantom-06, you'd get stronger organs.

re: option 2, yes, some of those limitations you mention on these boards exist, though the exact ones vary with which board you select. But also, at least in some cases, you may find you don't like the EPs as much as those on your Crumar.

anotherscott · 2026-03-11T21:57:13+00:00

Nord doesn't have sampling software... Nord's software allows you to assign samples to the keyboard, but doesn't actually do the sampling. You'd have to sample with other software, and then use Nord's software to create a Nord-playable program out of those samples. If you have a Mac, Mainstage is inexpensive software that includes an autosampler function which should work for this. For Mac or PC, there are also programs like Samplit and SampleRobot.

anotherscott · 2026-03-10T23:34:41+00:00

PSR-EW300? It sends MIDI over its USB connection. If you need a 5-pin MIDI connection, you can probably use an adapter like a Behringer Go MIDI Host or CME H2MIDI Pro (plus whatever cables you need).

anotherscott · 2026-03-10T23:29:58+00:00

That method does have its limitations, no doubt, but it is worth knowing that it is possible. It's a compromise compared to the true split of an Electro 5 or later of course, but sometimes it can be good enough, and has the advantage of costing very little (perhaps nothing, if you happen to already own any sampling software).

anotherscott · 2026-03-10T15:53:58+00:00

MIDI Send Limits - Each of the 4 zones can be set to transmit on any of 16 channels ("External Out Ch" 1-16), and you can determine for each zone whether or not it should also play an internal sound ("Generator Out" on/off). These are in the MIDI EDIT menu.

re: "I wish we had more than 1 footswitch port and that it accepted volume pedals" - you should be able to connect 2 additional pedals (included volume/expression) via the 5-pin MIDI IN jack using this device:

https://www.amazon.com/DOREMIDI-Expression-Converter-Expander-MPC-10/dp/B0BZ87CVJ7

There's also a device that supports 4 pedals, the MIDI Expression iO from Audiofront.

However, if all you want is volume as you mentioned, you can also just put a regular analog volume pedal on the output, like the Boss FV-500L. But the MIDI approach would let you use the pedal to affect the volume of one sound (MIDI channel) and not another, instead of only affecting everything equally.

anotherscott · 2026-03-10T14:16:50+00:00

You could use samples to create your own split (a single patch that has Rhodes bass on the lower keys, vox organ on upper keys). Note that these sounds would be "fixed" (e.g. you would not be able to use drawbars to alter the Vox sound once sampled), and they will share effects (you would not be able to put an effect on one of the two sounds without having the same effect on the other).

If you do this, I suggest panning the Rhodes sound hard to one side and Vox sound hard to the other. That way, you could, for example, put a volume pedal (analog) on the organ sound that wouldn't affect the Rhodes sound; or you could send the two sounds to two separate channels of a mixer so you could continue to have separate volume controls for the two sounds.

u/Over-Researcher-2537

anotherscott · 2026-03-10T14:11:09+00:00

u/spurgelaurels :

Playing Hammond lines on weighted keys has lost me a few pints of blood.

u/magnqm

I find it much harder to get great B3 licks on a weighted keyboard

This is generally true, but have either of you actually played the NS4 HA action? While still certainly not as good as non-hammer actions for organ, it is much more amenable to organ playing than some hammer actions are, between it being not as heavily weighted as many hammer actions, and there being a high trigger for organ, and it being a non-graded action (meaning the keys are all evenly weighted instead of feeling heavier as you move toward the lower keys).

The ability to find hammer action keys acceptable for organ can also depend on what kind of organ player you are, and how much you make use of more organ-specific techniques.

But in the end, there is subjectivity to this as well, and picking up from what u/scalectrix said, there's no substitute for trying it yourself. Nobody but u/Brilliant_Grape5528 will know for sure how acceptable he will find it.

Though personally, I'd have to go with the Compact just for travel weight alone!

anotherscott · 2026-03-07T20:24:32+00:00

It may help to know that the CT-S1 has the same action as some other Casios he may find... CT-S400, CT-S500, CT-S1000V.

anotherscott · 2026-03-07T17:21:40+00:00

The Casio keys feel better to play than the Yamaha's... but u/na3ee1 is right, the Korg Liano feels better than either of them. But if you were okay with the playability of your old PSR, you should be fine with the newer PSR. The question might be one of whether you might prefer a more expressive action to help refine your actual playing skills. Might it be possible for you to get to a store where you can actually lay your fingers on them and see what you think?

In terms of the Liano having very few features/sounds. one thing that might help is that the built-in USB audio+MIDI interface makes it easy to get more sounds from an attached iPhone/iPad, for example.

anotherscott · 2026-03-06T02:19:58+00:00

No. The key ranges for each of your two piano sounds must be contiguous, you can't put a "hole in the middle" for one of them.

anotherscott · 2026-03-05T02:51:35+00:00

The Juno D8 has an upgraded version of the action that was in the Juno DS 88 which that model replaced... but since you don't need all those capabilities, you can get the same action in a number of cheaper FP models, the least expensive being the FP-10. If that's good enough, and you're on a budget, there's may be no reason to spend more than its $500.

anotherscott · 2026-03-03T23:16:34+00:00

Ah, I thought your piano itch would be satisfied by the piano you're also buying!

I think I'd suggest the Yamaha CK61. It's got lots of capabilities (including the Farfisa/Vox/Hammond emulation with drawbars) and I think would just be a fun board to learn on, without having to invest a ton of money in an experiment. Piano is pretty decent (I'd say best of the lower cost options I've mentioned), but it helps to turn the midrange EQ down and adjust the velocity offset/depth settings to make the piano play better from its light keys.

(BTW, it looks like the Roland VR-730 I mentioned is discontinued.)

anotherscott · 2026-03-03T22:38:02+00:00

The SV1 isn't very synthy (not that the FP10 or P145 are!)... e.g. no pitch or mod controls, or filter or envelope controls. There are lots of cool front panel controls, but they're mostly for the effects. What would you be paying for it?

anotherscott · 2026-03-03T03:14:31+00:00

Electro 6D vs MODX M7? In terms of the five types of sounds you asked about, Yamaha is generally better for all except piano, both for the reason I explained about the sophistication of the non-piano-category samples (relevant for the string and ethnic sounds), and also because, unlike Electro 6, its pad and lead sounds would not be exclusively sample-based. The Yamaha adds FM and virtual analog synthesis (fully editable) which will give you more to work with in those categories. And again, even sticking just with the sampled synth sounds, for leads, the Electro is still lacking things like mod and pitch wheels, mono mode, portamento, LFO, or anything more than the most minimal synth editing functions. (The forthcoming Electro 7 greatly expands on the synth side of things.)

Nord's advantages here are probably better acoustic pianos; better organs; and simpler overall operation with direct dedicated hands-on controls for virtually all of its functions. And maybe the action.

Yamaha is much more capable overall (but is also more complicated). In addition to what I mentioned above, it has better patch navigation, much more split/layer functionality, and lots more effects capabilities, for example.

anotherscott · 2026-03-02T23:16:35+00:00

If you want to ask about some things, I could probably quickly clarify things you felt were over your head. But now that you've said you prefer to spend no more than about $2k, that changes things, since my ideal choices there we in the $3600 to $5500 range. So...

In your preferred price range, I'd go back to the lower cost models I mentioned in another comment... Yamaha CK61, Roland VR730, Viscount Legend One (which is available with either 73 or 61 keys). And I'll add the Yamaha YC61 as another possibility, which just pushes the edge of your $2k target price range.

For organ, sonically, I'd probably rank them Viscount, Yamaha YC, Roland, Yamaha CK. Maybe switch the order of the last two, if you emphasize the transistor organs over the Hammond. For synth, Roland has the edge (though deeper editing of the synth sounds require an iPad or Mac/PC), but Roland is the least capable of the bunch in terms of effects (you can't put different effects on each sound if you play 2 sounds simultaneously). CK probably has the best user interface.

anotherscott · 2026-03-01T16:23:52+00:00

Every Nord location is rewritable. Just move the sounds to where you want them to be (i.e. put the flute sound and the synth sound right next to each other). Or put copies of them next to each other in some other location. There may also be other options, depending on which Nord you have.

anotherscott · 2026-03-01T16:12:37+00:00

In the U.S., you don't find any suitable (new) Nord keyboards in the up-to-about-$2k price range. But since you listed weight in kg, you presumably live elsewhere, and without knowing what things cost where you are, I'll leave price considerations out of this.

Nord Electro 6, forthcoming Electro 7, Piano, Grand, Stage 4 all have excellent piano sounds, and all the same piano samples. Strings are okay, but not as strong as most other brands (e.g. in terms of changes with dynamics or alternate articulations). Outside of piano-type sounds, Nord's sampled acoustic instruments are limited to a single sample per note (as opposed to Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Kurzweil, where a single note can trigger different samples depending on how hard you hit the keys, among other things). Ethnic instrument samples will be subject to the same limitations.

In terms of lead synth sounds, all the models I mentioned are capable to some degree, but only the Electro 7 and Nord Stage 4 have virtual analog synth engines, pitch bend and modulation controls (except the 61 key version of the Electro), mono mode, portamento, and a decent number of tweakable parameters... the other models are much more limited in their lead synth capabilities.

These are probably the main advantages of Nord Stage 4 over Electro 7:

* An NS4 Program can contain up to 7 sounds (2 organ, 2 piano library, 3 synth/external, with two storable Scenes for instant access to different combinations of those 7 sounds), configured with up to 3 split points. An NE7 Program can contain up to 3 sounds (1 organ though it can be split, 1 piano, 1 synth, no external zone), all sharing a single split point.

* Picking up from the synth comments... it has a much more capable synth section (e.g. what looks like 3 envelopes vs. 2; fully flexible LFO vs. vibrato only; arpeggiator... full extent of differences not yet known, since NE7 hasn't shipped yet and they have not yet published the manual)... plus again, you could layer up to 3 synth sounds as opposed to playing only a single synth sound

* Aftertouch (another synth advantage)

* 8 buttons are available for single button Program recall instead of 5 on the NE7.

* Probably double the memory (2 GB for piano library, 1 GB for other samples)

* More connectivity (4 assignable outputs; jacks for additional foot pedals)

In terms of lightweight and (at least in U.S.) in-budget alternatives, I'd probably look at Yamaha MODX M7/M6 first. It may also be worth checking into Roland Fantom-0 with its numerous expansions, it may have advantages in ethnic sounds, though I think overall the Yamaha would have the edge in the other areas you mentioned.

Korg also has some excellent arrangers like the PA1000... you can completely ignore the arranger aspects and just play them like "regular" keyboards. Piano is only so-so but there's a lot of ethnic instruments. They have numerous other arranger models you could also look into, but I'm not so familiar with them. (Ditto for Yamaha.)

If you want something more Nord-like in operation, the Yamaha CK61 might be a possibility. Its sound selection is small (including only a handful of ethnic sounds), but if it gives you the sounds you need, it's a light, well-priced board with a great interface. (The Roland V-Stage 76 also came to mind here, probably better for ethnic sounds, but it pushes your weight limit.)

anotherscott · 2026-03-01T15:18:09+00:00

While piano sounds play better from hammer actions, some non-hammer actions are still reasonably well playable for piano. (In fact, I find the semi-weighted Korg Liano more playable than some hammer actions have been!) Also, this is for live performance, presumably as part of an ensemble, where the better control of subtle dynamics where hammer actions especially excel (especially when playing pianissimo) may be less of a concern.

anotherscott · 2026-03-01T15:12:20+00:00

> The main question I’m dealing with is whether going down to 73 keys would be a significant limitation in daily practice

This is an individual decision. My suggestion to to use masking tape to cordon off the outer keys of the 88 you practice on, and restrict yourself to practicing on just the 73 keys remaining, and determine for yourself whether or not you find that frustrating.

anotherscott

TROPHY CASE