Hi spalding,

One question is just what are your needs when it comes to sampling? What do you want to sample and how do you want to use those samples? No keyboard or module will give you the results that are obtainable with computer based wave editor software. I use Sound Forge 7.0 but there are other options as well. It all depends on how deep your sampling efforts are going to be.

As for your comment that you want to hear from real Genesys owners about their opinions and not just the opinion of a GEM employee, that seems to be a reasonable request.

Just for the record though, I have played keyboards professionally for around 33 years and have worked in music stores selling most every brand/model of keyboard since I finished college in 1979. I made it my specialty to learn the in-depth functions of every model I sold so I would have an edge over other salespeople and other stores. I only say this to point out that I am knowledgeable when it comes to keyboards.

There are certainly other brands/models that are good instruments in addition to GEM. Some folks prefer the way one model operates or sounds over another model and that is normal. I am glad that there are still a good number of choices in keyboards available. It would be quite boring if everyone had the same basic sound.

Two final points I would like to make;
I would like and use the Genesys and Promega 3 whether I worked for the company or not. As I said in my earlier post, I have been a fan of these instruments for many more years than I have worked for the company.

The biggest point to make in my opinion being from the heart is the fact that it won't make a difference to me one way or the other as to what you end up buying. I work for Generalmusic USA and we have nothing to do with the UK. I would like for you to try a Genesys because I know it is a good instrument and it sounds like it will serve your needs. But that is purely coming from the musician/keyboard player part of me, nothing else.

Anyway, good luck in your search and whatever you do end up with keep making music!

Dave