Well, unless the sampling function is vastly improved, it won't matter anyway. That was exactly my thought Squeak. I was going to sample some of my better software drum sounds and load my T2 up. I got as far as sampling a small but rather complete kit. Unfortunately, I probably should have read the danged manual first. It was only then I realized I could only load 8 samples per user voice or per drumkit. That's right, 8 whole drum sounds per kit.. single layered of course, no multisample function in T2. Hmmm.. I kept saying to myself.. nahhh something is wrong, it's gotta be me, I'm not getting something here, but I looked deeper into it online and that's what it is. Let's see.. hmm a bass drum, a snare, a closed hh, open hh, maybe I'll skip the pedal hat.. now I have four left.. hmm how about a crash, a ride.. that leaves me 2 toms... How useless is that ? OK OK, I'll admit it.. there is GOOD news too. At least I'll never have to hear those danged hand claps again.. hehe

Now the sampling function on the ES is a bear to work with, but at least I can load either multisamples or as many individual samples per voice as the memory will hold.

By contrast, the Korg M3 lets me load several different formats easily and effortlessly. I talk about ( and use ) samples a good bit, but really, when I feel compelled to "roll my own", I'm working in the dark ages compared to those who really have it down to an art. I do dabble with Kontakt now and then, but the reality is, any time I'm trying to create something, and I can keep it simple and still get the desired results, I still use soundfonts more often than anything else. It's really the only format that I can say I have some expertise in using asnd creating in. The good news is that my M3 loads SF2 files effortlessly and also that the good ones sound great coming out of it.

To me, the sampling capability on the T2 is the equivalent of a modern day Casio SK1, great for making an oddball noise or two, not much else.

I can't answer why the T2 has the better SA voices, ( it's been said both here and at Motifator and I tend to agree ) but in my mind, I might reason that it's because the ES and XS are geraed toward modern music. I would venture a guess that in the modern genres that acoustic instruments, other than maybe pianos and a few others aren't the primary featured sounds being used, and that even when they are featured, it is rarely the goal of those who might use workstation produced .. let's say guitar sounds, for example, to fool the listener into believing they are hearing the real thing. In simpler words, I'm guessing it just isn't all that important to the majority of workstation users, much in the same way better acoustic and electronic drum kits aren't a major concern to the majority of Yamaha's targeted arranger market.

AJ



[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 09-15-2008).]