Hi

Bluesboy2003:
I'm still here. I'm just very busy periodically, so I don't get the time to post.. But this forum is NOT dying; actually I think there is a better "tone" herethan ever, and the discussions are meaningful..

Mister Bushice:
There are 5 models in the XP-family of synths: XP-10, 30, 50, 60 and 80. The XP-10 is a beginners GM/GS-synth. The XP-50 is the oldest in the family, it is a workstation like the 60 and 80. It is very popular, but is said to have a less than perfect user-interface. The XP-30 is a non-workstation model in close relation to the 60 and 80. The 60 and 80 are the top models in the family. The difference is that the XP-60 has 61 keys while the XP-80 has 76; other than that they are identical. I own an XP-60.

The XPs strenghts are that they are good at so many types of sounds. They do both emulative and pure electronic sounds well. This is paired with (in my opinion) a good user interface and high build-quality. The synth-engine is VERY powerful compared to that of Korg Triton/Karma.

The weakness of the XPs are that they are very "conservative" in many respects: Few effect-processors, no sampling or analog modelling etc. Because of this, some people find the synths "boring". My opinion is that my XP-60 is a pure PCM synth and workstation. It can not do absolutely everything, but it is good at what it does!

Oh, and one more thing that has made the XP-60/80 so popular is the keyboard itself! It is great!

Stig