I noticed SZ doesn't really have anything like here, where arrangers are discussed in general, rather than manufacturer specific. What's the best place like this one for ALL workstations?

I havent found one in english yet, in other languages we have very broad and active forums
but not in english. I usually use the dedicated forums as Korg, Yammy and Roland.

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/

Dedicated are the ONLY way to go. No pissing contests.

.Very specific and detailed conversation as EVERYONE is on the SAME page ALL the time. Brand specific forums are an excellent place to do research because there is depth and again no "mine is better because" threads.

They are usually attended by senior product specialists as well,who won't get involved on a daily basis with general information forums.

Phil Clendeninn is on Motifator EVERY day answering questions,not "selling" his brand.

Everyone on the forum are enthusiasts regarding their choice and information is available for every aspect of the technology, ALL downloads, Tutorials, Videos, PDF files tools tools....And more all singularly focused to one task. Master the Motif....and share one's education with others.

Nothing beats a technologically focused forum for research and then after one's choice is made, community without pissing contests.

I caqn tell you I had major issues jumping in to the deep end before playing the wading pool and no one took offense, yelled use the "search" function. Phil told me to get some foundational issues resolved that were outside my paradigm of Workstation set-up and work flow and the rest would come together. He was right.

[This message has been edited by Kingfrog (edited 03-12-2009).]

KingFrog.., even though some reps post on these sites doesn't mean they're not their to promote or sell their gear. I've spoken to Phil several times. He's a great guy and really knows his stuff too and is always answering questions.. Yamaha reps including Phil often used the MM6's obvious shortcomings (for example) as a way to push UPGRADING. People were getting REALLY ticked off (those that owned the MM6 who posted at Motifator) to find rather than get answers to their issues were being told UPGRADE.

So while they do help out a great deal on these sites., they are also their to promote and sell their other gear.., and ALL of them on any site will take every advantage they can to say UPGRADE.

Yes.., pissin contests DO go on at these sites too. Been in a few myself... I was actually on the defensive for Tyros 2 owners because snobs there were taking knocks at it and saying many things that were not true.

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 03-12-2009).]

I understand they are there to put a good face on the company (and they do) but the gear has already been sold in most cases!

And advising someone to upgrade from the MM6 is hardly a bad thing. The MM6 section has few posts compared to the XS section. It's like the PSR 413 vs the Tyros. Anyone would suggest an upgrade at least to a 900 if they are being asked for solutions that can only be resolved with an upgrade. I don't find that "hawking" in as much as helpful. MM6 owners may have an unreasonable expectation of the MM6. Everyone wants something for nothing.

The premiere Motif XS/ES forum is refreshing, extremely well moderated and well stocked. Phil has the patience of a Saint. For the most part the users don't hang around much. They get their knowledge and don't make a daily trek to the forum. not many very high post count members. More informational and supportive than a "community" People seem to get their issues resolved, questions answered and then go make music...Solutions are quick and accurate and extremely focused and detailed. No "member forum cops" screaming use "search" or RTFM.

I have found Arranger sites to be different then Workstation sites in that regard. There could be many reasons for that. Different type of people. Of the less patient, more instant gratification types. There is no Yamaha Arranger section on the Motif forum.therefore no pissing contests regarding arrangers which WS users either are not aware of or still view as toys as did I just three years ago. It's all Motif all the time, even segregated between specific models.

As it is a "technical solutions" forum there is little room for disagreement.Keyfax owns the forum and the Motif section has become the defacto Motif forum on the net.



[This message has been edited by Kingfrog (edited 03-12-2009).]

It's not just the Mini Mo Kingfrog.., Yammie's reps did it with the MO series too..., it was annoying to many because they weren't getting answers. MM6 owners being told to buy the MO.., MO owners being told up upgrade to the XS..., even MM owners being told to upgrade to the TOP unit. No biggie really.., they all do it on these sites. Life is all about the upgrades..., geez just look at how many options are out there now when you want to buy something as simple as a TOASTER. The term SIMPLE no longer exists UPGRADES, UPGRADES

On whole things are pretty good at Motifator. There have been some issues in the past where a few members (FoleyCore) were constantly causing problems. Funny thing was that Yamaha showed their sense of humor in one of their videos too. Foley was trash talking the XS line about synth features.., and in one of their videos they in a nice way debunked the guys claim by giving him (their version) of a middle finger. The debunked his claim.., and the patch used for the video was CLEARLY titled FOLEY

I frequent several sites myself.., and I've noticed they bicker just as much as we do. Moderators on some of the other forums though are "trigger happy" though. Nigel is good here and knows when someone has gone too far.., and doesn't pull the trigger too early

I guess the biggest difference is some forums are informational and others are community oriented. There is more bickering in the communities because people tend to visit them without a specific purpose or question. more for entertainment and camaraderie.

Informational forums need trigger happy moderators to keep on message,dispense informational solutions and move on. Model Specific forum Threads aren't bogged down with "opinion" or hyperbole. They are instead filled with "solutions to problems.

Yeah, Sometimes the recipients don't LIKE the solution or just want to bash the product. There is the great "ignore" feature where the user can eliminate any posts from those not helping to find solutions. Something that would not work well in a community forum that thrives and survives on opinion and pissing contests,