Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    You might want to have a look at either the Ensoniq ESQ-1 or SQ-80.
    
    The user interface is considered to be more powerful and much more
    user friendly than the D-20, but lots of folks don't like the Ensoniq
    sounds as much.
    
    Roland is also legendary for poor manuals and Ensoniq is legendary
    for terrific manuals.  If you're new at this, that might be an
    important consideration.
    
    I'd also certainly take a look at the Korg M1 which has, IMO, the
    best sounds of all of them but is more expensive and (according
    to Keyboard magazine) has an inferior sequencer.
    
    	db

    
    
    	D20 a cheesy sequencer compared to the Ensonics. If you like
    the Roland D sound, better to go with a D10 and a separate sequencer.
    These are my opinions, anyway.
    
    						Rich
    

    
    
    Having seen and played with a D20 and having set a friend off on
    a similar path I would wholeheartedly recommend the D20. The concept
    of having all the bits you need Diskdrive/sequencer/"excellent"
    drum machine/multi-timbral/reverb synth in one machine is, I think unique 
    except for the Yamha V50 which does not sound as good. 
                                                                 
    I wish these had been around 3 years ago when I started out.
                                     
    						Paul.

    I vote for D1/20 too. Important point about the disk drive, which
    you're unlikely to afford if you go D10+sequencer.
    
    Richard.

    I own an ESQ1 & you have to buy additional gear to make as many Timbres
    as available on the D10/D20/D100/MT32 (these are all sort of the same
    family). I Have an MT-32 and borrow a D110 on occasion. Ny Nephew has
    a D10 (and a Yamaha DX7). We all seem to like the Roland sounds and
    especially the drums that are built it. The ESQ1/SQ80's have a very
    nice sequencer in them, but to effectively use the Ensoniq keybooards,
    you really have to buy a drum machine or some sort of multi-timbral box
    with drum sounds in it. You'll also need some sort of multi-timbral
    box with the Ensoniq gear (you soon grow tired of running out of
    notes). I know practically nothing about the D20's sequencer. It may be
    good (I understand it only holds one song), or mediocre, that's hard to
    say. Lately manufacturers seem to be putting more things into the boxes
    (like sequencers). You might look into something like the D10 and an
    seperate sequencer, such as a Roland MC500 (has a disk drive) or an
    Alesis MMT-8 (no disk drive) or some of the more recent Yamaha
    sequencers. You might even look into a Personal Computer with
    sequencing software.

    I'll only give you one warning about Disk units. The 2.8 inch drive
    disks cost $4.00 to $6.00 each & hold very little (60K bytes). The
    3.5 inch and 5 1/4 inch are available everywhere & can be had for $1.00
    to $2.00 each and they hold quite a lot (800K is a common number).
    I have a seperate sequencer & disk drive (not to mention the seperate
    sequencer in the ESQ1) & I load everything in the MIDI network from a
    single drive. If you want to keep it simple, go withe the D20. If you
    want flexibility (such as the ability to outgrow either the keyboard
    or the sequencer with out losing an old friend) go with a seperate
    keyboard and seperate sequencer. Most of my stuff is now in a 6 high
    rack mount & I don't want anymore keyboards, one is plenty for me.
    I do enjoy, however, access to 2 sequencers at any time & use them
    both during Live performance.

						    Jens
    
    
    
    

    Jens advice is good, but to give you an idea how far you can go
    with the ESQ-1 synthesizer, the ESQ-1 was my first piece of MIDI
    gear.   I have since bought two more synths, a sampler, mixers,
    recorders, several effects units, reverbs, racks, guitar processors,
    etc. etc.
    
    What do I use for a sequencer: the same sequencer that I had on
    the ESQ-1 (only I upgraded to a SQ-80 which has essentially the
    identical sequencer as the ESQ-1).
    
    For my purposes, none of the dedicated sequencers offered nearly
    enough over the ESQ-1 to warrant their price.  The Roland MC-500 MK II
    with the S-MRC software sounds nice, but at that price I'd rather get 
    a PC-based sequencer.
    
    	db

    Please remember to either:

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    Also, PLEASE read notes 1.1 and 1.2 and follow the guidelines. Thanks. 

-b

    I am going to pick up my new D20 next week.  I chose it after looking
    at the M1 K1 etc and on the advice of a friend.  Is there anything in
    particular I should be wary of or try ?  This is my first
    sequencer/midi piece of gear.  Also has anyone tried those plug in Ram
    cards they offer?  Thanks in advance
     
    Peter Knight
    Melbourne Australia