breezybellows
Well-known member
Just out of the box
Test drive on my Korg Fisa Suprema
- Thread starter breezybellows
- Start date
Not a bad sound, but I'm not excited. It very likely sounds better than if you were to try to play this on a real fiddle...
If instead of a fiddle this were supposed to sound like a violin I would be really disappointed. But I guess that's a different sound setting?
If I were to get a Korg I'd be most interested in using it as an accordion, with just accordion sounds.
(I'm waiting for the compact version which is more suitable for a CBA player because the large version is ridiculously large for a CBA, just as ridiculous as the Roland FR8xb.)
If instead of a fiddle this were supposed to sound like a violin I would be really disappointed. But I guess that's a different sound setting?
If I were to get a Korg I'd be most interested in using it as an accordion, with just accordion sounds.
(I'm waiting for the compact version which is more suitable for a CBA player because the large version is ridiculously large for a CBA, just as ridiculous as the Roland FR8xb.)
As a violin player who plays both classical music and has been extensively dabbling with Bluegrass and Irish folk, I have to ask the question what the difference between "fiddle" and "violin" is supposed to be. While there is something like a "Hardanger fiddle" that is an actually different instrument, the usual thing called "fiddle" is the same as a violin, and the sound of a folk playing style is very near a baroque playing style (typically without vibrato and refraining from spiccato).
Edit: the amount of vibrato does not fit a fiddle style, and the rather robust articulation would be rather uncalled for in lyrical classic renditions. Sounds like it cannot decide what it wants to be.
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Thanks Breezy, I think the sound is pretty impressive for a digital fiddle. I think it would be more “fiddly” with a more legato and nuanced articulation but that’s personal choice and probably possible on the Korg. Here in the US, the fiddle and violin are the same instrument, the name used generally refers to the playing style, fiddle for bluegrass and folk styles, violin for classical. Sometimes the fiddlers set them up a little different, with a flatter bridge. I have one of each
.
While technically a fiddle and a violin are the same instrument the reality is that nobody would call a Stradivarius violin a fiddle, and the sound it produces is quite different from a fiddle, mostly because of how it is played but partly also because of its inherent sound quality. The Korg fiddle sound is not bad for fiddle music, but I'm hoping the Korg also has a violin sound that is different. (I have not looked this up in the manual.)
I would imagine, for that kind of money, the Korg has the ability to “tweak” the fiddle/violin to get you the kind of sound you want. Will it be closer to a Stradivarius violin, or Joshua Bell playing Foggy Mountain Breakdown on his Strad fiddle than my $400 Czech trade violin? Only the shadow knows.
But, just like the accordion sound you’re not gonna ever get a “real” sound which, ad infinitum, is not the point…….
But, just like the accordion sound you’re not gonna ever get a “real” sound which, ad infinitum, is not the point…….
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Zevy
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Good luck with your new acquisition!
Congrats!
I'm not finding it anything super special sounding, but thats just one sound right?
breezybellows
Well-known member
Yes. It's just one sound. I likes the modulation from the bellows. Just a different sound. I like the bellows action better than Evo's.Congrats!
I'm not finding it anything super special sounding, but thats just one sound right?
breezybellows
Well-known member
I learned the song by playing detached notes. So if I try to do legato, by brain will freeze.
Thanks Breezy, I think the sound is pretty impressive for a digital fiddle. I think it would be more “fiddly” with a more legato and nuanced articulation but that’s personal choice and probably possible on the Korg. Here in the US, the fiddle and violin are the same instrument, the name used generally refers to the playing style, fiddle for bluegrass and folk styles, violin for classical. Sometimes the fiddlers set them up a little different, with a flatter bridge. I have one of each
I would be surprised if the amount of vibrato is not adjustable on the Fisa. On my 8X, I have what I think is the right amount of vibrato -- it was totally adjustable (in very fine increments) and I spent a lot of time to, what I thought was "just right" -- of course others may not agree.
First, I want to thank you ( breezybellows) for this post, I think it is a FIRST on this forum for someone that really received one and did a demonstration. Right now, I have an 8X and I know I will buy the Fisa sometime in the future. I am waiting a little while for everything to "settle out" -- back orders, maybe a hardware adjustment, and probably a new version of the firmware.
John
John
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Thomas N
Well-known member
Really glad you got this Breezy! You are a prolific poster with your videos and are always willing to share here. This is our first chance to hear somebody's take on this new instrument that isn't somehow tied to Korg, reselling the instrument, or involved in making sound sets for it. So basically, one of us!
I agree with Jerry that this initial attempt sounds pretty much like an FR-8X, or any other fiddle/violin sound on an accordion but also, it's just the first demo and only one sound. Interesting to hear that you like the bellows action. Having en Evo also will allow you to directly compare your thoughts on the new Korg.
I'm in the same boat as John M. Been with the FR-8X for a decade and time is right for an upgrade, but the value and features have to be there for that to happen. As more users post reviews it will really help in the decision process. I would add to John's list that it would be nice for the price to settle down as well!
I agree with Jerry that this initial attempt sounds pretty much like an FR-8X, or any other fiddle/violin sound on an accordion but also, it's just the first demo and only one sound. Interesting to hear that you like the bellows action. Having en Evo also will allow you to directly compare your thoughts on the new Korg.
I'm in the same boat as John M. Been with the FR-8X for a decade and time is right for an upgrade, but the value and features have to be there for that to happen. As more users post reviews it will really help in the decision process. I would add to John's list that it would be nice for the price to settle down as well!
breezybellows
Well-known member
Thank you Thomas and John. I am definitely comparing my Evo against the Korg and I'll make a decision on whether to sell the Evo or to keep it.
These are my thoughts after playing for a couple of hours.
Thanks to Greg Vee (V music IN), I got my Fisa Suprema delivered yesterday. I played it for a couple of hours. Here are my first thoughts. I have been playing my Bugari Evo for about 4 years now. So, most of my comments will be in comparison with the Evo.
1) The straps ends have velcro instead of buckles (identical to the Evo and Roland). My Evo straps are very comfortable and this looks and feels exactly the same.
2) Weight and dimensions: The first thing I noticed after I put it on was that it was very very light.
3) A small buzzing sound: When I press a button or a key, I hear a small buzzing sound. At first I thought it was a defect. But I guess its a motor that goes off after it senses a button/key being pressed.
4) Bellows action: Significant improvement over Evo. The Evo has a knob that adjusts the bellows sensitivity. On the Evo, I never found a setting that I liked and always used the most resistive setting. On the Fisa, the bellows move more easily. At times I didn't even pay attention to how the bellows were responding. That is a good thing. But its still different from an acoustic instrument's bellows. I'll need more time to find out how much I like the bellows action.
5) Key width and Key action: This was one of the biggest concerns I had with the FISA suprema. The specs mentioned that the keys are wider. The velocity sensitive keys in the FISA also have a deeper action than the EVO. I absolutely love the keyboard on the EVO. Prior to that, I've played a Roland FR-4x and I never liked that keyboard. For the 2 hours that I played the FISA, there wasn't anything major that bothered me wrt keyboard action. There were times when I missed notes because of not pressing the keys deep enough. I'm relieved that my concern with the deep key action didn't end up as a problem. I have a feeling that I'll get used to it in a few days.
6) On board speaker sound quality: To be honest, I found the sounds to be very tinny. I've felt the same with the on board speakers of any digital accordion. I was playing it for a few minutes and my wife told me "Its sounds good. Sounds more like a real accordion". That was surprising, because she usually doesn't like digital accordions. After playing for a while, I did find some sounds that were impressive. I particularly liked the Basson sound. Even through the on-board speakers, It replicated the cassotto sound better than the Evo.
7) Sound Quality on headphones: Just like the EVO, the sound quality on headphones was excellent. I didn't get a chance to try it out on external speakers.
8) Data Entry knob: I had a lot of difficulty with this. Its a wheel that spins (to scrool). It has a 5 way click (up, down, left, right and in). I found it very hard to press enter. I was accidentally clicking it to one of the sides.
9) Ease of Charging: When I plug the EVO in, I also need to press a button to start charging. I've forgotten this so many times, only to get back to an instrument with very low charge. The FISA suprema starts charging immediately after its plugged it (or at least I think it does). This looks obvious, but was a major frustration with the EVO.
10) Bellows shake: I didn't really spend too much time on this. One the EVO I've found bellows shake impossible (or near impossible). The FISA suprema is noticeably better. But its not as easy as in an acoustic.
11) Learning Curve: I still haven't created any of my own programs (I guess UPGs are now called scenes). I see that there's a synth and soloist option on top of the Accordions (1 and 2), Orch (1 and 2) and Organ. Didn't really play around with that yet.
These are just my first thoughts. I am excited to see how my opinion changes as I spend more time with it.
These are my thoughts after playing for a couple of hours.
Thanks to Greg Vee (V music IN), I got my Fisa Suprema delivered yesterday. I played it for a couple of hours. Here are my first thoughts. I have been playing my Bugari Evo for about 4 years now. So, most of my comments will be in comparison with the Evo.
1) The straps ends have velcro instead of buckles (identical to the Evo and Roland). My Evo straps are very comfortable and this looks and feels exactly the same.
2) Weight and dimensions: The first thing I noticed after I put it on was that it was very very light.
3) A small buzzing sound: When I press a button or a key, I hear a small buzzing sound. At first I thought it was a defect. But I guess its a motor that goes off after it senses a button/key being pressed.
4) Bellows action: Significant improvement over Evo. The Evo has a knob that adjusts the bellows sensitivity. On the Evo, I never found a setting that I liked and always used the most resistive setting. On the Fisa, the bellows move more easily. At times I didn't even pay attention to how the bellows were responding. That is a good thing. But its still different from an acoustic instrument's bellows. I'll need more time to find out how much I like the bellows action.
5) Key width and Key action: This was one of the biggest concerns I had with the FISA suprema. The specs mentioned that the keys are wider. The velocity sensitive keys in the FISA also have a deeper action than the EVO. I absolutely love the keyboard on the EVO. Prior to that, I've played a Roland FR-4x and I never liked that keyboard. For the 2 hours that I played the FISA, there wasn't anything major that bothered me wrt keyboard action. There were times when I missed notes because of not pressing the keys deep enough. I'm relieved that my concern with the deep key action didn't end up as a problem. I have a feeling that I'll get used to it in a few days.
6) On board speaker sound quality: To be honest, I found the sounds to be very tinny. I've felt the same with the on board speakers of any digital accordion. I was playing it for a few minutes and my wife told me "Its sounds good. Sounds more like a real accordion". That was surprising, because she usually doesn't like digital accordions. After playing for a while, I did find some sounds that were impressive. I particularly liked the Basson sound. Even through the on-board speakers, It replicated the cassotto sound better than the Evo.
7) Sound Quality on headphones: Just like the EVO, the sound quality on headphones was excellent. I didn't get a chance to try it out on external speakers.
8) Data Entry knob: I had a lot of difficulty with this. Its a wheel that spins (to scrool). It has a 5 way click (up, down, left, right and in). I found it very hard to press enter. I was accidentally clicking it to one of the sides.
9) Ease of Charging: When I plug the EVO in, I also need to press a button to start charging. I've forgotten this so many times, only to get back to an instrument with very low charge. The FISA suprema starts charging immediately after its plugged it (or at least I think it does). This looks obvious, but was a major frustration with the EVO.
10) Bellows shake: I didn't really spend too much time on this. One the EVO I've found bellows shake impossible (or near impossible). The FISA suprema is noticeably better. But its not as easy as in an acoustic.
11) Learning Curve: I still haven't created any of my own programs (I guess UPGs are now called scenes). I see that there's a synth and soloist option on top of the Accordions (1 and 2), Orch (1 and 2) and Organ. Didn't really play around with that yet.
These are just my first thoughts. I am excited to see how my opinion changes as I spend more time with it.
Thanks for this review Breezy!
