Keyboard/synth

I'm thinking of buying a keyboard/synth......what do you guys think is good for a beginner.....It got to work with the XL.....It can be a used one...new or old model, doesn't really matter....I don't want to depend on just samples....I'm trying to learn as many instruments as possible....

Any input would be nice.....

Peace,
Martin

This really isn't relevant to the XL... all midi devices work the same with all MPCs. There are too many posabilities, you need to specify some requirements like price, type of synthesis (va, rompler), type of sounds you want, features (keys, rack, amount of control), etc...

keep sampling

an emu rack, best of both worldz - synthampler

Yeah, I should have been more specific....The synth/keyboard can't be to expensive since all this studio equipment is mad expensive...and I am like many of you, a home studio producer with no money feel me, hehe....

Like unsystematic said, I to want to be able to practice on the keyboard without having to turn on the mpc, but still be able to record it in via MIDI or whatever line in you can use.....and I just like you sway more towards the accoustic sound then the electronic sound...It doesn't have to be a sampler too, since I got the s950 and the mpc2000xl, but it wouldn't hurt....

And unsystematic, i'm too trying to learn some musical theory, read notes and all that....anything that helps me make music.....and to hahaha....It's nothing wrong with just working with samples...I just feel like that's not the way for me....I'm still gonna be sampling alot though....I just want to be able to create music without it too,.......thanks for all the input....Hope to get some more thoughts from you guys......

"an emu rack, best of both worldz - synthampler"

Which one are you talking about? My emu rack (proteus 2000) definately ain't no synth. Themanual may throw the word around, but believe me, if you ever use a real synth (with multiple waveforms LFO's and oscillators) then you'll know there isn't an emu rack out there that can even be classified as a synth. Their good for a sound source, but to create something original it ain't gonna cut it.
Cheap digital synths:
Yamaha DX (any one.. the DX-7 being most popular, the DX-200 being the easiest))
Korg MS-2000(B)
Korg MicroKorg
Novation A station (and the k-station)
There's a schytload more, but I'm tired and ready to get some sleep. Do a search and play with some. Learn about synthesis. It's a whole new world out there once you get into it. It feels good to think of a sound and be able to create it.

That's good that you are trying to learn as many instruments as possible. I feel the same way. Try reading up on some music theory too, it will help. Anyways, back to the question. I went with a yamaha Mo 6. It doesn't have all the expansion possiblities like the Motif es series, but used the same ROM, and it doesn't sample. You should try out different boards at a music shop. I liked the sound set of the Motif ES, but didn't want to pay for extra features I wasn't going to use. I already have eight outs on my mpc and use it as a drum/sequencer/sampler. This board fits my need since I sway more towards acoustical sounds then electronics, and felt that was the strong point of the sound design on the motif series. I went with the mo 6 instead of the sound module because I wanted the convience of turning on the machine without having to turn on my mpc or another unit just to play some keys to practice. I use the mo6 sequencer as a scratch pad to and can save it to a cf card. Later, if I feel it has some potential, then I can record the sequence into the MPC and adjust it accordingly.

the a station comes with v station and bass station programs (that a plus)
look for something thats multi timbre. the microkorg is an ill lil machine but its not multi timbre (still worth it though)

something along the lines of the e series samplers, i have the e4xt. i should have been more specific, i wasnt reffering to the Sound modules, but the rack samplers.. They operate very much like a synth, and take samplign to a place where the mpc cannot go. I'd say they work very well hand in hand. ( mpc and e4xt )