Generalmusic S3 Turbo

I don't know which software this is using, but it's probably a later release as I've found no OS bugs and it has the turbokit installed. Editing patches is the easiest I've used-the large LCD and graphic displays are excellent-similar to the SY77, but less complex. The manual requires quite a bit of studying-this is a deep and complex instrument-the Generalmusic operating system is truly its own animal.

32-voice polyphony according to the manual. I am a piano player and prefer piano-action instruments, but this is the best spring-loaded key action I've played, and I've played many-Korg, Yamaha, Roland, Ensoniq, Sequential, Casio and Moog. The floppy-disc drive allows for the best flexibility I've seen-can load, save and convert standard MIDI files, terrific for switching from the S3T to my computer sequencers. The turbokit adds 2MB sample memory, doubles the original 16-voice polyphony, adds a RAM-disk (mine has 512K but can be 2MB)and allows for continual loading of new songs while the sequencer is playing-a big help. 512K of standard MIDI files saved in the instrument is very handy, and fast. MIDI capabilities-dual MIDI in and out ports-poly-key pressure, not just channel pressure-full ability to interact with a studio-full of MIDI equipment-again the best I've seen. Onboard sequencer has a huge amount of memory, especially for its time-a little difficult to figure out-again Generalmusic has its own unique way of doing things and everything seems to be based around the concept of the "Performance" parameter-which can be a 16-track setup for creating arrangements, or a single, layered or split sound by itself, or played from the keyboard with up to all 16 tracks being used simultaneously-a little confusing but very powerful-and up to ten different 16-track performances can be accessed automatically from your sequenced arrangment. And all of this can be happening simultaneously from the keyboard, plus an outside sequencer, plus another MIDI keyboard-it should have 256-voice polyphony! If it had wheels, I think it could drive itself down the road. Truly the most complex thing I've ever seen outside of NASA!

Sounds are very subjective, I'm no different-but I have a decent ear, play many orchestral instruments, learned on Steinways in college and was a percussion major, so here goes. The piano is horrible, the worst I've heard-sorry. The electric pianos are very good-the best Rhodes emulation I've heard from a digital, and I've played the real ones. The organs are OK-I've played the real B-3s many times-I like the Ensoniqs-are more realistic-but these are useable-the rotating effect is not the best I've heard, but there is a good cross-section of basic organ waves to edit, and the sounds are all very clean. Great Ian Anderson type flute sound-woodwinds are generally pretty good-on a par with everything else I've heard, soft sax is very nice. Brass are very good, strings good, percussion sounds are realistic enough-I agree some are too short-cymbals need more decay time to be realistic. Analog effects are very good-can get very realistic older synth-type sounds with resonance and filters. I think the SY77 is more powerful in this respect though. Onboard effects are just OK-clean enough, but would like to see a few more options, such as distortion, pitch-shifting-most common effects such as delay, reverb, flanging, chorusing, phasing are good. Again, rotating effect not the most convincing. I created a much better acoustic piano using less than 1MB from a soundfont file-better than the Generalmusic piano samples I've tried and that solved that problem. The sampling turbokit allows for correction of some of the ROM waves deficiencies-but only up to 2MB. Overall, very nice sounding instrument, clean sounding with a bit of digital distortion in a few ROM samples, not too noticeable for the most part.

Very well-made, solid construction, a bit heavy-over forty pounds but not that bad for a 76-key instrument. I purchased a used one that looked pretty beaten up and dirty, but with a few repairs and cleaning up, it works without a flaw. The keybed seems mechanically strong enough-won't take the abuse of a piano keybed but is as solid as I've played on for a spring-action. Only using it for a few months-but no glitches and seems very reliable-has never crashed. I never play anywhere on anything without a backup, and this is no exception!

There is a Generalmusic website in the US, haven't tried to call on the phone-hard to get support for this instrument here in the US-seems better supported in Europe-I purchased a CD disk of sounds and samples from someone in France, (found this on eBay) and there is a webpage from Italy with some info and additional soundfiles on the S2 and S3. Never tried to get it repaired, so not sure.

If lost, I don't know-these are hard to find and I might try to replace it. This instrument-don't be fooled by my priced-it's worth double that-mine was seriously beaten up, had some damage and I still consider it a great buy-i wasn't even sure it would work when I bought-but i can't pull away from this one-great fun. I've been playing keyboards since 1973-wow am i a dinosaur! I've played too many to list-currently own an ensoniq KS-32, Ensoniq TS-12, Kurzweil RG-200 piano, Yamaha SY77 and PSR-85, Peavey DPMsi and this beast. Aside from its bizarre operating system, it's not bad once you get the hang of it, and its complexity and depth is part of its attraction I think. It's definitely different and very powerful-some of the performances melted my hair, and that's compared to the SY77 and the TS-12 which still scare me after ten years. The piano is horrible-a glaring ommision for an otherwise remarkable piece of equipment. More sample RAM would be nice-sometimes the operating system seems a little sluggish when moving around, but then so am I, so there you go.

I bought this Synth/workstation 8 years ago! Built like a tank...true quality build. Editing is very easy and graphic, excellent manual.

I am not sure how most use this unit, yet it is the best, absolutely best Master controller yet. Nothing in the last 10 years even comes close, and I have had every major high end unit out there. Except Roland, can't stand their instruments. The MIDI implementation is almost as comprehensive as a software sequencer is, sequencer is rigid, yet accurate and easy to edit.

Again I use this primarily as a master controller. Although I have programmed some string and pad sounds that rival my Waldorf Wave...with an external effects unit surely.

Incredible unit, yet the battery is very difficult to replace and you have more than 30 screws to deal with.

You can easily purcahse parts, yet when it comes to a question it can take several days for an answer.

Considered replacing it a few years ago and soon realized there was no other option better suited than what this unit can actually help you achieve.

I'm have been playing S3 Turbo for 8 years now.
The presets sound good even if so switch the effects
processor to bypass (well most of them).
Thanks to the big display the sound editing is no problem,
if you are familiar with the typical structure of an analog synthesizer.
Considering the number of features the menu designer succeeded in
making the S3 easy to program. The manual is excellent.

The polyphony is ok considerung the age of the instrument.
The keyboard has a good touch although it is based on spring levers.
After years of stage usage the keyboard degrades and needs cleaning
an repairing. This is a quite fumbly job because many screws have to be loosened,
but it pays. Once a keyboard section of my S3 failed because of a
hairline crack on the circuit board near the plug socket.
Aftertouch is broken probably because of the same reason.
Actually the keyboards circuit board is in trouble when the player really
hammers it. The keyboard gives the casing stability and ist therefore mechanically strained
(especially in the 76 keys version).
The internal structure of the s3 is clear and good to maintain
(except the 20 screws of course).
The Midi capabilites are stunning even for today standards.
The S3 is the perfect stage master keyboard. I for example use the midi sliders in
my home recording equipment for the simultaneus control of
various mixer sliders.
S3 has an on board sequencer, but I don't use it.

Pianos: Solo sound is not convincing, but is ok in arrangements.
E-Pianos: Normal standard.
Organs: Great
Strings: The natural strings are ok.
Brass: Stunning.
Bass: Good.
Drums: Good but not up-to-date anymore. The samples are partly to short an a bit dirty. This can be heard if you turn the effects of.
Analog: Great. The filters sound realisitc but produce noise if you
modulate them. You can hear the quantization of the filter envelopes.
If you use short & fast enevelopes the modulation noise becomes extremly annoying.
No wonder, that the sound designers mainly built sounds with moderate and
slow filter modulations.
Guitars: Ok.
Sax/Flute: Above-average

The S3 never has abandoned me live for nearly 7 years.
The keyboard section failed because of the hairline crack
mentioned above. After my repair everthing is fine again.

I never needed support.

S3 has still a fix place in my equipment.
I got used to it and I want to keep it.

The Turbo version has the added sounds and sampling capability, with 2MB ram and sample editing.
The sounds are the usual bunch of General Midi, with a few bonuses, but there's plenty of room for storing your own sounds. I have yet to come across a GM synth that does everything well, and this is no exception. There's a great vibe, slap bass and a nice flute. The analogue sounds have a lot of potential. Get programming!
The editor is very comprehensive, and does offer a lot of scope, with single or dual samples, layered or crossfaded, with just about everything dynamically assignable. There are two parametric filters per voice which allow a lot of flexibility. Data entry is via the alpha dial, but its a pity the sliders couldn't be used for programming.
This is a very difficult synth to get your head around, but once you do, you realise it's incredibly powerful. A backlit LCD display has both text and graphics. Why do synths have to be black on black? Especially the squashed up function keys? All other keys have LEDs.
The manual is excellent.

Polyphony is basically 16, with 32 oscillators. The keyboard is 76 note with a good feel, and has the rare feature of key individual aftertouch. Key dynamics can also be defined.
The effects are pretty weak, but I use outboard anyway, and there are six outputs.
The Turbo version can be further enhanced with a RAM disc, which means that the last settings are held in battery backed RAM, rather than floppy disc. Non-Turbo users can get the Turbo board, but its expensive.
The MIDI spec is truly impressive. The seven sliders can also be defined as continuous controllers.
The sequencer is massive, and quite impressive. I use a PC, but the demos show you what its capable of doing.

As I mentioned before, the GM sounds are nothing special, but they are clean sounding. Playing the demos, you realise that this is a workhorse synth meant for live use, where it excels, although you'll have to put a lot of work into it to get it cooking.
The synth is sufficiently versatile that it can be used for everything. I bought it as a master keyboard, and sometime sample player. As I mentioned before, the effects are rather weak.
With the user definable dynamics and powerful aftertouch, you can make it do whatever you want. I'm not too sure about the mod wheels, which are rubber donuts. A standard detented wheel is OK. Still, it's better than Roland's Whammy Bar.

This thing is built like a brick toilet. By comparison, synths like the Korg N series are plasticky and feel like they'll blow away. I think you could depend on it. Always back up your data to TWO floppies!

Never dealt with them. Their web site doesn't offer much. Check out GEM Club.

I got this as a performance keyboard, and at the price I paid, it's an absolute bargain. Comparable synths would cost a lot more. The sounds and sample playback capability are an added bonus.
I tend to use specialised synths like the Proformance piano and the Roland MBD1 for bass. This is replacing two other keyboards, a Casio VZ1 and an Ensoniq ESQ1, which it will do adequitely.
I bought this on spec and reputation. I looked at (and didn't like) the Korg Trinity and the Yamaha CS series. As a performance keyboard, none can match this for capability. If you can find one at this price, get it.
On balance, a great mother keyboard with a synth and sequencer thrown in.

No software-updates available.
The pesets are very good. Editing is fun. The manual is one of the best I've ever seen.

Poly 32. Light weighted keys w/ poly aftertouch. The keyboard action is great.
2 fx-processors. there is an fx-browser for choosing and editing. Very easy to use.
I think there's a ram-disk option. data can be loaded and saved on 3.5 fdd.
2 midi i/o/t and merge on 32 chanels. master-kb-fuktions, poly aftertouch, peassure-sensitivity,
2 wheels, 2 sw., 7 programable buttons and sliders, volume-pedal...a.m.m.
I don't use the sequencer because of atari / pc.

i found no bad sounds until now... the s3 can import wav, akai s-1000, avalon,
sound designer and sample-vision. it does wavetable, multiloop, crossfade,
multiwave and substraktive synthesis. so quality depends on the programs.
everything sound very very great. use it for everything. the fx are good,
but in the studio i prefer extern processors. there is a button for fx muting.
The S3 reacts very dynamic and gives a chance for perfect expression.

yes, but i ALWAY recomend a backup.

i never needed support. there is a web-site (http://www.generalmusic.com/s/index.htm)

It is totally worth the price i payed. I would buy it again.
It is easy to use, sound great and is a perfect master keyboard.
Only thing I miss is buffered memory (only optional) and scsi.

This synth is fairly easy to use, without even looking at the manual you can figure quite a lot out.I bought it second hand so I only got the advanced manual (there are 2 basic&advanced)which is fairly indepth.It isn't too difficult to get through although it isn't exactly light reading I'm sure the basic manual is much more useful to the average user.It's easy enough to edit patches. I haven't used a patch editor with it so I can't really comment on that.The acoustic piano presets are crap but some of the woodwinds are excellent,but where it really is outstanding is in the synthsounds they are the best I've heard on any modern synth.

It has 32 note polyphony 16 part multi timbral,2wheels(big solid rubber things that will not break and feel very good)2 inputs for foot controllers 7programmable buttons&sliders for tweaking sounds,16 track sequencer(250.000 event)which is relatively simple to use, each track responds to 16 channels.It has 2 effects units which are quite different sounding from the usual synth effect units,they're very easy to use and can be controlled via MIDI . It can be expanded by loading new sounds from 3.5 diskette into the internal RAM(2Mb) and samples into the 2Mb sample RAM.It can also translate WAV samples which then can be edited in the synth.You can for instance use a WAV editor to sample sounds from a CD and convert it for use on the S3.It has 76 velocity sensitive, spring return keys and poly sensitive aftertouch.I think the keyboard feels great compared to my XP80 which feels rock hard compared to the S3.The velocity and aftertouch are programmable.It has 2 MIDI outs,2thrus & 2MIDI ins it can send & receive on 16 channels simultaneously & MIDI merge function.It has a 16 zone split or layer function.It can also load songs while being played.It has the best backlit display I've seen on any synth apart from the Korg Trinity,and it can be adjusted for contrast/brightness.It has many other features but I'm not a salesman so thats enough of the features,there are user groups on the internet and General Music have their own site.The synth zone has a section on General Music also.

As I said above the piano sounds are rubbish they don't sound at all realistic.I think the flutes and saxes sound very good i.e.expressive(I would imagine they would sound even better with a wind controller).Where it really excels though is in the synth sounds.I particularly like the Moog,Oberheim,ARP&Prophet sounds.It has many other really warm and powerful analogue sounds.It is very responsive I think the after touch is the best I've tried and it is programmable as is the velocity sensitivity.You can have the after touch effects panning from left to right as you vary your finger pressure.I think it would be well suited to Rock,Dance,Pop,Techno&Ambient styles.

It has a rubberized metal chassis and it looks indestructible( spilt cups of coffee not included).The pitch & modulation wheels are solid rubber and feel very durable.As far as gigging it without backup I'd say no worries it's built like a tractor.

Haven't dealt with them.

I've seen the new price was orginally 23,000Dkr(2300brit pounds/3800us dollars)I think that price is a bit steep,although I recently saw one advertised new for 17,000Dkr(considerably better price).I paid 10,000 Dkr for it and I would have no hesitation in replacing it for the same money.I tried the Roland G800(yeuch) and the S3 at the same time at home for 3-4 days and eventually bought a Roland XP 80.I went back to my dealer about a month later and bought the S3 as well that's how much I liked it.My wife who knows very little about equipment could pick the sounds of this synth out blindfolded, she prefers the sound of the S3 far above the XP 80.It really is a very distinctive sounding machine and if you don't want to sound samey this is your man.It is a heavy bugger("built like a tractor")and I wish it had more polyphony.It has strengths that the XP 80 doesn't have (sound wise that is) and vice versa.I find it very inspirational to work with and will definitely not sell it.