Korg X-50 vs Yamaha MM6 vs Roland JUNO-G 61-Key Synthesizer Keyboard - Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons of Korg X-50 vs. Yamaha MM6 vs. Roland JUNO-G 61-Key Synthesizer Keyboard?

I intend to buy a 61 key music synthesizer keyboard, which I will be using mostly for studio work. I will be using it mostly for pop / jazz / acoustic type of sounds, and occasionally for rock music.

After some research, I have zeroed in on Korg X-50, Yamaha MM6 and the Roland JUNO-G 61-Key Synthesizer Keyboards.

I know that the Korg X-50 and the Yamaha MM6 are scaled down versions of the triton and the motif, but would like to know your suggestions as to which one is better.

I also had a look at the Roland JUNO-G 61-Key Synthesizer Keyboard, which seemed to a bit more expensive.

Can someone please let me know the pros and cons of Korg X-50 vs. Yamaha MM6 vs. Roland JUNO-G 61-Key Synthesizer Keyboard?

User Comments…

I have had the pleasure of owning both – Yamaha MM6 and Korg X50 61 key synthesizer keyboards, and I feel they both have their strengths and weaknesses.

I have always owned a Yamaha keyboard ever since I started playing keyboards, so I have a natural affinity towards Yamaha.

Korg X50 Synthesizer Keyboard

Strengths: This is more impressive than the Yamaha MM6, especially when it comes to the effects and combis. You get brilliant ambient patches and a huge sounds palette, which are fully editable. 64-note polyphony.

Against: Acoustic sounds, especially the piano sound is very average. Very small LCD screen so it is difficult to read and see the selections.

The learning curve on Korg keyboards is more compared to the Yamaha mm6.

Yamaha MM6 Synthesizer Keyboard

Strengths: Easy-to-use and the large screen makes it easier to navigate. The acoustic instruments sounds, including the piano are very good. All the regular use sounds are good. Nice arpeggiators and patterns!

Against: The 32 note polyphony is low for a comparatively high end keyboard. No monophonic mode, no portamento, and minimal editing features. Too many unnecessary filler sounds (sirens, barking dogs, etc.), would have been better if they had provided more ambient patches. Besides, you cannot name your performances, if you decided to save them.

In spite of the limitations, I will go with the Yamaha MM6 Synthesizer Keyboard because of its ease-of-use.

No views on the Roland JUNO-G 61-Key Synthesizer Keyboard though – Mike

I too narrowed my search to these 3 boards – Roland Juno, Korg x50 and Yamaha mm6 synthesizers.

Roland Juno:
Although I love Roland products (Owner of Fantom X) the Juno didn’t cut it for me. Piano was the best out of all 3 in my opinion, but the small screen, small size of the keys and weaker sounds dropped this to 3rd on my list.

Korg x50:
I have never owned a Korg mainly because I HATE their piano sounds. But other than that, this board has the best sounds if all 3. In a studio environment, i’d buy this board. My only other complaint other than piano sounds is ease if use/ navigation and small screen. I needed a board to gig with and the ability to change sounds and split or layer on the fly is impossible with this board.

Yamaha mm6:
For gigs, this board was my choice. I love this thing. It’s very light, sounds are almost as good as the korgx50. But it’s so easy to use. Did I say how easy this board is to use? I can split and layer any sound in seconds. You can save the performance for 1 touch easy access. My complaints are, the piano sounds. Why no natural piano? Or even the piano patch that’s in the Yamaha XS? The Piano sound in the mm6 is dull, has no life to it. No portemento, no chorale/tremolo switch on organ patches. And low polyphony.

But it has a nice size and easy to read screen, and for the price, I’m glad I bought it. If the piano sounds were better, I’d buy the 88 key keyboard model to complete my setup as I’m shopping for another board. – Rich

It really depends on what you are looking for.

If you are looking for a main keyboard (just pianos/rhodes piano patches), the Yamaha MM is the way to go.

Most Korg pianos are disgustingly thin…Roland has great pianos only when you start to upgrade to Phantom series or the newer Roland keyboards.

However, with that being said…, if you bought the Roland Juno, you can always upgrade the board with strings, pianos, etc.

Korg has the best motion pads, ambient patches…really full and thick patches that sound heavenly during a live concert/show.

The one feature that I like about the Roland Juno is that you can layer sounds and control each individually with the faders. You can place the piano on one fader, strings on another, motion pad on another, etc. It’s set up kind of like the Motif series keyboards. That is the greatest feature that you can have. If you layer sounds right, you can even make the thinnest of keyboards sound great.

The Yamaha MM8 has the greatest feel of all 3 boards…Winner in the Piano category goes to the Yamaha MM8.

Winner for best overall sounds goes to Korg X50, followed by Roland Juno…MM8 being last.

Hope this helps! – Jaylyric

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