I'm a drummer in a very part-time band who started learning music on piano. I was looking for something to compose and jam with. I was fixed on the Korg Triton for a long time but intimidated by the price and complexity (see the recent article in Electronic Musician for a good window into how arcane things can get with the Triton). I wanted to spend more time playing than programming.

The S-80 seems to fit the bill well. I like the sounds (was doing some serious jamming with the VoodooMan Guitar last night), though some of the Performances seem to be thrown together. The drum sounds are good and there's a lot of variety, though there is a lack of consistency in having all groups of toms, timbales, etc., descend in pitch right to left.

I found the S-80 pretty easy to get up and running (though I did have a problem with the arpeggiator - the "common" referred to in the manual seems to have been replaced with only "c"). I noticed many reviewers thought the manual was terrible. I guess it's a relative thing. I found the manual far better than the one for the Roland VM3100-Pro digital mixer I bought (or the 600+ page cd-rom only manual for the Logic software that comes with the Studio Pack).

One design tip - put the pitch and modulation wheels closer to the center where they can be more easily reached.

I selected the S-80 because I primarily wanted good piano feel with a solid synth engine. The S-80 has a very good feel. However, I want to note that after playing it a bit, and putting it alongside my parent's piano, it is a wee bit on the stiff side. I did manage to address the issus a bit by setting the velocity sensitivity to "soft." The stiffness remains, but it doesn't take as much effort to produce sounds.

I find myself going back and comparing it to the Roland XV-88 which has a smoother, less stiff, feel. However, MARS is selling the XV-88 for $2500, the upper price range for this unit (I can think of some new cymbals that probably take higher priority). I think some of my problem has to do with not playing any keyboard for such a long time; drumming is good exercise for the hands and wrist, but not so much for individual fingers). I do wish the S-80 had some way to more drastically change the feel (affecting depth of key descension, for example, or key action speed/ease). However, there's an advantage of being the way it is; I feel I can really lay into it without doing any harm.

At 70 pounds, I don't think I can get away with putting it safely on a $20 stand - looks like I'll have to go with one of the more industrial, and more expensive models.

Besides running it though my Roland VM3100-Pro and on into the computer, I look forward to the day when I can buy a malletkat and run that through it, along with a good sampler and analog board. It's a fun time to be a musician!

I think I would have given the S-80 a score closer to 4.5, but between 4 and 5, 5 comes closest to reflecting my feelings and thought about this fine instrument.

When buying this keyboard I looked at the N1, QS8.1, RS9, etc. It was by far the best - even know it is the most expensive - it's value for money was better than any of these other boards.

I play a lot of piano, and also in a cover band which requires a versatile keyboard. I love the sounds on this board, pianos, organs, techno are all great. The brass/strings/analogue sounds sometimes leave a bit to be desired, but for me these are the sounds I use least, and you can also by the various plug-in boards which might help - don't know though, haven't tried.

I previously owned a Korg X5D, Yamaha W7 and Roland D20. All great boards, but this one is something special. The feel is awesome - far better than most of the current competition. If you are interested in this board, please mail me or check it out. Its well worth the money. Speaking of which - I paid $3200 AU.

Anyway, good luck to all you keyboard shoppers... go buy an S80!!!