i reali have to second cheez that there is no ultimate keyboard, no matter hardware or softsynth, becos of the immense ,versatile, diverse specs and personal preferences, perhaps there will never ever be. The ultimate one that can prob do anything and everything may prob still get lashed for being too ex or heavy or lack focus, identity etc.
some companies are alreay tryin that(all in one kinda stuff) witout much success in mainstream market, i.e Alesis's FUSION synth , Neko and even Korg discontinued its OASYS.
Nord may be getting a little more exposure for its efficent marketing and prominent users/artists but there are many companies out there who may not neccessarily be inferior to Clavia. I reali love the red design but after comparing the demos in youtube of other synths and tryin out a nord for the first time, i;m impressed but still feel that its a little over-hyped.(personal opinion hor..the nord wave is still wely cool....:P)
perhaps u can check out Wardorf, Access ,Davesmith,Oberheim, and of cos ,Moog(yay!!) if u are interested in non workstation( non -sequencer,non bread and butter sounds) synthesizers. Softsynth wise , Omnisphere seeems to be making quite a wave in the US. Hook it up to cool red colored CME VX motorised midi controller , blast away and peeps may forget about nord as the only red monster ..! perhaps its not a matter of the ultimate keyboard anymore but rather whos the ultimate engine/sound set or ultimate controller?
i;m sure many softies in soft here can offer much more names i;ve yet to heard of, pls share!!
