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Thread: New keyboard / piano

  1. #1
    TBA Brian221's Avatar
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    New keyboard / piano

    Alright....I know there's musicians in here who know a thing or two about digital pianos and synthesizers...so here's the scoop.

    I've convinced my (t-17 days) wife that I want a piano/keyboard and will raise the funds for it by selling off all my unnecessary crap around the house.

    I know I want one with 88 keys...but other than that....I need help.

    I want to use it for home playing, and probably teaching the kids on, but it needs to be somewhat portable for band gigs as well.

    Any ideas on brand? features? price range I should be looking for?
    I'm not signing this without my lawyer.

  2. #2
    Senior Member ChrisLDog's Avatar
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    Are you looking for a piano type that will make 4-10 different sounds or a synth that will make hundreds? I use a Yamaha S80 keyboard/synth. Although I love the sounds and use it to gig, it's pretty heavy if you have to carry it up and down stairs (I have to carry it up and down 3 stories, augh!). I think the newer version of this is the S90ES. Also, I'm sure you know this already, but the higher up in quality you go, the less likely they are to have speakers, so you have to account for those too, depending on what you want to spend.
    I just don't end up where think I'm going when I start out.

  3. #3
    TBA Brian221's Avatar
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    I don't need speakers -- 1/4" stereo output would be good

    And I guess I'd want a synth for more sounds.
    I'm not signing this without my lawyer.

  4. #4
    From Outta Space! Cozmo D's Avatar
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    What kind of budget?
    Alright
    Tap the lightpole and we'll be jammin all night
    And ain't nobody callin' the cops
    'Cause everybody's here freakin', if they're older they're doin the rock
    And every block from all around
    Comes runnin' to the park when they hear the sound
    And soon the word's spreadin' through our part of town
    "Yo, 40 Park y'all, Jam-On's gettin down"
    Yeah...

    Jam-On Productions:Website Forum

  5. #5
    TBA Brian221's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cozmo D View Post
    What kind of budget?
    I would say low.... < $600 if possible
    I'm not signing this without my lawyer.

  6. #6
    Senior Member ChrisLDog's Avatar
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    In that case:
    Yamaha Motif, M08 series, S90ES, or the S08.
    Roland Fantom G8 or X8,
    Korg TR-88 or M3-88

    All of them sound good, all of them are a bit pricey ($800-3000). If you can, I'd go to a local music store to try them out and see which ones feel the best to you. I'm pretty sure they all have weighted action keys for a more piano-like feel. I think the Yamaha has the best sound, but is also the most complicated to use.

    Good luck! Let us know what you end up getting though!
    I just don't end up where think I'm going when I start out.

  7. #7
    Senior Member ChrisLDog's Avatar
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    Oops, never mind then... ^^^

    Look at the S08 maybe...
    I just don't end up where think I'm going when I start out.

  8. #8
    From Outta Space! Cozmo D's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brian221 View Post
    I would say low.... < $600 if possible
    Whoa! Not gonna get anything for that price!

    I would say that your best bet then is to get a very good controller and use your computer. Do you have a good soundcard?
    Alright
    Tap the lightpole and we'll be jammin all night
    And ain't nobody callin' the cops
    'Cause everybody's here freakin', if they're older they're doin the rock
    And every block from all around
    Comes runnin' to the park when they hear the sound
    And soon the word's spreadin' through our part of town
    "Yo, 40 Park y'all, Jam-On's gettin down"
    Yeah...

    Jam-On Productions:Website Forum

  9. #9
    Intelligent Posts :11
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    give him one of yours Coz...you never use them anyways....

  10. #10
    Senior Member ChrisLDog's Avatar
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    Hey Coz, do you find that the latency is an issue when you use your controller with an instrument plug-in? I always seem to have an issue with it. I have to monitor my keyboard's output to track, then switch it to the plug-in on playback.
    I just don't end up where think I'm going when I start out.

  11. #11
    TBA Brian221's Avatar
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    Okay -- so I'm going to be stuck with something that's just OK...here's what I've found....I think I could live with a 76-key....

    Yamaha YPG-225, $320, 489 voices
    http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-Y...41-i1155033.gc

    Casio CDP-100, $400, 5 tones
    http://www.guitarcenter.com/Casio-CD...34-i1168551.gc

    Yamaha NP-30, $300, 10 tones
    http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-N...63-i1320984.gc
    This one intrigues me - its a new model...extremely light, but has a graded touch instead of weighted.

    Yamaha YPG-525, $500, 800 voices
    http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-Y...83-i1155034.gc

    Casio PX-200, $500, 162 voices
    http://www.guitarcenter.com/Casio-Pr...70-i1175403.gc
    I'm not signing this without my lawyer.

  12. #12
    From Outta Space! Cozmo D's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ChrisLDog View Post
    Hey Coz, do you find that the latency is an issue when you use your controller with an instrument plug-in? I always seem to have an issue with it. I have to monitor my keyboard's output to track, then switch it to the plug-in on playback.
    Yeah, that's why I asked about the soundcard. I'm on a Mac so I don't know much about the PC issues.
    Alright
    Tap the lightpole and we'll be jammin all night
    And ain't nobody callin' the cops
    'Cause everybody's here freakin', if they're older they're doin the rock
    And every block from all around
    Comes runnin' to the park when they hear the sound
    And soon the word's spreadin' through our part of town
    "Yo, 40 Park y'all, Jam-On's gettin down"
    Yeah...

    Jam-On Productions:Website Forum

  13. #13
    TBA Brian221's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cozmo D View Post
    I would say that your best bet then is to get a very good controller and use your computer. Do you have a good soundcard?
    At the moment, I just have my "on board" sound card, which is nothing to shake a stick at...but I also have a Tascam US122 (usb adapter for xlr, line in, and midi input), that works real well.

    So after doing some reading...I'm leaning towards this ultra-cheap, ultra-light, yamaha np-30. 76 key midi controller that only weighs 12 lbs.
    I'm not signing this without my lawyer.

  14. #14
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    if you are wanting a full keyboard with quality waveforms, you are most def going to have to up your budget!

  15. #15
    Fly on the wall since2003
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    I agree with the controller. You can get TONS of plugins for Nuendo and Cubase that will make your midi controller sound like a KORG WaveStation, anything you want!

    I've got a Roland PC-200 MK II and it does a pretty fucking good job!
    Never burn your bridges while you're standing on them...

  16. #16
    From Outta Space! Cozmo D's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brian221 View Post
    At the moment, I just have my "on board" sound card, which is nothing to shake a stick at...but I also have a Tascam US122 (usb adapter for xlr, line in, and midi input), that works real well.

    So after doing some reading...I'm leaning towards this ultra-cheap, ultra-light, yamaha np-30. 76 key midi controller that only weighs 12 lbs.
    Does it have aftertouch?
    Alright
    Tap the lightpole and we'll be jammin all night
    And ain't nobody callin' the cops
    'Cause everybody's here freakin', if they're older they're doin the rock
    And every block from all around
    Comes runnin' to the park when they hear the sound
    And soon the word's spreadin' through our part of town
    "Yo, 40 Park y'all, Jam-On's gettin down"
    Yeah...

    Jam-On Productions:Website Forum

  17. #17
    TBA Brian221's Avatar
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    I found 1 review stating they disliked the aftertouch and that it felt very much NOT like a piano....
    I'm not signing this without my lawyer.

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