New keyboard / piano

[Brian221]

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?

[ChrisLDog]

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.

[Brian221]

I don't need speakers -- 1/4" stereo output would be good

And I guess I'd want a synth for more sounds.

[Cozmo D]

What kind of budget?

[Brian221]

What kind of budget?

I would say low.... < $600 if possible

[ChrisLDog]

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!

[ChrisLDog]

Oops, never mind then... :) ^^^

Look at the S08 maybe...

[Cozmo D]

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?

[Chief]

give him one of yours Coz...you never use them anyways....:)

[ChrisLDog]

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.

[Brian221]

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-YPG-225-76-Key-Portable-Grand-Keyboard-103870341-i1155033.gc

Casio CDP-100, $400, 5 tones
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Casio-CDP-100-88-Note-Weighted-Hammer-Action-Digital-Piano-103871034-i1168551.gc

Yamaha NP-30, $300, 10 tones
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-NP-30-Digital-Keyboard-702663-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-YPG-525-88-Key-Portable-Grand-Keyboard-103861183-i1155034.gc

Casio PX-200, $500, 162 voices
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Casio-Privia-PX-200-88-Key-Digital-Piano-104374970-i1175403.gc

[Cozmo D]

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.

[Brian221]

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.

[xtristessax]

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

[Twisted.Mellow]

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!

[Cozmo D]

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?

[Brian221]

I found 1 review stating they disliked the aftertouch and that it felt very much NOT like a piano.... :(