a weighty matter

[swablring]

this is a subject that has probably been done to death in this forum, but just let me try to breath some life back into it.

I've been taking an interest in the Yamaha motif and noticed that the only model with weighted keys is the 88 key variety. As an acoustic piano player this is probably the action I would prefer. However, a sales rep at one store was showing me some keyboards and made the comment that having weighted keys on a synth could be a disadvantage, as it would make it more difficult to play non-keyboard instruments on the synth.


So, can anybody out there give me a few of the pros and cons of weighted keys on a synth? Thanks if you can.

[Chriss]

weighted keys is an advantage if you want the piano feel to all your sounds, but you must realise that 80%+ of the stuff you'll be using a motif for isn't live piano.

The problem is that the timing of weighted keys are slower than regular keyboards. If you want to play arpeggiators, synth leads, basses and similar, you'll want a keyboard that activates at the instant and don't have that huge velocity (punch) variety which weighted keys suffer from.

playing fast leads and similar will be a timing pain with weighted keys.

you could buy a motif6 and a doepfer midi keyboard, they make some great weighted keyboards. That way you'll have both yo' hammer action and regular midi keyboard.
http://www.doepfer.de/prod_e.htm check bottom

[swablring]

thanks for the info Chriss. I may even splurge out on the 76 note version of the motif, although they are expensive in Australia. Maybe not expensive considering what you get, but expensive for my budget.

I'll take your advice and check out the doepfer weighted keyboards.

[TexRoadkill]

Thats a pretty subjective area. A synth player will have problems getting the timing right on a weighted keyboard but a piano player wont.

A piano player would have more difficulty getting the timing right on a synth keyboard.

Just get whatever feels best for you.

[mikeh]

I have found that playing various synth and organ lines on a weighted keyboard requires a different technique. LIke anything you can allways learn to adjust technique, but it can be a hassle.

Clearly a weighted action is best for piano parts (if you are mainly a pianist who has played mostly on a real paino). On the other hand, as Chriss points out many parts that you will likely use a motif, or any synth/module for will not be piano parts.

Only you know what percent of playing/recording will be piano vs. synth parts. Perhaps an 88 or 76 weighted for your piano parts and ann inexpensive 49 or 61 key synth (or controller) for the "non-piano parts".

[TMHill]

I'm getting a weighted keyboard AND a synth.

My reasoning:

1) I am a pianist, so there are times when only a piano feel will work for me.
2) Timing is not an issue on either keyboard. It takes about 10 seconds of playing, and your brain automatically adjusts to the new feel of the keyboard.
3) If you are in the studio for hours, then playing a weighted keyboard will knacker out your wrists a lot quicker.
4) When I use a synth, I am MUCH better at writing certain types of music (Bass lines, and dance-style riffs, for eg.)
5) One word: Glissando.
6) I write music from full-scored orchestral film music to heavy funk dance tracks to swing band jazz. Each sound I need has a different feel. The shallow press of a synth key lends itself, for example, much better to a flute solo - and I'd go for a weighted keyboard for the brass.
7) Synths are a lot less forgiving with your finger brushing a neighbouring note - you need to be pretty darn accurate.

If I can't afford both, then I'll be getting a weighted keyboard with aftertouch.

There are no right answers - as mikeh says, only you know what you will be doing!

Tom

[swablring]

thanks again for all those kind enough to give advice. My tiny brain will now devour all that info and try to process it. I think my brain is a celeron - Not that there's anything wrong with that!

It's starting to look like a weighted keyboard and a synth is the way to go.

So it's off to the bank for me ....now where did I put that balaclava.

[TIGERSHARK]

i was raised a classically-trained pianist for 18+ years. however, i purchased a semi-weighted keyboard (korg x2 and now a trinity v3) because most of the stuff i'm tracking is not piano. you really will need to test-play a lot of boards because even between them, there can be a lot of difference in 'feel'...and even between all weighted/semi-weighted varieties, also. i played a few and really enjoy what korg has to offer. i still check out other boards (even though i know i cannot afford them now) just to see if i still prefer korg. i do. however, if you want to maintain SOME semblance of piano 'feel' then a semi-weighted board may be an option. otherwise, you'll probably just get used to a fully weighted board and your mind will accomodate any subtle nuances of trigger-delays.

that's all.