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#1
09-12-2003
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Keyboard -vs.- My wallet
What is the least amount one could spend and still get a decent keyboard? Please do not include the recently touted casio in this picture. No offensed intended to anyone, but I've already had one of those.
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#2
09-12-2003
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What do you need? I bet you can find a used Fender Rhodes for $300. Or a Hammond L or M for less than that. If you've got a controller, there's an Access Virus module that's under $400, and Dave Smith's Evolver is less than $500. You should be able to find a DX-7 for cheap too.
These are all boards that deserve a place in your keyboard collection, but the only one-board-fits-all is the DX-7, and it's got a dated sound, and isn't multitimbral. Midi's not well-implemented either... For a good 88-key all-in-one, probably the least you can get away with paying is gonna be (new) about $900 for an Alesis QS-8.2, or $6-700 for a used QS-8 or 8.1. There's some tradeoff with the low price - (a) no support network - warranty work must be shipped to NJ, (b) a rep for being a bit fragile for road work, and (c) not all the sounds are the best, though there are good ones, and some very good Q-cards can expand the sound choices some. Great piano-type feel, too. The non-weighted 61 key QS-6.1 or 6.2 (***NOT*** 6.0 - different sound engine), or 76-key 7.0 or 7.1 (not available in .2 configuration), are also available if you don't need all those keys, or piano weighting. Other mfrs. offer keyboards in similar price ranges - check out Yam's S-series, for example. So whaddya need?
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#3
09-12-2003
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Good question! What do I need it for now, as opposed to what could I use it for down the road....
I've never done any midi AT ALL! I can barely spell it, good thing it's only four letters. I have currently borrowed a low end roland, it was okay, and another friend has brought over the dreaded Casio. Using them just for filling out recordings presently. A few silly sound effects here, a piano there, a shitty viola there, etc... For recording, you can't beat the versatility of having one around, for that reason I've been thinking seriously about buying one. It would be nice to have midi capabilities for a remote switch to start and stop recordings I guess... Yes yes yes, I am a Newbie!!!
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#4
09-12-2003
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Roland XP-10? I have one. It's a frustrating little board, but it has some good sounds. And some lousy ones. Hate the feel.
The Alesis 6.1 or 6.2 is better, IMO. Editable and expandable sound set, much bigger collection of sounds. But if you already HAVE the XP-10 at your disposal, you may do better with a more specific tool, and save the general midi work for the XP10. By more specific tool, I mean the Emu vintage keys keyboard. Haven't used it, but have heard good things. Or, if you're happy with the main sounds on the XP-10 (they're really not bad), get a synth like a K-station or an Ion. The deal is, you may well outgrow the XP-10 or an Alesis 6.x. You weill never outgrow an Ion... Daf
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#5
09-12-2003
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You might want to take a look at a Korg Triton Le, 61 key.
These have most of the functions and sounds of the higher end tritons that cost $3,000 and up. The Le you could probably get for around 600-700 dollars. Try www.Korg.com, they will have specs and demos I've seen a lot of musicians using them in gigs, like you have described
__________________
That's just how I roll...
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#6
09-12-2003
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The LE series is a good one. It lacks the ease of the Touchview screen, but cursor buttons will get you to the same place almost as quick.
I would shy away from Alesis though. Not for the sounds. The sounds are great. It's the display. The displays are divided in half. The decoder/driver on each side is a chip encased in black epoxy. There is no way to replace it without severly damaging the circuit board. The right side of these displays is prone to go out on both the keyboards and the Quadraverb 2. The downfall is Alesis's support hit rock bottom. It will take months to get another display module from them. If you can get one at all. The Yamaha S30 is a good one for the money too.
__________________
If it doesn't work - scream, curse, cry, and whine profusely. Just don't let the wife see it!
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#10
09-13-2003
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Quote:
Korg M1,T3,01w Yamaha SY55,SY77 Roland JV80,U20 Kawai K1,K4 Ensoniq SQ1 Most of these can probably be found for around $300-400 nowadays.
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#11
09-13-2003
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Speaking of which, my wife may be willing to sell her SQ1+
PM me if interested and I'll talk to her.
__________________
If it doesn't work - scream, curse, cry, and whine profusely. Just don't let the wife see it!
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#15
09-15-2003
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Quote:
The only proper way to use them is together with a hammer. 
__________________
Two wrongs don't make a right, but two Wrights once made an airplane...
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