$500 to Spend for Keys

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DarkFriend

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Looking for a versatile keyboard setup for home recording. Most of my key parts are pianos, organs, strings, and synth pads.

Am I better off with a midi controller and a sound module, or a true synth that has sounds built in?

Note that I have $500 total to spend. Discuss.. :)
 
If you are lucky you might be suited to a used Korg Karma on ebay or maybe a new triton LE if you look in the right place. $500 doesnt really buy much new for what you want to achieve.

To get best value for money you pretty much will be going used.
 
I'd say your better off with a MIDI set-up with 500 bucks, that way you can just buy plug-ins and modules as you get more money (thats what im doing) , you can get a damn good midi controller for that, i suggest the M-Audio 88 Keystation? its $400 bucks
 
But you said it yourself, MIDI keyboard for $400 then you have to buy the plugins (expensive for decent one's) and maybe a new PC to run them (they take a lot of power).

It really depends on use, for someone who likes to sit in front of a keyboard and play then a simple yamaha or casio at that price is great and can be used for recording or driving soft synths also. You might find a decent used Roland for that price also.
 
I thought the m-audio 88 (pro) was considered a digital piano as well, instaed of just a midi controler... or am I mistaken?
 
No, you are correct, it is a digital piano that also targets the controller market.

M.T.Pilot said:
I thought the m-audio 88 (pro) was considered a digital piano as well, instaed of just a midi controler... or am I mistaken?
Click to expand...
 
I say go with an nice midi controller and an Emu Module. The good thing about those is you can add ROMS to them and have like 4 modules in one. The Proteus 2000 is great to start with then add the roms you need. For example you need hard basses or hip hop sounds then adding the Mo Phatt Rom would def benefit you. The list goes on. Check out www.vintagesynth.com for more info on EMU products.

Nicole
 
I dont want to highjack the thread here but could someone explain something to me?
I have a Yamaha DGX205 with the usb connector. I am mostly a drummer and dont know much about this stuff so bare with me here.
Tell me if you would about soft synth,s. Can I use them, Do they play through the computer in real time while using the yamaha
as a controler and output through my sound card? And how much for say a good B3 sound.

Thanks guys
 
Herm said:
I dont want to highjack the thread here but could someone explain something to me?
I have a Yamaha DGX205 with the usb connector. I am mostly a drummer and dont know much about this stuff so bare with me here.
Tell me if you would about soft synth,s. Can I use them, Do they play through the computer in real time while using the yamaha
as a controler and output through my sound card? And how much for say a good B3 sound.

Thanks guys
Click to expand...

If you are goin to use soft synths then your Yamaha will become your midi controller. Everything will come from your computer and be recorded in your computer. Your keyboard is just being a hands on controller so you dont have to use your mouse for making music. Is that more understandable?

Nicole
 
I personally say go for a XP-60 around 500 bucks these days, and you can still expand the hell out of it and I have like 2000 patches for the JV/XP series I can email you that are used in a professional enviroment.

Or you can find a Yamaha S80 for about that price thats pretty decent, I say go for the roland though. JMHO.
 
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