Best keyboard/synth for 400-800 dollars?

[Akelio]

I bet you guys get plenty of these types of questions. Well, here's another one :/.. But you know title says it all, thanks.

Btw: I'm just getting into the whole world of music, so any useful and all information is greatly appriciated

Oh, I forgot what music I would be using it for.. I would be mostly into indie rock/pop

 

[tedluk]

These questions are impossible to answer. If there was a valid answer, then there would be only one synth manufactured and we would all use it. "Best" is a meaningless term in regards to music. It's like asking a painter what the "best" color is. It's subjective. Synths are tools. They are all useful and each can serve a purpose.

Go to your local music store and try a bunch of different boards and get a feel for which ones you like. One suggestion I like is to find out what instruments bands or players you enjoy are using. That's a great starting point. Read reviews of the keyboards/synths you liked.

In that price range, especially if you are willing to consider used instruments, you are going to find a lot of choices.

Ted

 

[Akelio]

I see what you mean. I'll surf around the web and hop to local stores, I guess. Thanks for the info though

 

[GamezBond]

Used motif 6 or used fantom-s

 

[mawtangent]

Hey Akelio...my concept of the perfect keyboard (for me) has evolved over the years...When I was 16 I was happy with something I could afford that made noise and I (since I didn't have a lot of options) even got into using the cheezy auto-accompaniments on (now ancient) home keyboards, and I recorded into a cheap boombox. About 10 years ago I was introduced to the world of pro-level keyboards. Of course the sound blew me away, but what really got my attention was having an onboard sequencer (by which, using the sounds of the keyboard, one can build, track by track, measure by measure, a full instrumental song)...In time I was able to intigrate the keyboard (sequencing drums and bass, etc.) with vocals and guitar, recording it all to a 4-track cassette recorder. There were a lot of steps that I took before I understood what I could/wanted to do with the available technology. I am suggesting that you to look at your own situation: Are you part of a gigging band and are you going to use the keyboard to fill-out your sound (then you may not need a sequencer) or will you possibly want to sequence a foundation bed on your keyboard to support vocals and other instruments. Are you putting together a recording setup and how will the keyboard fit into it. Are you knowledgable about MIDI/sequencing via computer (Frankly, I am not). What instruments do you already play and have you got your bass and drums covered (or will you be using the keyboard for this). I hope this is helpful somehow... I am just trying to imagine if I was having a conversation with you and what I would ask you before I tried to give you some kind of opinion to your question...I have participated in several threads that dealt with specific brands/models of keyboards in your price range (if you want to search under "mawtangent" you might find something helpful, if not from me, from others' posts in the threads)

 

[bsr2002]

KORG N364 for sale at ebay for $787.00. Great, Great keyboard !!!

http://search.ebay.com/KORG-N364_W0QQsokeywordredirectZ1QQfromZR8



Korg N364 Synthesizer Specifications

Type: Workstation/
Synthesis Type: Digital Accoustic simulation Wavetable (Advanced Integrated according to Korg) with 8 MB of ROM
Polyphony:
Max: 64 voices
Typical in use: about 40
Multi-timbral (number of parts): 16
Oscillators per Voice :
Min : 1
Max : 2
Controllers : assignable value slider, assignable footswitch, damper pedal,
Effects :
Number of FX units : 2
Number of different effects : 47
Drum Section :
Number of Drum Kits : 12
Number of Drum sounds : 215
Keyboard :
Number of Keys : 61
Can send on 16 simultaneous MIDI channels
Responds to : velocity, after-touch
Sounds can be split by : velocity, keyboard
Memory :
Patches : 536
Performances : 400
Inputs and Outputs :
Number of Audio Outs (excluding Phones) : 4 (1/L/Mono, 2/R, 3, 4
Number of Audio Ins : 0
Number of MIDI Outs (excluding Thru) : 1
Number of MIDI Ins : 1
Upgrade Options : Programs, Combinations and Sequences loaded in by disk. Also - RPPR Patterns
========================

You may like this one,
Ben

 

[tacurtis]

Hi, I got a used Alesis QS6.1 for $325 on ebay. IMO a very, very good keyboard for the price with hundreds of medium-to-excellent quality onboard preset patches. I use mine for playing live, sequencing, a sound module for sequenced drums, and recording direct. The only thing I haven't tried is devising new unique patches but it has that capability as well.

It's the black keyboard in the photo:

Listen to a couple of my songs at the link below. All of the drums, strings, and most of the keyboards are the Alesis. About 25% of the guitars are actually the Alesis (if you listen to "Rhonda," ALL of the guitars are the Alesis).

Bottom line: A really excellent, cost-effective, easy-to-use unit, especially for an entry-level guy like yourself.

 

[Akelio]

Thanks again, I'll go check out an Alesis Q62, among others. I'll be playing in a band with 2 guitars a bass and a drummer. Thanks a lot folks

 

[warble]

...It's the black keyboard in the photo:

I see the Yamaha is on top where it belongs!

You really like the Alesis sounds, eh? I've played the QS boards a couple times in music stores and didn't walk away with a big smile on my face. I'm used to higher end Yamaha gear, Korgs some Roland stuff I've owned though. I'd say for an entry level type situtation, Alesis may be very well suited - that includes the "bang for the buck" principle too.

P.S. I listened to "Rhonda". The guitars didn't really sound like guitars to me, more like 80's synth type stuff. I'm not knocking the song though.

 

[warble]

I bet you guys get plenty of these types of questions. Well, here's another one :/.. But you know title says it all, thanks.

Btw: I'm just getting into the whole world of music, so any useful and all information is greatly appriciated

Oh, I forgot what music I would be using it for.. I would be mostly into indie rock/pop

I'd definitely get to a local store and check out some boards. The older Korg mentioned in this thread (N364) is a pretty cool, I guess what you'd call entry-level board. Owned one briefly.

The Yamaha Motifs are nice as well. You might be able to grab a used Motif 6 for slightly over your price range, or heck, even withing. Take a gander at ebay. You'll find some nice sounds on them.

Good Luck to you and Happy Holidays!

 

[tacurtis]

I see the Yamaha is on top where it belongs!

That may be true for Yamaha in general, but not particular model, bro. That's the CS1x and it sounds thin, thin thin. But I'm shallow and love the way it looks in my music room, so it stays.

You really like the Alesis sounds, eh? I've played the QS boards a couple times in music stores and didn't walk away with a big smile on my face. I'm used to higher end Yamaha gear, Korgs some Roland stuff I've owned though. I'd say for an entry level type situtation, Alesis may be very well suited - that includes the "bang for the buck" principle too.

Well, I can only speak from experience. I admit I have never played any of those higher-end 'boards so can't compare. I would LOVE to upgrade my keyboard regime but just don't have the cash. But I think $325 is a great deal for the QS6.1 anyway, but I did a "completed items" search on ebay a few days ago and saw new 6.1's (not 6.2s) still in the box for less than 3 bills. That's a monster deal, IMO.

P.S. I listened to "Rhonda". The guitars didn't really sound like guitars to me, more like 80's synth type stuff. I'm not knocking the song though.

It's funny but everyone says my music sounds 80's, and since most of it is played through or via the Alesis in one way or another, that has to be the culprit.

Thanks for listening, though. I appreciate it.

 

[bsr2002]

Hey, I have a QS.6 as well, see it on the top of my 3 tier...My Korg X3 (an earlier version of the N-Series) is over the Yamha DGX-505. Still using these vintage boards after many, many years of use.