Solved Completely new to MIDI keyboards

[Soundmind??]

Based on what you said your needs are (simple, basic keyboard parts), I'm not sure you need to even worry about weighted or semi-weighted keys. If you are not an experienced piano player who is "trained" to play weighted keys, I don't think it matters. m-audio makes some inexpensive controllers that seem to work fine. I have a keystation pro 88 that has worked fine for over a year, and a radium 61 that is over 2 years old with no probems. The 88 es version should be fine for what you intend to do.

 

[cortexx]

Based on what you said your needs are (simple, basic keyboard parts), I'm not sure you need to even worry about weighted or semi-weighted keys. If you are not an experienced piano player who is "trained" to play weighted keys, I don't think it matters. m-audio makes some inexpensive controllers that seem to work fine. I have a keystation pro 88 that has worked fine for over a year, and a radium 61 that is over 2 years old with no probems. The 88 es version should be fine for what you intend to do.

I have to agree, I was pretty biased against the m-audio midi controllers because I like the feel of a real piano , while I was checking out weighted keyboards i was pretty disgusted with what M-audio call a weighted keyboard , i was looking at the Prokeys so called stage piano , there was a casio board that i tried that was worlds ahead on feel and cheaper (much to my suprise) I never considered Casio to be a musical instrument company.

In my opinion , Novation makes a really good quality semi weighted keyboard but costs a little more and it blows M-audio gear away for quality.

I think it's better value for money to buy good quality used gear than it is to buy brand new cheap gear. You'll probably spend less in the end and be happier with the result. Most of my gear was bought used and I saved thousands of dollars by doing this. Also If you do this and decide to sell a piece and replace it you'll find that you will lose very little money if any this makes your hobby cheaper

 

[ssscientist]

I wonder if you would speak to me like that to my face , the internet makes people so brave

Anytime, anywhere asshole.

I wasted enough time on your sorry ass.

Next!

 

[fraserhutch]

I picked up a Studiologic SL161 for gigging for $125 and it's great for that. I think it would be fine for your purposes.

What you have heard about velocity-sensitive is hooey.

Keep your eyes open for a used Fatar or Studiologic. They come in weighted, non-weighted, and semi-weighted versions.

It all boils down to the feel you want. Do you want it to play like a piano (weighted), an orgen (non-weighted/synth-action) or in-between (semi-weighted)? I personally use all three for different purposes. Weighted keys have a nasty tendency to remove my upper epidermis doing glisses on synth leads But when I'm playing a piano part, I want to feel like I'm playing a piano.

I guess what I'm trying to get at, is that, for me anyways, a single controller is a compromise.

So, do you think I'll be disappointed with this controller for piano parts?

Are there any others you can recommend? I really want all 88 keys.

The main thing that turns me off is people have said the velocity-sensitivity isn't good and you have to really pound the keys to get the loud notes.

I could probably put up with that, but are there any other options in roughly the same price range?

I might be able to save an extra $100 or so, but $200 for a basic controller with no bells/whistles already seems like I should be able to find something worth buying. :/

 

[Cazzbar]

What you have heard about velocity-sensitive is hooey.

Keep your eyes open for a used Fatar or Studiologic. They come in weighted, non-weighted, and semi-weighted versions.

Hooey!! depends on your requirements I think!

I've a Fantom XR sound module, connected to a Roland A90 controller I would rate the piano sounds about 9/10... when connected to my far cheaper semi-weighted Studiologic TMK-88 board, I would rate the piano sounds about 2/10, mainly because it's only triggering the quietest samples. You can of course have a very steep velocity curve setting to bring the sound levels up but you're then walking a very tight rope, one medium hit can bring out the loudest sample sound out of nowhere and destroy everything! And it's almost impossible to get those quiet sounds again when you really need them!

But as I've said before, I'm very fussy about piano sounds! And I've learnt the hard way the controller board is exceptionally important, so much so I'm considering spending an extra $1000 or so on the X8 controller to get the piano sound from 9/10 to 10/10.

But it does depend on your requirements, I originally said the cheapest option would probably suit in this case.

 

[danny.guitar]

Sorry to bump this old thread, but thanks for all the advice.

I've decided to get the M-Audio 88 key. I'm not much of a piano player anyway, I'll only be adding simple piano parts to my songs, plus strings/synths, and maybe use it for the drums too.

 

[fraserhutch]

You can modify the velovity curve Fatar/Studiologic keyboards. That's what I do. I have no problem getting all the nuances out of my diifferent piano kits.

And I'm very fussy about how ALL my stuff sounds and plays, I assure you.

Hooey!! depends on your requirements I think!

I've a Fantom XR sound module, connected to a Roland A90 controller I would rate the piano sounds about 9/10... when connected to my far cheaper semi-weighted Studiologic TMK-88 board, I would rate the piano sounds about 2/10, mainly because it's only triggering the quietest samples. You can of course have a very steep velocity curve setting to bring the sound levels up but you're then walking a very tight rope, one medium hit can bring out the loudest sample sound out of nowhere and destroy everything! And it's almost impossible to get those quiet sounds again when you really need them!

But as I've said before, I'm very fussy about piano sounds! And I've learnt the hard way the controller board is exceptionally important, so much so I'm considering spending an extra $1000 or so on the X8 controller to get the piano sound from 9/10 to 10/10.

But it does depend on your requirements, I originally said the cheapest option would probably suit in this case.

 

[travelin travis]

Sorry to bump this old thread, but thanks for all the advice.

I've decided to get the M-Audio 88 key. I'm not much of a piano player anyway, I'll only be adding simple piano parts to my songs, plus strings/synths, and maybe use it for the drums too.

Congrats. I'm sure you'll have fun with any controller you get. I completely suck at anything involving a keyboard but I have a lot of fun playing around with soft synths, piano sims, and organ sims. The dynamics suck but I like being able to pound out drum lines too. My midi controller is my adult toy. I really do nothing more than waste time playing around with it but I'm learning alot of things along the way too.