Help with key/synths

[dan]

Im looking for a nice semi-high-end keyboard synth to add to my rig. I have pretty decent keyboard skills and getting one has been a goal for awhile though I dont know much about the keyboard world. The models ive been looking at are alesis brands QS6.5, 7, and 8 and my budget is along these lines.
I dont know if these are good key/synths becouse of my lack of experience and trying them out in the music store isnt as easy as with guitars. It only confuses me more. Im used to an upright piano so all this semi-weighted, full-weighted action business is cryptic to me since I dont know what a good keyboard/synth action is like (although close as possible to a real piano would be my guess).
One thing i will say I like is a really nice classical sound like a clsscl piano and especialy strings. I love the sound of a nice, lush string section sound like the soft stereo strings mode I played on a Kurzweil PC88 in Sam Ash today. This means that Id probbably definetly want to buy the upgrade card for orchestra along with whatever I choose to buy.
Id love to hear some good oppinions on the best quality in this range of keys. If you say the Alesis' are good or you suggest others it would be helpfull if you be as descriptive as possible as to why. Thanks.

 

[Skyline609]

Alesis is a great start i think if you have never purchased a higher end board before. The QS series have great sounds. It seems to me that you are very into the piano sound and you also indicated strings. Alesis covers that area pretty good, and you can custom design your own sounds once you want to get into that. Qs boards are also very affordable for what they give you. There is no sequencer, but you can always hook into a computer. The downside I guess would be the feel since you are used to a real piano, but a qs.81 has a pretty good feel. It seems a bit limited on sounds too, but there is certainly enough to work with there.
I can really say about buying a high end board is to really do alot of research and play on the boards ALOT. Dont just decide after one try. Listen to them on good headphones!!! that is very important. Most importantly, i think the bottom line is to get what you like, dont buy something based on what other people say. Each musician is different and has different needs. What someone would find useful you might see it as a total waste. Write down what you want out of the board on a piece of paper, and then evaulate each keyboard. Then match the one suits your needs the most. Just go with your gut feeling!