I am looking for a pro 88-key keyboard.

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honduranjazzman

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I need a keyboard that can give me a very good sound quality and that has enough variety of features to be my primary source for homerecording. I would appreciate any information about prices and places to look for. I compose jazz, flamenco, brazilian and classical music, so I need a grand piano sound to plug in to the computer.
 
<b>Kurzweil</b> makes some awsome keyboards. You can hear some samples on their site:
http://www.kurzweilmusicsystems.com/

I have used K2000 and K2500, both are old models, but, K2500 is one fine unit (I believe Rich Wright from Pink Floyd used that one at the Pulse concert) The mp3 samples on their site don't do their keyboards justice, but should give you a pretty good idea how they sound like. A used K2500 can be had for around $1000 on ebay, I think.

Good luck
 
You may also wanna check out the yamaha s-90. Only drawback (for me at least) is the 62+2 polyphony. If you're not in a rush, you may also wanna check out the Motif rack (due in stores next month - 128 note polyphony, 4 insert fx, etc) - of course, with a rack module you'll need a midi controller, too, in which case, I'd check out the Fatar s-880...

That being said, the Kurz sounds great, especially when you aren't needing (cuz you'll have to program or download 'em) synthy sounds...

good luck
 
Skip the S90 and find a S80. Now that the S90 is out, the S80 can be bought for around $1200 or less.
 
I have yet to see any keyboard/controller/sound module that can faithfully reproduce a grand piano. Of course, I'm biased on the sounds because I have a 7'-2" grand in my studio.
So chasing that grand sound is going to be elusive.

I would suggest an 88 weighted key controller, something like the Fatar SL-880 or 990 coupled with a nice Roland Sound Module like the JV 2080 or 5080.
That way, for just under a grand, you have a nice keyboard, lots of sounds, and you can always add more modules. This allows you to continually add or upgrade your system.

If you don't like the idea of sound modules, you couls always go for a Yamaha Motif but I don't think its quite as flexible as the individual components.

I have 2 Fatar keyboards. Both are 88 keys and weighted. Being a classically trained pianist, I like the action on the Fatar's.
 
honduranjazzman said:
I need a keyboard that can give me a very good sound quality and that has enough variety of features to be my primary source for homerecording.
Click to expand...

XV 88 all the way. The sounds and synthesis capabilites of this versus the s80/90 need to come from your own tests, but the XV has the undeniable advantages of outright 128 polyphony and 4x expandability (compared to Yamaha's 2x). The XV's expansion board range is massive and you can guarantee theres one or two related to your latin music, and certainly classical. People say that the XV is so much easier to use in terms of console interface and manual than the s80. But do some research between all these.
Getting a separate controller and then an XV module isn't something I considered as I wanted a 'real piano' anyway, so it made economic sense to get the combined package. Sounds like you do too.

Anyway that was my experience, hope it helps, Jazzman.
 
Hi,
I own the SL880 Fatar Studiologic and agree that is an ooutstanding keyboard. I also own the Triton Rack with Concert Grand Piano and Orchestral upgrades. If you hear this you will swear you are listening to full concert grands. My understanding is that many of the samples were made using a Bosendorfer Concert Grand.
 
i've been demoing a roland rd-700 for the last couple of months. u may want to check it out as well. the xv-88 is super too, tho i think the 700's a bit easier to navigate. it has 2 slots for expansion. the action is decent, the grand piano sounds are nice. the rhodes, wurly and clav are imho weak, but then again, i also own a nord electro, so i'm a bit biased there. the 700 also features virtual drawbars for hammond patches, if you're into that.
 
xv-5050 and S08

Hi,
I found a winning combination...
A Yamaha S08 as a MIDI controller and a Roland XV-5050 as a SoundGenerator.... you got here one of the best piano feels (s08) and one of the most versatil SGs (xv-5050)

Also, you can use the Yamahas synth if you want.. Idon't like it that much myself, but for a under $1,000 synth it's perfect...

Now, If I had more mula, I would go for the RD700, this baby has the BEST keyboard action I can possibly dream of! But it's expensive....

I used to own a XV-88 also, superb! The Yamaha Motif-8 has a great action...

the s08+xv5050 is a winning combination !

Alex
 
Michael Jones said:
I have yet to see any keyboard/controller/sound module that can faithfully reproduce a grand piano. Of course, I'm biased on the sounds because I have a 7'-2" grand in my studio.
So chasing that grand sound is going to be elusive.


Hi Michael. Are you the same Michael Jones that recorded Pianoscapes? Nice stuff!


Twist
Click to expand...
 
Did you try THE GRAND form Steinberg?

Hi Twist !

I am also into piano.. well, on the semi-pro side anyway, I am very critic on sound, but my playing is not that pro :)
I would recomend you take a good look at THE GRAND from Steinberg, ... it's a VST (soft sample) so I don't know if you are into this stuff or not... It is probably the best Piano I have heared... incredible natural and realistic...

All the best,
Alex
 
Where can I test a Fatar ?

Where can I test a Fatar keyboard ??? I can't find them in my retailers (Sam Ash, Mars Music...) Does anybody know here in the Miami, FL area ?

Thanks,
Alex
 
The General Music comes damn close to replicating a real grand, and a real rhodes for that matter. No, its not exact, buts is close
 
Who knows about the RD-700 board?

Hi,
I LOVE the Roland RD-700 Keyboard feel and touch.. it's perfect for me! Does anybody know what board they use ? is it a Roland propetary? And, since the pricetag on this synth is to high, is there any other Keyboard with exactly the SAME key system ?

Thanks,
Alex
 
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