I need to buy a crap keyboard!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Casio
  • Start date Start date
C

Casio

New member
Hello,

I´m going to purchase a really cheap keyboard to hook up to my computer, just to be able to record a few chords. The idea is to use it with the B4 hammond organ software or a mellotron plug-in. I was wondering what I have to look out for so it will work for sure. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated :)
 
Casio said:
a really cheap keyboard
Click to expand...

Like how cheap is really cheap? Are you talking really really cheap or really really really cheap?
 
ssscientist said:
Like how cheap is really cheap? Are you talking really really cheap or really really really cheap?
Click to expand...

I´m Talking radio shack cheap, so that would be really really really cheap. Like 70 bucks perhaps.
 
I think there would be a Yamaha in your price range if you don't mind small keys. Otherwise, if it's used and still works it will probably keep working for as long as you need it to...
 
Check out the latest issue of Tape Op - There is an article about old $50 cheapo keyboards to watch for. Yard sales, pawn shops, Aunt Tilley's attic - that sort of thing. Yamaha had a bunch in the 80s; Kawai had a home version of some commercial boards and so forth. There's gold in them thar hills.
 
I know something about cheapo keyboards but not so much about using them as midi-controllers...I would assume (someone correct me if I'm wrong) with a midi-controller you would want to be aware of the polyphony of the keyboard (how many notes can be played at one time) and if the keyboard has touch response (with touch response you get a soft sound when you press the keys softly and a "hard" sound when strike the keys more forcefully, similar to a real piano)...you can usually turn off the touch response if you don't want any variation of volume when you press the keys...Some really, really cheap starter keyboards only have 12 notes of polyphony and have no touch response which I would find very limiting, but Casio has a keyboard thats been around for years (different model numbers, but very similar features) that has 24 note polyphony with touch response and Yamaha has a ton of models that are 32 note polyphony with touch response...you can probably find a bunch of these on ebay (I go looking there sometimes) usually the features (polyphony and touch response) will be listed somewhere on the auction page ...$70 is probably pushing it but I am almost certain you could get one of these for $100-$120. Of course you want midi-in and midi-out and I would stay with keyboards that are less than 5 years old (better sounds, if you ever need them) . I lean toward Yamaha over Casio (but I have heard more Yamahas than Casios and have less experience with Casios, especially the models of the last couple of years...)

Here is a user site that can help you with keyboard models, features, and release dates (to determine the age of the model)

http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/
 
I bought one of these: Evolution MK-461C at GC for about $220.00. It is designed to work with B4. The sliders(9) can be set to work as Draw Bars. It has a built-in registration to work with B4.
 
look for kaysound midi controller in ebay... they should be less thna $50.... decent cheap midi controller.... wish I have one. :)
 
Casio said:
Hello,

I´m going to purchase a really cheap keyboard to hook up to my computer, just to be able to record a few chords. The idea is to use it with the B4 hammond organ software or a mellotron plug-in. I was wondering what I have to look out for so it will work for sure. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated :)
Click to expand...

If I'm understanding the question, then any keyboard with a MIDI out jack on it should work. As was said, look at K-Mart or WalMart or even Best Buy for Casios or Yamahas. Sam Ash has a line of really terrible little 'boards with the name Carlo Robelli on them. Last weekend they were giving them away with a $399.00 purchase (though I don't think that one had MIDI on it)! SA was also closing out a little 49 key controller, I forget which one, but I think it was pretty cheap. Look on E-bay. There is an auction right now for 2 pieces of the CMK49 by Studiologic. It's a 49 key, touch sensitive, MIDI controller. They're selling for $49.99.

Ted
 
$70.....?

You can't get a blow job,for $70 ,much less a Casio....


What's the weather like on *your* planet?

;)
 
Seriously,though,in the "used" department if you can scam either a Casio CT-670(A classic amongst Arranger Keyboards) or the more recent WK-1350(Has touch sensitivity and a 6 track sequencer) GO FOR IT!!!!!


Much luck to you in your search...


:D
 
mawtangent said:
with a midi-controller you would want to be aware of the polyphony of the keyboard
Click to expand...

Not true. Polophony relates only to the number of simultaneous internal voices the keyboard has. Any midi keyboard will transmit a midi note for each key at the very least and more if it has a 'keyboard transpose' function.
 
The thing doesn't have to make sound it just has to be able to send midi data to control his vsti.

I'm with the midi controller folks seems to be the cheapest option to get you what you want.

Chances are youd be looking pretty damn hard at a gazillion garage sales trying to find an old casio keyboard that has a midi connection.
 
The Casio WK-1350 has MIDI I/O

The Casio CT-670 has MIDI I/O/T(It predates the WK-1350 by about 8 years)

I would go with anything in the WK Range since these keys also have 127 levels of touch sens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top