cellardweller
New member
What is the least amount one could spend and still get a decent keyboard? Please do not include the recently touted casio in this picture. No offensed intended to anyone, but I've already had one of those.
dafduc
New member
What do you need? I bet you can find a used Fender Rhodes for $300. Or a Hammond L or M for less than that. If you've got a controller, there's an Access Virus module that's under $400, and Dave Smith's Evolver is less than $500. You should be able to find a DX-7 for cheap too.
These are all boards that deserve a place in your keyboard collection, but the only one-board-fits-all is the DX-7, and it's got a dated sound, and isn't multitimbral. Midi's not well-implemented either...
For a good 88-key all-in-one, probably the least you can get away with paying is gonna be (new) about $900 for an Alesis QS-8.2, or $6-700 for a used QS-8 or 8.1. There's some tradeoff with the low price - (a) no support network - warranty work must be shipped to NJ, (b) a rep for being a bit fragile for road work, and (c) not all the sounds are the best, though there are good ones, and some very good Q-cards can expand the sound choices some. Great piano-type feel, too.
The non-weighted 61 key QS-6.1 or 6.2 (***NOT*** 6.0 - different sound engine), or 76-key 7.0 or 7.1 (not available in .2 configuration), are also available if you don't need all those keys, or piano weighting.
Other mfrs. offer keyboards in similar price ranges - check out Yam's S-series, for example.
So whaddya need?
These are all boards that deserve a place in your keyboard collection, but the only one-board-fits-all is the DX-7, and it's got a dated sound, and isn't multitimbral. Midi's not well-implemented either...
For a good 88-key all-in-one, probably the least you can get away with paying is gonna be (new) about $900 for an Alesis QS-8.2, or $6-700 for a used QS-8 or 8.1. There's some tradeoff with the low price - (a) no support network - warranty work must be shipped to NJ, (b) a rep for being a bit fragile for road work, and (c) not all the sounds are the best, though there are good ones, and some very good Q-cards can expand the sound choices some. Great piano-type feel, too.
The non-weighted 61 key QS-6.1 or 6.2 (***NOT*** 6.0 - different sound engine), or 76-key 7.0 or 7.1 (not available in .2 configuration), are also available if you don't need all those keys, or piano weighting.
Other mfrs. offer keyboards in similar price ranges - check out Yam's S-series, for example.
So whaddya need?
cellardweller
New member
Good question! What do I need it for now, as opposed to what could I use it for down the road....
I've never done any midi AT ALL! I can barely spell it, good thing it's only four letters.
I have currently borrowed a low end roland, it was okay, and another friend has brought over the dreaded Casio. Using them just for filling out recordings presently. A few silly sound effects here, a piano there, a shitty viola there, etc...
For recording, you can't beat the versatility of having one around, for that reason I've been thinking seriously about buying one.
It would be nice to have midi capabilities for a remote switch to start and stop recordings I guess...
Yes yes yes, I am a Newbie!!!
I've never done any midi AT ALL! I can barely spell it, good thing it's only four letters.
I have currently borrowed a low end roland, it was okay, and another friend has brought over the dreaded Casio. Using them just for filling out recordings presently. A few silly sound effects here, a piano there, a shitty viola there, etc...
For recording, you can't beat the versatility of having one around, for that reason I've been thinking seriously about buying one.
It would be nice to have midi capabilities for a remote switch to start and stop recordings I guess...
Yes yes yes, I am a Newbie!!!
dafduc
New member
Roland XP-10? I have one. It's a frustrating little board, but it has some good sounds. And some lousy ones. Hate the feel.
The Alesis 6.1 or 6.2 is better, IMO. Editable and expandable sound set, much bigger collection of sounds. But if you already HAVE the XP-10 at your disposal, you may do better with a more specific tool, and save the general midi work for the XP10.
By more specific tool, I mean the Emu vintage keys keyboard. Haven't used it, but have heard good things. Or, if you're happy with the main sounds on the XP-10 (they're really not bad), get a synth like a K-station or an Ion.
The deal is, you may well outgrow the XP-10 or an Alesis 6.x. You weill never outgrow an Ion...
Daf
The Alesis 6.1 or 6.2 is better, IMO. Editable and expandable sound set, much bigger collection of sounds. But if you already HAVE the XP-10 at your disposal, you may do better with a more specific tool, and save the general midi work for the XP10.
By more specific tool, I mean the Emu vintage keys keyboard. Haven't used it, but have heard good things. Or, if you're happy with the main sounds on the XP-10 (they're really not bad), get a synth like a K-station or an Ion.
The deal is, you may well outgrow the XP-10 or an Alesis 6.x. You weill never outgrow an Ion...
Daf
bsanfordnyc
New member
You might want to take a look at a Korg Triton Le, 61 key.
These have most of the functions and sounds of the higher end tritons that cost $3,000 and up. The Le you could probably get for around 600-700 dollars. Try www.Korg.com, they will have specs and demos
I've seen a lot of musicians using them in gigs, like you have described
These have most of the functions and sounds of the higher end tritons that cost $3,000 and up. The Le you could probably get for around 600-700 dollars. Try www.Korg.com, they will have specs and demos
I've seen a lot of musicians using them in gigs, like you have described
alien
New member
The LE series is a good one. It lacks the ease of the Touchview screen, but cursor buttons will get you to the same place almost as quick.
I would shy away from Alesis though. Not for the sounds. The sounds are great. It's the display. The displays are divided in half. The decoder/driver on each side is a chip encased in black epoxy. There is no way to replace it without severly damaging the circuit board.
The right side of these displays is prone to go out on both the keyboards and the Quadraverb 2. The downfall is Alesis's support hit rock bottom. It will take months to get another display module from them. If you can get one at all.
The Yamaha S30 is a good one for the money too.
I would shy away from Alesis though. Not for the sounds. The sounds are great. It's the display. The displays are divided in half. The decoder/driver on each side is a chip encased in black epoxy. There is no way to replace it without severly damaging the circuit board.
The right side of these displays is prone to go out on both the keyboards and the Quadraverb 2. The downfall is Alesis's support hit rock bottom. It will take months to get another display module from them. If you can get one at all.
The Yamaha S30 is a good one for the money too.
S
skyy38
Banned
Thats the nice thing about Casio-
True blue display that is *very* easy on the eyes...
and the wallet...
True blue display that is *very* easy on the eyes...
and the wallet...
S
skyy38
Banned
you wanna lissen up to the "HIPHOP"peeples...
THAS ALRIGHT!!!!
*not your only choice*
THAS ALRIGHT!!!!
*not your only choice*
reco
New member
Hmmmmm Check out the yamaha boards. there "S" series is nice from the 5 to the 80 they have great sounds.
-Reco
-Reco
B
brzilian
New member
cellardweller said:
Some inexpensive bread and butter used synths that come to mind:
Korg M1,T3,01w
Yamaha SY55,SY77
Roland JV80,U20
Kawai K1,K4
Ensoniq SQ1
Most of these can probably be found for around $300-400 nowadays.
alien
New member
Speaking of which, my wife may be willing to sell her SQ1+
PM me if interested and I'll talk to her.
PM me if interested and I'll talk to her.
jake-owa
Banned
I would look for a cheap controller and module combo.
I can find an evolution mk149 and 16 channel Yamaha MU50-100 for $200-250 nearly any day of the week.
I can find an evolution mk149 and 16 channel Yamaha MU50-100 for $200-250 nearly any day of the week.
B
brzilian
New member
Woops - forgot the Yamaha SY85. It was a pretty decent synth in its time also.
S
skyy38
Banned
moskus
The Creator of Æ, Ø and Å
You do know that Casio is in the same genre as Creative?skyy38 said:
The only proper way to use them is together with a hammer.
