Need keyboard help........

  • Thread starter Thread starter rpe
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rpe

rpe

NM - Land of Excrement
I'd like to add sounds to my acoustic guitar recordings (currently using n-Track and/or Cakewalk Guitar Studio) such as strings, flute, etc., and have no idea how to get it done. I've read up on midi controllers, synth's, etc., but am confused. All I want to do is add these sounds. Can you recommend a "keyboard" in the $500 range that would allow me to do this?

thanks,

rpe
 
Yamaha S03
Roland RS-5
Korg X5D, N5

to name a few...

of course there is always used gear and ebay.

Used gear I'd recommend:

Yamaha SY77
Korg M1, 01/W
Roland XP series (not XP10 though - it simply sucks)

Stick with synths if you are going to do recordings. Home "keyboards" like the ones from Yamaha and Casio will be really noisy as far as their outputs go.
 
thanks brzilian..........

Nice to hear advice, even if the question is too easy for some of you.
 
Roland JV 1010. It is a Sound module, basically a keyboard that doesnt have any keys. You will need a Midi Keyboard controller (A keyboard with no sounds) to play it.

Roland JV1010= $ 375

Keyboard (MK4902 by Kaysound, 49 keys)= $90

Great sound for the price, nothing close.
 
DavidK said:
Roland JV 1010. It is a Sound module, basically a keyboard that doesnt have any keys. You will need a Midi Keyboard controller (A keyboard with no sounds) to play it.

Roland JV1010= $ 375

Keyboard (MK4902 by Kaysound, 49 keys)= $90

Great sound for the price, nothing close.
Click to expand...

Man, you're really beginning to sound like a broken record with this module thing...

The 1010 does sound good ( I own the keyboard counterpart, the XP30). But it is the most assanine, non intuitive thing to use if you don't have a computer to control it!! You can't even store a user programmed Performance from the front panel!!!

Anything less that 61 keys is just plain unacceptable in my opinion. You'll run out of keys trying to play most 2 handed pieces intended for the piano/keyboard.
 
brzilian said:


Man, you're really beginning to sound like a broken record with this module thing...

.
Click to expand...
I should ask Roland for kickbacks:p

But seriously,
You can't even store a user programmed Performance from the front panel!!!
Click to expand...
rpe is a total novice, why would this matter??
You'll run out of keys trying to play most 2 handed pieces intended for the piano/keyboard
Click to expand...
Rpe clearly stated he(she?) wants to add flutes and strings. Sure, A real Pianist needs 88 keys, but 49 is perfect for adding flute, etc.

But it is the most assanine, non intuitive thing to use if you don't have a computer to control it!!
Click to expand...
I couldnt agree more for synth people like you and I, but rpe is not a synth person. There is a knob on the front; turn it to settings called Piano,Key and Organ, Orch/Brass. Ethnic, etc.

I agree that you really should use it with a computer, but that is very simple to do. If you want to mess with parameters and making your own sounds, DONT BUY THIS. However, if you want decent pre-set sounds for a great price, this may be the ticket.

Now off to the mailbox to see if my Roland check is here...oops...
 
i bought my 1010 a few years ago...its mostly used as an expensive dust collector. I can never find anything real good to use it for. The only patch I really like on it is 23 on the sessions dial.
Hey David, what do you use it with a computer for? I never been able to figure out its advantages besides editing the patches...and even then the editing software rarely works:(

I wish I could use it more but I never really find a reason. Got any music you used it with?
 
good discussion.....

thanks. DavidK is correct that I am a novice (with keyboards/midi/synths). My engineering knowledge/abilities dictate that I keep it as simple as possible. Thanks again for the enlightening discussion, keep it up.

rpe
 
Just a little thought on my part...

This is the 21st century - there is no excuse for cryptic user interfaces like on the 1010. Even if you get a module, at least buy one with a 2 line display that shows text and patch names, not 3 digit numbers! :)
 
You know, I really like Roland Sound Modules. But the JV 1010??
It's a bit dated, don't you think? I mean, I'd look for a used JV1080, at least it's expandable with cards, and rack mountable. Or even a JV2080 can be had fairly inexpensively now-a-days.
I wouldn't waste my money on a 49 key keyboard either. Even a complete novice will out grow that thing in about a week and a half. I'd get something with 88 keys (why limit yourself) but if you can't afford 88 keys, get 76, if not that, 61 keys, but my guess is that you'll be trading that in, in no time.
 
Originally posted by Michael Jones You know, I really like Roland Sound Modules. But the JV 1010??
It's a bit dated, don't you think? I mean, I'd look for a used JV1080, at least it's expandable with cards, and rack mountable. Or even a JV2080 can be had fairly inexpensively now-a-days.
Click to expand...

The JV1010 technically "newer" than the JV1080 or tht 2080. Plus the 1010 does have one expansion slot. You are right that the 1080 and 2080 have more expansion slots and expansion potential, but the 1010 is a fine inexpensive choice for a beginner. I agree with David's "broken record" recommendation. The JV1010 may not have the world's best editing interface or the loudest output, but what it does have is over 1000 of Roland's signature sounds in one little inexpensive box. Before trading up for a more powerful XV3080, I used my 1010 to death with great success.

I hear a lot of people talk about how hard it was to use, but I honestly don't know why. I used the only 1010 in Combination mode on a many songs. I had other keyboards and modules at the time, but much of the time, the 1010 did the job all by itself with ease. But as most things are, this is just my personal experience. There will always be better modules, but sometimes a simple box that gives you all the sounds is what you need.

Rpe only wants a box or keyboard to play sounds. He doesn't want to edit keyboard patches. He's a guitar player for God's sake. The JV1010 plus a MIDI controller is perfect for him.

E
 
Umm...I was referring to DavidK continually pushing modules over keyboards in thread after thread!!!! This had nothing do do with the 1010!!!! Like I said before, I own the keyboard counterpart, the XP30 and love every single thing about it.

I just don't like looking at 3 numbers when selecting patches (we don't need another Oberheim Matrix-1000 in this day and age -this isn't 1988 anymore).
 
Proteus Keyboard

There is a new Proteus keyboard by EMU that looks really good and it is reasonably priced though a bit above the stated budget. Nevertheless, if it has the Proteus sounds for that price, (abut $700.00 or so I imagine) it will blow away that JV 1010 Roland thing. Rolands are okaly but I have never really loved them. To me, Rolands tend to sound a bit Cheesy but hey, that is just an opinion.
 
Re: Proteus Keyboard

Jack Hammer said:
... Rolands are okaly but I have never really loved them. To me, Rolands tend to sound a bit Cheesy but hey, that is just an opinion.
Click to expand...
I think it depends on what kind of sounds you're after. If you're looking for authentic, orchestral instrumental sounds, Roland is hard to beat. If you want R&B, Grooves, Hip-Hop sounds, then yeah, don't get a Roland; EMU is going to smoke 'em there.
But all said, life would be pretty boring with only one spice for flavouring.
 
Once you learn to program Roland gear, it rivals any synth on the market. ;)

The problem with Roland is that the folks that program their patches in house don't do that good a job. You need to roll up your sleeves with a Roland.

As far as Modules vs. Keyboards, I've covered that pretty extensively already. I don't understand the preferance of all in one keyboard units over modules, but I'm not going to force anyone to see my POV on that.

I was very excited to see the Proteus at my local GTC. I gave it about 45 minutes of my time. I'll put it this way, I walked away from it considerably LESS excited than I approached. It's supposed to have all the sounds of their rack mounted units, but I couldn't find them.

The keyboard action left a lot to be desired as well :(

For the money it should be a great deal, but a crappy board is a crappy board.

Carl
 
No surprises

I figured that the new Proteus might not be that great. It looks like a cheap version of the Proteus, kind of like a version for home recording guys that are not keyboard players but need a synth for their project studio. Also, and most importantly, the price. It looked like such a good deal that it seemed almost too good to be true and you know the old addage. If it looks to good to be true, it is too good to be true. This has now been confirmed with the new Proteus with keys "Lite". Thanks for the heads up.

As for Rolands, the last one I owned was a Super Jupiter module. I must say, it was great and I am sorry I sold it but I sold it many years ago when I thought I was going out of the music business for good. As it turns out, my sojourn out of music was not as permanent as I thought is was going to be and I am decidedly back. Thus, I should have kept the Rhodes with the silver top, the Super Jupiter, the DX7, the Moog (the mini moog type synth with digital recall or patches, I forgot the model name), the Hammond C3, the Arp Odysey, and the rest of the gear. But this is all besides the point. Based upon the accolades herein, I suspect I will be giving a Roland a close look one of these days though I am partial to the Proteus 2500.
 
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