Semi-Weighted Keys

  • Thread starter Thread starter Henry Low
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Henry Low

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Hi guys, I have a student who wanted to get into some midi stuff on her computer and record some of her compositions in to notation with some notation program, and she wanted me to help her look for some kind of a cheap midi controller. She does not have much to spend.. 200-300ish? and she wants 88 keys... I come across this keyboard by studio logic called the TMK-88 and it suppose to have semi weighted keys. My question is, how weigthed are semi weighted keys? Do they have a decent touch to it, decent enough to play notes quietly?

THanks guys.
 
Semi weighted keys or synth weighted keys are very lightly weighted. They're nothing like piano keys just not totally loose and light as some cheap keyboards can be. I suggest taking her to a music store to see what she likes best.
 
Henry Low said:
Hi guys, I have a student who wanted to get into some midi stuff on her computer and record some of her compositions in to notation with some notation program, and she wanted me to help her look for some kind of a cheap midi controller. She does not have much to spend.. 200-300ish? and she wants 88 keys... I come across this keyboard by studio logic called the TMK-88 and it suppose to have semi weighted keys. My question is, how weigthed are semi weighted keys? Do they have a decent touch to it, decent enough to play notes quietly?

THanks guys.
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The TMK88 has an acceptable feel, for me, but if your student has been playing piano for many, many years, she might find it uncomfortable at first.

Full Weighted keys feel almost like a piano, but not quite. Weight is only part of the feel of a piano - the hammers and springs add a different feel as compared to a counter weight.

Semi-weighted is a half-breed between weighted and cheesy synthesizer keys (which have a small spring under a plastic key), and most can adapt to it fairly well.

I happen to like the TMK88's feel, but then I'm a bass player not a pianist.

But, its a quality unit and in your price range more or less if you find a used one. There are a few on e-bay right now, though I'm not related to the auctions in any way, just happened to notice it while searching for "midi controller 88" :)
 
Thanks guys, yeah I think i will recommend this keyboard to her, seeing that this is the only 88 key controller that she can afford. Thanks.
 
She can also use a used digital piano. They have weighted keys and some even have graded keys. This way it can double as a MIDI controller and also as regular piano.

I recently sold mine for $500.00
 
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