What can you get for 300 dollars?

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coplinger

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A friend of mine is about to throw down 300 bucks on a Casio. While I have no keyboard experience whatsoever, I'm thinking there's got to be something better than Casio in this price range. It is to be used primarily as a midi controller for soft synths & a drum machine, but it would be nice if it had some good sounds of its own, too. Any suggestions?
 
I doubt a new CASIO board will give you the most bang for your buck. It'll most likly end up being just a controller and never much more. You can save a $150 dollars and get a much better board that is made to be a midi controller. One that'll send nore than just note data and pitch bend. Stuff like an assignable sliders for controller data and the ability to send program (sound) changes to the sequencing software.

If you gotta go the cheap route then I alwaya gotta recommend the pawn shops. I copped a MK-4902 with a busted key for $20. I've seen much better boards than CASIO makes for less than $300. In the ones i've been to they always have a few $80 low end midi cabable Yamahas and Casios. Might even just find a cheaper version of the board you guys are thinking about purchasing.

Oh, I've been there myself... I paid 300 for a Yamaha PSR about 6 or 7 years ago. It was a good learning experience but I realized soon that it would never cut it. I ended buying a KORG board for $500 (worth $1000 dollars at the time) from a pawn shop and it's gonna be with my for a long, long time... Try to make yourself an investment if you can.
 
arcaxis said:
If I understand coplinger correctly, he is looking to have a drum machine in the keyboard. Most pro level boards are not going to have a drum machine as such, but could have a sequencer that could be programmed for drum parts. Not sure what in the used market in the range of $300 you could get for a "workstation" type of synth. A "home" keyboard, Casio or Yamaha would likely have a built-in drum / rhythm section and a fairly good selection of sounds. Granted as a controller it mgiht have limitations, but for basic control might be adequate.
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No, we already have a drum machine, some soft synths & a sequencer. We're primarily looking for a controller for these, but if we can get one with some good sounds as well-bonus!
 
I got my Roland S-330 for $130 last year. It's a sampler that can also be used as a sequencer. If you get one try to get the remote controller. Wish I had one, it makes the redundant stuff a lot easier. Also, make sure to get a monitor if it doesn't come with one. I couldn't imagine trying to use the sequencer on the little LCD.
An old 486 with a soundblaster card, running Jazz32 makes for a cheap sequencer. Jazz32 is free, and you could probably get a 486 for the same price.
 
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