Looking to buy a good keyboard.

[MaestroRage]

I'm in the market for a good keyboard. I'm looking for something with AT LEAST 61 keys, weighted keys, and preferably under $250 (or if you have a suggestion that's going to change my very life, suggest away even if it's higher then that).

I hear great things about Casio keyboards. Anybody got any recommendations?

[loansindi]

If you're JUST looking for a keyboard for some basic piano/string sounds and midi control, the casio privias are great. They run around $400 for the fancier ones last time I was shopping. The action is great.

[MaestroRage]

yeah I guess I should have been more specific.

I'm not looking for any fancy samples, obviously i've got all the samples already. I'm going to be buying it to play into FL. I want it to be weighted so it's easier to be more expressive. Workstations are expensively expensive, basic controller capability is preferred.

[Gravey]

At 4/27/09 10:37 PM, MaestroRage wrote: I'm in the market for a good keyboard. I'm looking for something with AT LEAST 61 keys, weighted keys, and preferably under $250 (or if you have a suggestion that's going to change my very life, suggest away even if it's higher then that).

I hear great things about Casio keyboards. Anybody got any recommendations?

It depends on what you want. Do you play much? Or just tinker around with it? Do you want a million crappy sounds? Or just a few good quality ones? So you want weighted keys? Or those flimsy synthesizer keys that have no resistance at all?

Personally, I'm a Yamaha man. But I've been playing since I was three. So I go for electric pianos with weighted keys that are full sized. If you are more of a guy who is just looking for something to mess around with for a little fun, I'd probably get a Casio synth of some sort.

I could definitely help you out, if I knew a little more on what it is you are looking for exactly.

[Gravey]

At 4/27/09 11:19 PM, MaestroRage wrote: yeah I guess I should have been more specific.

I'm not looking for any fancy samples, obviously i've got all the samples already. I'm going to be buying it to play into FL. I want it to be weighted so it's easier to be more expressive. Workstations are expensively expensive, basic controller capability is preferred.

Lol!

You must have posted this right as I was writing my initial response. I'll be back in like 10 minutes with some ideas for ya. ;-)

[Gorgorothx]

For your budget... you should make it more specific: you need a controller

You will not get a semi-pro/pro sounding hardware module for under $300, but you can get a damn good controller ;)

[Gravey]

At 4/27/09 11:19 PM, MaestroRage wrote: yeah I guess I should have been more specific.

I'm not looking for any fancy samples, obviously i've got all the samples already. I'm going to be buying it to play into FL. I want it to be weighted so it's easier to be more expressive. Workstations are expensively expensive, basic controller capability is preferred.

Yamaha P-140

Now I know this is a little expensive compared to what you were looking for. But I have the P-80 series, its like 10 years old now. And it lasted for about 9 years, and this is just a newer version of it.

You won't find anything with better response from the keys. They are perfectly weighted and really kick back quickly so you can play fast and long runs without the keys lagging behind you. And like I said, I have the older version of this. And it lasted at least 9 years, and is still playable to an extent.

A little pricier than you seemed to want, but for weighted keys you won't find anything good for any less.

Does this help any?

[MaestroRage]

excellent keyboard thar Gravey! However I must admit the price range is out of the budget atm. I'm willing to go up to $500 and I realize that having a weighted keyboard probably means i'm looking at mid grand easy (since all the cheap flimsy ones are not going to have that kind of "luxury").

I'm going to spend this summer aggressively practicing playing live into FL, I gave up trying to play melodies into the system and my hand grew too used to drawing and programming through the mouse. Consider me at about level 4 or 5 (I forget the US equivalent to that).

I know trying to cheap out here will probably screw me, but I also need to do some hefty PC upgrades and in the end I consider that the ultimate need.

Thanks for your help!

[Darren-M]

i would go with the axiom 61 and use the synths in f.l.'s tone banks if that i what you are wanting to do.

i highly recommend this product for full control and freedom, you can use this midi controller how ever you want. i have an axiom 25 and it has been extremely reliable, doesnt feel cheap, and has semi weighted keys. its right around your price range too, the black one not the new white pro version.

idk, maybe you wanted an actual piano type keybard or an analog synth, in that case you arent going to find a weighted synth for 250.

http://cgi.ebay.com/M-AUDIO-Axiom-61-Key -USB-Midi-Controller-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ 270378044990QQcmdZViewItemQQptZKeyboards _MIDI?hash=item270378044990&_trksid=p328 6.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C 65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%
7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[MaestroRage]

Darren, that things beautiful. That is precisely the kind of tool I want. I wonder what else I can find from M-Audio

[wyldfyre1]

Good luck to you M.R. don't let JOHN SHORE -josh- give ya a hard time with your latest track (har har).

I just use a casio with like...a midi adapter lol. Well, till i get the cash to upgrade.

[curriemaster]

Yo Maestro, I use an M-Audio Prokeys 88SX. Its semi-weighted action but full size with only a few (not amazing, but not bad) samples; its also really light and portable. Unfortunately I grew up playing an actual piano so the semi-weighting pisses me off quite a lot but its better than the old Yamaha childrens toy I used to use.

I havent had the chance to play theM-Audio Prokeys 88, which is fully weighted and has some additional controller functionality but I hear that it is a lot more piano like.

I would love to have a keyboard that feels and sounds amazing but the 88SX is one of the cheapest full size "stripped down" ones you can get and I would give it a 6/10 overall.

[speedmetalmessiah]

At 4/28/09 07:09 AM, curriemaster wrote:
I would love to have a keyboard that feels and sounds amazing but the 88SX is one of the cheapest full size "stripped down" ones you can get and I would give it a 6/10 overall.

There's also the M-Audio Keystation 88es. Though I've never had the chance to play it myself, it seems like a decent deal.

[Fuoco]

Yamaha YPG 535

88 keys. Includes a stand along with a sustain pedal. It's a dream, but the problem is that the keys are light weighted. Still, they are highly sensitive and I manage to play expessively with no problems.

And only $499.95

[sorohanro]

M-Audio Axiom 61
61-key velocity-sensitive semi-weighted keyboard with assignable aftertouch, 8 MIDI-assignable trigger pads, 8 MIDI-assignable rotary encoder knobs, 6 transport buttons reassignable to other MIDI parameter

CME UF60
USB Midi master Keyboard with integrated Wireless Midi Transmission System, 61 keys semiweighted action keyboard with aftertouch, 9 Fader, 8 Potis, Pitch- and Modulationwheel, Breath-Controller Connection, Sustain- and Expression-Pedalconnection, 6 Function Buttons free allocatable, MIDI I/O, USB-Connection

Yamaha KX61
USB keyboard with 61 keys (velocity sensitive), internal arpeggiator (over 340 variations), pitch-bend wheel, modulation wheel, 4x assignable control knobs, 37 switches, LED display.

[DavidOrr]

I'd go with the Axiom. Findng a full-weighted keyboard that is less than 88 keys and in your price range will be very tough. The Axiom line is very well built (I've got a 49 key as a secondary input keyboard). I find the action is nice for a semi-weighted keyboard. Unless you're a classical trained pianist, the semi-weighted action should feel fine to you.

[Xenoscape]

find a used Casio PX-100 like the one I had... best weighted action for anywhere near that price.

[LK412]

http://www.yamahamusic.com.au/products/m usicalinstruments/keyboards/images/DGX22 0.jpg

Yamaha Portable Grand DGX - 220

This is an awesome keyboard. I have it and i love it to death. And i believe it is 200-250$.

It has awesome samples and it has weighted keys. Its an awesome keyboard overall.

[wtflolnoob]

At 4/27/09 11:35 PM, Gorgorothx wrote: For your budget... you should make it more specific: you need a controller

You will not get a semi-pro/pro sounding hardware module for under $300, but you can get a damn good controller ;)

Yah seconded, just get a mini-pc with a shitload of free VST's and you will be just fine.

if not better off than spending all the money on a full synth.

[MaestroRage]

Thank you everybody for your suggestions, as it stands the Axiom 61 seems to be winning the race. It looks good, solid, great reviews.

Also thanks David for letting me know semi weighted is good enough, I was afraid it would be as bad as soft touch.

[tingtonger]

Good call on the weighted keys, I really miss them :'(

I saved up and bought a Juno G, which is exactly what I want for music production, the only thing it's missing for me is weighted keys.

[curriemaster]

At 4/29/09 12:00 AM, MaestroRage wrote: Thank you everybody for your suggestions, as it stands the Axiom 61 seems to be winning the race. It looks good, solid, great reviews.

Also thanks David for letting me know semi weighted is good enough, I was afraid it would be as bad as soft touch.

Maestro in my experience semi-weighted is not enough. It sucks. I guess it depends on your background though, I had only ever played pianos for 14 years before I was forced to get a keyboard. But seriously I wish semi-weighted would die.

[brokendeck]

61 Keys PLUS weighted keys, you'll hardly find anything like that for $250 or less. :( Semi-weighted is okay, but if you're trying to emulate Piano playing, it really sucks. It's like the difference between playing a Yamaha U1 and a Yamaha G7, the quality is waaaay different. But if you're playing other instruments other than piano, by all means go for the light keys. THey will even help being weightless with some instruments. ;)

[p4c]

sorry to be digging up old threads, but this falls into it. 2 things.

so if i got an axiom 61, or some midi keyboard, and i want to be able to go piano style with a sustain pedal, i'd have to get that separately, ya?

and 2, what did you ultimately get, maestro? :)

[MaestroRage]

I got the M-Audio 88ES, and must say very disappointed with it. Semi weighted as Brokendeck pointed out, is rather disgusting if you want a piano feel. Even remote one. The velocity curve is also a bit broken on this thing, hard to hit mids, easy to hit lows and highs. This was a problem that was brought up a few times in reviews.

Also if I could go back, i'd get the 61 axiom. 88 keys was much larger then I thought XD.

[Koriigahn]

My mate has just got a Microkorg xl, and it sounds amazing. It's about £300 though...

Yamaha do pretty nice stuff too.