Shopping around for a new keyboard

Raggit · Wed 12/05/2004 19:00:51

I've been looking around for a new music keyboard. I love the one I have, but I want to expand my options. I've found a nice Yamaha keyboard on Amazon.com that I'm thinking of buying.

But before I do anything I want to know if anybody here has some good recommendations. I'm looking for very realistic instrument sounds and lots of features within a reasonable price range. I'd prefer a minimum of 61 keys.

Thanks!

BOYD1981 · Wed 12/05/2004 19:51:18

if you want to do midi aswell as play the keyboard then i would recommend a yamaha for native XG support, but it really depends on how much money you're looking to spend, ofcourse the more you spend the better quality you're going to get. i don't have a keyboard myself, just a sythesizer but it has all the midi sounds and they're good quality, check yamaha's music site for information on their keyboards, or there's always casio if you're looking for something cheaper.

juncmodule · Wed 12/05/2004 20:35:29

For what you are looking for I would say something between a Yamaha S03 or the PSR-540. Both are in the $500 range and well worth the money.

The S03 lacks and internal sequencer but has the entire XG library, an enhanced XG library, plus about another 100 or so sounds. The sounds are very very close to the S80 sounds (a $1000+ keyboard). It also comes with synth software (XG Works w/a plugin) or you can edit directly on the keyboard. Great keyboard, I really regret selling mine.

The PSR-540 is a lower end keyboard, however it has a lot of nice features. Has an internal sequencer with a floppy drive that can read from or save to midi format. Has the entire XG library as well as some enhanced XG sounds. No real synthesis ability. An excellent stand alone, but will work for all of your MIDI needs as well. My girlfriend uses this and makes some pretty great stuff on it.

If you are not willing to spend $500, well, you might be screwed. Keep in mind, those are brand new prices. Used you might be able to find one of those for cheaper.

You could go the super cheap route and just find some generic GM compatible casio or even yamaha for $100 to $200, but you WILL be able to notice that sound quality sucks (if you are into that sort of thing).

PS: I'm rather Yamaha biased because
A: It's what I try to use
B: They cater to low budget users
C: Roland has good and cheap "Groove" gear, but not much for the budget Synth user

I am in the process of searching for a SP-808, if anyone has one I will buy it off of you. Seriously, I need one NOW. Stupid ebay people and the not using Buy-it-now...bastards.

later,
-junc

Raggit · Wed 12/05/2004 21:28:50

I'm well willing to spend $500 plus if the keyboard is worth it. I might look at the SO3. Never heard of it but I'll research it. I hope to be able to get one with a floppy drive also.

Evil · Thu 13/05/2004 23:16:34

Reading through my PC Mag and I ran across this.

http://www.prodikeys.com/products/prodikeys_DM/

I dunno, looks pretty nifty to me.

theyak · Fri 14/05/2004 05:46:37

This one doesn't look half-bad.

shbaz · Fri 14/05/2004 06:10:36

Quote from: theyak on Fri 14/05/2004 05:46:37
This one doesn't look half-bad.

Hehe, are you kidding or do you really not realize he will pay $500 for a MUSIC keyboard?

Evil · Fri 14/05/2004 21:28:05

The fact that its 100 dollars makes it even funnier.

*makes note that there is no laughing face*

Ben · Fri 14/05/2004 23:03:33

Not sure I like that midi-PC combo keyboard. It's not really big enough to be practical music, and there's no place to put your wrists when you type.

Also, these people look like jackasses:

Evil · Fri 14/05/2004 23:11:07

Ben theres a wrist rest cover that goes over the keys when not in use. I dont know if it shows it on the site. Maybe I'll scan the page, it looks better there.

Pumaman · Fri 14/05/2004 23:12:55

Quote from: shbazjinkens on Fri 14/05/2004 06:10:36
Hehe, are you kidding or do you really not realize he will pay $500 for a MUSIC keyboard?

Well at that price, perhaps it plays soothing music for you while you type.

shbaz · Sat 15/05/2004 01:04:04

Quote from: Pumaman on Fri 14/05/2004 23:12:55
Quote from: shbazjinkens on Fri 14/05/2004 06:10:36
Hehe, are you kidding or do you really not realize he will pay $500 for a MUSIC keyboard?

Well at that price, perhaps it plays soothing music for you while you type.

It doesn't, it just forces you to re-learn how to type on the pretense that you won't get carpal tunnel syndrome that way.

I went to a typing contest at a college while I was in high school and the whole room was filled with them, it sucked because I wasn't used to the "natural" keyboards, I only managed ~85 WPM on my last try.

Raggit · Sat 15/05/2004 01:13:15

I've had my eye on the Yamaha TYROS *drools*
but I've also been looking at the PSR 550 or whatever.

Thanks for those other links guys.Ã,Â yeah rightÃ,Â

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,6373,CNTID%253D2774%2526CTID%253D205500%2526ATRID%253D10%2526DETYP%253DATTRIBUTE,00.html

juncmodule · Sat 15/05/2004 03:37:11

If you can afford a Tyros WHY on earth would you consider a 550!?

Honestly the Tyros would be a waste of money. If you are going to buy that just pick up a Triton LE with some expansion boards. Or with ALL of that insane money pick up a nice Roland controller with weighted keys (around $500) and a really nice sound module (around $1000).

later,
-junc

Raggit · Sat 15/05/2004 05:13:11

I didn't say I could afford it, I said I wanted it!

juncmodule · Sat 15/05/2004 06:35:37

ahh, I see. That makes more sense.

From my first impression (mainly just looking at an image and reading a little on it), I would say that the 550 would be a good "lower end" version of it.

Have you looked at the $500 range Rolands? They have a few decent ones too.