Can anyone recommend a good keyboard (music)?

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ST4RCUTTER

Platinum Member
Feb 13, 2001
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Hey peeps,
I'm lookin' for a good keyboard that I can cut my teeth on. My goal is to learn some basics on my own, get comfortable with the keyboard and then start taking piano lessons. I'm looking for a keyboard that can be a good substitute for a piano, but has enough other features to keep me interested (like house/techno so this might be one application). I also plan on tying it into one of my computers and home speaker systems. Anything good come to mind? Thanks in advance!
 
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ST4RCUTTER

Platinum Member
Feb 13, 2001
2,841
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Good keyboard would be nice. Synth is just extra. I want something I can practice on that will be a good replacement for a piano that I plan on taking lessons for. My budget is $400-$550. Thanks again...
 
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zeon

Senior member
Mar 20, 2001
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hmm... most of my expertise lies in synths and analog emulation, so i can't really recomend anything... however i would check out some synths by roland and korg... i'm sure they have something in your pricerange... try browsing around Sonicstate to find some more info...
 
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ST4RCUTTER

Platinum Member
Feb 13, 2001
2,841
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I think I'm gonna go for the Casio WK 1800. Can't be found on Ebay, but Musicians Friend has it for $400+ shipping. Pretty much the bottom of my price range and loaded with features...

Although the Casio WK-1630 keyboard is almost identical (no floppy drive). How important is the floppy drive? I suppose saving the $100 will put me closer to the gear I need for connecting it to my computer....anybody know what I need to do this? Software etc?
 
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bandXtrb

Banned
May 27, 2001
2,169
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I have a Casio WK-1300 (paid $330). I would sell it and buy a Yamaha P200 if I had the money, which has a great piano sound. The WK-1300 is a 76-key keyboard (more than enough keys), has many different voices, rhythms, and MIDI capability. It sounded great when I first got it, but now that I know that there is much better sounding stuff, it just sounds really bad (piano tone in particular). Plus, I would like a keyboard with heavy keys (this shouldn't matter for a beginner). But, the Casio line is probably good for a beginner -- many different features.

Most electronic keyboards nowadays usually come with MIDI capability, unless they are very small. To use the MIDI, you'll need two cables and connect to your computer soundcard's MIDI in or joystick interface (never tried that, my soundcard has MIDI in). There are also hardware that will let you connect your keyboard in through a USB port. After that you'll need some software that supports MIDI, such as Cakewalk. I use nTrack studio, a cheap, $25 multitrack recording program to do recordings of digital audio as well as MIDI. It works, but I find that since I don't really know what I'm doing with MIDI, I use trial and error to get it to work. Since youre probably not interested in recording, you may be able to find some programs that will help you learn to play -- the program can "read" your playing from the MIDI input, and give you advice and practice. I would say the floppy drive is unimportant. If you want to save your song, you should be able to in the keyboard's built-in memory -- or transfer it to the computer.

You may wish to check out homerecording.com or therhombus.com forums to get more advice on a good keyboard and programs.
 
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Milkman95

Senior member
Feb 19, 2001
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www.mhoc.net
I have been also looking for a good Keyboard, and the p200 looked really cool.. is there any similar but less spendy ones? im willing to go $1000 for one.
 
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bandXtrb

Banned
May 27, 2001
2,169
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Good job on your keyboard purchase. As you can see here, it has gotten excellent reviews.

YOu might want to get a stand for your new keyboard. I'm using my WK-1300 on my desk, and it is too high. If the keyboard isn't at the right height, this can cause discomfort and/or injury in your arms and hands. You could also get creative like I did -- I used to keep it on a stack of old encyclopedia bookshere, in the background of this picture of my friend.

Happy playing!
 
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