Looking for some keyboard recommendations

[Fiveohhh]

I'm thinking about buying one and wondering what some decent brands/models are in the $300-$500 range.

 

[Tu13erhead]

I am too.

 

[asm0deus]

Harmony Central User Reviews

 

[Mr N8]

What's the minumum number of keys you want it to have? Are you looking for a synth or a digital piano?

 

[fustercluck]

How many keys do you want? (88 is full size). Are you looking for a synthesizer keyboard or one that's made to sound like a real piano? Do you want weighted keys? Be more specific

edit: i lose. I need to post faster.

 

[Mr N8]

For a good entry synth with 61 keys, I'd recommend the Yamaha S03 (Musicians friend has a blem model for ~$400) or the Alesis QS6.2.

For a digital piano, there's nothing that I would highly recommend. If you can find Yamaha, Alesis, or Roland in that price range, those are your best bets.

 

[Fiveohhh]

Originally posted by: Mr N8
What's the minumum number of keys you want it to have? Are you looking for a synth or a digital piano?

I'd definately like weighted keys, I was looking at the yamaha dgx505, and it says lightly weighted touch response(looking up what that means atm). 88 keys would be nice, but I'd do 76 as well(not any less). If I'm understanding wha ta digital piano and what a synth is correctly I'd prefer a digital piano.

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: Fiveohhh

Originally posted by: Mr N8
What's the minumum number of keys you want it to have? Are you looking for a synth or a digital piano?

I'd definately like weighted keys, I was looking at the yamaha dgx505, and it says light weighted touch sensitive(looking up what that means atm). 88 keys would be nice, but I'd do 76 as well(not any less). If I'm understanding wha ta digital piano and what a synth is correctly I'd prefer a digital piano.

In that case you'd best take my advice from the thread Tu13berhead posted. See, very few companies make controllers with full weighted keys. Most make digital pianos, which cost a lot. My Yamaha P-90 is not top of the line exactly, but cost $1000. Studiologic, on the other hand, makes plain controllers with weighted keys. The only caveat there is that you'll need to hook the keyboard up to your computer and use a synthesizer or sampler (Kontakt, Gigastudio, etc.) to get any sound out of it.

Just so you're clear on this, a digital piano has built-in instruments (piano, harpsichord, organ, etc.) and a MIDI controller does not.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: Fiveohhh

Originally posted by: Mr N8
What's the minumum number of keys you want it to have? Are you looking for a synth or a digital piano?

I'd definately like weighted keys, I was looking at the yamaha dgx505, and it says light weighted touch sensitive(looking up what that means atm). 88 keys would be nice, but I'd do 76 as well(not any less). If I'm understanding wha ta digital piano and what a synth is correctly I'd prefer a digital piano.

Then the DGX505 is what I would consider the nicest piano in your price range. The Casio PX-110 is one of the few decent keyboards in that range with actual hammer action.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: kogase

Originally posted by: Fiveohhh

Originally posted by: Mr N8
What's the minumum number of keys you want it to have? Are you looking for a synth or a digital piano?

I'd definately like weighted keys, I was looking at the yamaha dgx505, and it says light weighted touch sensitive(looking up what that means atm). 88 keys would be nice, but I'd do 76 as well(not any less). If I'm understanding wha ta digital piano and what a synth is correctly I'd prefer a digital piano.

In that case you'd best take my advice from the thread Tu13berhead posted. See, very few companies make controllers with full weighted keys. Most make digital pianos, which cost a lot. My Yamaha P-90 is not top of the line exactly, but cost $1000. Studiologic, on the other hand, makes plain controllers with weighted keys. The only caveat there is that you'll need to hook the keyboard up to your computer and use a synthesizer or sampler (Kontakt, Gigastudio, etc.) to get any sound out of it.

Just so you're clear on this, a digital piano has built-in instruments (piano, harpsichord, organ, etc.) and a MIDI controller does not.

What do you think of the P-90? It was between that and the YDP-223 for my wife and we went with the 223. I'm not 100% sure it was worth the extra $500, but it looks a lot nicer in the living room than a metal stand under a keyboard does.

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: Mr N8
What do you think of the P-90? It was between that and the YDP-223 for my wife and we went with the 223. I'm not 100% sure it was worth the extra $500, but it looks a lot nicer in the living room than a metal stand under a keyboard does.

It's okay. The action is a little sluggish, and although they claim it uses the same action as all their high end models I find it quite lacking compared to a real grand piano. Even when compared to a cheaper upright or spinnet the action just isn't as comfortable or responsive. On the other hand, that was my experience with every other keyboard I tried and I ended up going with the P-90 because it was heavier duty than the Stuidologic boards and I wasn't very concerned with built-in instruments.

I can't say much to the sound of the P-90, although none of them are really much different at all from pianos like the YDP, but I use Gigastudio and Kontakt anyway, so I didn't take that into much consideration. One big regret I have with the P-90 though is that it only has a full sustain pedal, whereas full-size digital pianos like the YDP have una corda, sustenuto, and full sustain pedals. Not having all of them makes it difficult or impossible to play some pieces properly.

 

[Fiveohhh]

I'm having problems figuring out what "lightly weighted" means. The only keyboard I've played is a cheap one from some local store(definately not weighted at all) and my parents Yamaha Clavinova(awesome feel, but way outta my range)

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: Fiveohhh
I'm having problems figuring out what "lightly weighted" means. The only keyboard I've played is a cheap one from some local store(definately not weighted at all) and my parents Yamaha Clavinova(awesome feel, but way outta my range)

Lightly weighted is generally the same as semi-weighted. Honestly I don't feel much of a difference at all between that and synth action, which is basically just a low grade spring providing the minimal force necessary to lift the key back into position. I bought an M-Audio Keystation 61 that claims to have semi-weighted keys, and it feels just like a synth.

 

[Anubis]

doh

 

[Fiveohhh]

Originally posted by: kogase

Originally posted by: Fiveohhh
I'm having problems figuring out what "lightly weighted" means. The only keyboard I've played is a cheap one from some local store(definately not weighted at all) and my parents Yamaha Clavinova(awesome feel, but way outta my range)

Lightly weighted is generally the same as semi-weighted. Honestly I don't feel much of a difference at all between that and synth action, which is basically just a low grade spring providing the minimal force necessary to lift the key back into position. I bought an M-Audio Keystation 61 that claims to have semi-weighted keys, and it feels just like a synth.

Thanks, think I might have to make a trip to the store and test out a dgx 505 and the casio px-110

 

[Fiveohhh]

Originally posted by: Mr N8

Originally posted by: Fiveohhh

Originally posted by: Mr N8
What's the minumum number of keys you want it to have? Are you looking for a synth or a digital piano?

I'd definately like weighted keys, I was looking at the yamaha dgx505, and it says light weighted touch sensitive(looking up what that means atm). 88 keys would be nice, but I'd do 76 as well(not any less). If I'm understanding wha ta digital piano and what a synth is correctly I'd prefer a digital piano.

Then the DGX505 is what I would consider the nicest piano in your price range. The Casio PX-110 is one of the few decent keyboards in that range with actual hammer action.

Well I bumped up my range to 600 and was looking at the px-400R. Musicians friend has one called the 400cs, but I can't seem to tell if there is any difference. There downloadable manual points to the 400r. Any of you have any experience with the 400R?

I decided for a Casio since I really want a decent feel with the keys, and hate using most keyboards that fell so light.