GAS'in for a new keyboard

[Drake Kennedy]

Well, I shouldn't really say new, but the keyboard that my band is using now belongs to the soon-to-be ex-drummer, so I'm in the market.

The main uses for this keyboard is rehearsal and performance, so I want something very solid, playable, and simple and easy to use. However, I want something to last so that later in my music career, I can use it as a nice MIDI controller to do digital work on the computer. The most important tones I use are a grand piano, a Rhodes-type EP, and a B3 type organ. 88 weighted keys is a strong preference. My price range is 500-800.

I've got my eye on two keyboards, and I'm dreaming about a third, or possibly the rack version of the third to complement one of the first two. Anyways, I'm just looking for second opinions.
My original choice was the M-Audio ProKeys 88. It seems to have a selection of good features, but it's lacking a bit in the variety department with only 14 voices and 2 effects. I have not played this keyboard, so I don't know how the action is and what the tone is like.
The keyboard that took the #1 spot from the M-Audio is the Alesis QS8.2. I have played the QS8.1, and LOVED the tone, the action, and the potential programmability. This keyboard is just a bit more than the M-Audio new, but I'm sure I could talk GC down a bit on the price. I'm probably heading towards this choice, unless something at GC tomorrow in my price range awes me.
The third keyboard that I have yet to play, but dug the features, is the Clavia Nord Stage 88. It has the three tones I'm looking for, plus analog onboard effects, and even a rotary speaker emulator pedal input. This is way out of my price range though, but I'm considering getting a similar rack version of this, the Nord Electro Rack, which has the EP and organ tones. I would have to get one of the previous keyboards to use this, and it's 1000+ by itself.

One more thing - I was very impressed on my trip to the local (smaller) GC today by the Roland XK-3. It only really had one usable tone, but I LOVED the "D-Bar" (IIRC) light sensor that could control crescendo, rotary speed, etc... Is there any add on to a MIDI keyboard that could do something like that?

I think that's all, and sorry for the super long post. Thanks in advance for the advice!

Peace and Groove
Drake

[geoffkhan]

A little advice from a professional keyboardist, should you choose to take it:

The Clavia Nord Stage 88 is probably the best of those. Be sure to download the new acoustic piano sounds for it, though. Other than that it has some of the best B3 sounds of any keyboard I've heard on it.

The QS8.1 is a good, solid keyboard, too. The PC cards don't really stand up to modern technology, but you can still get some great sounds out of it. It's a quadrasynth, so this is basically where the Triton came out of. Plenty of fine control over the sounds, and once you get the hang of the preset creating. I used to make custom samples and MIDI sequences and put them on PC cards to use as backing tracks for solo gigs. So there's a lot of functionality, should you get into it.

Also check out the Roland FP-5.

In general if you're looking for semi-realistic piano feel and decent weighting, look to pay over $1,000. And be sure to get a nice, sturdy stand that won't budge whatsoever: that contributes a lot to the overall feel of the keys.

Then there's always the issue of the keys and sound relation in the keyboard. If you want flexibility, the ultimate solution would be to get a keyboard with the best key feeling, and then get a Receptor to run your sounds (VSTis) off of.

[markjazzbassist]

The Nord is the bomb. If at all possible, make it happen.

[jumbosilverette]

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

The Nord is the bomb. If at all possible, make it happen.

It sounds great (especially the Rhodes emulation) but the action feels like an organ. If you want realistic weighted keys, think Roland, Korg or Yamaha.

[Drake Kennedy]

Oh my God. I played the Nord at GC yesterday. It is easily the best thing I've ever played in my life. Everything you guys said was true. It even had the old school Moog mono-glide thing! If only I had 3300 bucks. I definitely have earmarked this, perhaps in the distant future...

As a relative novice on piano, the action on the Alesis QS8.1 felt fine to me, and it had good enough tones for my band. Is the QS8.2 comparable? It has a ballsy organ tone and a pretty decent (from my POV) piano patch. Unfortunately, anything over 800 bucks would make my father balk on the whole thing, so that's my limit. I'll definitely keep an eye out for the Nords on eBay though...

Peace and Groove
Drake

[Drake Kennedy]

Bump!

The more I look at the Nord, the more I think to myself "Man, this is the perfect keyboard for what I need!" I'm still probably gonna get the Alesis, but I'm going to be actively working for the Nord.

[MD]

I did a lot of reading here when looking for a digital piano.

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bi...=0;DaysPrune=0


Good luck.

[Bard2dbone]

When did Nord start making a weighted 88 key model? I dearly love all the old-school sounds. The stuff I find I use most when writing was usually either (an approximation of) a Hammond sound, a Rhodes sound, or a combination of the two.

I think it's because when I first started playing, a fully equipped keyboardist was one who had a Hammond AND a Rhodes. Nearly every keyboardist I played with for the first few years had one and wanted the other desperately, Usually they had the Rhodes first. They were easier to find, easier to pay for, and MUCH easier to carry.

But those sounds imprinted on my brain. The Nord Electro 2, whne played by someone who understands its controls, has the closest approximations I've heard to those old-school keyboards I loved, but it had the cheesy soft keys that most sunths have. I want a keyboard that feels as much as possible like my old piano.

[Drake Kennedy]

The Nord Stage 76 and 88 both have really great weighted action. They don't feel as sharp and heavy as some grands do, but it's not cheapo synth action either. It's a great feeling keyboard to play.

YOU GUYS ARE MAKING ME WANT THE NORD SO BADLY!



Peace and Groove
Drake