Keyboard/Synth/Workstation Players.....HELP!!!

philzbass · #1 09-04-2006, 12:52 AM

I've been looking into picking up a nice keyboard, I'm just wondering what you guys think, what company is going to probablly give me what I want.

Kurzweil

Roland

Yamaha

Korg

I'm looking for something in the $2,000 range (give or take a little) I've never owned a workstation and I don't really know that much about them. I'm more of a piano player, I'd like to have real nice realistic sounds (piano,strings,cello,etc) but I also want something thats real versitile, I'd like to be able to mess around with some good synth sounds and drum beats as well.

What should I look into???? HELP!!!

shaun.meyer · #2 09-04-2006, 01:03 AM

The music pastor at my church uses a (yamaha) Motif Es 7. I've been very impressed by it, so much so that I've been looking into an Es 8 for myself.

They feel very musical to me, but in that price range it better. The Es 6 would probably be around two grand if you'd be happy with 60-some keys.

There are also a good deal of other users out there (aka motifator.com) for support and etc.

keb · #3 09-04-2006, 07:02 AM

All those companies' workstations are all pretty similar as far as capabilities go. It really just kinda comes down to the onboard soundsets (there is kind of a "Korg" sound, a "Roland" sound, etc., even though they all have "real" sounding patches as well as more synthy patches) and interface. It would probably be best to head on down to a store and try a bunch out to see which soundsets appeal to you and which interface feels most comfortable to work with. Also, what I do a lot is download pdf manuals of gear I'm interested in to further get a taste for it.

charic · #4 09-04-2006, 10:36 AM

Will you be linking via midi to a computer or laptop? You could save a tonne if you got a

-CME UF8 midi controller http://www.dv247.com/invt/26151/

-And some midi boxes or software patches and do your worksation stuff on the computer

-This way your not limiting your setup at all....

If your not interested in that then i would highly reccomend kurzweil... Brilliant sounds... Used by keyboard player from dream theater (in conjunction with a korg granted).

The CME gets gr8 reviews and has a metal body also been rated as excellent weighting

philzbass · #5 09-04-2006, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charic

Will you be linking via midi to a computer or laptop? You could save a tonne if you got a

-CME UF8 midi controller http://www.dv247.com/invt/26151/

-And some midi boxes or software patches and do your worksation stuff on the computer

-This way your not limiting your setup at all....

If your not interested in that then i would highly reccomend kurzweil... Brilliant sounds... Used by keyboard player from dream theater (in conjunction with a korg granted).

The CME gets gr8 reviews and has a metal body also been rated as excellent weighting

Ya know, I've been thinking that a nice Kurzweil might be exactly what I'm looking for. I played one along time ago and thought it had the most amazing piano sound and feel. I've heard that they come with some pretty good synth sounds too. As far as the whole computer thing, I'm thinking software could definently save me some money.

BTW, a Kurzweil with a Korg sounds like a dream.

I wish.

vision · #6 09-05-2006, 03:07 PM

I've used them all, and I REALLY prefer the Yamaha Motif over the Korg Triton, Roland Fantom, and any Kurzweil workstations. I love the way the sampler is integrated into the sequencer, and the Motif has by far the best sounds as far as pianos, vintage keyboards, organs, etc. The Triton is very dated. The Fantom has nice sounds, but I never cared for its interface.

It really is all personal preferance though, and if you're going to be using it for mostly home studio and not live performance, then a midi controller with VST synths would give you the most bang for your buck.

charic · #7 09-05-2006, 03:25 PM

Fell in love with the fantom myself.... Plan is kinda... Get a midi keyboard and then the box rather than keyboard this way i get all the features at the cost of the fantom xa hehe MIDI is the smart way to go, maximum and easily upgradable sounds and minimal cost. Also bear in mind keyboard are NOT nice 2nd hand... Keys can stick, buttons stop working, faulty connections. Etc, Buy new if you can afford

Btw midi controllers can be used live aswell if you have the boxes or the laptop handy. Btw check out rolands srx grand piano card and its brilliant and probably the nicest piano sound ive heard

brianrost · #8 09-06-2006, 04:56 AM

I own a Motif ES and like it but have to admit it's been tough to learn how to use it. I think Roland and Korg might be faster to learn.

Any of them will do what you want, go to your local dealer(s) and try them all.

I have always bought my keyboards used, I saved $800 (about 40%) on my Motif.