Keys?!? this guy asks about keys on TalkBass?!?

SubMonkey · #1 08-24-2006, 03:50 PM

OK, I'm that guy, and this seems to be an above average group where real info is concerned....

I'm doing a recording project and have two songs that would benefit from some simple keyboard parts. I'd consider borrowing or renting, but I can see where this situation may come up again in the future, and I'd like work on my keyboard chops a bit so it makes sense to purchase something to have around the house....

soooo, anyone have any recommendations for a good bang for the buck keyboard. I'm a complete newb where this instrument is concerned, if you have a good recommendation please take a moment to explain your choice...

Thanks in advance for any and all input...

SM

i_got_a_mohawk · #2 08-24-2006, 04:02 PM

Just use a midi program on your computer, syntastic

keb · #3 08-24-2006, 04:13 PM

What kind of sounds are you looking for or need? Real-world instruments like pianos, horns, strings, etc., or are you looking for a keyboard that's a bona fide synthesizer?

SubMonkey · #4 08-24-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keb

What kind of sounds are you looking for or need? Real-world instruments like pianos, horns, strings, etc., or are you looking for a keyboard that's a bona fide synthesizer?

For the immediate project just a few washy background fills, classic 80's/ early 90's synth sounds really.... later, who knows.... other things that would be nice, MIDI out would be nice, just to use it as a controller, and something around 66-ish keys so I can use it as a learning tool.... probably will never be my main instrument, but I would like something better than a "toy"...

SM

Rick Brienzo · #5 08-24-2006, 05:00 PM

I own, and highly recommend the Roland XP-30 if you don’t need a built in sequencer. You can’t get them new but ebay has them most of the time.

I paid about $450.00 two years ago and it came with an expansion card. I have since added the keyboards of the 60’s and 70’s card and I can’t ask for much more really.

Key features

lots 'o' sounds
heavy duty

I would by one again if I lost it.

keb · #6 08-24-2006, 05:03 PM

Oops, I forgot to ask about price too...

Anyway, the $400-600 bracket is about the sweet spot for good non-toy entry-level keyboards like the Roland Juno-D, Alesis QS6.2, Korg X5D, and Yamaha S03.

They're all pretty similar in most respects in that they all offer your basic pianos, strings, etc., as well as classic and modern synth pads and leads. I'd check a few of those out to see which feels best and sounds best to your ears.

If you're looking for classic '80s and '90s synth sounds, the Roland and Korg boards might be the ones to check out first. The Juno-D has a few patches sampled from classic '80s Roland synths and the Korg X5D can trace its lineage almost directly back to the Korg M1, which was a classic late '80s and '90s digital synth.

tplyons · #7 08-24-2006, 06:30 PM

I use my Yamaha DX-7 for 80's stuff.

But my very personal recommendation... Alesis Ion. Great menus, great sounds, and right in the middle of your price range. Easy to work with and sounds great. Can't ask for more.

**MAJOR METAL** · #8 08-24-2006, 06:35 PM

Yamaha from what I understand has a good reputation.

Techmonkey · #9 08-24-2006, 07:12 PM

Get a Yamaha... some of the nicest keyboards I've ever played have been Yam's, and some of the best value keyboards I've ever played have also been Yam's. Great stuff. Very reliable.

Novation make some good rackmount synths (Namely the A station), that'd be a good bet if you got a midi controller. very versatile; my eldest bro had one when he was still into music production, but its long gone now. shame!

keb · #10 08-24-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

I use my Yamaha DX-7 for 80's stuff.

But my very personal recommendation... Alesis Ion. Great menus, great sounds, and right in the middle of your price range. Easy to work with and sounds great. Can't ask for more.

I have an Ion, and I highly recommend it as well, if you're looking for a virtual analog synth. Very powerful and great bang for the buck.

SubMonkey, if you don't need or want all the realistic sampled pianos, horns, etc., check out the Ion as well.

SubMonkey · #11 08-25-2006, 06:52 PM

Thanks all, I appreciate the information greatly.

SM

jim777 · #12 08-25-2006, 08:20 PM

I have a Motif 6, D70, and an Ion. The Ion is 8 voice, will do what you need, and is such a ball to play you may end up putting everything else aside for a while. No pianos in her, though.

tplyons · #13 08-25-2006, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim777

I have a Motif 6, D70, and an Ion. The Ion is 8 voice, will do what you need, and is such a ball to play you may end up putting everything else aside for a while. No pianos in her, though.

Yep, when I had the Ion, the only things that got the use were my Ion and my Korg SG. (Great pianos on the Korg)

ras1983 · #14 08-26-2006, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

I use my Yamaha DX-7 for 80's stuff.

...

My dad has one, and it is pretty cool. the whole cartridge thing seems like a good idea , but i have no idea where to buy the aftermarket cartridges.

i'd like to buy one that has a fender rhodes sound.

tplyons · #15 08-26-2006, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ras1983

My dad has one, and it is pretty cool. the whole cartridge thing seems like a good idea , but i have no idea where to buy the aftermarket cartridges.

i'd like to buy one that has a fender rhodes sound.

eBay. They haven't been made in years.

Or you can do what I do, bypass that and download them directly to memory via Midi.

I have 8 piano/organ sounds, 8 lead synth sounds, 8 bass sounds and 8 synth bass sounds programmed in mine.

Bard2dbone · #16 08-27-2006, 05:09 AM

I need to climb into this boat, too. I am needing an 88-key weighted keyboard that can do all the old-school sounds. Rhodeseseses and Hammies and Wurlies oh my!

Ahem...I mean, I need to be able to do a fairly creditable Hammond sound, a really good Rhodes sound, a passable Wurlitzer sound (Yes. In fact it IS different from the Rhodes. Oh Yeah? Well that's it. Go to your room, young man!mutter mutter grumble)and combinations, such as a Rhodes on the bass end with a B3 on the treble. And I'd really like to be able to do a good acoustic Piano sound too.

I haven't written anything yet that couldn't be made to work with those sounds. I've been making do with an acoustic piano and an old Yamaha organ, because that's what I have. The Yamaha has an incredible three presets. All are alleged to be B3 tones, but it doesn't make me think 'Hammond' when I hear it. I think "Man I need better gear." in stead.

In a perfect world I would have a rack unit with good piano, string, and brass sounds, a Nord Electro rack module, and an 88 key weighted controller. That's in a perfect world. But I live in this one.

I have way too little money to buy gear with. I was thinking an Alesis QS 8 becasue they can be had for about $500 then I would have to start saving again. Is there a better choice for roughly the same money?

Vandelay · #17 08-27-2006, 06:50 AM

Bard2dbone, I agree that Nord makes the most accurate Hammond/Rhodes/Wurly/Clavinet sounds you'll ever hear. Their new 88-key Stage model would be my dream; of course it costs about $3K. I'd even settle for their 61-key Electro at about $1300.

Getting back to reality, I've had my eye on Korg's brand new synth model called the X50. It's got most of the Triton sounds but lacks a built-in sequencer. (You can connect it via USB to a sequencer on your computer). Supposed to be about the weight of an electric guitar. You can get it for about $700.

Bard2dbone · #18 08-27-2006, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandelay

Bard2dbone, I agree that Nord makes the most accurate Hammond/Rhodes/Wurly/Clavinet sounds you'll ever hear. Their new 88-key Stage model would be my dream; of course it costs about $3K. I'd even settle for their 61-key Electro at about $1300.

Getting back to reality, I've had my eye on Korg's brand new synth model called the X50. It's got most of the Triton sounds but lacks a built-in sequencer. (You can connect it via USB to a sequencer on your computer). Supposed to be about the weight of an electric guitar. You can get it for about $700.

You make a strong point for the X50. But how many keys does it have? And are they fully weighted pianol-like keys or are they little wimpy synth-keys?

And yeah. The Nord Stage 88 would be a dream.

Yvon · #19 08-27-2006, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bard2dbone

I need to climb into this boat, too. I am needing an 88-key weighted keyboard that can do all the old-school sounds. Rhodeseseses and Hammies and Wurlies oh my!

I'm looking for a weighted 88 midi controler.
For the sounds I use Reason.
You should look for it, it could be what you need.

Bard2dbone · #20 08-27-2006, 05:03 PM

Hmmmm. My local GC has a weighted 88 controller on clearance. I dig the price tag, but I wasn't digging the lack of sounds and they didn't have rack modules anymore. And all the software they had was in the $300 and up range. So to have the minimum of sounds I want would be $900 just for the software. I wasn't willing to do that. But there is one program that does all those sounds?

Tell me about Reason. And do you know how much it costs?