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looking for a keyboard

EBodious

EBodious

Aug 2, 2006
576
24
Iowa
#1
hey y'all

it has been a few years since i have been around, but once again, i am needing some advice. and hoping to find it here!

i am working on a project where i am playing keyboards (not my natural state of being). ideally, what i am looking for is a small keyboard (two octaves max) that makes really nice strings sounds. when i did a little googling, what i found where many mini keyboard controlers. they look like they are versatile, have good sounds, and are quite cheap (under $200). however, they all are usb out to a digital device, midi controllers. i would like to find something that has 1/4" outs that i can run directly to the p.a. (thru a direct box, of course). does anyone know if these exist?

i am making two assumptions:
1) the electronics store, casio-type keyboards that have built-in drum tracks do not deliver high quality string sounds.
2) running a controller into a digital device for live performance is not ideal. i prefer not to have a laptop on stage that has the potential to go to sleep or freeze at the moment i need it.

i am open to hearing that either of these assumptions are wrong. but like i said, i prefer regular, old-school instruments. i don't mind a digital keyboard but i would rather avoid adding a computer to the live set up.

so please! anyone have any advice?!?

thanks so much...
 
#3
I use a midi controller through my iPad for onstage work. It works wonderfully. The iPad has more synth applications than you can count and it sounds great. It also is a great DAW, music reader, and just about anything you can think of. Purchase the $20 "camera kit" and you have an adapter for USB to Apple port. The iPad is reliable: It has never crashed on me. Ever.
 
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#5
Very cool. As a synthesizer/keyboard player there are a few ideas which work better than others. A big key to live sound, in any format is the ability to change the sound and work it so that fits in your environment. The ability to change sounds depends mostly on a filter (digital or analog), pitch/timbre (are strings low, middle, hi, octaves, a mix of hi/lo, etc etc; violins, cellos, or an entire ensemble), and EQ (usually on the PA, but sometimes in the synth or Ipad/laptop program; you don't really want ear-piercing violin strings on the gig nor do you want to only be able to rumble the stage).

1. Ipad + a usb-type keyboard (already mentioned above).
2. A synthesizer with mini-keys: Korg Microkorg (any version, all have good string sounds and further synthesis capabilities if you ever want more than strings), Novation MiniNova (excellent strings & synthesis characteristics as well). Both are well made and offer good string-synth sounds. Buy these used and you can find them for about $150-200 cheaper than new on a good day.
3. A sound module + a MIDI keyboard. You could spend just a little bit or a heck of a lot for whatever features you would want. Here are some names to google:
Roland Integra (EDIT: this is over $200, but its 'modern'), Roland JV-1080, MIDI, EMU modules. And use the website " gearslutz.com " to look up reviews and find further information with anything keyboard related. Wierd name I know, but that website is gold for getting honest reviews about keyboards and synthesizer.

I use a standard Korg Microkorg for strings and synth basses (that I can't get from my pedals). Best of luck in the search!
 
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#6
I bought a usb mini control keyboard a few months ago. What I wanted to do was split the controller so I could play bass on one side and keys on the other as I did years ago with a traditional synth. Sadly I couldn't find a way to do that but I must say hooking it up to my ipad was easy and the sounds were very handy. I since found a used Alesis Q6 I think on CL for $250 and bought it. Not modern but ok sounding for the price.

That Korg MicroKorg looks interesting, I assume it has smaller keys?
 
#7
This:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TaktileTR25/

I also like the Novation Mininova if you don't mind mini keys; or better, a used Novation Ultranova, or used Roland Gaia.

And if you don't mind the size and extra keys, you can't go wrong with these:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MX49/

Or any used Motif (although they can be heavy...)

I much prefer standalone keys. Running controllers with an iPad or computer might be versatile, but you have more connections to make, more stuff to move around, more things that can go wrong.
 
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#8
thanks for all the ideas. there is a lot to process here. unfortunately i don't own an ipad, but i may be able to get my hands on one. i took a brief look at the microkorg, it sounds pretty awesome. ok, i need to do some research....
 

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