Musical Keyboards, choices choices...

Re: Musical Keyboards, choices choices...

Try the Fantom X6 it's very very nice.

From the one's you chose I would get the Korg my piano teacher has one and it's awesome.

Re: Musical Keyboards, choices choices...

Korg's are pretty impressive, really.

Re: Musical Keyboards, choices choices...

Those products cover a huge cost range, from $800 to over $2,200. You need to consider why you're buying the keyboard before you either underspend or overspend. How much do you think you'll use it? How long do you want it to last? How serious do you want to get with this?

If you want something that you can somewhat move around (like to another room), eliminate the digital pianos. And if you don't get one of the digital pianos and go for a keyboard, consider that you'll probably need to shell out an extra $30-$50 for a stand.

Also consider that instead of spending a large amount on a keyboard, you may want to spend a little less and buy a cover or designated sheet to put over the keyboard (dust can become a problem on the upper and lower register keys), a stand or a case if you're not buying a standalone piano, a bench/chair, books on orchestration and music theory, good headphones, another instrument, music software, recording equipment, or simply save your money for something else (college, perhaps?).

If you want to use the keyboard as a piano more than anything, you can eliminate the Korg unless you're willing to go for the 88-key + hammers model. Also, in that case, it seems like this would be the best combination of value and quality. I saw that at my local Guitar Center. It sounds really wonderful!

If you want a lot of MIDI functionality built right in the piano, the full fledged digital pianos are probably not the way to go. Apparently, a Korg would be what you want. I don't know from personal experience; I don't need those fancy doodads.

If you want to buy a keyboard and simply use it as a MIDI controller, you may not want to spend too much.

Re: Musical Keyboards, choices choices...

All the full details on how I'm going to use it isn't readily apparent to even myself. I'm a student majoring in Music Composition and Theory and I need a quality keyboard with both a versatile range of instruments (sound quality is a must) as well as some synthetic options if possible on the same piece of equipment.

I intend to piece together some works on this keyboard, in full orchestration. Price is of no concern to me, I'll save up for whatever I can get that will do me best, I plan on using it for an extended time and as a professional.

Re: Musical Keyboards, choices choices...

Nord Lead 2 because Hiromi uses a Nord Lead 2.

Nord Lead 2, not 3.

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I heard Tyros 2 was good.

and expensive.

I have a Yamaha PSR-275 and it has a lot of sounds and stuff.

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It really depends on what you want to do. Some keyboards wil be more effective for certain types of music. Also to consider: number of keys, weighted or not (even weighed doesn't feel exactly like a real piano).

My best advice is to go to a music store and actually try them out yourself.

EDIT: If you want orchestral sounds there are many ways to do it. Some keyboards come with defaul torchestra sounds, like some of the Yamaha (even though IMO they sound like crap). Others come with some patches but require an additionnal "expansion card" to be bought, like the Roland Juno-G or Fantom X6. Korg has this too.

The other way is to buy VSTs, i.e. big ol' DVDs with a ton of nicely recorded orchestral sounds you can use to make a lot of stuff. Most composers use that to see what it will sound like before they record it with an actual orchestra. The one I was recommended is the Eastwest Quanum Leap Complete Orchestra

Re: Musical Keyboards, choices choices...

this guy knows what he's talking about.

Re: Musical Keyboards, choices choices...

OASYS

Re: Musical Keyboards, choices choices...

Alright, after researching some local stores I've narrowed where to throw my money to this.

Clavinova CVP 207

It's a little something that caught my eye while browsing a local Piano Gallery. From this, you get the most realistic sounds you can possibly have from a digital keyboard (you can't tell the difference between it and a real piano, you get string vibrato and everything). Did I mention 400+ sounds?

With a handy sixteen tracks of recording and (with separate purchase) a .wav output, you can transfer anything you create without loss of quality.

You can also record other live instruments via a mic to be mixed with whatever you are playing/recording.

I'm sure I'm forgetting lot's of great details. This thing all in itself is a recording studio. And all for a mere $4,000 tax included.

Purchase hasn't been made yet, but this is what I have my sights set on.