Can you recommend a good cheap weighted MIDI keyboard?

[doncoyer]

I have an M-Audio Axiom 61, which I love, I paid under $300 for it, and the semi-weighted action feels good to me. It's small enough to slide under my desk on a shelf I built, but large enough to cover most of what I need to do. It also has a lot of controller features, so overall, the only complaint I would really have is not having 88 keys. I love the blue lights too. Who wouldn't?

[kclements]

The best weighted keyboard I have ever played was the older Roland A-80's.

They don't make them any longer (don't know why, they were great) and I sold mine a long time ago in a feverish bout of stupitude. But if you look on Ebay, you can find them now and then. Not sure that is what you're looking for, but they are really great weighted keyboards. I would get another one if I didn't have my Yamaha C3 midi piano.

http://www.soundofmusic.se/synthsandmore/a80.htm

cheers -
kc

[Rob Lorenzo]

Thanks for all your thoughts and advice everyone.

I tried a few out and with a bit of patience have met my current requirements...

The Casio Privia line is decent for the price...... That is what I would buy on a budget

I've landed an older Casio Privia model for $150 on e-Bay. Ideal for what I need now: MIDI, 88 full-size weighted keys and OK piano sounds to work with whilst writing. I had a try on it and it's just the job.

As this was well within my budget I also picked up a Korg NanoPad for $40, also on e-Bay (doing well out of me,) to cover some of the programming tasks I have afoot.

[mPHATic]

Hi Rob - maybe slightly late to this but - I have been searching for a while for an 88 note controller as well.

I get frustrated having to octave shift all the time.

I did go into store and try before ordering.

The overall keyboard is heavy but for steadiness and solidarity you expect that.

I've gone for the AKAI - brand new. $699 @ Nova Music currently http://www.novamusik.com

http://www.akaipro.com

The reason:

1.Hooks up to DAW easily - include presets for some DAW software.
2. Great controls to tweak without using the mouse all the time including Tape Transport Controls
3. Reasonable reviews - positive for the product overall.
4. Drum pads - handy if you need to customer program something quickly
5. True Hammer action (which creates some of the weight)
6. Velocity and aftertouch - programmable curves

Currently these are $699 on special at Nova music

Mine arrives soon and I will probably also get an MPK 49 - for portable stuff - handy for gigs and jams.

Hope I'm happy when it gets here...

I'll let you know.

Cheers

Chris

[Rob Lorenzo]

Thanks for jumping in Chris. Sounds like a good deal.

I've got what I want, had it about a week now, which is an older Casio Privia PX-110. I picked it up locally (in UK) for next to nothing from e-bay and got separate nanopad with the change. This is great for me as I don't need to move the keyboard so sits in the studio nicely, however, I can take the pad away to program drums and bits if ever I need too.

Only small amounts of my music require keys so I've met my requirements for now, and more than well within my original budget.

Regarding the Privia, it's got good usable sounds as well as MIDI - I've already recorded audio from it and sounds more than acceptable! And it's got a really nice action. OK, it's not a Piano, but it's not far off and it definitely gives the sense of playing against keys.

As originally a piano player, this is nice and having 88 keys is fantastic, for less than $150.

Thanks for suggesting the Privia!

[mPHATic]

Well it arrived - I must say its great!!

probably the best key-bed and keys plus controller I have ever used...

Very happy to recommend to anyone.

Cheers

Chris

[Rob Lorenzo]

Pleased to hear you're pleased, Chris. Nice work!