I need a keyboard

[feaker66]

I don't use midi. I just want a keyboard for simple physical playing that has both piano and organ. Just need some background at times. Like to spend up to $500 Don't need a ton of keys either. I go to sweetwater and there are just so many. They use words like synth, controller, etc. No clue what those do. ha ha

Sincerely

Paul

[mojobone]

Paul, you are correct; there are a ton of $500 keyboards that feel decent and sound okay. Some of them can be programmed to feel better and sound superb, but if you're not a programmer/tinkerer, you'll probably want something that sounds and feels great right outta the box, and will have envious guest keyboardists returning again and again just to get their hands on it.

There's good news and bad news, in that such a beast does exist, but it'll run you 'bout $1499.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SV1-73BK

It's got your Rhodes, Wurlies, Clavs, Voxes, Farfisas, Hammonds, Leslies and several flavors of ivories done up right, so you won't need to tweak anything, but you still can, if you want. (and it's got knobs for that, not layers of nested menus) If you're gonna trigger sounds that live in a computer, almost anything will do, but this puppy will sound great plugged into an amp OR a computer. You can check out the video and the reviews, if you don't believe me, but I jes' put my money where my mouth went. Tell you what, though, if $500's your top dollar, I have a Casio Privia PX3 that just became available.

[feaker66]

Hey Moj You know so much about all this tech stuff. I first thought I might not understand it:) I did. I have never really played keys, but I have messed on a piano before and can do some stuff. ha ha I am mainly looking for some background sustain stuff. I did a song a short while back called "You're addicted" Some dude offered up some keys for background and it sounded pretty darn good, so I used his tracks. I thought with some on the ballad stuff I do, it might be useful. I don't even need sixty keys? I can afford the $1500, but I would have to hear the benefits before pulling that trigger. I do hear that most new songs have much guitar, and that has been my whole life's work

thanks for all the time you put into this and I have checked it all out Also, it is very cool to see you posting on the forum

Sincerely

Paul

[mojobone]

Here's some more in-depth info: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct09/ ... orgsv1.htm

[funsongs]

There was a day (and probably still is) when Casio keyboards were pretty much a joke.
I've heard some of their newer, lower-line stuff... and for probably way less than $500
(check Amazon or Walmart, even) if you can go play and test a few - you could find something quite satisfactory, based on your parameters.
One of the biggest questions, for you, might be whether or not you need/want weighted keys vs.
just the touch-volume sensitive kind.

I have an old Yamaha PSR-530 that I got in 1998 for about $500. I've used it lots, even recorded some of the organ patches. The downer for that particular one, oddly, is it does NOT have a great acoustic piano sound. I'd need to step up to at least a Yamaha CP-300 to satisfy these old ears.

You should be able to get something you can have fun with within your $500 budget.
Good hunting.

Here's one example, near the top of your budget:
Casio Privia PX160BK 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano

[feaker66]

moj Good info. I am presently starting a selection chart with pro's and con's. ha ha I know guitars etc, but not the keys:)

Sincerely

Paul

[feaker66]

Hey Peter Congrats on your latest collab btw I have given up chirping in when there isn't much I can offer for help.

I presently don't like songs that are too heavy keys or guitars. I think the guitar type songs are just about gone?? I can't play very well with both hands (piano), but with copy and paste and all those tracks one can have, I don't think I have to.

I will be heading to Texas to winter for a few months. I might look down there. I live very remote here and not many big music stores etc. thanks for your input

Sincerely

Paul

[mojobone]

If you're looking for synth pads, (analog strings/brass/choir) the Korg SV-1 is maybe not the machine for you, but if you're like me and have spent a lot of quality stage time digging the sounds great keys players can get with electromechanical keyboards, (yes, I admit I have pianist envy even though I can play some keys; I started on a Hammond) you might wanna audition one, cuz along with all that great stuff, it also does passable strings/brass/choir. (and there are effects, for further sweetening)

If you're looking for a tonewheel emulator, this is also not the 'droid you're looking for'. You're probably young enough to remember when a Hammond B3 and two Leslies was dancefloor dynamite; there was a reason churches bought 'em. The SV1 only offers the three most popular Hammond registrations, but they represent well. The very good Leslie emulation can be applied to any of the other SV1 sounds, so...bonus.

If you're looking for a workstation or a master controller, definitely pass; there aren't enough sounds/categories of sounds to qualify as a workstation, (and no sequencer, either; not even an arpeggiator) and the lack of support for multiple splits/layers denies its use as a controller. There's just a general lack of configurability, in short, but if you're willing to dig in and edit, most of the few shortcomings can be alleviated.

If you're after great, believable and useful classic keyboard sounds under direct tactile control, there's nothing much that beats it, for the money.

If you really only need one grand or upright piano, the 88-key version might still be a good bet, cuz the response is very adjustable.


Good luck in your quest; as fate allows, I'll update the thread with my progress.

[TimWalter]

I have a Yamah P-85 that I picked up for about $300 at guitar center used. It has fully wted keys, 88 keys a few grand pianos, a few organs, a few electric pianos, harpiscord, strings pad, also midi in and out. The new version is p-95 I think unless they updated again. It is a wonderufl piano. you cant go wrong with yamaha, imho.
Tim

[TimWalter]

heck I am 2 revisions old behind!! lol. They are up to p-115. For $600 how can you go wrong? or find an older one used like i did (the p-95 was out when I got my p-85, it is a perfectly good piano)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboard ... ductDetail