Choosing a Keyboard

[Dareeper]

I'm in the market for a new keyboard with a lot of high quality sounds. I plan to spend no more than $2000. Does anyone know of any keyboards I should look into a little more.

[Bob]

Yamaha Motif, Korg Triton, Korg Karma, Roland Fantom.

[jlacasel]

I've just purchased a Korg Karma and am very happy with it. While the sound palette seems geared toward the hip-hop/techno sound, I am using it in worship in church. I've just stumbed into some particularly cool sounds using the realtime controls and look forward to unlocking this big red beast in the coming months.

I was impressed with the Yamaha Motif and if I had unlimited cash, I would probably have purchased one, especially after reading the review in SweetNotes.

Haven't tried the Fantom, cannot comment on it.

[Roland]

In addition to Bob's excellent recommendations, how about a Kurzweil PC2. I'm not sure what the going prices are, but the sounds are very nice if you don't need a complete workstation solution.

[Bob]

yes, I guess I was thinking of workstations but if you don't need a sequencer or sampler and are just looking for a great sounding keyboard with some expandability, the Kurzweil Pc2 is an excellent choice. They have a new orchestral board coming out that has some of the best string sounds I've ever heard.

Roland, I'm surprised your recommending a Kurzweil Keyboard, I thought you'd be promoting the Fantom or XV88 :p

[Roland]

Hey Bob,

No, my favorite digital board is my K-2600AES. It is my main controller keyboard. I wouldn't recommend the XV-88 (even though it's made by my namesake company - no affiliation unfortunately!) I don't like the action on that one. It's too slow! :( I'm actually selling my XV-88, but keeping the Fantom. :) I wish I had bought a PC2X instead of the XV-88.

[smjones]

Anyone want to comment about Solton keyboards?

[Foreverain4]

i have a kurzweil PC2x and am overwhelmingly happy with it. i have gotten alot of comments from clients in my studio on the sound of this specific piece. one if the coolest sounds i have found on this unit is a wood flute that, when you first press the key, starts out with a light vibrato, then evens out a bit. it is extremely realistic. great piano sounds, even has a basement upright sound in which the intonation is just slightly off. i have not gotten the new orchestral rom yet, but plan to in the near future. i am still really impressed with what was already on this keyboard.




lynn
www.therecordinghouse.com

[Bob]

the PC2 does do amazing acoustic sounds, Kurzweil's always have. I'd highly recommend the PC2ROM - orhcestral expansion. It has some of the best ROM strings sounds I've ever heard.

[kent5d]

Can anyone recommend good keyboard amps. I play a Triton and an SP 200 and mostly in club size gigs. Thanks, Kent

[kent5d]

I have always liked the Motif and Triton best. The phantom seems not in the same category.

[Bob]

The Barbetta SE41C is the best sounding keyboard amp I've heard. It has amazing tone and tons of headroom. The cabinet has also been redesigned and it is a lot lighter. :bounce:

[escricky]

I just finished what your starting to do. My Kurzweil finally bit the dust so I shopped the heck out of the stores. My needs were great sounds, 88 piano action keys, not a workstation. The Triton was pretty good but at around $3000, built in sequencer, etc I turned that down. Almost went with the Kurz PC2 till I played the Roland XV88. It's on board sounds and expandability outshined anything else. If you are a piano player, and you don't need an "organ type" speedo keyboard and the XV is a dream to play. If you go with the Kurz pc2, make sure to get the free orchestral card as the factory is now delivering them with.
hope this helps from a happy XV88 owner.
rick

[andywho312]

Hi,

I was asking myself the same question a couple of years ago, and fortunately I found a salesperson that actually understood what I wanted. Anyway, if you'd like to hear a sample of the rediculous array of sounds that you can squeeze out of a Korg TRITON, hop over to:

http://www.mp3.com/UFX

Everything there was made almost 100% with a TRITON, using the built-in sequencer and effects. I could praise the perfection of this beast all day, but I'll just let the sound speak for itself. It's the love of my life.

Alternatively, check out http://www.sonicevolver.com

Oh yeah! And the great thing is, I belive the original basic TRITON is down under $2,000 now. I paid like $2,500 and it was still worth it.

[BenAwol]

Can't believe no one has mentioned the Nord keyboards. Pure power. The beasts need taming but once tamed...

[Chris Jude]

I'd vote for the Motif of the boards being proposed (and I own most of them).

[Bob]

why? :o

[Martin Hines]

Given your $2000 keyboard limit, here are your choices:

KEYBOARDS

Korg Karma
--------------
- has same sound ROM as Triton
- has fantastic Karma function (sophisticated arpeggiator)
- you can add two expansion boards and the Moss board (physical modeling). If you add the EXB-PCM08 Grand Piano (Bosendorfer Grand), then you would have the exact sound ROM of the Triton Studio
- has same sequencer and effects as the Triton
- 62 key keyboard, synth action

Yamaha S-90
---------------
- has same sound ROM as Motif PLUS additional piano ROM
- no sampler or on-board sequencer
- same great 88-key graded hammer action as Motif

Kurzweil PC2-O/PC2X-O
----------------------------
- the 'O' means it is one of the current models which automatically includes the Orchestral ROM (PC2ROM). Sweetwater is selling this (even though they still call it the PC2 you can see it includes the Orch ROM in the description).
- 76 or 88 key models (synth or piano action)


SOUND MODULES/ Rack Units

Even though you did not mention these, these are also worth considering if you have some type of master controller keyboard:

- Roland XV-5050
- Kurzweil PC2R-O (rack version of the PC2)
- Yamaha Motif Rack (to be announced at Winter NAMM, Jan. 16-19, 2003)

[NaiMcInt]

Actually... I prefer Radioshack brand keyboards (they're 200 watt speakers are FANTABULOUS)... hehe jk. OK, anyway. Get either the Fantom-S or Roland V Synth. Nothing compares. Period.


Ian :banana: (HAHAHA A BANANA WOOHOO)