Piano weighted master controller recommendations (around $1k-2k)

[lordkelvin]

Heya all...

I've been noodling with synths for a few years, but lately I've decided to actually learn to read music, play piano, etc. etc. etc. My "organ weighted" synths aren't cutting it, but I can't really justify buying a real piano, so I'm gonna pick up an 88 key piano weighted master controller soon. I would prefer to spend around $1k; I can spend up to around $1.5k or $2k if there's something that most people seem to agree that I really ought to get. Here are my priorities for this board (soooo different from what I'm usually looking for in a synth!):

1. REALISTIC piano feel...the more like a real piano, the better'
2. REALISTIC, inspiring piano sounds (a good variety would also be very nice)
3. master controller capabilities...good MIDI implementation, realtime control, etc.
4. nice "bread and butter" soundset...especially pianos and strings. I'm not too into other "acoustic" sounds, synth sounds would be nice
5. bang for the buck

Recommendations? I used to have an Alesis QS7, I'm thinking about checking out a QS8 and giving it a second chance. Also considering a Roland A-90 or the new XV-88 (a little out of my price range, it'd be a while before I could swing it). I'm willing to consider anything. Help!

Thanks,

Gary

(FWIW, I make mostly electronic music with guitars and occasionally real drums...think the cure, depeche mode, etc...other gear is mostly analogue or analogue modeling type stuff)

[Bob]

The Yamaha series I believe would be the best choices for you. The P80 has a great acoustic piano feel and sound. The P120 is the same thing but has built in speakers (some may say that this give it an even more realistic feel).

[Roland]

Hey Gary,

I agree with Bob about the Yamaha pianos. I'd save a bit more and get the P-200, which should go somewhere within the upper end of your budget. The action is very realistic, the sounds are great, it's a good controller and has the bread and butter sounds you're looking for. It also has the onboard speakers which I agree makes it more realistic because the vibrations from the speakers simulate the tactile feedback you get from the hammer/soundboard interaction on a real piano.

I know some people who have used the Alesis products and love them, and others who have found them to be buggy and not well supported. I'd stay away from Alesis for now if I were you until they sort out their product line and support.

As for the XV-88, I had one and sold it because the action and sounds just weren't up to snuff for acoustic piano emulation. Play the Yamaha boards and see what you think of them. Also, the Kurzweil PC2X is an excellent sounding board with great sounds and nice action, though I personally prefer the action of the Yamaha. The PC2X is also expandable using Kurzweil's expansion cards. I don't know the going price, but I bet Bob can help you get a great deal.

Good luck,
Roland

[Micah Touchet]

You certainly can't go wrong with a Yamaha! I have three Yamaha keyboards- and a pile of other Yamaha gear, too. I also have the Yamaha P80, and I love the action and sounds-they are incredible, much better than the Kurzweil and Alesis and Korg keyboards I've tried, and you can get one for well under a grand.

[emily]

hi there..

i am interested in similar keyboards and this advice has been very helpful.

today, i looked at yamaha s80 and roland xv88.. could you please tell me more about these keyboards.. other stuff you've heard.. good / bad.. or any other model suggestions.. i want 88 keys, real acoustic piano sound, ability to record and playback several tracks, etc.

thank you!!

emily

[Bob]

neither of these have sequencers - so your not going to be able to record or playback tracks. Are you looking for a workstation or just a performance keyboard?

[emily]

i'm looking for something that i can record as i play something and then play it right back.. in addition to stuff mentioned above like graded hammer action keys.. etc.. don't know a whole lot about the dif lines of synths, workstations, etc.. thanks so much for your help..

emily

[Bob]

Triton studio88, Kurzweil K2600X, Motif8 by Yamaha are the three for you to be looking at. Check out some of the past posts on this keyboard forum. There is alot of good info from these posts to be had if you do a little digging. Also, feel free to give me a call and we can go over the differences, etc.

[emily]

i have done a little research and taken a look at posts archive.. also i've tried to solidify what's most importan for me.. these are:

1) realistic piano action/ nice feel so this means GRADED or PROGRESSIVE hammer-action 88 keys, ability to play fast sequences without dropout etc..

2) realistic piano sound

3) ability to record and playback tracks without the use of a pc, and as an added bonus, ability to playback certain parts of the piece, ie not just from start to finish

4) lightweight, portability

5) use notation software such as finale
does this help? thanks for your suggestions so far.. could you tell me about the yamaha p 120 and any other suggestions now that we know more what i'm looking for??

thank you so much..

emily

[Richard]

I would strongly encourage you to consider a used QS8...for the dollar nothing comes close. Half of its' memory is geared toward Piano while Kieth Emerson acted as a consultant and contributed several of his favourites.

[Micah Touchet]

Hey Emily!
An Alesis QS8 might be an okay choice for you, but keep in mind that
it doesn't have a built in sequencer, it's kinda buggy, it's heavy, and--since it has such a small amount of sample ROM--the soundset is not particularly impressive... Also, keep in mind that lightweight, 88 weighted keys, low price, great sounds, AND good sequencer is hard to put all together at once. I have a YAMAHA EX5, and it has all the features you listed, except 88 weighted keys.

[emily]

thanks for your advice.. yea.. i've decided against the qs8 for a few reasons.. like it has more than i really need, it's heavy, etc.

i am looking at a yamaha p120.. what do you know or how do you feel about them?

thanks.. i know it's hard to find exactly what i want!!!! all the features you said!

thank you..
emily

[Micah Touchet]

Hey Emily!
About the YAMAHA P120---it's a great instrument, but remember, it's only a digital piano, and I understand you want more of a workstation-type thingy. Have considered the Korg TRITON Le? Also think about the YAMAHA Motif, or EX-5, unless 88 weighted keys is of utmost importance, (which I think it shouldn't nessecarily be.)If 88 weighted keys is absolutely important, then YAMAHA P120 would be an excellent choice...also look at the YAMAHA P80.

[jwhmusic]

Nobody appears to have recommended this one, but I have to say that the nicest "pure piano" board I have played in recent memory was the Kawai MP9500 stage piano. Definitely the nicest action I've played (I think it's wooden keys and an actual Kawai piano action inside). Incredible piano sound with implementation of some cool things like string resonance, etc. The other sounds, especially synth pads, are really good as well. Stereo outputs in both 1/4" and XLR, for flexibility when you're dealing with an outside PA system. Good MIDI control capabilities -- zones can be set up to play internal or external sounds (as well as all other manner of controls), and each zone gets its own "volume" slider on the front. Plus, the instrument itself is brushed aluminum, very impressive looking. Cons: it weighs like 76 pounds, and no built-in sequencer as far as I know -- but if you want something with sequencing and all that, I'd just step up to the nicest keyboard I personally know of, period: the Korg Triton Studio 88.

Hope this helps some. I hadn't seen anyone else mention the MP9500, so I thought I'd let you know about it.