Benefits of weighted vs. non-weighted keys??

I am no keyboard player by any means, but I could only imagine the feel of weighted key allows so much more capicity in tonal dynamics. The simple ability to modify sound based on pressure and resistance are attributes every decent instrument should emulate whether it is keys, winds, strings or percussion.

ORIGINAL: rumleymusic

NOT having weighted keys in a midi controler is ideal (unless it is being used primarily for piano sounds). Most instruments do not and should not be played in the same manner as a piano.

Well here's what I'm wondering then...do any of you use a weighted keyboard controller for synth and piano sounds alike? And if so, how has this worked out for you with the synth sounds?

ORIGINAL: The_Kiss

ORIGINAL: rumleymusic

NOT having weighted keys in a midi controler is ideal (unless it is being used primarily for piano sounds). Most instruments do not and should not be played in the same manner as a piano.

Well here's what I'm wondering then...do any of you use a weighted keyboard controller for synth and piano sounds alike? And if so, how has this worked out for you with the synth sounds?

I have one of each. My digital piano is weighted 88 keys and my synth is a 61 key. there are things I cannot play on the 61 key due to the size limitation and I'll move to the DP. but those times I move to the DP are not typically for synth sounds, they're typically for piano type playing.

but I think Larry nailed it: "It really boils down to the musician's preference."

I have both and as others have said, I think it is best to have both. I personally find it easier to get the dynamics right on a weighted keyboard. And I will use a weighted keyboard for synth (not just piano) parts. But there are some things that are just easier to accomplish on a non-weighted action. Frank's mention of Gliss and Hammond type sounds are dead on.

“What are the benefits of having a piano/keyboard with hammer action weighted keys as opposed to regular synth non-weighted keys?”

This is a topic near to my heart, since keyboard action has always been my #1 selection criterion for every instrument or controller I've ever owned (and I've a lot of them).

If you're accustomed to playing a real acoustic piano, chances are the majority of synth/MIDI controller keyboards will leave you unsatisfied. You'll find that some passages that you can play smoothly and easily on that baby grand are surprisingly difficult to play on a synth, and lack dynamics in the recording. That's due primarily to the keyboard action (and sometimes to the size and shape of the keys).

Don't assume that a "weighted" keyboard will feel like a piano. In most cases, "weighted" means exactly that: they've glued little weights under the keys to give them some inertia. If you've ever taken your piano apart, you know that's not what gives piano keys they're tactile feel - it's the complex mechanical mechanism, the inertia of the hammers, the bounce off the strings. Very hard to emulate with spring-loaded plastic tabs.

Some of the best piano-style keyboards are made by Yamaha and Kawai. Yamaha makes a killer electro-acoustic piano that's shaped like a miniature baby grand that you have to play to believe. But it's very, very expensive. In the more affordable range, the P90 and its successors come very close. The MO6 and MO8 use the same keyboard. The Motif series does not - it's a more conventional weighted synth-style keyboard, and not to my liking, which is why I bought a MO8 instead.

But what if you get a great piano-style keyboard, and now you're ready to start playing some B3 parts in your recording? Ugh. You simply cannot play convincing B3 parts on a piano keyboard! That's where a conventional synth keyboard comes in handy. For that, you don't really want weighted keys at all, but it's hard to find controllers that aren't weighted. I finally gave up looking and just went and bought a Hammond XK-1.

I do find that a weighted piano-style keyboard does suit most synth sounds. Horns and strings are no problem. Sometimes fast bass parts can be challenging, in which case I'll switch over to the Hammond and use it as the controller for keyboard bass.

ORIGINAL: Hard2Hear

If you input drum parts on a keyboard (like I do alot) you do not want weighted keys. Same with fast choppy organ, clav, or rhodes parts playing funk.

Yeah... the weighted ones don't bounce back fast enough for some stuff... too much delay, mechanical delay, not latency.