Looking for a 76+ key synth-action keyboard/controller

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Melee54
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2013/08/24 00:20:19 (permalink)

Looking for a 76+ key synth-action keyboard/controller

I've been using an old Yamaha DGX-205 since 2004 with Reason and Sonar with MIDI, and it's actually worked quite well. I'm really used to the feel of the lightweight keys after all this time. Recently the left speaker starting making a loud static noise so I figured it's time for an upgrade. I literally don't care about built-in sound banks since it will be used almost exclusively with Reason and Sonar. I went to Guitar Center the other day but the majority of their keyboards were semi weighted and weighted, which admittedly felt great for actual piano usage, but terrible for the 80's style synth stuff that I play. Would you guys have any recommendations for a good quality keyboard? I mean I could always buy another cheapo Yamaha but I figure if I'm gonna upgrade, I might as well get something that's decent. I'd gladly buy second hand, max price is about $600-700. Hopefully there's something out there that will suit me, I'm just not sure where to look.   
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    spacealf
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    Re: Looking for a 76+ key synth-action keyboard/controller 2013/08/24 11:59:30 (permalink)
    Ah, I am not sure, but on my Juno -stage you can change the response of the keyboard, so I would look for a unit where you can change the response the way you want it. I have semi-weighted keys and in a way it is more like weighted keys like a piano but really not the same at all as full-weighted keys like on some of the piano type units, but I also have light, medium heavy type pressure I can change in the menu of the synth and make it like my old synth. And light is probably what you are talking about, so you would have to get into the master menu and change the action of the keyboard on the unit, and I know Roland Juno Gi or Di probably has that the same as Juno Stage, other ones I do not know about. (but you would have to check on that also).
     
    Better to ask maybe someone who works in a place that would know (not guitar c).
    Not the only play on-line but a place that knows what it is doing.
    http://www.sweetwater.com/
     
    http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/keyboards/home-keyboards/
     
    Although you probably want more of a professional keyboard..........
    http://www.sweetwater.com/c510--Keyboards_Synthesizers
     
    Well there are different categories there and perhaps you should look around there.
    Not the only place on-line just one of several places.
     
    http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JunoDi/
     
    I don't know if you will find one that is not semi-weighted keys nowadays, but like I said the velocity on my JunoStage can be light, medium or heavy so to me on Light it is the same thing.
     
    I would check out everything first or talk to someone who knows, or look at the manual for the unit first to make sure.
     
    Otherwise, there may be some other unit, but looking through all of it is what you may have to do and check on any of it.
     
    Those Rolands are only 61 key keyboard, where the JunoStage was a 76 key keyboard, but not sold anymore and others would say it was not like it was suppose to be, but I would say that it is not mentioned in the manual that copying patches to the temp area is only a two step deal - get up the patch you want to copy and use the Write button and confirm it and put it in the temp area where you can change it around and Exec the copy (thus two steps to make sure you want to copy it in the first place - nowhere is that in the manual, and it is easy.
    ??
     
    But there are other keyboards but for a 76 key keyboard, I suppose those would cost more, unless you can find a used one somewhere, but then it is used and has to be tested also.
     
    Obviously I do not recommend any of the units because...................................
     
    And after all of that, forgot to mention, that perhaps you can send it back to Yahama or a dealer, and get the keyboard fixed. They do do that, even if it is Roland and their keyboards and the keyboard was made in 1991. Obviously I have about 5 keys on the keyboard that do not work but I found out how to fix those on the Internet, the thing is finding a place to work on it, and take it apart and put it back together again which may be a real chore,but for the right amount of money, I pretty sure Roland would fix my old synth up for the price. The deal is - is it worth it??
     
     http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/YPG235
     
    One of many listed there.
     
     
     
    post edited by spacealf - 2013/08/24 13:46:32

     
     
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    Melee54
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    Re: Looking for a 76+ key synth-action keyboard/controller 2013/08/24 20:14:01 (permalink)
    Wow, long reply... but basically, "I don't know, try sweetwater", haha. The velocity isn't what I'm worried about, it's the physical heaviness of the keys. But it seems like I don't have much of a choice; either buy another cheapo portable grand, downsize to a smaller synth, or buy an 88 key with piano-like action. 
    post edited by Melee54 - 2013/08/24 20:16:07
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    spacealf
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    Re: Looking for a 76+ key synth-action keyboard/controller 2013/08/24 22:38:17 (permalink)
    You do not have to try Sweetwater, go wherever you want to, local stores whatever.
     

     
     
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    Old55
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    Re: Looking for a 76+ key synth-action keyboard/controller 2013/08/28 23:19:38 (permalink)
    I bought an M-Audio midi keyboard I think it's called Pro Keys 88.  They also had 61 and 76 key versions.  It looks like their current line of Keystation comes in 61 or 88.  
     
    I'm not a keyboard player per se.  I have fooled around mostly with my right hand so I can't really say if it's what you're looking for, but the keys are weighted.  I fact the action makes a fair amount of physical noise that cheaper synth-style keyboards don't make.  It does not have any voices.  You have to connect it to a rack mount, another synth or a PC VST instrument.  It also has a number of programmable MIDI controls.  
     
    I bought the thing to take lessons on.  Unfortunately, I had some health problems and wasn't able to follow up on that plan.  I still enjoyed using it in my own way.  

    Should auld acquaintance be forgot--hey, who the hell are you guys?  
     
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    Kev999
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    Re: Looking for a 76+ key synth-action keyboard/controller 2013/08/29 08:01:18 (permalink)
    I recommend trying as many keyboards as possible and judging subjectively.  For weighted-key keyboards, each model has a different feel and these differences are quite distinct.  Don't even assume that different models by the same manufacturer will be similiar.  Choose one that feels right to you.

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