2014/06/26 01:30:11
SteveGriffiths
Hi, I am using Sonar X3E and I ma happy :).  I also have a Korg Microstation.  It doesn't play very well (Korg thing) but I can use it.  I am looking for a weighted 88 key keyboard (not just controller).  I am torn between Korg Krome, Roland FA-08 and Kurzweil PC3LE.  My goal it to use it to play and record it's own sounds, and use it as a controller for the little korg, and for vst synths.  Usig the knobs etc on the keyboard in act would be a bonus but not a priority.
 
Is anyone using any of these with Sonar?  
 
Cheers
 
Grif
2014/06/26 03:24:44
robert_e_bone
I have played piano since I was 5, but find I prefer a semi-weighted feel, because it allows me the flexibility to play in a traditional piano-like manner, as well as giving me the speed with which I can play leads and fast note sequences much faster.  When I try to do that on a fully-weighted keyboard, it bogs down and limits how fast I can play something.  Like real mushy when trying to play fast.
 
The other thing I found was that by and large, I get WAY better bang for the buck using sound modules (soft-synths) and a midi controller or simple home-piano/controller rather than on-board sounds.
 
A full synth is a compromise between features and cost, and many times it comes at the expense of sound quality.  
 
For example, I have 24-bit sample-based piano instruments in Kontakt that are MASSIVE, where each note was sampled for a full 30 seconds at multiple velocities, where even the OVERTONES are present in as natural a form as possible (except for sympathetic vibration of other strings).  One preset may be more than a GB in size.
 
A piano sample on a keyboard synth instead is made of artificially generated note length (looped), and often is only sampling maybe 1/3 of an octave and then generating the in between notes.  They do this to save on the amount of storage and memory required for storing and playing that piano sound, and it just does not sound as good as my computer-based piano samples from Kontakt.  A piano preset on a keyboard synth may only be a few MB in size, WAY lower in quality than my Kontakt piano sounds.
 
Additionally, the keyboard synth technology is a fixed technological 'snapshot' at the time of its creation, while soft synths can be fully reworked or swapped out for different ones, so the sonic capabilities of computer-based soft synths are literally endless, while a keyboard synth will always be limited to whatever sound producing level of technology it was designed with.  You may spend 2-3 thousand for a good keyboard synth, and for that same money you could buy a top of the line controller (or a couple of them), AND several top of the line collections of top of the line sounds, like Komplete, or East West Strings, or other high-end sounds.
 
I have an Axiom Pro 61 controller for playing leads on, and for a 2nd controller I use a simple $250 Yamaha 76-note portable digital piano.  That allowed me to purchase a $1000 microphone and Komplete 8 Ultimate, for less money than I would have spent on a traditional keyboard synth.
 
If you have your heart set on one of those traditional keyboard synths, then have a blast - I only offered all of the above comments to suggest you consider what you are really getting for all of that money, versus going the route of a controller and computer-based soft synths.
 
In any case, I hope you find great pleasure and endless inspiration with whatever route you end up choosing to go with.  :)
 
Bob Bone
 
2014/06/26 06:21:13
Mystic38
Given that a quality weighted keyboard controller is well up towards $1000, it does make sense to buy a board such as what you are looking at.
 
All of those you mention have a decent soundset (each in their own way)... But the one thing you are deciding on is the most important.. the keybed and its feel. As far as use, I don't know of any synth/workstation/stage piano that wont play well with Sonar. Some boards are better than others as a master keyboard based upon your prejudice and preference.
 
Make every attempt to play these first hand, and You could also add any of a used workstation, Yamaha Motif ES8, XS8, Fantom X8, G8 or one of a number of stage pianos to the mix... for example, I use a S70XS, as I find 76 keys more than enough, but checkout Roland RD series as well.
2014/06/26 07:26:50
azslow3
For weighted keys, you can check pianoworld.com forum. I am not professional, but from what I know (and tested) the best action under 1500 € (in Europe) is Kawai VPC1 (in fact the only one with full length wooden keys in that price range). But as Bob has mentioned, that make sense only for playing Piano. For other "instruments" good weighted action is a disadvantage...
 
2014/06/26 07:46:25
The Maillard Reaction
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2014/06/26 07:58:01
Jeff Evans
The Kurzweil has the superior sound to everything else. Is there anyway you can get into the PC3K8 by any chance. You won't need another synth. (sorry, I see it's double the price!) All the sliders on the PC3K8 can be use to control external VST's etc and it has a weighted action.
 
BTW recently a friend of mine from another state here in Australia purchased a second hand Kurzweil PC2X in the city where I live. I picked up it for him and was able to live with it for a while before I sent it to him. It was one of the nicest 88 weighted actions I have ever played in a long time.
 
I guess (hope) the PC3LE would be similar. Give it a good test. It still has many PC3 engine sounds so the quailty will be up there just not as much as the PC3K8.
2014/06/26 08:13:23
The Maillard Reaction
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2014/06/26 08:20:35
Splat
Addictive keys with a cheap PC setup and a Novation keyboard (or Casio or something) would sound better. Or get a real piano.
2014/06/26 08:44:29
robert_e_bone
I am being given an only 18-year old mint condition Kawai grand piano in September from my mom, who is now 83 and not playing it anymore.  It is a beautiful instrument, and although I haven't played it in more than 15 years, I can STILL feel every nuance of how it feels to play on its action, the feel of the keys, looking at its soundboard with the top slightly raised, and its beautiful graceful curves.  (I have to drive from DC to the outskirts of Chicago to retrieve it, but that is insignificant to my getting it back here and tuned up after its trip).
 
BUT, for the other TENS OF THOUSANDS of sounds I have, I would much rather trigger them through one of my controllers, which are NOT fully weighted.
 
Bob Bone
 
 
 
2014/06/26 09:41:12
musichoo
I am using Krome 88 which has a very good piano sound (2.8 Gig with 8 velocity layers). It has 4 knobs that can be used for cc control. Pitch bend that can bend in 4 different direction. I am using it with Sonar X3. It can connect to a DAW via usb and used with an editor librarian but I think it is limited to 32 bit only.
 
If you need a keyboard for both both live Gigs and DAW work then I would say you should look into Krome. You can also visit their user forum to find out more about users responses towards Krome. http://www.korgforums.com/forums-frame.htm
 
I can't tell you about Kerzweil. The latest Casio does have MIDI ports but they use USB instead and I haven't tried that yet.
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