4partmusic
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Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
I basically can chord some things on a keyboard but am slowly learning to add rythyms and learn to play but probably will never be a really good keyboard player. I have been thinking about consolidating some gear and going after a more professional keyboard. Here are a couple I have been looking at:
Korg M50 - I like the sound quality on this board and really like the 4 buttons that you can record chords to and then utilizing the arpeggiator create some pretty good backing tracks. Size is good. The fact that you cannot expand it sound wise makes me wonder if I would be looking for a different keyboard.
Yamaha Motif Line - I have been looking at the MOX6. The sounds are wonderful as are the capabilities but I do not think it is expandable either.
Yamaha EX, XS, or EF - Very nice keyboards with lot's of functionality and expandability it appears. You defintely experience a pretty big price jump in this area. The newest XF seems to allow a little recording of audio though I do not see that as a big issue with already having Sonar.
Roland Juno Gi - I have looked at this keyboard but wasn't as impressed with the sounds, apreggiation and features. Obviously the 8 track recorder on board is nice but there is not an on board sequencer which for live use is somewhat limiting. I am not looking to do any field recording right now and if i was would probably use a different device.
Any thoughts on these for a person that has low playing skills but wants to be able to put tracks together fairly quickly? I already have all the software solutions which are good but the actual physical interaction of a keyboard or guitar rythmically seem to allow me to be more creative. Of course any of these will allow expansion of my sounds as a VST as well. It is the live creation and playing that I am going for.
Thanks for any input.
Terry
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/03 16:11:16
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you need something that is inexpensive and yet a decent quality. I would shoot for weighted keys like a real piano and touch sensitive keys so your playing has expression.
If I was looking, I would visit some local music stores....
I just got an email that Sam Ash is extending their memorial day sale to this weekend so there might be some deals happening, and Guitar Center is always willing to match SA's prices and vice versa.
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batsbrew
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/03 18:46:59
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get something with weighted keys, so you don't begin bad habits right off the bat.
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Beagle
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/03 20:39:51
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I had bought a Motif XS6 and had it for about a year and a half. I love the sounds, the arps, the layers, very cool stuff. but I ended up not using it for anything but the sounds. there's so much more that the board can do with it's onboard sequencer and everything that I wasn't using. so I sold it.
I currently have a Casio PX-3 stage piano. the sounds are not NEARLY as good as the yamaha motif sounds. but if I want great sounds I run it through kontakt instead.
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Beagle
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/04 10:48:25
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more thoughts on this:
I'm not sure I agree with batsbrew's statement. it depends on how you're going to use it. if you're going to be a "keyboardist" or an "organist" then you don't WANT weighted keys. if you're going to play piano then you DO.
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kson
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/04 14:02:23
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Get a weighted keyboard controller and use soft synths of your choice. Better in the long run.
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Kev999
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/04 20:35:47
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I agree with Beagle. Weighted keys will be more difficult for a "non-keyboardist". More expensive too.
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4partmusic
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/09 17:40:34
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So am I kind of reading between the lines here that my Axiom 49 and some quality soft synth libraries might be a better way to go? I have looked at a couple of software apreggiators but nothing seems to compete with the Yamaha group.
Thanks,
Terry
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SF_Green
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/10 00:08:02
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4partmusic
So am I kind of reading between the lines here that my Axiom 49 and some quality soft synth libraries might be a better way to go? I have looked at a couple of software apreggiators but nothing seems to compete with the Yamaha group.
Thanks,
Terry
I would recommend a Roland/Edirol/Cakewalk controller. They have some of the best actions around: more of a semi-weighted feel, but very solid and smooth, not flimsy at all. But a MIDI controller used with Kontakt sounds like a good way to go for you.
post edited by SF_Green - 2011/06/10 00:10:51
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tlw
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/10 23:46:35
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Coming late to this - but are you looking to synthesize natural sounding "real" instruments or for electronic synth sounds?
If you own Sonar (or any DAW), which can handle any sequencing and do some arping, what specific reasons do you have for considering full-blown workstations?
A quick thought on keyboard feel - I'm not a particularly good keyboard player, and very much a synth rather than piano player. I'd suggest that unless you're a piano player (or want to be one/sound like one) a piano-style weighted action may not be the best thing to go for. If that is what you want, the weighted action on Yamaha's digital pianos feels very piano-like, to me at least.
As for Roland/Edirol/Cake keyboards, the Roland keybeds are very fast, synth-style, and feel very nice. Their downside is that the aftertouch sensitivity tends to be very stiff and unresponsive.
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Anubis
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Re:Thoughts on Keyboards for non-keyboardist
2011/06/13 16:54:40
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tlw
As for Roland/Edirol/Cake keyboards, the Roland keybeds are very fast, synth-style, and feel very nice. Their downside is that the aftertouch sensitivity tends to be very stiff and unresponsive.
I own both and prefer the Axiom's "weight" and key dimensions. I never liked the "synth" feel of most of the controllers out there.
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