KVR Audio

Musicologo · Post by **Musicologo** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:02 pm

What are the best options nowadays to have a cheap 88 midi controller with pitch bend and mod-wheel for midi control via USB,
BUT that can play piano sound on its own as well, without being connected to a pc/mac?...
I was looking at cheap things like M Audio 88 keys and stuff like that but they seem to only generate sound when they are plug into a computer, and I wanted a keyboard that could act like a piano as well, with sustain pedal and stuff...

lfm · Post by **lfm** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:14 pm

I got a used Kurzweil for that purpose. Mine was old and did not have usb, but I recon newer ones have. USB midi interfaces are darn cheap otherwise.

Really good FATAR keybed and everything you need for a computer keyboard.
Sustain pedal, expression pedal, pitch and modulation wheel.

I actually made some money on it selling it later.

It's nice with a unit that is one-button press and sit and play for a while.

BBFG# · Post by **BBFG#** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:34 pm

Sounds like you want built in sounds as well.
Is after touch important to you?

If not, I would suggest the Yamaha SX series, or Motif, or Korg Krome as a start.

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:37 pm

The most cheap ones are casio privia 150 and 130 models, yamaha p95 and 0105. those are the cheapest ones that offer a quality keyboard, built in speakers and some kind of midi conectivity.

BBFG# · Post by **BBFG#** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:42 pm

rod_zero wrote:The most cheap ones are casio privia 150 and 130 models, yamaha p95 and 0105. those are the cheapest ones that offer a quality keyboard, built in speakers and some kind of midi conectivity.

Good suggestions.
I forgot about the 'budget'.

BBFG# · Post by **BBFG#** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:42 pm

rod_zero wrote:The most cheap ones are casio privia 150 and 130 models, yamaha p95 and 0105. those are the cheapest ones that offer a quality keyboard, built in speakers and some kind of midi conectivity.

Good suggestions.
I forgot about the 'budget'.

Musicologo · Post by **Musicologo** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 9:55 pm

Ok, then I guess a stage piano that has controller knobs is then the best solution.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboard ... tage-piano

Something like this would be the more adequate?...

bedjka · Post by **bedjka** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:04 pm

Available on thomann (portugal) website renamed "thomann Sp5500"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IklJKuxQsPI

Mister Natural · Post by **Mister Natural** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:27 pm

I use one of these & love it - only 61 keys but with great action - terrific built in ePianos and cool clavinet/harpsichord presets
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboard ... controller

you might be able to find one used on eBay or something . . .

best of luck

Musicologo · Post by **Musicologo** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 4:03 am

No, I really want to have the 88 keys.
On the other hand I really liked the Price of the Medeli keyboard, it seems a viable option, but it only has the picth bend wheel, not a modulation one, and it seems heavy when compared to another one -
lurking the Thomman site I've also found Studiologic that looked interesting because of two things - it has 2 wheels instead of one (the medeli only has pitch bend), and this one says it only weights 6kg, which seems very, very light! It almost seems too good to be true. But seems a nice blend of 88 keys with some built in sounds and knobs to use as a midi controller and light weight and cheap!...

http://www.thomann.de/pt/studiologic_nu ... ompact.htm

Anyone has tried these? It seems very hard to find reviews...

arkmabat · Post by **arkmabat** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:13 am

You could get whatever midi keyboard and get that little kickstarter output plug that you can load samples onto.

88 keys Piano AND midi on budget