KVR Audio

Lawnmower Of The Damned · Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:35 pm

I'm looking to buy a new keyboard, and I have some rather specific requirements. I need 88 keys, as I always seem to be running out of space on my 61 key model. I'd like a pitchwheel and modwheel, aftertouch, and a little weighting on the keys because non-weighted keys tend to hit max velocity really easily with my playing style. My final requirement, is that I don't want it to fall apart a week after my purchase.

That's it. That's all I want. I don't want 800 knobs and sliders, I don't give a crap about splits, program changes, etc. I just want a full size keyboard with the most basic control features like pitch, mod and aftertouch with a little weighting to it.

So I look around on Zzounds, Musicians Friend, Audio Midi, etc, and I come back with nothing. Most keyboards are 61 keys or less, which is simply not enough for my style. There are a few that seem to have most of the things I want, but the users keep complaining that the keyboard's wheels break, keys stop working, the keyboard drinks too much, the keyboard beats up old women and steals their purses, etc.

The most infuriating one is the Fatar, because it came SO DAMN CLOSE to having all the features I wanted. It has 88 hammer weighted keys, aftertouch (Which is hard to find on hammer weighted keys) and a great reliability rating. So how in the hell is it that a keyboard with all those features has a pitchwheel but NO #$%^#$^% MODWHEEL!?!?

Am I so crazy and strange because I don't just want a 2 octave keyboard with 8,000 knobs on it? Are keyboardists who actually play piano AND synth so rare now that we can't get a keyboard that can do both?

And why the hell would anyone sell a keyboard that has a pitchwheel, but no modwheel? Was the designer drunk? Was there a shortage of wheels at the factory? Are they afraid of offending people who's sisters were raped by modwheels?

Stupid American Pig · Post by **Stupid American Pig** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:43 pm

get a yammy stage piano- the action cannot be beat...

Lawnmower Of The Damned · Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:47 pm

Yamaha stage pianos have modwheels, pitchwheels and aftertouch? When did that happen?

Lawnmower Of The Damned · Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:44 pm

So there's nothing out there that meets my requirements?

shamann · Post by **shamann** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:54 pm

The Yamaha P2xx series of stage pianos have mod and pitch wheels.

I doubt there are many, if any at all, weighted keyboards with aftertouch. I would think the extra weight would make everything slightly unpredictable and lead to the keybed breaking all the time.

Mr Arkadin · Post by **Mr Arkadin** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:54 pm

What price range? i use a Kurzweil PC88 and it's great. 88 weighted keys (not as heavy as the Yammy's but nice), four assignable sliders, pitch and mod wheels, aftertouch plus some nice piano sounds too. Plus it's very solid. i'm sure now that it's an older model you could pick one up cheap second hand.

Mr A

kilroy · Post by **kilroy** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:08 pm

If you don't want on board sounds then look for a Yamaha KX88...still my favorite controller. It has everything you want, and it is built like an Abrams tank. The action is wonderful. You will have to find one used, but it is a totally pro piece of gear in every respect.

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Con ... DY,00.html

trappist · Post by **trappist** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:05 pm

Most keyboards are 61 keys or less, which is simply not enough for my style.

I agree that anything less than 61 keys seems limited. I've performed with 4 octave synths, but what do people do with those little 2 octave things?

DaveL60 · Post by **DaveL60** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:19 pm

If you're willing to live without the aftertouch, you could consider a Kurzweil SP88 stage piano and get a lovely action, programmable ribbon controllers, terrific Kurzweil sounds and really flexible programmability as a MIDI controller. I've got one and love it.

DaveL

kritikon · Post by **kritikon** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:34 pm

Rather than a simple controller keyboard, have you considered hunting for a 2nd hand synth? Most of the main manufacturers used to release full KB versions with weighted action (although not all were that brilliant admittedly). You might pick one up for a similar (if not better) price than a new controller, with the bonus of a synth thrown in for free. And all synths had modwheels etc. Kurzweil, Yamaha, Korg etc...they all released KB versions of something or other in the past.

Only a thought....

Why are keyboards such a pain in the...