88 Key hammer action Controllers

[oddbods finger]

I'm looking to replace my controller with a 88 key hammer action keyboard.

It seems there are 3 main choices -

Fatar SL990 pro
M Audio Keystation Pro 88
CME UF8

Views comments good or bad about any of these?
Anyone actually tried/own the CME ?

Not too bothered about the lack of knobs and whistles on the Fatar.

[pitchdrifter]

Quite fond of the SL 880 pro myself that I replaced an oberheim mc 3000 with. Of course that's only marginally relevant since that one's not on your list

[Gwydi]

The KS88Pro has a bad reputation. I had one for four hours before returning it, it was such a POS. Apparently, though, that was the early production run and they've fixed it up since then. All I can say is, remember that 99.99% of the time, you get what you pay for, and when something seems cheap, there's usually a good reason why.

G.

[williamjr007]

I bought me a CME and sold it again..;-( I couldn't get used to the feel. It didn't have a nice touch but that's always the subjective side of the story. If you're just looking for a 'nice feel' without to many knobs/sliders just look out for a Technics P30 what has in my humble opinion one of the best keyboard actions. It's not a controller though, but it depends what you're looking at.

[williamjr007]

..not to say it hasn't any controllers
But I was thinking about it in combination with an extrenal midi-controller device

[DevonB]

I had the Fatar SL990. I sold it (keys too heavy and made my hands sore). I now have the Yamaha P60, and love it. A few extra bones in price, but nothing like the Yamaha keybed either.

Devon

[kevink]

I tried as many weighted actions as I could lay my hands on here in southern France (which was maybe 3-4), and the Fatar SL-880 Pro (the ancestor of the 990) was both the cheapest and had far and away the most expressive action. The keys may seem heavy if you're used to unweighted keyboards, but if you're used to real pianos, they're very reasonable - definitely lighter than the action on my W. Hoffmann baby grand, which is itself a very smooth instrument. I'd buy another Fatar again in a second if it broke. But a "good" action is a very personal thing.

[bluedad]

The KS88Pro has a bad reputation. I had one for four hours before returning it, it was such a POS. Apparently, though, that was the early production run and they've fixed it up since then. All I can say is, remember that 99.99% of the time, you get what you pay for, and when something seems cheap, there's usually a good reason why.

G.

I love my KS88 pro. Been using it at gigs, and at home next to the computer so it's been getting a pretty heavy workout. I like the touch as well..but having worked on pianos for 30 yrs, touch is very much a preference thing. I'd much rather play on a Yamaha than Steinway (although nowadays, I prefer the sound of the Steinway..but wait, I'm getting far OT here )

[pitchdrifter]

Usually you *want* heavy keys when you go with hammer mechanics, in order to allow for more expressive playing of some instruments, piano being only one.

Over here the SL880 pro costs more than the newer models. I only demoed this one and wanted it (felt great, didn't want to take bets on how newer models will feel without trying them), because it's really a good feeling to play when you're used to real piano hammer mechanics.

In general I use the hammer mechanics keys to play things where a high degree of control over the velocity is useful (that includes some synth patches). For the rest of the time when I don't need the feel or velocity precision (for the lack of a better word) of hammer mechanics I use a cme UF5, which so far has held up very well (semi weighted keys) - only had it for 2 weeks though. The unit feels quite high quality.

[tony Smyth]

I tried the CME today briefly and didnt like the feel of the keys, also the sliders seemed cheap and I wouldnt have confidence in it lasting long before a breakdown. You're probably better off spending more and getting something more substantial,but, thats just my opinion......

[egarrard]

The SL880 is phenomenal! There is one caveat though. The power switch has to be the cheapest piece of junk ever put on an electronic device. Almost all the complaints about the SL880 center on it. I solved the problem by plugging it into a power strip. Someday I'll get brave enough to take the controller apart and replace the switch with a better designed one, but until then, the PS works just fine.

[Stupid American Pig]

I love the phrase "Hammer Action"

[DevonB]

I tried as many weighted actions as I could lay my hands on here in southern France (which was maybe 3-4), and the Fatar SL-880 Pro (the ancestor of the 990) was both the cheapest and had far and away the most expressive action. The keys may seem heavy if you're used to unweighted keyboards, but if you're used to real pianos, they're very reasonable - definitely lighter than the action on my W. Hoffmann baby grand, which is itself a very smooth instrument. I'd buy another Fatar again in a second if it broke. But a "good" action is a very personal thing.

I can play a real piano for an hour easily without my hands getting sore, and that's many different brands. Maybe the SL880 is a bit lighter, but the 990 was just too much for me. But I agree whole heartedly that action is a very personal thing.

Devon

[AndrewSimon]

Another vote for the Fatar SL-880 (NOT the 990)

[gold]

SL-880 here too. Feels very good to me. Mind yew, I keep my old casio CZ-1 here just for playing hammond organ thingies on