Hi, I currently have a old roland pc300 49 key controller. I'm buying a new controller because I want some with faders and knobs on it. I've also brought a teach yourself piano lessons cd-rom and I may get private lessons from a teacher as well. My aim is to eventualy be a good keyboard/piano player.
What size keyboard should I get a 61/76 or a 88? I've been reading reviews of the various keyboard controllers and some say only get a 88key if you want to play piano because they aren't very good for synths and orchestral modules and the hammer action is overkill and fautiging. Others say 88 key keyboards are the most expressive and the way to go.
I want to play classical piano but I also want to play modern trance, orchestral and string pieces. I'm looking at the novation remote 61 and the m-audio keystation pro 88. I can't afford both so I don't want to buy one size and realise that I should have got the other. Anyone have any advice?
61 keys or 88 keys
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- KVRer
- 19 posts since 16 May, 2007 from UK
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- KVRist
- 41 posts since 10 Sep, 2003 from Mouvaux - Northern France
Depending on your priorities :
A weighted (or preferably a hammer) action is mostly helpful on piano pieces but could well be a handicap if you are not used to it. If you plan to play the piano seriously though, this is a must-have.
A standard controller would probably be a better choice 'for a start', as it will require less efforts, and will make faster parts a lot easier (except for a trained pianist). Why not spending some time comparing different controllers ?
My advice could be to have a 76-notes keyboard, possibly with a semi-weighted action (have a look at CME UF-70). 61 notes is a real limit for many piano pieces (+ piano teachers).
A weighted (or preferably a hammer) action is mostly helpful on piano pieces but could well be a handicap if you are not used to it. If you plan to play the piano seriously though, this is a must-have.
A standard controller would probably be a better choice 'for a start', as it will require less efforts, and will make faster parts a lot easier (except for a trained pianist). Why not spending some time comparing different controllers ?
My advice could be to have a 76-notes keyboard, possibly with a semi-weighted action (have a look at CME UF-70). 61 notes is a real limit for many piano pieces (+ piano teachers).
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 19 posts since 16 May, 2007 from UK
Thanks for the reply EtiennedeV. I have been seriously considering a CME controller as alot of people rate them quite highly. I think i'll go for the 88 key version as this video swung it for me :-
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- KVRAF
- 4175 posts since 10 Oct, 2002 from Nashville, TN USA
It's worth noting that even if you go with a weighted KB for a long term investment (in terms of value and usefulness as you grow in skill), you can still apply velocity scaling to it and thus in the beginning stages you'll have some ways of controlling that part of things.
I think there's a real-time velocity scaling MIDI plugin available. Can't remember what it was called, though.
I think there's a real-time velocity scaling MIDI plugin available. Can't remember what it was called, though.
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- Banned
- 12367 posts since 30 Apr, 2002 from i might peeramid
good idea to try them out first. action/springiness/touch can vary a lot in basic, 'synth'-weighted keyboards..
also, many have noisy keys i wouldn't want to try auditioning over..
also, many have noisy keys i wouldn't want to try auditioning over..
you come and go, you come and go. amitabha neither a follower nor a leader be tagore "where roads are made i lose my way" where there is certainty, consideration is absent.
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- KVRAF
- 4222 posts since 23 Feb, 2004 from Tucson Arizona USA
The 61 key clavier was a de-facto standard for longer, by the time of the first 88-key piano, than it has been since the first 88-key piano and now.
Organists and harpsichordists want 61 keys. Pianists want 88 keys.
There are issues at work here beyond simply the number of notes available. For example there is the relationship of visual cues to a practice regime to consider (but serious pianists should be practicing on a grand piano and nothing else, IMHO.)
Organists and harpsichordists want 61 keys. Pianists want 88 keys.
There are issues at work here beyond simply the number of notes available. For example there is the relationship of visual cues to a practice regime to consider (but serious pianists should be practicing on a grand piano and nothing else, IMHO.)