8 octave midi-keyboard suggestions?

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I'm looking to buy a piano-sized midi-keyboard, most likely semi-weighted. I was going for a smaller size with knobs, pads and sliders at first, but decided I might as well go for a larger keyboard and get the pads etc. in a separate controller. Price is an issue, but so is feel and durability. Automapping doesn't seem all that big an issue for me, as I use Energy-xt and mostly freeware synths, so I'm not banking on being catered for in that department.
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Exists?

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The UF8 exists! :shock:
I have one. :D

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Kalamata Kid wrote:The UF8 exists! :shock:
I have one. :D
Yes but it's not an 8 octave keyboard :D
(88 keys = 7.3 octaves ih ih ;) )

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To my knowledge, there is no '8 octave midi-keyboard' available commercially. If you want an '8 octave midi-keyboard', then I'm afraid you're going to have to buy one custom made, or you might fancy undertaking a new DIY project?

A standard piano has 88 keys, don't get confused with that being 8 octaves. However, there are pianos which do have an extra octave - usually at the bass end.
Opax

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Well my ElkaMK88 can be expanded by 2 octaves using an external keyboard. But as said by Opax there's no 8 octaves keyboard available.

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Mighty Pea wrote:I'm looking to buy a piano-sized midi-keyboard, most likely semi-weighted. I was going for a smaller size with knobs, pads and sliders at first, but decided I might as well go for a larger keyboard and get the pads etc. in a separate controller. Price is an issue, but so is feel and durability. Automapping doesn't seem all that big an issue for me, as I use Energy-xt and mostly freeware synths, so I'm not banking on being catered for in that department.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-MM6- ... 1172637.gc

A Yamaha MM6 has features that compliment freeware synths quite nicely, although it's 61 keys, those missing ones rarely see much real musical use. $100 rebate at GC, saw it Wednesday.
You can download the manual to see it's got a lot under the hood. 8)

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Thanks guys.
I wasn't entirely sure about the number of keys, I just got the 8 octaves from a wikipedia article on piano. I'm going through the links now, these are great. I obviously trust kvr advice more than the often absolutely contrasting, ranty reviews on vendor websites. I'm still sad there isn't just a Korg Kontrol88, as I love the aesthetics as well as the feel, but I'll just have to get over that. Since it seems I'll be waiting for quite a bit longer (low income, high outgoing, woo!), are there any keyboards upcoming I should keep an eye on?
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Hi everyone!

I have a problem: i need an 88-note keyboard for playing with my daw, but i don't have any idea of which controller i have to buy, only a thing is certain, that it must be a great quality one.

I'll prefer a weighted piano controller with modulation and pitch bend controllers, and if possible, with aftertouch. No other knobs, sliders are needed.

After surfing around the net i've found the CME controllers (ZCS series, around 500€), Doepfer LMK2 (around 1000€) and Studiologic Fatar SL990 Pro/XP (respectively 330-500€). All of them have weighted action, but the sl990 doesn't support aftertouch.

I've read very nice review about the Doepfer but his price range made me wonder if it is really convenient to buy a midi controller of this price tag, compared to stage pianos.

There are many SP on that price with built-in sounds and effects. I have read that the best piano keyboards are built inside the Kawai MP8, also in Roland RD-700SX.

If someone have tried these keyboard pls tell me your impressions.

My final though is: is better to spend 1000€ in a midi controller, or 2000€ in a stage piano (that have also a very realistic touch, plus builtin sounds)?

tnx

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