Hi
My main keyboard (Roland FP-1) is dying at the moment so I'm looking for a new nice 88 key hammer action controller thats not too expensive.
The KX-8, SL990 Pro and K.ON seem to be 3 contenders which should be within acceptable quality and which have no problems like the CME stuff (black keys can't go to velocity of 127 and the like).
The Studiologic would be the cheapest oner, the Yamaha maybe the on with the best keyboard feel, the ESI would have the best layout with pitch bend/modulation on the side as I place my keyboard under the table,
I have found positive reports for the KX-8 and the SL990 (but some people mentioning the Studiologics would be dying after a few years) but nothing for the K.ONE. I don't even know who's building the keys for this one.
If someone could shed light on this it would be very helpful!
Regards, Markus
Yamaha KX8 vs. Studiologic SL 990 Pro vs. ESI K.ON
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- KVRer
- 10 posts since 15 Oct, 2005 from Pacific
Hi.
I am also interested in the KX8, but I can't find any good user reviews on it. I am a pianist and I need a board like this for my home recording studio.
Steve
http://www.sanddust.com
I am also interested in the KX8, but I can't find any good user reviews on it. I am a pianist and I need a board like this for my home recording studio.
Steve
http://www.sanddust.com
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- KVRian
- 611 posts since 21 Oct, 2006
For those interested, I found this:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much- ... a-kx8.html
Personally, I'd like to try out the KX8, even though I currently own a SL990XP.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much- ... a-kx8.html
Personally, I'd like to try out the KX8, even though I currently own a SL990XP.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 153 posts since 20 Apr, 2005
Thanx for that JediMind!
I tried a Yamaha P85 DigiPiano yesterday which should have the same or almost the same key action as the KX8 and I really did like it, but maybe the touch was a bit too light. I've decided that the KX8 is too big for placement under my working table so there is not much left.
It would be nice if you could describe the touch of your SL990XP as detailed as you can, Please include your experience/comparison with another piano-like actions if you have one!
I tried a Yamaha P85 DigiPiano yesterday which should have the same or almost the same key action as the KX8 and I really did like it, but maybe the touch was a bit too light. I've decided that the KX8 is too big for placement under my working table so there is not much left.
It would be nice if you could describe the touch of your SL990XP as detailed as you can, Please include your experience/comparison with another piano-like actions if you have one!
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- KVRian
- 611 posts since 21 Oct, 2006
Well, I don't have much experience in this since I'm pretty happy with my current setup. I've used a lot of synth action MIDI controllers before I realized I wanted to play proper piano.
My first encounter on the heavy side was with a Korg SP-250. At that time, it seemed uber-heavy for my fingers and I was like "no way". I tried other Korgs as well and they all seemed either too heavy or too plastic, if you know what I mean.
I checked out a local online music store and asked someone about a nice action keyboard. He recommended me the SL990XP (since I wanted to use two pedals) over the M-Audio Keystation Pro and the CME UF80.
Not having much experience, I thought it felt pretty good. I'm no professional so I can't tell if it feels like an actual piano or if you can play glissando's or Flight of the Bumble-Bee on it. I'm quite sure that depends on the player, not the keyboard.
The action is just as the guy at the store described it: the keys are lighter in the higher octaves and heavier in the lower ones. In retrospective, I think that the SP-250 keys needed a lot more force. Although the keys are lighter, they're still pretty solid. There's no way you can brush a wrong key and make it sound.
This controller is now 2 years old. It feels a bit lighter than when I bought it. I can safely say I got used to it. The keys may feel real, but the sound they make doesn't. Some keys make that specific "klink" noise when pressing them straight down or from a certain angle. Headphones or speakers can solve this but not laptop speakers.
I recently played on an upright...horribly. I'm no virtuoso but I'm sure my hands aren't 10 pounds each. I couldn't play "soft". The keys felt much lighter and even a bit springy. It just didn't feel right (it was a "Chang..." upright. AFAIK, uprights have a much brighter sound and lighter keys.)
Fatar recently released the Numa, which isn't cheap at all ($2k?) The SL-880 is said to have the best action, and the VMK-188+ has the same type of keybed as the SL990 (TP40GH)
Now I'm interested in trying out the KX8 or the Kurzweil Mark Pro Two SR digital piano. (which is cheaper than the Numa) The Kurzweil keybed is made by Fatar so I don't think I'm missing anything. I don't understand why it's so expensive (besides the incorporated sounds, speakers, pedals etc.)
My first encounter on the heavy side was with a Korg SP-250. At that time, it seemed uber-heavy for my fingers and I was like "no way". I tried other Korgs as well and they all seemed either too heavy or too plastic, if you know what I mean.
I checked out a local online music store and asked someone about a nice action keyboard. He recommended me the SL990XP (since I wanted to use two pedals) over the M-Audio Keystation Pro and the CME UF80.
Not having much experience, I thought it felt pretty good. I'm no professional so I can't tell if it feels like an actual piano or if you can play glissando's or Flight of the Bumble-Bee on it. I'm quite sure that depends on the player, not the keyboard.
The action is just as the guy at the store described it: the keys are lighter in the higher octaves and heavier in the lower ones. In retrospective, I think that the SP-250 keys needed a lot more force. Although the keys are lighter, they're still pretty solid. There's no way you can brush a wrong key and make it sound.
This controller is now 2 years old. It feels a bit lighter than when I bought it. I can safely say I got used to it. The keys may feel real, but the sound they make doesn't. Some keys make that specific "klink" noise when pressing them straight down or from a certain angle. Headphones or speakers can solve this but not laptop speakers.
I recently played on an upright...horribly. I'm no virtuoso but I'm sure my hands aren't 10 pounds each. I couldn't play "soft". The keys felt much lighter and even a bit springy. It just didn't feel right (it was a "Chang..." upright. AFAIK, uprights have a much brighter sound and lighter keys.)
Fatar recently released the Numa, which isn't cheap at all ($2k?) The SL-880 is said to have the best action, and the VMK-188+ has the same type of keybed as the SL990 (TP40GH)
Now I'm interested in trying out the KX8 or the Kurzweil Mark Pro Two SR digital piano. (which is cheaper than the Numa) The Kurzweil keybed is made by Fatar so I don't think I'm missing anything. I don't understand why it's so expensive (besides the incorporated sounds, speakers, pedals etc.)
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 153 posts since 20 Apr, 2005
Thanx for the info! I think I'm going with the SL 990 Pro as its really cheap. In addition I'll also get a M-Audio 88es for a synth feel. Together they are the same price as the KX8.
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rectus_dominus rectus_dominus https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=189415
- KVRian
- 735 posts since 16 Sep, 2008
Before you buy the SL990 Pro, compare it to the SL 990 XP.... I have an XP, and on paper, the pro is lighter than that. I can easily play synths on my keyboard, though it's considered hard... Redundancy can also be a huge problem, I think
Also, the XP is cheaper than the Pro (at the places I've seen it)
Studiologic just released the Numa, so I don't think it's dying...
EDIT: For a synth keyboard, try getting a second-hand Fatar TMK-88... It is extremely fun to play on
(Cheap and light, but constructed well)
Also, the XP is cheaper than the Pro (at the places I've seen it)
Studiologic just released the Numa, so I don't think it's dying...
EDIT: For a synth keyboard, try getting a second-hand Fatar TMK-88... It is extremely fun to play on
(Cheap and light, but constructed well)
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- KVRian
- 611 posts since 21 Oct, 2006
I'm interested in a KX8 review. I wanna try some lighter keys. Maybe heavy keys aren't really the thing for me (although I play pretty well on my current setup)
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 153 posts since 20 Apr, 2005
Well the XP is 50€ more than the Pro at the german Thomann store. I did assume the Pro and XP have the absolutely same key action? I couldn't find a difference at the studiologic site. Strangley the Pro has a higher MSRP than the XP! So are the key actions really different?
I'm sure the TMK-88 would be the better 88key synth keyboard, but I think I don't like second hand stuff...
I'm sure the TMK-88 would be the better 88key synth keyboard, but I think I don't like second hand stuff...
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rectus_dominus rectus_dominus https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=189415
- KVRian
- 735 posts since 16 Sep, 2008
Pro has got a lighter key action, and it offers a bit wider scale of midi interaction, as I read... The XP is cheaper here, as the provider keeps itself to the MSRP
/Here: SL 990 XP - Original Price:460E Actual price:280E
SL 990 Pro - Original Price: 360E Actual price:360E/
I'm sure that a good second hand TMK-88 is better than a new M-audio 88es
Inform more about second hand stuff, then consider buying it... Purchasing defected crap can also occur if you don't test before buy. About used ebay stuff, I think you have the right to send back stuff if you don't like it (in 3 days, maybe)
Search on ebay for TMK-88
/Here: SL 990 XP - Original Price:460E Actual price:280E
SL 990 Pro - Original Price: 360E Actual price:360E/
I'm sure that a good second hand TMK-88 is better than a new M-audio 88es
Inform more about second hand stuff, then consider buying it... Purchasing defected crap can also occur if you don't test before buy. About used ebay stuff, I think you have the right to send back stuff if you don't like it (in 3 days, maybe)
Search on ebay for TMK-88
Just let its Sound do the talking: http://www.synthmaster.com/
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 153 posts since 20 Apr, 2005
I got an answer from the studiologic distributor and they say the keyboards actions are the same named TP40GH.
The xp is 450€ here, your prices are really low! The Pro is 400.
I found a new TMK-88 new at a dealer and will definately consider it. Only problem is that I would maybe need a midi interface, which would be another 50 or so Euro. As most stuff comes with USB connections today this one will be superfluous sometime in the future. Or does the SL990 have midi thru?
The xp is 450€ here, your prices are really low! The Pro is 400.
I found a new TMK-88 new at a dealer and will definately consider it. Only problem is that I would maybe need a midi interface, which would be another 50 or so Euro. As most stuff comes with USB connections today this one will be superfluous sometime in the future. Or does the SL990 have midi thru?
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rectus_dominus rectus_dominus https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=189415
- KVRian
- 735 posts since 16 Sep, 2008
No it doesn't... Yet... Mwuhahaa
I took hours and hours finding more about Fatar controllers, and people from the hungarian provider wrote comparisons about the XP and Pro...
Really low? For your country... We have much much lower wages here, and yeah, we will suck more in the upcoming financial disaster
I took hours and hours finding more about Fatar controllers, and people from the hungarian provider wrote comparisons about the XP and Pro...
Really low? For your country... We have much much lower wages here, and yeah, we will suck more in the upcoming financial disaster
Just let its Sound do the talking: http://www.synthmaster.com/
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- KVRer
- 4 posts since 24 Oct, 2008
I have had the kx8 here for testing and was very satisfied with the daw controlling (Cubas4.5), but not that much with the keyboard-action. It is not bad, but not comparable with the Fatar TP40GH. Very light and the grading isn't the best. If you look for a piano feel, don't take the kx8.
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- KVRian
- 559 posts since 4 Apr, 2008
Here's a KX8 user, (former), review I found:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... ws/#anchor
Can anyone verify the lack of a transposition feature. I read through the manual, and no mention was made of this. Only octave, (or 2), up or down seems available, no semitone transposing.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... ws/#anchor
Can anyone verify the lack of a transposition feature. I read through the manual, and no mention was made of this. Only octave, (or 2), up or down seems available, no semitone transposing.