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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I know I'm probably going to open a can of worms by asking this, but what are your opinions on what the best keyboard is? I went to a GC in Grand Rapids a couple of weeks ago and checked out a number of them, and kinda liked the Korg Extreme. Does anyone know enough about keyboards to suggest the most "bang for your buck" keyboard? |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Vince, It completely depends on what you want to do with it.
1. self contained synth?
2. midi trigger for other modules?
3. on board sequencer?
4. production workstation?
5. sampler?
My own experience is that everything on the keyboard other than the black and white keys is a compromise. What I mean is, yes some have sequencers but it's a far cry from a DAW sequencer. Some do have sampling capability, but it isn't anywhere near what a good rack sampler can do. The synth engines are actually pretty good.
I wanted to buy a Triton but the price was a barrier. So I got the Triton LE and frankly I'd glad I didn't spend anything more. I actually use it very little. My main rig is a $500. midi keyboard controller (Roland A-30) and I've got a JLCooper midi switchbox that I can tap into 4 different rack mount synth modules (2-alesis, 1-emu, 1-yamaha), plus I can tap into the synth engine of the Triton LE. Lately I have mostly been using the controller just to trigger DXi software synths within Sonar.
I realize this does nothing ot answer your question. Bang for the buck? Jeez, I don't know. If you want a general purpose everything unit I do like the Triton LE even though I barely use it's capabilities. Consider this - the more you spend now the bigger the heartache will be in 9 months when the next new gee-wiz keyboard hits the market.
Dave |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | I have owned a couple of Roland products and currently own an XP50 as I wanted the onboard sequencer.
Dave is dead on with this...it depends on what you want. Bang for the buck would be to find a good used unit, but you need to determine what you are really after. The Korg's have some of the best piano sounds, Rolands are great with synth, strings and B-3 type sounds.
Korg manuals tend to be pretty good, Roland stinks, but there is good forum supports.
I would do the reviews at Harmony central after you figure out which synths fit the bill. Do you want a sequencer? How many keys (61, 88 or???).
We have used our XP50 several times a week for maybe 10 years now. I was thinking of adding a used Triton to be able to have some diversity, but haven't bit the bullet yet.
Go try out a lot of stuff, and the different sounds to make sure that what you want is there before buying anything. Don't be afraid to shop the bay either. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | korg triton 88 work station.
bought it for sue.
it makes a great clothes rack and cd stand.
also a killer keyboard tons of potential barely any of it utilized |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Do you want the full 88 keys? If you want the touch of a piano, you should plan on significant extra weight.
We have a Roland EX2000? Not sure of the model. It's been a few years, but it has way more than we needed. |
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Keyboard Question