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Thinking about taking up keys...


Crescent Seven

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Posted

I have my basement all set up now that all my gear is at home, but I can't bring myself to pick up my bass for some reason. I feel like I need to do something different to get inspired again, so I'm looking at keyboards. I have a rudimentary knowledge of piano, I just need practice.

 

Do any of you guys (DevilPatchStormSoulFan, I'm lookin' at you, homey), have any suggestions for a mid-budget keyboard that I could use to not only get better, but also to gig if I choose to go that route? Something between $400 and $800 new, used is always an option. There are so many keyboard choices, and some of them don't do the things I'd want or have way too many features I won't use. It's confusing.

I was going to try the keyboard forum but it's pretty tech-oriented, and very slow, so I'm counting on youse guys. :D

C7

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Posted

The keyboard forum is still the place to check out since they know their gear. :wave:

 

First thing you need to decide: what do you want it to do? Make a few good sounds, including a / several good piano sound(s), or do you want to turn into a patch editing geek? :D

 

I e-bayed an Alesis QS 7.1 (76 keys) back in 2001 for more or less the same reasons and price range. More power/versatility than I need, but I really like its piano sounds, the ability to digitally weight the keys, and I added a PCMCIA-sized card to get more jazz and other piano sounds. The other hundreds of sounds are just gravy for {censored}s 'n' giggles.

 

If you just want a digital piano, do that instead. ;) Kurzweil supposedly has some great sounds off their model that's in your price range.

 

Look into Yamaha as well.

 

However - I have been nowhere near my board for several months, and don't have enough time to even practice bass. Learning and improving on keys is a pretty serious time investment. ;)

 

Good luck!

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Posted

I have my basement all set up now that all my gear is at home, but I can't bring myself to pick up my bass for some reason. I feel like I need to do something different to get inspired again, so I'm looking at keyboards. I have a rudimentary knowledge of piano, I just need practice.


Do any of you guys (DevilPatchStormSoulFan, I'm lookin' at you, homey), have any suggestions for a mid-budget keyboard that I could use to not only get better, but also to gig if I choose to go that route? Something between $400 and $800 new, used is always an option. There are so many keyboard choices, and some of them don't do the things I'd want or have way too many features I won't use. It's confusing.

I was going to try the keyboard forum but it's pretty tech-oriented, and very slow, so I'm counting on youse guys.
:D
C7

 

 

New:

Roland Juno-D is a killer keyboard for the price for both novices and pros alike

 

roland_juno_d.jpg

 

For used in that price range:

The Yamaha Motif Series

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Just bought a Williams Encore. Not for hauling around, but totally suitable for practicing piano with a piano feel. (Also midi and amp capable. Expect it to be my emergency backup to my Roland VK-77) Was on sale at GC for $400. It's set up in my living room where it'll get used frequently.

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I just bought some Yammy on Craigslist for $50. What I like about it is it has a chord dictionary to use as a reference. It's also got some built in lessons/songs to help out, too. Pretty neat, but no where near professional.

 

PS If I wanted to learn how to play, is there a good place online where I don't have to learn how to read music for some lessons?

 

Yo.

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Posted

 

I just bought some Yammy on Craigslist for $50. What I like about it is it has a chord dictionary to use as a reference. It's also got some built in lessons/songs to help out, too. Pretty neat, but no where near professional.


PS If I wanted to learn how to play, is there a good place online where I don't have to learn how to read music for some lessons?


Yo.

 

 

That sounds like a newer PSR (like a PSR-290 or PSR-292) and those are kick-ass little boards if one doesnt mind built in speakers and having no pitch or mod wheels/joystick or dep editing capabilities--The factory sounds are awesome and on par with many pro boards!

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Posted

I recently went through a similiar situation (being a bassist looking for decent keys - nothing too fancy but not crap either). I had a similiar budget in mind as well. After tons of research, I ended buying a used Roland XP-30 and I couldn't be happier - it's perfect for what I needed. I'd definately recommend that you look into one as an option for yourself. I don't remember exactly how much I paid but it was around $400 - there are usually a couple available on E(vil)bay at any given time.

 

This thread ( http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567834 ) might be useful for you. I queried the folks on the HCKeys forum for advice. It's interesting what I started out looking for, what advice I got, how I altered my choice/preferences along the way, and what I eventually ended up with. (the thread also got derailed a bit - a keys guy wanted my advice on a bass!).

 

I've done a lot more with this synth/keys since I got it than I had really even intended too. It absolutely has the abililty to "grow with me" - it can do SO much more than I'm asking of it at the moment. But it also does "just the basics" very well; it's easy to use, and I think it sounds great.

 

So, not advice from an actual keyboard guy, but there you go. Good luck, d.

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