Outdated pro level keyboards VS New entry-level keyboards

Basically, I want to get a 61 key keyboard to take with me to university in September. Firstly I need something smaller then my 76 key casio, but I would also like an upgrade in the sound department. Said keyboard also need to be a competent midi controller. I dont need a sequencer. My budget is

You may be able to find a Motif 6 for around that price range. It's keybed is amazing, it sounds great, is a great controller, and is sturdy as all hell.

MOTIF CLASSIC PRON (just for fun)

Oh, but to answer your question...old pro keyboards (in good shape) are a better bet than new budget keyboards. They're usually more reliable, better built, and have better keybeds (since you'll ultimately use it as a controller anyway).

this one just finished on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120509490523&ih=002&category=38091&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1#ht_1171wt_1165

they quite rarely come up on ebay as opposed to the daily influx of 20 microKORGs being sold by dissapointed 14 year olds who have realised its not the moster megasynth they expected

Might be able to get a Motif 6 for slightly less than that as this one is boxed. Its still quite a bit more that i can afford (i also want to buy a used copy of Logic studio 8)

Thanks for quick response anyways

Akliner speaks sooth. Pro keyboards are like cars; They're hella expensive new and lose half their value when you drive them off the lot, but they're still just as good as they were to start with.

I'm not sure I buy that analogy all the way ... cars will break down more than keyboards ... I'd much rather own a new entry-level car (or even 1-2 years old to beat depreciation) than something 5-7 years old (esp. if it's a luxury car like Merc or BMW with expensive repairs ... )

But in general ... used pro keyboard > new entry level

.........

To O.P. Not realy jazzed by any of your choices ... Why not used Triton Extreme or even Triton classic (with more insert effects than Le with bad build quality ... ???)

There is a software editor for programming that makes things much easier. The piano sounds are not that great compared to the latest keyboards but you don't get a CS6x for the piano sounds.

The advantage the CS6x has over a lot of newer keyboards like the Motif is controllability. More knobs, ribbon, breath controller input, lots of pedal inputs, etc. The sound engine is essentially the same as the motifs but the motifs have slightly better samples. It's even patch compatable for the most part with some of the older yamaha S series keyboards.

If you want to make electronica with the CS6x the arp may end up being your limiting factor. There are 128 difference sequences, however that's what your stuck with, you can't create your own. Also when sync'ed to midi the timing is a little late which is a headache to deal with. However you can put the old plug-in cards for VA/FM/Drums/etc. in a CS6x.

The phrase sequencer in the CS6x is fairly limited but it does make samples sound better for some reason, not sure exactly why that is. The sounds are great for electronica.

The Triton Le has probably one of the worst keybeds I've ever touched. The EX5/7 are more limited than the CS6x is some ways. A CS6x with a pair of extra cards in it is probably better.

I know nothing about the fusion.

The CS6x certainly does look tempting, none of the cons you stated are really a deal breaker for me. The piano sounds I would want would be the Robert Miles style delay dance piano and some kind of ambient piano, both of these I managed to achieve on my wk-3800, so they shouldn't be a problem. I am sure the CS6x piano is better than the shocking Triton LE piano anyways

What about a used Kurzweil K2000? I think Robert Miles used that one a lot...

I listened to the demo of the K2000 V3 on synthmania and I wasn't grabbed by any of the sounds (I know they're just presets and that you can allegedly program any sound you want in VAST) Also I wouldn't really feel comfortable buying a keyboard that was the same age as me

Also I wouldn't really feel comfortable buying a keyboard that was the same age as me

I would love to own synths 20+ years older than me

It all depends on the condition of the board. I've seen some that looked like they were run over with a truck.

And I've seen some that look in pristine condition.

I listened to the demo of the K2000 V3 on synthmania and I wasn't grabbed by any of the sounds (I know they're just presets and that you can allegedly program any sound you want in VAST) Also I wouldn't really feel comfortable buying a keyboard that was the same age as me

Firstly, I don't think a keyboard sounds good UNTIL its at least as old as me. In fact, the amount its older than me, is directly proportional to how much cooler it is. For example, I'm like thirty, and my Wurlitzer is about forty, so it is therefore ten years or 1000% cool.

While lets say an Ensoniq VFX is only about twenty years old, so its about two-thirds or 66% cooler than a modern keyboard.

Secondly, the K2000 sounds very dated, but it is still very awesome. UNLESS you get a K2vx which I *think* has a newer sound set. You could also look into a used PC1 or PC2, but I'm not sure how programmable those boards are.

Triton extreme is way too expensive, goes for about

I would love to own synths 20+ years older than me

Ditto. 1935 was a good year for electronic music.

As far as older pro keyboards being outdated, I would argue that some workstations and digital synths from the 90s are far and away more feature-rich and better sounding than anything you'd find new in the same $500 price range. The EX5 and K2000/2500, for example, are powerful and deep units that still sound great, while the Roland JV 2080 and XV3080/5080 are also really good, and cheap.

I played a K2000 recently ( a blue one!) and thought the sounds were a bit dated. It was at a Christmas concert and they used a lot of patches like harp, piano, etc. I thought they were a bit dull.

For starters, you don't have to worry about other peoples snot all over the keys.

I've been burned on a few used purchases in the past, and that can really turn one off of the whole used thing.

I'm definitely of the mindset to buy a used flagship synth as opposed to a current budget synth. A Yamaha EX7, for example, would be a well built machine with pro features and a great feeling keybed. You couldn't buy anything new for that price that even came close. Not to mention, as the years go by, the build quality is getting worse. Compare a top of the line controller circa 1985-1995 (i.e. Yamaha KX-88 or Roland A-80/A-90) to a current Yamaha KX-8 or that M-Audio plastic garbage.

You mentioned not liking the Roland Romplers. I think a Roland XP-80 (or 60) with a vintage synth card in it is a great sound and a great keyboard. I use a JV-1080 module religioulsy. But, of course, sonic taste is personal. It sounds like the CS6X would best fit your wants. They are not commonly found on ebay here in the states. Are they more common where you are?

I had a similar decision, though it was between an older workstation and newer (motif 6/motif es6 vs the korg m50). I decided to save some $ and go with the original motif, the keybed is really nice. I needed a new controller so having a nice keybed was a real plus. The x50 and m50 just felt flimsy and cheap. Now the m3 felt awesome, but that is a big step up price-wise...

I think I will definitely go for a used keyboard, probably will be the CS6x as it meets pretty all my reqirements

-Solid build quality, metal casing

-relatively compact size

-Nice, relatively quiet key action with aftertouch

-Good features as a master keyboard

-Lots of knobs for on the fly editing

-the sounds are to my liking (I dont need 'the best' piano sound in the world)

-expandable (an1x is one of my favorite sounding synths of all time and there is an AN card available)

-additional nice features: ribbon controller, breath controller input

-built in power supply

-goes for peanuts used

If anyone has any horror stories/warnings about this machine, apart from it's sound not being to their personal taste, could they please warn me?

Also it would be useful if anyone has any sound demos of this synth they put up, as there really isn't much out there, there are only about 6 up on YouTube, but apart from the one I posted in my original post, there are all a bit rubbish. I have also listened to Dodging Rain's demos and the vengeance soundset demo.

Thanks

If you need a sampler as well, Fantom Xa would probably be within your budget (but I don't know if it's any good for trance/electronica, and it's not got aftertouch).

I've got a Korg Triton ProX that has fantastic keybed and great sounds etc. The sounds (especially pianos) are a little dated though. I now have a Kurzweil PC3 but I still use the Korg as a controller. For

Would you suggest the Motif 6 over the Korg M50? I love the sounds of both keyboards, but each have their pros ad cons it seems.

For build and feel. Yes. For most sounds these days, sadly, no.

I had a CS6x when they came out in 1999 and paid like $1699 for it.

Geat sounds but I really wanted more of a workstation type board - I think the biggest drawback was the display and the limited 4mb sampling RAM.

Sounds like you'll be happy with the CS6x for what you want.

Just for the record though, the Fusion UI is not at all hard... very easy to access all its synth parameters, big wide screen, modern (2005) features. Great keyboard feel with aftertouch, good build and relatively light and small. More for the sound designer and live player than an electronica preset machine, although it does have pretty good arps, drums, and 303 emulation. The MIXes are fun right out of the box.

The EX7/EX5 also sounds very nice, very polished, but it would be too bulky for you to carry around campus. Don't know if you'll really use the breath controller, being into trance, but the ribbon would be nice, eh?