keyboard suggestions, what should i buy?

I am looking to buy a keyboard as a gift for a friend. I am a musician myself but i play the guitar not the keyboard. Although I am eager to learn the keyboard as well to benefit my songwriting. My question is what keyboard should i get my friend? I am looking to spend between $200 and $350 dollars. My friend has a new mac powerbook with garage band. So I am thinking about getting a keyboard that just plugs into their mac. If i go that route what keyboard is the best bang for my buck? Should I even go that route? Basically what I am asking is what is the best bang for my buck in the $200 - $350 price range? I know these harmony central forums are the place to go for quality feedback, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

There are a lot of options for USB controllers. Here's a good place to start: http://www.sweetwater.com/c519--61-Key_Controllers

thanks man. Any suggestions on which ones play the best? / hold up the best?

Korg micro-Kontrol 37 key midi contoller $300 !

Best bang for the buck without question is the CME UF range:

http://www.novamusik.com/search.aspx?type=Manufacturer&keyword=191&mid=191

The only real caveat is that with CME keyboards you should not use the enclosed MIDI driver, as it has terrible problems, but rather use a dedicated MIDI interface such as M-Audio and MOTU make.

I also highly recommend the Novation Remote SL series. They are more expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for. You say you would use it with a Mac? They work perfectly with Macs using the Mac's own drivers. There are no headaches with a Novation.

The Korg is also a good choice. I think the CMEs and the Novations have a better feel, though, IMO. Keyboards, particularly the touch, are very subjective; it would be best if you were able to play these at a good music store.

thank you soo much for the input. So heres where I am at so far.

CME-UF 60 $350

Korg k61 $179.99

korg k61p $349.99

m-audio keystation 61-es $169.97

m-audio axiom 61 $299.97

* one major question what is the big difference between the korg k61 and the korg k61p and the m-audio 61 es and the m audio axiom 61 a.k.a what are you paying the extra $150 dollars for? just different options or quality of construction as well.

*remember this keyboard is a gift for a friend that use to play piano and can read sheet music. They are looking to get back into playing the keys

- price plays a factor so i want to purchase whatever the best bang for my buck will be, but at the same time i want a keyboard thats going to last

- it's going to be used with garageband which is the new version thats already on their mac powerbook.

* I don't know much about keyboards so your guys help is greatly appreciated it. thank you!

The korg k61p has built in sounds and can be used

w/o computer, the k61 is just a midi controller and

you need a computer or midi module to get sounds, thus

the price difference.

Has anyone heard the sounds on the k61p, I'm wondering if

they are as good or better than the sounds in garageband? IE,

is it worth the $170 price difference?

... the Novations have a better feel, though, IMO. Keyboards, particularly the touch, are very subjective; it would be best if you were able to play these at a good music store.

And to illustrate this point, I'll point out that I don't particularly care for the feel of the SL. So, if at all possible, try out the keyboard in person before deciding on one. The key feel I like won't necessarily be what you like.

Happy hunting!

Don't miss Birdie's comment that the CME-UF needs an additional midi interface. Something simple along the lines of an M-Audio Uno will do.

thanks for the input once again. So right now I am thinking about purchasing the m-audio keystation 61 es $170 or the m-audio 81es $199. I have read some pretty decent reviews for them. Would the 81 probably be better for someone who was use to playing piano? Any other suggestions that you think would be a better option? Once again thank you very much for the help

The 61es has semi-weighted keys. The k61 has synth keys.

The k61 has a few extra midi-control assignable knobs,

plus adds a joystick that doubles as a mouse (GREAT feature).

I'm a beginner and chose the korg because I've had a couple

of m-audio non-keyboard products that were fairly

unreliable and vowed never to buy one of their products again.

Not to say that their keyboards are bad though, others might

have different opinions...

The axiom adds a bunch of extra midi-control knobs,

pads and transport buttons. If you need to change

a bunch of parameters on the fly (ie playing live),

than you may need more knobs. Otherwise, if you are just

noodling in garageband @home, you really don't need all of

the extra controls.

There's no difference between the 61es and 88es

except the number of keys. The keys will feel the same.

The 61es is just small enough to play on your lap on the couch,

the 88es is long (as long as a real piano) so you really

need more room or a stand. Do you need the extra octaves?

Consider where the computer is located and size of the desk it's on.

It's really personal preference...

If your friend is a piano player, you might consider the

pro 88 since it has fully weighted keys (will feel more

like a real piano). But it's going to be alot more keyboard

than you need, is heavy, and out of your stated price range.

thanks for the info mandoman. I read some reviews on musiciansfriend and the m-audio 61 es got pretty good reviews. The korg got terrible reviews on MF. The reviews said it was very toy like and felt cheap, but I think you mentioned that you owned a korg so you probably have some input as far as that goes. Anyway as of now i think the m-audio 61 es is the direction i'm heading unless someone thinks this is a mistake and that i should go with a different brand. ONce again thank you very much for your kind and timely responses!

No problem. You are making a fine choice I'm sure.

As I mentioned, I chose Korg simply because I'm

a little biased against m-audio and I'm a beginner

so the difference in feel was minimal to me.

Actually, both the korg and the m-audio feel like toys to me, nothing like my acoustic upright piano in terms of feel.

But that's just how it is with these cheap plastic spring

loaded keyboards.

Again, I think you're friend will be happy with the 61es.

Enjoy!

Novation. Save up some more and get one. Best synth thats also ready for use with puters and soft synths in your puter. 49 keys is plenty, 61 if you really want and can aford the bit extra for.