|
Korg Forums A forum for Korg product users and musicians around the world. Moderated Independently. Owned by Irish Acts Recording Studio & hosted by KORG USA
|
View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
MinorKey Junior Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 77 Location: Slovakia
|
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 2:15 pm Post subject: Looking for a good 88-key MIDI Controller |
|
|
Hello,
can someone recommend me a good 88-key MIDI controller? I just want to control my synths with it - no DAW integration is needed.
The Roland A-800 looks good for example, but that one has only 61 keys. Maybe even 76 (or 73) keys would suffice. As far as key-action goes something semi-weighted would be nice - perhaps something like the M50? In any case, I'm not looking for fully/weighted piano-style keys.
The M-Audio Keystation popped up several times in my search results. Does someone have any experience with this one?
Many thanks. _________________ Current:
- Korg M3 Xpanded 61 + EXB-M256 & EXB-FW
- Yamaha Motif XF6 + FL1024M
Past:
- Korg M50 61
- Korg TR 61 + EXB-SMPL & 64MB RAM
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
michelkeijzers Approved Merchant
Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 9113 Location: Netherlands
|
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
My 2 cents: I also was looking for a 8 key controller, though fully weighted would be good to for me.
I bought a MidiPlus Vega 88P (like 300 or 400 euro)... to be honest: it was terrible, very strange key response, I could play more dynamically on a non-weighted keyboard, also it has MIDI issues (did not work with my Kronos), regularly key note on messages were not sent, or velocity to 127 (resulting in a high volume note), of course fully unacceptable for live playing. I got another one with the same problem.
Than I bought a StudioLogic Acuna 88, I like it a lot (even bought 2, one for hte rehearsal room and one for home).
However, a ' good' keyboard is always very personal, so better to play it yourself (and connect it to the required synth). _________________
Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/ |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MinorKey Junior Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 77 Location: Slovakia
|
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 10:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks alot for the reply, Michel.
I took a look at it and it looks nice. As you say, it is always best to try these kind of things out before you buy them, but unfortunately there are not so many places where you can go in and actually do it - atleast not where I live. That's why it's always good to hear what other people have to recommend.
I'm still kinda considering the A-800 although that one only has 61 keys. Either way I'm not in a hurry - before I buy anything new I would first want to sell 2 of my 4 synths. _________________ Current:
- Korg M3 Xpanded 61 + EXB-M256 & EXB-FW
- Yamaha Motif XF6 + FL1024M
Past:
- Korg M50 61
- Korg TR 61 + EXB-SMPL & 64MB RAM
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Joe Gerardi Platinum Member
Joined: 06 Oct 2012 Posts: 534 Location: Savannah, GA
|
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 11:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
You're asking for an 88-note keyboard, but then state you want unweighted keys. That's a tough one, as the purpose of an 88-note keyboard is to mimic the feel of a piano keyboard, which is weighted.
In 76 keys, I would recommend a used Roland Juno-Stage. It has a very good feeling keyboard (but no aftertouch) is light, and still has sounds built in. It's also quite inexpensive.
On the unweighted 88 front, to my knowledge, the only thing available is a used Roland RS-9 synth.
..Joe _________________ Current setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88 Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Roland M-GS64, Alesis QSR, Yamaha KX88 & KX76, Roland Super-JX, Juno-Stage, Kawai K4, Kawai K1II. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
SanderXpander Platinum Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 7860
|
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 2:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Many people seem to be happy using a Casio PX-5 stage piano as an 88-key controller. For a stage piano it's inexpensive and has a good keybed. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MinorKey Junior Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 77 Location: Slovakia
|
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 3:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Joe Gerardi wrote: | You're asking for an 88-note keyboard, but then state you want unweighted keys. That's a tough one, as the purpose of an 88-note keyboard is to mimic the feel of a piano keyboard, which is weighted.
In 76 keys, I would recommend a used Roland Juno-Stage. It has a very good feeling keyboard (but no aftertouch) is light, and still has sounds built in. It's also quite inexpensive.
On the unweighted 88 front, to my knowledge, the only thing available is a used Roland RS-9 synth.
..Joe |
Thanks.
I thought so that there aren't so many options when it comes to 88 unweighted keys. Now I have it confirmed.
Maybe weighted keys would work fine for me as well, but I'd really need to try them first. I don't know what I'll end up buying (if anything) if I don't get the chance to do so, but that's for me to figure out. I have limited experience with a real piano and I asked for unweighted keys to be more or less on the safe side in case ordering from the internet will be my only option.
In any case thank you for the comprehensive reply. _________________ Current:
- Korg M3 Xpanded 61 + EXB-M256 & EXB-FW
- Yamaha Motif XF6 + FL1024M
Past:
- Korg M50 61
- Korg TR 61 + EXB-SMPL & 64MB RAM
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
MinorKey Junior Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 77 Location: Slovakia
|
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 3:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
SanderXpander wrote: | Many people seem to be happy using a Casio PX-5 stage piano as an 88-key controller. For a stage piano it's inexpensive and has a good keybed. |
Thanks for the tip. _________________ Current:
- Korg M3 Xpanded 61 + EXB-M256 & EXB-FW
- Yamaha Motif XF6 + FL1024M
Past:
- Korg M50 61
- Korg TR 61 + EXB-SMPL & 64MB RAM
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
DeltaJockey Senior Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2015 Posts: 303 Location: East Gippsland, Australia
|
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 11:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
I use a Nektar Impact LX88 successfully with my Kronos2 61, pretty much in the way you are looking for. It has semi weighted keys, and after a bit of playing I have become quite attached to the way it feels.
For me it's a good compromise in weight for travelling, with 88 keys and playing the excellent Kronos pianos, and is also good for the synth style patches, with keyboard split.
It connects nicely to the Kronos with USB, which powers it too.
It does also have a MIDI out port, and to power it if using that instead I just attach a USB Ipod or phone style charger to the usb port.
The Nektar only weighs about 8kg, so the combined weight of it and the Kronos 61 is less than carting my Kronos 88 around. _________________ The companions I can't live without: Kawai Acoustic Grand, Kawai MP11SE, Yamaha Montage8, Korg D1
Other important stuff: Kronos2-73, Studiologic NC2X, NI Komplete Ultimate 11, Sonuscore Elysion and Orchestra, Pianoteq, Experimenta Due. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MinorKey Junior Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 77 Location: Slovakia
|
Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 8:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sorry for the late response.
Thanks for the tip, this one looks great too. Once I finally manage to sell at least one of my synths I feel like it will be a serious contender.
DeltaJockey wrote: | I use a Nektar Impact LX88 successfully with my Kronos2 61, pretty much in the way you are looking for. It has semi weighted keys, and after a bit of playing I have become quite attached to the way it feels.
For me it's a good compromise in weight for travelling, with 88 keys and playing the excellent Kronos pianos, and is also good for the synth style patches, with keyboard split.
It connects nicely to the Kronos with USB, which powers it too.
It does also have a MIDI out port, and to power it if using that instead I just attach a USB Ipod or phone style charger to the usb port.
The Nektar only weighs about 8kg, so the combined weight of it and the Kronos 61 is less than carting my Kronos 88 around. |
_________________ Current:
- Korg M3 Xpanded 61 + EXB-M256 & EXB-FW
- Yamaha Motif XF6 + FL1024M
Past:
- Korg M50 61
- Korg TR 61 + EXB-SMPL & 64MB RAM
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Joe Gerardi Platinum Member
Joined: 06 Oct 2012 Posts: 534 Location: Savannah, GA
|
Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 1:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
FYI, one of the Roland RS-9 has come up on eBay. If you want an 88 semi with sounds, this will work nicely. (No, not me selling it.)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Roland-RS-9-64-Voice-Synthesizer-/401197803667?hash=item5d6940a893:g:4y4AAOSwLF1X7aD-
..Joe _________________ Current setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88 Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Roland M-GS64, Alesis QSR, Yamaha KX88 & KX76, Roland Super-JX, Juno-Stage, Kawai K4, Kawai K1II. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
michelkeijzers Approved Merchant
Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 9113 Location: Netherlands
|
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2016 9:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
Forget my reply, I have missed the weighted part (the one I mentioned has fully weighted keys). Sorry for the miscommunication and good luck finding a keyboard. _________________
Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/ |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MinorKey Junior Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 77 Location: Slovakia
|
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2016 9:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
Many thanks. By the time I sell my older synths this will most likely already be sold, but thank you regardless.
It's always good to have more info. _________________ Current:
- Korg M3 Xpanded 61 + EXB-M256 & EXB-FW
- Yamaha Motif XF6 + FL1024M
Past:
- Korg M50 61
- Korg TR 61 + EXB-SMPL & 64MB RAM
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
MinorKey Junior Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 77 Location: Slovakia
|
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2016 9:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
michelkeijzers wrote: | Forget my reply, I have missed the weighted part (the one I mentioned has fully weighted keys). Sorry for the miscommunication and good luck finding a keyboard. |
No problem. _________________ Current:
- Korg M3 Xpanded 61 + EXB-M256 & EXB-FW
- Yamaha Motif XF6 + FL1024M
Past:
- Korg M50 61
- Korg TR 61 + EXB-SMPL & 64MB RAM
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Emma Gloor
Joined: 21 Feb 2017 Posts: 1
|
Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 6:19 am Post subject: Roland RS-9 64-Voice Synthesizer |
|
|
Roland RS-9 64-Voice Synthesizer is one of the best MIDI controller I've ever seen.You may also used it.I hope it will be best MIDI controller for you.I've learned many things like that from best piano keyboard. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MinorKey Junior Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 77 Location: Slovakia
|
Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Roland RS-9 64-Voice Synthesizer |
|
|
Emma Gloor wrote: | Roland RS-9 64-Voice Synthesizer is one of the best MIDI controller I've ever seen.You may also used it.I hope it will be best MIDI controller for you.I've learned many things like that from best piano keyboard. |
Thanks for the tip. _________________ Current:
- Korg M3 Xpanded 61 + EXB-M256 & EXB-FW
- Yamaha Motif XF6 + FL1024M
Past:
- Korg M50 61
- Korg TR 61 + EXB-SMPL & 64MB RAM
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|