M3-88 and M3-73 comparison?

[Pumpkin King]

So I went to a Sam Ash store today to get my Triton Extreme fixed and was checking out the M3. Though they only had an 88 key model on display.

What's the difference with both models. For instance, with the feeling of the keys and portability? I'd like to know which model would suit me best if I were to get one.

Thanks.

[McHale]

88 is weighted. 73 is semi weighted. Some prefer one over the other. That's the ONLY difference.

-Mc

[Citizen Klaus]

88 is weighted. 73 is semi weighted. Some prefer one over the other. That's the ONLY difference.

-Mc

Well, that and the fact that the 88 is wide enough to mount two M3-Ms, while the 73 only has enough room for an M3-M and a RADIAS.

And with respect to portability, the 88 is nearly 10" wider than the 73, and a full 20 lbs. heavier. All those little hammers add up, weight-wise.

[J.Q]

About portability: I have M3-73 and it's portable. Ok, it's quite heavy, there are more portable synths on the market, but it's still "portable" - while (IMHO) M3-88 is not. See this:

http://www.korg.com/product.aspx?pd=280
Weight
M3-61: 31.08 lbs (14.1 kg)
M3-73: 38.14 lbs (17.3 kg)
M3-88: 58.42 lbs (26.5 kg)

-> M3-88 is almost 10kgs heavier than M3-73. I probably wouldn't go on-the-road with it.

[Pumpkin King]

Ok, thanks guys. I think I may be leaning more towards the M373 for portability.

Also, does it make a lot of noise when you hit the keys? I remember having a casio keyboard a long time ago, and since it had hardly any resistance for the keys, it made so much noise for every note I hit. It was distracting.

[Synthoid]

Ok, thanks guys. I think I may be leaning more towards the M373 for portability.

Also, does it make a lot of noise when you hit the keys?

Noise? How hard do you hit the keys?

The keybed on both the M3 61 & 73 is quiet and very playable.

[Pumpkin King]

Well, the Casio keyboard that I had years ago was very old, obviously. When you hit the keys hard, it made a loud noise. It was like banging against the keyboard itself.

M373 sounds good to me still. Thanks guys.

[Rob Sherratt]

I started with the M3-73 and later changed for an M3-88 because I play piano music a lot and I wanted to sell my Bluthner Grand which was taking up too much space. So the M3-88 is a lightweight portable alternative to a Bluthner Grand piano. It only takes 2 people to lift it instead of ten.

Most performing pianists would prefer the M3-88 weighted piano action compared with M3-73. However for playing organ sounds and synth sounds I think the M3-73 is a better bet because glissandos are easier to play.

Regards,
Rob

[McHale]

Most performing pianists would prefer the M3-88 weighted piano action compared with M3-73. However for playing organ sounds and synth sounds I think the M3-73 is a better bet because glissandos are easier to play.

+1

The semi-weighted keys in the 61 and 73 play faster than the weighted keys. Some fast organ songs I play I could not play on the 88 key. But I know people who are classically trained that can't play piano on semi-weighted keys.

Have you played both weighted/semi-weighted yet?

Either way, the M3 has a fantastic keybed.

-Mc

[carlgoodhines]

Keyboard magazine said, "The m3's keyboard is the best one I've ever played" in their review of it.

[Rob Sherratt]

Some fast organ songs I play I could not play on the 88 key. But I know people who are classically trained that can't play piano on semi-weighted keys. Have you played both weighted/semi-weighted yet?

Hi Mc,

Yes, like I said I started out with M3-73 but bought an M3-88 keybed and sold the M3-73 keybed. I can't play piano well on semi-weighted keys. I play piano less badly on weighted keybeds. I still have a Bluthner concert grand in immaculate condition which is up for grabs at a mere 14,000 Euros, buyer collects.

I prefer the M3-88 keybed. Having said that, I spent months working with Sharp (Irish Acts Studios) to develop a superb 4-layer grand piano sound that is at least as good as the Bluthner. Only trouble is that it will only work on a Pa2x because there are some specialist sound generation facilities on the Pa2x that I can not work out how to do on the M3. So I use the M3-88 keybed patched across to the Pa2x via MIDI when I play piano.

And when I play Organ and Synth sounds I use the Pa2x 76-note semi-weighted keybed patched across via MIDI to the M3.

... it might seem like I'm crazy but at least it makes sense to me!

Best regards,
Rob

[McHale]

Yes, like I said I started out with M3-73 but bought an M3-88 keybed and sold the M3-73 keybed.

wooops. That question was for the OP.

I almost bought the 88. I loved the feel of it and felt it was time to start working on my piano technique again. But when I bought it, I initially bought it to gig and I can't do palm smears easily or fast organ runs on the 88 so got the 73. Now that I'm not gigging it, I wish I'd have gotten the 88 as well.

-Mc

[dennisj]

Yes, like I said I started out with M3-73 but bought an M3-88 keybed and sold the M3-73 keybed.

Hi Rob, I recently purchased an M3-88. I found that I really have to press hard to get the after-touch effect I wanted even after I calibrated it to the most sensitive level. I noticed I also have to press real hard just to get a valid calibration.

Is this the same case with the semi-weighted M3-73, or is the after-touch of the M3-73 keybed more responsive?

[CfNorENa]

I spent months working with Sharp (Irish Acts Studios) to develop a superb 4-layer grand piano sound that is at least as good as the Bluthner.

Difficult to believe.

[Rob Sherratt]

I spent months working with Sharp (Irish Acts Studios) to develop a superb 4-layer grand piano sound that is at least as good as the Bluthner.

Difficult to believe.

There are many demos here, have a listen and believe!

http://www.irishacts.com/ezypal/index.p ... 526_rhodes

I can send you recordings of the same piano pieces played on my Bluthner if you like, just email me?

Best regards,
Rob