Korg M50 61 vs Korg M50 73 vs Korg M50 88

[useron]

Hi everybody,

I'm a newbie. Until now I have been "playing around" with a 49 MIDI keyboard (Evolution MK149) and some programs like Cubase or Reason.

Now I'd like to learn to play piano/keyboard more seriously and also be able to arrange my own songs with its drum tracks, strings, bass lines, and so on...

At a first sight I thought about buying Yamaha MM6 or MM8 but I quickly realized about their lacks, so I had to raise my initial budget.

Now I'm pretty sure that for its price range, Korg M50 is by far the best buy.

However I just can't make up my mind about what model (61, 73, 88) to choose.

The price differences are really great!. About 300€ from 61 to 73, and about 500€ from 73 to 88... therefore about 800€ from 61 to 88!!!

Please I need your help.

Do you really think that the number of keys (61 to 73) and weighted hammer keys (61/73 to 88) are worth the price difference?

By now the 73 keys model is winning my "personal war"... not so expensive but one additional octave.

Thank you very much

[useron]

Please I really need your advice

[cello]

hi - you say that you want to learn the piano/keyboard more seriously, and for this reason I would recommend the 88 key version.

However, as you quite rightly point out, budget is always a factor in such things! So perhaps the 73 is a good compromise, all things considered.

It also depends on how you think you will use the keyboard - it's easier to carry around a 61 for gigging than an 88! If it's more studio based work then I'd still say the 88, if you've got space.

Ultimately, it's your call - good luck!

[dekturrr]

you can get the 61 key, since there is a button (just above the xy knob) where you can lower or (higher) an octave depending on your needs.

i said this just in case you don't know.

as for me, i want the 73 only because i want higher or longer octaves, (because at first i didnt know that there is "this" button to set the octave switch). so when i finally got the 61, im so happy to discover this switch because i did get the octaves i want, at a cheaper price, and lighter, and more portable than the m73.

just my 2 cents.

[Ghost301]

I've gotta say the m50 keybeds on <88 versions really didnt feel good to me so id have to say go for the 88 unless you dont want something that big. also if you have a good midi keyboard that you are already used to you can use that instead of the keys on the m50

[useron]

Thank you for your quick responses

I already knew that the 61 keys version had an octave button, but i think that it's unviable to change the octave while you are playing. In fact my current midi keyboard has this function and I'm incapable of utilize it while I'm playing.

In the other hand, are the M50 61/73 keybdeds so terrible? I'm really worried about this point and is one of the reason because I'm thinking about buying the 88 version.

[useron]

Extracted from http://www.dv247.com/news/Korg%20M50-61 ... ion/131859

KORG M50-61, M50-73 OR M50-88?

The M50 is available as three models with different keybeds: the 61-key M50-61, 73-key M50-73 and 88-key M50-88. The M50 has been designed with careful attention to keyboard feel. The M50-61 and M50-73 use a new semiweighted Natural-Touch keyboard that allows expressive performance on a fast, synth-action feel. The M50-88 uses Korg’s RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) keyboard acclaimed for its graded-action grand piano-like touch, makingit the ideal choice for a stage piano.

[holdsg]

been playing piano and organ for nearly 40 years.
I like the semi-weighted key feel of my M50 73-key. Sure I would prefer the weighted keys of the 88, but I did want a lighter, more portable board for gigging, and I use every spare inch of my 73, I could not bear a 61. So it was a good compromise for me going the 73 route.

[candlewick]

I like the semi-weighted key feel of my M50 73-key. Sure I would prefer the weighted keys of the 88, but I did want a lighter, more portable board for gigging, and I use every spare inch of my 73, I could not bear a 61. So it was a good compromise for me going the 73 route.[/quote]


I'll second that opinion !!!!!!!!!

[McHale]

I use every spare inch of my 73, I could not bear a 61. So it was a good compromise for me going the 73 route.

+1

[guillex]

I use every spare inch of my 73, I could not bear a 61. So it was a good compromise for me going the 73 route.

+1

+2.

For me the deal was like this:

73 keys, more than 61, less keys than M50 88, but also, less money, and most of all...LESS KILOS! I play every week, and believe me, to carry 23 kilos at 2 am in a small corridor of a hotel...believe me you don't want that!!

[X-Trade]

I think if you can afford the M50-88, but would consider a 61-key keyboard, you could put the money to an M3 instead (the M3 being the 'flagship' workstation that the M50 was designed as a cut-down budget model of).

The M50-61's keys are awful and I was shocked at their sub-standard action/feel when testing them in the shop. So if you were to go for a 61-key, the M3 is definitely worth the money in features.

You may not even need all those features now, but you can start using them when you are ready, instead of finding yourself 'wanting more' from your M50 later

Not that the M50 is a bad machine at all, but all I'm saying is that if you're going to spend the money that it costs to get an 88, the M3 is available in the same price range!

[useron]

Hi, thank you very much for your wise advices!

Korg M3 61 is about 400€ more expensive than M50 88 and about 800€ more expensive than M50 73. It's definitely out of my budget.

I think that finally I'll get the M50 with 73 keys, not so expensive, not so heavy but with one octave more than M50 61.

You really have calmed me down when you say that you (not everybody but most of you) like the feeling of the 73 key model. If they are right for a 40 years keyboard player, then it'll be great for me... for sure!

Thanks again

[McHale]

For some reason, I have always thought that the keys of the M50-73 feel better than the m50-61. I know they are the same but I actually like the M50-73's keys. I don't love them more than any other keybed in my arsenal, but they feel a lot better than any of my older synths by far.