M50 - which one, speakers and other stuff!

[pete_81]

Hi all,
First post here, and as you may guess, I'm looking into buying a Korg. Looking at all the different models, the M50 seems to have it all - the touchscreen with superb banks of sounds for simple playing the keys, and the settings of a top quality workstation at a very good price.
The only thing is, which one to get! (OR!! Is the pa500 better?)

I'm a classical pianist & organist, have a yamaha PSR 61-note keyboard which is now starting to miss notes. I used to play a Yamaha Clavinova which had an awful touch to it - had to do press-ups to be able to push the keys down which ruined my piano playing according to my piano teacher - the wrong touch for playing his baby grand

However, this touch was helpful for the pipe organ though, but I've only got my PSR (with 3 random keys not working) which simulates the organ touch (and sounds quite well if I use layers and digital effects) and no access to the king of instruments at present

I play a grand piano in church as part of the worship team and being originally a classical pianist, think I'd like to get back to this.

Anyway, my choice is either the 73-keyboard or the 88 RH3 piano model of the M50, and I'm really torn - the 88 key obviously feels very light to the present digital pianos and has the advantage of all the sounds etc of the workstation, but price with the need for extra speakers, etc???

How close is the RH3 feel to that of a keyboard/organ, is this an issue for anyone else (although I've got the broken PSR to feel the organ manual touch)?

Guess in summary what I'm wanting to know is which is best as I'm not a DJ or member of band, I'm just wanting a good sound from an instrument which has to feel real (I've tried the RH3 and like it as a piano key-weight and played keyboard/organ so like the keyboard style keys).

Also, what speakers to use? I've seen active & passive ones, ranging from ~£80 to whatever I want!

Since I'm kitting out, does the M50 73 or 88 come with any pedal (sustain/damper) or do I need all sorts - any expression (and if needed sustain) pedal recommended?

(I've just looked at the ESI nEar05 speakers - someone else had suggested these, but other suggestions I'm also open to)
(expression pedal wise, Boss FV-500L, Yamaha FC7 or other??)

Thanks in advance for reading and replying as this is waffly!!!!!!
Pete

[mrteclas]

Have you checked out Korg SV1? I think it will suit you best. If you only need some good sounds to play with and a nice keyboard action, it has it. The PA500 and the M50 have sequencer, arpeggiators, drum tracks, etc., things im sensing you won't use.

Besides, the SV1 has 3 pedal imputs to be assigned, 2 audio ins, and 4 audio outs, wich 2 of them are xlr balanced outputs.

[pete_81]

Ah,
I've given impression that I'm not looking for drums, etc when actually this is an addition that I'd like to have. My uncertainty is in the key style to have the RH3 or the keyboard style and then some guidance to speakers and what effects pedal works with the Korgs.

Could you help with these questions?

[Synthoid]

I play a grand piano in church as part of the worship team and being originally a classical pianist, think I'd like to get back to this.

In that case, I'd recommend the Yamaha S90XS. Better piano sounds and keybed:




And a pair of these active speakers (QSC K10):

[mrteclas]

what effects pedal works with the Korgs

If you're talking about stompboxes and things like that, they all work with korg and virtually any keyboard, it's just a taste dilemma.

And if you're looking for controllers, Korg and Kurzweil damper pedals are fine, and Yamaha FC-7 has good reputation for a expression pedal. These pedals only control the parameters you make them control, assigning them a fx parameter, synthesis parameter, etc.

[X-Trade]

what effects pedal works with the Korgs

If you're talking about stompboxes and things like that, they all work with korg and virtually any keyboard

You'll find that the M50 (and most modern workstations) has an excellent selection of on-board full stereo effects already built in.
If you start using external pedals then you'll most likely have to resort to mono and lose half of the quality of the signal.

Furthermore the built in effects can be much more rewarding because they can be customised for each program or combi and set up to respond to a variety of controllers on the keyboard (for example the joystick, switches, knobs, velocity, etc)

[nitekatt2010]

I play a grand piano in church as part of the worship team and being originally a classical pianist, think I'd like to get back to this.

In that case, I'd recommend the Yamaha S90XS. Better piano sounds and keybed:




And a pair of these active speakers (QSC K10):



The Yamaha S90 series are nice instruments, good sound, good keyboard action. But they do cost about $800 more than the M50 88 and they weigh about 50 lbs, compared to the M50 73 at least.

Yamaha digital pianos have always been a leader in sound quality and solid construction. My first synth was the Yamaha DX-7 in 1985, built like a tank and still works.

But for me the M50 88 keyboard action is the best feel and touch that I like personally compared to many of the leading pro brand keyboards out there.

katt

[akmon]

Korg M50 or PA500? The answer is easy. If you want a more versatile or flexible unit, but you need more time to get ready the sounds, effects, etc that you want, take the M50. The PA500 is a powerful arrenger, with buil-in speakers that directly goes for playing music.

73 or 88 keys? In your case, no doubt: take the 88 keys.

Another options are Kurzweill PC3 or PC3LE, cheaper but still with its powerful VAST technology.

Speakers? I have ESI near 05. The best value for money. Could not be happier with them. The only disadvantage: the power button is behind the frontal pannel.