Best inexpensive live keyboard

[clonedike]

Advice anyone? I'm getting tired of my SV1 73. Action too stiff and I've broken 4 keys, and I miss having a broad range of sounds. I'm considering trying out a non-weighted keyboard. I don't need a workstation, don't need sequencing, just awesome sounds, especially piano and EPs. I'd prefer 73 keys but might try 61. Looking to spend less than 1000 and might get a used keyboard.

[billbaker]

You can get an older board, generally for under $500 that is a couple of generations past state-of-the-art that would give you a more "tank-like" build quality.

What you'd be looking for is solely the quality of the build and not so much the on-board sounds.

01W Pro or Pro/X (nice buttery smooth-synth action / weighted keys respectively)

Alesis QS-7 or QS-8 (nice 16-part multi channel combis for internal or external sounds)

Roland, Yamaha... whatever... Key-action is the crucial factor.

If it's 10-15 years old and still going it will probably sound ...ehhh... (mediocre) but never die.

Then look for modular versions of keys you like that you can drive via midi:

MOTIF ES Rack

TR_Rack (Trinity)

M3M

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If you look hard you can find (last generation made) Emu modules in "way-low-budget" $100-150 range that have really interesting sound palates - Mo' Phat, Extreme Lead, Oddity 2000, etc. Also Wavestation SR and Triton Rack ~$300. Check the guitarcenter.com used gear page for possibilities.

There are lots of 1 space or even 1/2 rack (roland) modules that might work for you.

Rack 'em up and MIDI to a oldie-but-goodie action and the keyboard reliability becomes a non-issue. You could even choose to drive everything with a keytar, which might give you a whole new outlook on playing live.


BB

[clonedike]

Thanks for the detailed reply, Bill. I have not been much of a module guy in the past. I'm kind of lazy and always opt for the simplest setup possible. But what you say makes sense.

I'm trying to decide whether weighted keys is something I really need. It's hard to know for sure just playing keyboards at a store, like sitting down with a piano sound and seeing if it really feels good and draws music out of you. Sometimes it feels fine and it's only weeks or months later, after you buy it, that you realize there's a problem. I guess I need to be patient and really suss out my alternatives.

[Synthoid]

If you have $1000 and want something new, consider the new Korg Krome. It's certainly worth an audition.





I wouldn't buy anything used that's more than 15 years old. Sooner or later it will break down. I use both a Triton and M3 for live gigging. Depending on what sounds/features you're looking for, I'd recommend either, although the Triton would be less expensive.

Avoid used Alesis gear unless it's dirt cheap--parts are getting harder to find since Alesis has pretty much abandoned the synth market.

[javaj]

Stay away from the Alesis though. I had a 6 and the pitch wheel started going crazy- had to tighten the bolt holding it. Interesting on the 01/W though- saw one locally for 150- hmmm....

[Joe Gerardi]

Stay away from the Alesis though. I had a 6 and the pitch wheel...

And I had a 7 for 9 years and it was fine and a great synth. Why condemn an entire synth line just because you had a bad experience with what most likely was a one-off problem?

..Joe