What would be your quality 88 key controller of choice

ChadOnKeys · Post by **ChadOnKeys** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 2:13 am

Hi guys,

I have a Kronos 61 and Im am looking at geting a new 88 key weighted controller for it as my Fatar studioplus is on its way out. I have had a play around and I really love the feel of the Kawai action (circa es7 and Cn24/34) but before I splash out I would like to know what you guys are pairing your Kronos with.

Thanks
Chad

midinut · Post by **midinut** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 2:53 am

I just recently paired mine up with a M-Audio Keystation 88es (same as an Alesis Q88). But you did say quality, didnt you? I'm just not as much a purist about it "feeling" like a piano as I am having 88 full size keys. At some point down the road I plan on adding a Yamaha MOX8, but until then ...

Plus they can be had for less than $200US. That helps!

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 2:58 am

Casio PX-5S. Great feeling action, well-priced, and only 24 lbs. Also, it's nicely shallow. Some 88's are deep, which means that a Kronos 61 above it will end up further back, making its screen harder to see and work with. I haven't played the Kawais you mentioned, but I actually like feel of the PX-5S better than the Kawais that I have played.

ChadOnKeys · Post by **ChadOnKeys** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 3:24 am

Yeah I am looking for more of a "purist" type action as the K61 action is great for synth and organ stuff. I'm not too worried about weight as it will never leave my studio. I want it mostly for piano and Rhodes stuff. I prefer heavy actions and I have heard the M-Audio stuff has a light touch, so not sure if that's for me.

I have heard good things about the new Casio action though, I'll have to have a look at one of them.

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 3:51 am

I midi into a Roland RP-301. I love the action and it sounds great on its own but with the Kronos pianos sound good on it as well and it has 88 hammer action keys with ivory feel. Now I do feel like something is missing and the only thing I can put my finger on is maybe I am perceiving the release velocity more then I thought i was. I do not believe the Roland has that. Or it could just be the different action affecting my rudimentary playing. I like the action though and since this is my kids piano I have kicked around adding an A88, same action, for my weighted board but that is a choice for a much later time.

midinut · Post by **midinut** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 5:46 am

If you are looking for the real "piano feel" then the Casio PX-5S would be a good thing to check out, as woud the Kawai Digital Pianos. Both seem to garner raves from those who learned on a real piano. I played both recentlyat a visit to Sam Ash and was amazed at how close they feel to a piano.

genehart · Post by **genehart** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 11:30 am

I think that Kawai VPC or Numa Nero would be the best

Joe Gerardi · Post by **Joe Gerardi** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 1:06 pm

If it doesn't have to be new, cruise eBay for a used Alesis QS8.1. Fatar keybed, 64 voice synth, really nice Hammonds, Moogs, and synth sounds, very good MIDI implementation.

I had a QS7 (7-octave version) for years and it was awesome.

Best thing is they're pretty cheap now- sub-500 is common, and sub-300 is possible. Just make sure it's the 8.1, not the 8 or the 8.2: the .1 was the high point of Alesis' venture into the ROMpler market.

..Joe

Bugra Ekuklu · Post by **Bugra Ekuklu** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 3:09 pm

Well, it's completely related with your budget. For low range, PC3LE8 or Studiologic Numa can be appropriate choice. But if you want more realistic touch, check for the Kawai MP10 and MP6. Most probably these keyboards will satisfy your needs.

At top, Yamaha's CP1 should be. If you can afford at this point, Roland's V-Piano could be alternative.

If money is no object, to select is not challenging.

Cheers,
-B.

BillW · Post by **BillW** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:22 pm

I'm using a Privia PX-350. Great weighted controller and standalone piano if needed. I set the PX-350 to midi channel 2 and split layer things in the Kronos on channel 2 to play from the Privia. I've also got a MIDI Solutions Pedal Controller in the MIDI chain between the PX and the Kronos to inject an expression pedal. The whole setup works great and both keyboards look great together.

amosdef · Post by **amosdef** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:02 pm

At home, I use my old Alesis QS 8 (original, not 8.1) and I love the action for piano. From what I understand, they changed the action to a lighter one for the 8.1, or that might have been the 8.2.

For gigging, I have my Alesis Fusion 8HD for my bottom controller. It's a lighter weighted action, which my wrists thank me for.

I've heard good things about the Privias, but haven't tried them. I also had a Studiologic SL880 pro that was a nice action, but had some hardware bugs in the logic board, so reliability was an issue after a while

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 7:19 pm

BillW wrote:I'm using a Privia PX-350. Great weighted controller and standalone piano if needed. I set the PX-350 to midi channel 2 and split layer things in the Kronos on channel 2 to play from the Privia. I've also got a MIDI Solutions Pedal Controller in the MIDI chain between the PX and the Kronos to inject an expression pedal. The whole setup works great and both keyboards look great together.

Yes, that's a lower cost alternative to the PX-5S, with the same excellent action, plus built-in speakers which can sometimes come in handy. The PX-5S has the advantage of a nice variety of sounds of its own, assignable knobs and sliders that you can use for more real time control even over the Kronos sounds, and the ability to be internally zoned, which gives you a little more flexibility than having to use it on one channel and do all the sub-splitting on the Kronos side.

DavyP · Post by **DavyP** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 7:29 pm

Depends a lot on budget and functionality required. Does it need to generate its own sounds or just use the Kronos sounds? The Akai MPK88 Hammer Action controller might be worth a look as it has quite a heavy keybed and as a bonus has MPC type pads for drums. it also has faders and buttons etc which I believe are assignable.

http://www.akaipro.com/mpk88

Dreamer · Post by **Dreamer** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:51 pm

+ 1 for the Casio PX-5S.
Besides being shallow (and thus fitting perfectly below a Kronos 61) it has beautiful sounds of its own (that you can layer with the Kronos), a wonderful action, a light weight and
a price lower than many "mute" master keyboards.
I'm in love with mine.
...Ah! Almost forgot the 256 notes of polyphony.

MRedZac · Post by **MRedZac** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:28 am

double posting