I need a hammer-action 2nd keyboard

[Bugra Ekuklu]

Hi there,

I'm going to buy a Kronos, 61 key version. I gig very frequently and I therefore need something light. Since pianos and EPs are very important to me, I need a hammer-action keyboard to use it as a MIDI controller. It won't bother me whether it has USB interface or not, yet more non-USB models are more practical to me because I'll use my Roland A-500PRO running through USB.

The 88-key version of Kronos has RH3 keybed, SP-250 too. Besides their built quality except their keybed, are the RH3's same in these two models? I've heard so many times that SP-250 sucks because of its flimsy built quality, I tested the Yamaha P-35 and that one was good. But it has GHS keybed, I also tested Kronos RH3 and it feels better than GHS, IMO.

Do you guys have inexpensive digital pianos (like SP-250, P-35) which meets your basic piano playing? I need help because I'll buy them in same time to benefit from discount.

I don't need specs such as polyphony, voices. Just light-weight and average keybed (also average built quality). I'll use it connected to my Kronos.

Sorry, I've written that much.

Buğra

[Scott]

Casio PX-150 if you can get by with the USB connection, or the PX-350 if you want standard MIDI connectors, or the new PX-5S if you want enhanced MIDI controller functions (i.e. programmable knobs and sliders). They are compact, weigh just 24 lbs, and have a very nice feel.

[Bugra Ekuklu]

Casio PX-150 if you can get by with the USB connection, or the PX-350 if you want standard MIDI connectors, or the new PX-5S if you want enhanced MIDI controller functions (i.e. programmable knobs and sliders). They are compact, weigh just 24 lbs, and have a very nice feel.

I don't need enhanced MIDI controller functions. I had tried some Casio digital pianos in past, I didn't like it.

Also, we don't have so many Casio models here in Turkey. It's hard to find and try.

Buğra

[Scott]

I had tried some Casio digital pianos in past, I didn't like it.

The new series (PX150/350/5) is very different and I think feels much better than the previous series (PX130/135/350/3).

As for other possibilities, the Korg SP-250 is not light, the lightweight option would be the SP-170 or maybe the SP-280. You can't get RH3 in a lightweight model, the RH3 keybed itself apparently is not light.

Yamaha P35 would be fine. Some other not-too-heavy possibilities might be Roland A88 or RD64, or Studiologic Acuna 73.

[Low Class]

I've got one of the new Casio Pro PX-5S and am using it as a controller for my Kurzweil PC3K and my Kronos, and also for my Galaxy Vintage D vst. I LOVE IT!! The action is great and it only weighs 24 lbs!!. I enjoy playing it as much as the RH3, if not more. Definitely above average. The pianos in it are also very good and this could easily be used on its own. You really should check it out.

[geoelectro]

I'm using an older Yamaha P-80. It has the still current Graded Hammer Effect action. I picked this model since it was the good action in the smallest case they ever made. (There may be something newer now)

Picked it up for $350.00.

Geo

[Bugra Ekuklu]

I think any Casio or P-35 (which has GHS) would be great for me.

Something wasn't answered, is the RH3 of SP-250 same with Kronos 88's RH3? Does built quality "of keybeds" vary between these models? I know it wouldn't be a light choice but feel of RH3 is pretty good, which I had tried the Kronos one.

Buğra

[zzz]

Have you tried one of the m-audio models? They are basic,very light and cheaper.

[DavyP]

Hi there,

I'm going to buy a Kronos, 61 key version. I gig very frequently and I therefore need something light. Since pianos and EPs are very important to me, I need a hammer-action keyboard to use it as a MIDI controller. It won't bother me whether it has USB interface or not, yet more non-USB models are more practical to me because I'll use my Roland A-500PRO running through USB.

The 88-key version of Kronos has RH3 keybed, SP-250 too. Besides their built quality except their keybed, are the RH3's same in these two models? I've heard so many times that SP-250 sucks because of its flimsy built quality, I tested the Yamaha P-35 and that one was good. But it has GHS keybed, I also tested Kronos RH3 and it feels better than GHS, IMO.

Do you guys have inexpensive digital pianos (like SP-250, P-35) which meets your basic piano playing? I need help because I'll buy them in same time to benefit from discount.

I don't need specs such as polyphony, voices. Just light-weight and average keybed (also average built quality). I'll use it connected to my Kronos.

Sorry, I've written that much.

Buğra

Do you really need a synth keybed? It is not clear?

If not why don't you just buy a Kronos 73 with RH3?

Then you have the sound engine and keybed in only ONE keyboard.

Yes it's a bit heavier than the 61 but surely it will be easier and less bulky to carry one keyboard than TWO to every gig?

And you will have the extra keys which would help with splits etc..

[Bugra Ekuklu]

I really need the 61 one, because sometimes I don't need to play pianos. As a pop player, I use synth keybed more often than hammer-action. So there is no use carrying DP as a MIDI controller unless it is needed.

Buğra

[Low Class]

I owned 2 SP250's and a SV-1 the RH3 keybed felt quite different than the one in my Kronos 88. I like the Casio PX-5S much better that what was in the SP250 or SV-1.

[Scott]

Something wasn't answered, is the RH3 of SP-250 same with Kronos 88's RH3?

The keybeds are not quite identical, if for no other reason than the Kronos has aftertouch and the SP-250 does not. But they should be very similar.

Does built quality "of keybeds" vary between these models?

Heck, it can vary between different runs of the same model. There's been a lot of discussion here about RH3 problems in some early Kronos models that don't exist in later ones. So there's no guarantee here.

Have you tried one of the m-audio models? They are basic,very light and cheaper.

I tried one M-Audio 88 that I thought felt awful. It was a while ago, I think it was not a fully weighted board. It did not seem well suited for piano at all.

why don't you just buy a Kronos 73 with RH3?

Then you have the sound engine and keybed in only ONE keyboard.

Yes it's a bit heavier than the 61 but surely it will be easier and less bulky to carry one keyboard than TWO to every gig?

And you will have the extra keys which would help with splits etc..

I do not think a 73 would be easier to carry around than the combination of a 61 and a Casio. I think it is easier to move a pair of boards that weigh 24 and 28 pounds than it is to carry around a single board that weighs 45 lbs. Plus you have the benefit of a piano action for piano, and an organ action for organ.

As for extra keys helping with splits... a 73 lets you split sounds across 73 keys. An 88 + a 61 lets you split sounds across 149 keys. That's a lot more you can access without having to change presets and also lets you reduce the worry about having a hand inadvertently cross a split point.

[Bugra Ekuklu]

I tried one M-Audio 88 that I thought felt awful. It was a while ago, I think it was not a fully weighted board. It did not seem well suited for piano at all.

I too tried M-Audio's 88-key MIDI controller and didn't like it either. It is not a fully weighted board, it is semi-weighted as it has been said. I think it is more synth-like controller and is intended to work with splits and to take advantage of 88-keys.

I do not think a 73 would be easier to carry around than the combination of a 61 and a Casio. I think it is easier to move a pair of boards that weigh 24 and 28 pounds than it is to carry around a single board that weighs 45 lbs. Plus you have the benefit of a piano action for piano, and an organ action for organ.

As for extra keys helping with splits... a 73 lets you split sounds across 73 keys. An 88 + a 61 lets you split sounds across 149 keys. That's a lot more you can access without having to change presets and also lets you reduce the worry about having a hand inadvertently cross a split point.

I was trying to say that, to carry 61+88 keyboards is easier than carrying single 73.

So many bad things are said about RH3 although it is a good keybed IMO when it is rightly conducted, however I tried GHS action of P-35 and it was awful too. Tried both of the keybeds, I'm really confused.

Buğra

[Scott]

I tried GHS action of P-35 and it was awful too.

You can't get RH3 in a lightweight board. The lightest would be the 73-key SV1 at 38.5 lbs. The SP250 is 42 lbs. Keep in mind that just the difference between a 61 and an 88 key Kronos is over 23 lbs. And the 88 key RH3 M50 weighed about 31 pounds more than the 61 key version (it used a less substantial 61 than is used in the Kronos). There's an issue of physics here. You can't fit a keybed that weighs over 30 lbs into a device that weighs under 30 lbs.

As I mentioned, the newest Casios feel very different from the previous ones, and weigh only 24 lbs. It's subjective, but I don't think any of the other lightweight keybeds feel as good (Yamaha GHS, Korg NW, Studiologic Fatar TP100, Roland Ivory Feel G, which already begins to get a bit heavier, only the 64 key version is under 30 lbs).

[DocBambs]

I'm using an older Yamaha P-80. It has the still current Graded Hammer Effect action. I picked this model since it was the good action in the smallest case they ever made. (There may be something newer now)

Picked it up for $350.00.

Geo

I use the P80. It's a great instrument.

[ If you want an amazing 88 key weighted action you should try the Yamaha AvantGrand N1. I tried one last week and it is amazing. It's not very portable though. The piano shop said that their "real piano" technicians can actually set up the action like they would on a conventional instrument. ]

DB