76 key vs 88 key is just me??

BADMANN · Post by **BADMANN** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:21 am

i own a oasys 76 key which i love but recently i went to GTC and played the 88 key and it feels alot better with the weighted keys almost as if you get a different sound or maybe just adds more character but i must say also ive felt the same way with the triton extreme i owned a 76 key and my mother owns a 88 key so when ever i play hers or go to a gtc with an 88 key i feel more creative and come up with good sequences much faster,besides the weighted keys is there any difference between the 2? theres something about those 88 keys that seems too add alot more character in my opinion

dhjdhj · Post by **dhjdhj** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:00 am

I think the feel of any keyboard (indeed any instrument) has an impact on one's inspiration. I don't know WHY that is, but I've experienced it a number of times with certain keyboards, certain guitars and so forth.

Just sit down in front of a Steinway piano after having played a Yamaha for years.....an old maple-neck Fender Strat compared to most recent ripoffs, the minimoog or hammond compared to the many other "clones".

The right feel (whether it's the keyboard, the user interface/interaction) has a huge impact.

The 88 O just feels right!

MrT-Man · Post by **MrT-Man** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:08 am

There is zero difference between the two, other than the keys. In addition to the feel of the keys, maybe the sound system in the store is better/different, & that also makes it more inspirational? Incidentally you can also try playing with the velocity curves on your 76, that might make your perception of the feel different.

While 88 keys may inspire you more, I have to say it's the opposite for me -- I feel like I can barely play when I use a fully-weighted keyboard. But I know what you mean about the feel making a difference. I really enjoy playing Oasys piano sounds through a 76-key Roland A33 controller (which isn't fully weighted, but has a bit more heft to it than the oasys 76).

dhjdhj · Post by **dhjdhj** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:57 am

I think we're all in violent agreement here

MrT-Man wrote:But I know what you mean about the feel making a difference. I really enjoy playing Oasys piano sounds through a 76-key Roland A33 controller (which isn't fully weighted, but has a bit more heft to it than the oasys 76).

Post by **Sharp** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:02 pm

I'm totally convinced that the action of the keybed does in deed play a huge roll in how the OASYS responds and therefore sounds. The dynamic range and control you get over the 88 key is amazing. All of which does actually inspire me when I'm writing music.

That said, it's by no means the better option all round. It's fantastic for probably every style of music there is except for Dance/Synth. Trying to sequence fast bass lines or apeg type sequences is not as consistent as it is on a 76 Key. You can maintain velocity much easier and the timing is tighter.

Just my opinion though. Everyone has their own style of playing.

Regards.
Sharp.

dhjdhj · Post by **dhjdhj** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:24 pm

Isn't that why they invented computers?

Sharp wrote: It's fantastic for probably every style of music there is except for Dance/Synth. Trying to sequence fast bass lines or apeg type sequences is not as consistent as it is on a 76 Key. You can maintain velocity much easier and the timing is tighter.

Regards.
Sharp.

Post by **Sharp** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:01 pm

dhjdhj wrote:Isn't that why they invented computers?

Sharp wrote: It's fantastic for probably every style of music there is except for Dance/Synth. Trying to sequence fast bass lines or apeg type sequences is not as consistent as it is on a 76 Key. You can maintain velocity much easier and the timing is tighter.

Regards.
Sharp.

If that's what you believe, then your contradicting yourself completely. How can you believe in what you said above, and then also say that to use a computer to correct all that natural feel and emotion the keybed gave you is ok.

It defeats the purposes totally.
Sorry, I'm totally confused by your reply. I must be taking you up wrong or something here ?.

Regards.
Sharp.

dhjdhj · Post by **dhjdhj** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:17 pm

I guess my brand of humor doesn't make it through these forums. I was trying to intimate that there's nothing much to "Dance/Synth" other than pushing a few buttons on a computer.

For example, much as I am impressed by the sophistication of software programs like Reason (say), it seems to be the case that most of those repetitive riffs could be created by anyone by pushing a few buttons and indeed to my mind, one of the reasons for a huge decline in the quality of music is simply that the ratio of rubbish to good has increased tremendously because of these tools.

To me, the computer music applications are tool in the same way that a wordprocessor is a tool --- the latter doesn't actually write my book!

Sharp wrote: Sorry, I'm totally confused by your reply. I must be taking you up wrong or something here ?.

Regards.
Sharp.

dhjdhj · Post by **dhjdhj** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:25 pm

By the way, totally loved your CD, as did my wife.

Sharp wrote:
Regards.
Sharp.

Post by **Sharp** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:58 pm

Thought so. ...he..he..

Hey, there's nothing at all wrong with your humour. I've personally gotten myself into trouble countless time from typing. A good joke often gets lost as text.

By the way, totally loved your CD, as did my wife.

Thanks a million.

Cheers.
Sharp.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:02 pm

Know what you mean about weighted vs semi weighted keys.

Personally the only thing I like weighted keys for is piano. And yes, the weighted feel does somehow make the sound more realistic.

For every other sound I prefer semi weighted. In fact I find it difficult to play fast synth runs using a weighted keybed.

Hence I bought and am happy with the O76.

Regards,

Ray.

Daz · Post by **Daz** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:24 pm

IMO there is a major difference between the 76 and 88, it's like two different instruments (albeit of the same family). For me it's somewhat like the difference between playing my normal six string guitar and my recently acquired baritone guitar. I find myself playing the baritone quite differently and that has led to me play things I wouldn't normally play on the guitar. Very inspiring.

I have an Oasys 76 and much prefer that to playing the 88 keyboards I have tried prior to getting it. However I did recently try the M3 88, with the newer RH3 keybed and I was very impressed with that.

Daz.

dhjdhj · Post by **dhjdhj** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:42 pm

I thing the real point here is not whether 76 light is better or worse than 88 heavy....it's about how the feel of an instrument impacts your playing, creativity and inspiration.

Sina172 · Post by **Sina172** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:00 am

sirCombatWombat · Post by **sirCombatWombat** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:06 pm

One of the reasons I did not sell my Supernova II is that, while I personally have no trouble playing fast with hammer action or softly with synth action, when improvising the keyboard directly affects the mood and emotion of my playing. That goes with the sound too of course. One other difference is that synth action has more accurate after touch.

But I favor hammer action strongly because it gives me much more dynamics, and in my view enchances almost all instruments and sounds.
Though I sometimes even use my computer keyboard for some parts with breath controller for velocity, because it gives all together different feel. And oh the wonders of chromatic layout.