88-key Synth Q's

[Zed_Leppelin]

I've been looking at getting into playing piano/synthy type stuff, I have about an hour playing experience on a piano, so basicly in the dark on almost everything.

I'm looking for a fairly beginner model, 88 key keyboard, thats able to do normal pianoish songs. As well as synth type stuff, such as Pink Floyd, or just straight up wacky sounds.

I'm looking for one that has a USB interface for recording, as well as being somewhat customizable, tone wise.

I'm not sure if I need wieghted keys or not, I would eventually love to get a full blown piano, and be able to play it. But as money is a factor, I feel im just gonna have to live with it.

Budget would be no more than $1000 but realisticly speaking even that is a little high.

[clairvoyant]

i cant answer your question...but I'm pretty much asking the same thing as you. hopefully someone has a good answer...

[Draven Grey]

If you can find it, an Studio Logic SL880 is has an almost perfect piano feel. You would, however, still need a midi interface, and a virtual instrument or piano sound module. You wouldn't be disappointed.

Stay away from M-Audio's 88 weighted keys. They're not consistent in feel, except that they pretty much always feel like crap.

Yamaha usually makes the best stage pianos. But, you would have to go to the music store and play quite a few before deciding on which one you like the feel of.

Any way about it though, you would probably do best buying a separate interface and not going direct USB, unless you're using a controller keyboard (no sounds).

I hope that helps, at least a bit.

[Who's the Boss?]

If you can find it, an Studio Logic SL880 is has an almost perfect piano feel. You would, however, still need a midi interface, and a virtual instrument or piano sound module. You wouldn't be disappointed.

Stay away from M-Audio's 88 weighted keys. They're not consistent in feel, except that they pretty much always feel like crap.

Yamaha usually makes the best stage pianos. But, you would have to go to the music store and play quite a few before deciding on which one you like the feel of.

Any way about it though, you would probably do best buying a separate interface and not going direct USB, unless you're using a controller keyboard (no sounds).

I hope that helps, at least a bit.

is 300$ a good price for the studiologic?

[mutant!]

you probably don't need weighted keys. most people don't. however, the interesting thing here is that most 88-key instruments come weighted, which pushes the price up significantly. are you sure you need 88? unless you're planning to play rachmaninov or muse or something on it, less than that should do you fine. i'd say go for 61 or 73. the korg tr61 does what you want... it's what they call a "workstation keyboard". like an all-in-one type deal. and the sounds are all customisable to some extent. czech it out, yo.

[Draven Grey]

$300 is a great price for a used Fatar Studio Logic SL880.

[Shadows Within]

I've been looking at getting into playing piano/synthy type stuff, I have about an hour playing experience on a piano, so basicly in the dark on almost everything.

I'm looking for a fairly beginner model, 88 key keyboard, thats able to do normal pianoish songs. As well as synth type stuff, such as Pink Floyd, or just straight up wacky sounds.

I'm looking for one that has a USB interface for recording, as well as being somewhat customizable, tone wise.

I'm not sure if I need wieghted keys or not, I would eventually love to get a full blown piano, and be able to play it. But as money is a factor, I feel im just gonna have to live with it.

Budget would be no more than $1000 but realisticly speaking even that is a little high.
man if your looking for one with pink floyd sounds and has a usb interface with 88-keys your mostly looking at some of the new models like a triton or a fantom or a motif which are hella expensive.