i need a keyboard recommendation

[hey]

im the vocalist of a band, and my band is almost done recording, in which we've added some midi, like choir, violins, cello. not a whole lot of crazy stuff, just little things. but now im wanting to find myself a keyboard so we can do it live. but i dont really know a whole lot about keyboards. i need something that sounds decent, with a good selection of effects. id say my max is 400$. can anyone help me?

[Tripp_chaos]

1: Do you need weighted keys?
2: Number of keys and what size are you looking for?
3: Are you looking for sounds in specific other than the ones listed?
4: A keyboard or controller?
5: any special features?

[Aus_rock_god]

If you have a laptop or an easily portable computer:

Get a MIDI keyboard (about $200).
Get a copy of Fruity Loops
Get an Edirol (or similar) MIDI-USB cable
Plug the MIDI into to computer, and the computer into the mixing desk via a DI box and a few adapeters.

And now you've got a pro sounding keyboard with an infinate number of sounds and effects (after you download the soundfonts).

But as for decent keyboards. A good Korg or Yamaha keyboard with weighted keys can set you back about $1000 (american).

[Gattsu347]

i got an M-Audio 49 key MIDI keyboard [without weighted keys] for $249 and it works great. it has modulation and pitch blend knobs and is pretty solid too. my only gripe is the poor sensitivity on the drum pads, but that no big deal.

[Aaron]

Buy cheap, buy twice; save for a bit and get something like a Roland Juno-G. It's a Synth Workstation, but has weighted keys and onboard sounds.

[Shadows Within]

Korg X5 is a nice cheaper synth, suprisingly nice sounds considering it was made in 1994, and also has the ability to make really nice 90's techno/trance/house sounds as well.

[Motleyguy]

Yamaha S - 90 is an awesome keyboard/synth/workstation. I don't think they make 'em anymore, but looked around for some used ones or something.

[Aus_rock_god]

Technics used to make awesome keyboards too. But they seemed to have vanished (from the australian market anyway).