Keyboard purchase help

[ECTWest]

Hey everyone.

I'm looking to get my first keyboard, and I want a somewhat decent one, so I'm looking at either the Casio WK3700 or the Yamaha DGX305. Which one would you recommend, and for what reasons? My aim is to play Dream Theater type parts (a la Rudess), but I'll still want a pretty good piano sound out of it.

Thanks,
Ect

[pohl_56]

I would say the Casio becasue that is what I have. The Mixer is really nice, and I have heard samples that people have done (Dreamtheater etc...) and it sounds really nice. Not to mention the tons of songs and the floppy disk drive etc..

Basically they are the same basic things, though so it is your call.

[gregjazz]

If you want Dream Theater stuff, be sure that the keyboard has a good pitch wheel. Some of the cheaper synthesizers have these oversized pitch wheels that are just SO unplayable. I like the sturdy pitch wheels that are smaller, with heavier springs.

Really you should try to get a chance to test both of those keyboards you're looking at.

Here's another idea for you: what if you just got a MIDI controller keyboard and then bought sound modules? You gotta check out some of the controllers M-Audio makes. They are REALLY good for the price. M-Audio is top-notch!

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=midikeyboardcontrollers

Keep in mind the prices listed in the website are retail. If you buy them from anywhere else (I.E. zZounds, Music123, SameDayMusic, etc.) you're going to get at least $100 less than the price listed. For example, the M-Audio Keystation 88es (88 keys semi-weighted, with pitch bend, mod wheel, all that good stuff) is only $200! http://www.music123.com/M-Audio-Keystation-88es-i148787.music

Add in a sound module for a couple more hundred, and you'll have a pro setup! And if you get tired of the sounds, you always have the option of trading in your sound module for a different one or buying another. If you need good piano sounds, they make modules specifically meant to reproduce great piano tones. If you need some screaming leads and synth sounds, they make modules to do that, too. Or you can get a module that does both. You have much more freedom in this way.

You can also easily plug the M-Audio keyboards into your laptop or home computer via USB. It's no hassle whatsoever to get this working, all plug & play.

So in total you'll probably spend $100 more than if you bought the Casio or Yamaha you're looking at, unless you decided to get a cheaper sound module to go with the keyboard, or if you buy it off eBay (in which case you'd be making out like a bandit!).

And if you really want to be like Jordan Rudess, you gotta get the swivel keyboard stand.

(I really need one of those)

[pohl_56]

Originally Posted by gregjazz

If you want Dream Theater stuff, be sure that the keyboard has a good pitch wheel. Some of the cheaper synthesizers have these oversized pitch wheels that are just SO unplayable. I like the sturdy pitch wheels that are smaller, with heavier springs.

Really you should try to get a chance to test both of those keyboards you're looking at.

Here's another idea for you: what if you just got a MIDI controller keyboard and then bought sound modules? You gotta check out some of the controllers M-Audio makes. They are REALLY good for the price. M-Audio is top-notch!

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=midikeyboardcontrollers

Keep in mind the prices listed in the website are retail. If you buy them from anywhere else (I.E. zZounds, Music123, SameDayMusic, etc.) you're going to get at least $100 less than the price listed. For example, the M-Audio Keystation 88es (88 keys semi-weighted, with pitch bend, mod wheel, all that good stuff) is only $200! http://www.music123.com/M-Audio-Keystation-88es-i148787.music

Add in a sound module for a couple more hundred, and you'll have a pro setup! And if you get tired of the sounds, you always have the option of trading in your sound module for a different one or buying another. If you need good piano sounds, they make modules specifically meant to reproduce great piano tones. If you need some screaming leads and synth sounds, they make modules to do that, too. Or you can get a module that does both. You have much more freedom in this way.

You can also easily plug the M-Audio keyboards into your laptop or home computer via USB. It's no hassle whatsoever to get this working, all plug & play.

So in total you'll probably spend $100 more than if you bought the Casio or Yamaha you're looking at, unless you decided to get a cheaper sound module to go with the keyboard, or if you buy it off eBay (in which case you'd be making out like a bandit!).

And if you really want to be like Jordan Rudess, you gotta get the swivel keyboard stand.

(I really need one of those)

OH how I owuld love to have a rotating stand.

[gregjazz]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-460158242229795839