Are 76key controllers a thing of the past?

[Eric Barker]

I've always been an 88-weighted guy, and I don't think that's really ever going to change. But I'll admit it would be nice to have a small un-weighted board around for portability and backup. But since I'm used to a single 88 and my setups contain deep-layer splits that take me to the far reaches of the board, I'm not too keen on stepping down to <6 octaves if I can help it. Since 76keys is typically the entry into the semi-weighted (and thus smaller and lighter) market, I've started looking around for a good backup board, and I find... nothing. Everything now seems to stop at 61 and jumps to 88. 10 years ago, I feel like every controller and workstation had a 76, and 61 was considered the lower end. Now it looks like 49 is the holy grail. Even on my Seaboard Rise49, which I use strictly for mono leads, I end up rocking the octave buttons pretty hard.

Anyone know of any inexpensive (this is going to be cheap backup and portable board) 76key controller, preferably with 3 pedal ins and 9 drawbar/sliders (I do a lot of organ)? I currently use a keylab88 and a 76 key version of that would be GOLD, but they don't make one.

 

[happyrat1]

I think Kurzweil makes a 76 key Artis EP that would satisfy your needs.

Yep! The Artis 7. 76 keys and sliders and pedals and all.

http://kurzweil.com/product/artis7/

http://kurzweil.com/product/artis7/specs/

Not cheap though. $1700 USD

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1097140-REG/kurzweil_artis_7_76_note_semi_weighted.html

You could however, pick up an old Kurzweil SP4-7 for cheap and use that though.

http://kurzweil.com/product/sp4-7/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741964-REG/Kurzweil_SP4_7_SP4_7_Stage_Piano.html

But you lose the sliders.

Gary

 

[Eric Barker]

Ack! Yeah, not what I was thinking, considering my main board is $800. Never understood why Kurzweil controllers were so expensive, since they use the same FATAR beds that every other mom & pop uses. Oh, I see it has an on-board sound generator, no need.

Thanks though.