Novice-beginner, need help finding a VERSATILE kb as my 1st...

[PianOwO]

I'm a piano + synth keyboard hobbyist wannabe, I don't know proper fingering yet even though I've composed half of a song so far by ear. Not aiming for any pro work or pro abilities necessarily but I do want something very versatile and something I can grow into. After weeks of research, all I've been able to come up with is the M-audio Prokeys Sono (semi-weighted keys), but I'd like to find some other better alternatives if any exist that match my preferences, and also helping determining if my preferences are right for my needs! So I'm basically asking for 3 things in this post.

1. validation on whether or not I'm correct on the first two points under Needed Features below
2. recommendations that fit my overall needs, especially if they include any of the "Ideal but not mandatory" features.
3. If repairability is typically an issue with keyboards that are 15+ years old, particularly finding compatible rubber keybed contact replacements or other common part failures.

Purpose:

• DAW and standalone playing
• Sampling for EDM music tracks and video (not pro but more serious)
• Instrumental scoring and underscoring for my videos (mostly synth and strings)
• Nothing that requires a real piano playing feel/muscle memory.

Needed Features:

• Semi-weighted keys?/NO "hammer action"? (so keys are more spring loaded like a synth while also providing somewhat of a piano playing experience, making it more versatile for guitar, strings, wind and synth sounds whenever needed so as to not limit my creativity or require me to have a separate keyboard that I don't have space/$$ for)
• Analog MIDI and/or USB MIDI port? (need very low latency + reliable connectivity and compatibility)
• $200 budget
• New or used, old or recent model
• 88 keys
• Standalone keyboard (strings and traditional piano sounds without need for computer connection)
• Relatively compact (or a way to DIY it and make it compact?)
• 64-128 poly (the more the better)
• Either a backlit LED screen to see and control menu or low-latency tablet/phone connectivity that doesn't take up the MIDI connection.

Ideal but not mandatory:

• Manual Tuning: (or a DIY way to hack it and change it to 432Hz)
• Physical controls for MIDI DAW software
• Aftertouch
• Pitch/mod control

 

[happyrat1]

How much $$$ you got to spend?

 

[DungBeatle]

How much $$$ you got to spend?

He said $200 budget. I don't believe $200 is enough for all those requirements.

~Bob

 

[Rayblewit]

Korg ek50 or Yamaha e373 would be low end budget keys with heaps of voices and styles.

Both these are close to a decade old and second hand models could be around $200

 

[guscar66]

I'm a piano + synth keyboard hobbyist wannabe, I don't know proper fingering yet even though I've composed half of a song so far by ear. Not aiming for any pro work or pro abilities necessarily but I do want something very versatile and something I can grow into. After weeks of research, all I've been able to come up with is the M-audio Prokeys Sono (semi-weighted keys), but I'd like to find some other better alternatives if any exist that match my preferences, and also helping determining if my preferences are right for my needs! So I'm basically asking for 3 things in this post.

1. validation on whether or not I'm correct on the first two points under Needed Features below
2. recommendations that fit my overall needs, especially if they include any of the "Ideal but not mandatory" features.
3. If repairability is typically an issue with keyboards that are 15+ years old, particularly finding compatible rubber keybed contact replacements or other common part failures.

Purpose:

• DAW and standalone playing
• Sampling for EDM music tracks and video (not pro but more serious)
• Instrumental scoring and underscoring for my videos (mostly synth and strings)
• Nothing that requires a real piano playing feel/muscle memory.

Needed Features:

• Semi-weighted keys?/NO "hammer action"? (so keys are more spring loaded like a synth while also providing somewhat of a piano playing experience, making it more versatile for guitar, strings, wind and synth sounds whenever needed so as to not limit my creativity or require me to have a separate keyboard that I don't have space/$$ for)
• Analog MIDI and/or USB MIDI port? (need very low latency + reliable connectivity and compatibility)
• $200 budget
• New or used, old or recent model
• 88 keys
• Standalone keyboard (strings and traditional piano sounds without need for computer connection)
• Relatively compact (or a way to DIY it and make it compact?)
• 64-128 poly (the more the better)
• Either a backlit LED screen to see and control menu or low-latency tablet/phone connectivity that doesn't take up the MIDI connection.

Ideal but not mandatory:

• Manual Tuning: (or a DIY way to hack it and change it to 432Hz)
• Physical controls for MIDI DAW software
• Aftertouch
• Pitch/mod control

I can help with one issue----myself and a colleague have Technics keyboards ranging from a KN2600----to a KN6000, these boards are getting on for 40years old----my KN5000 has been used professionally every week for 15years, (not by me) only now are some of the key rubbers needing changed, still plays---but some keys need more pressure than others. Spares for these boards come up on sites occasionally (especially keys) when some one 'breaks' one. SO what I am suggesting is that not to be afraid of an older board.

 

[PianOwO]

Korg ek50 or Yamaha e373 would be low end budget keys with heaps of voices and styles.

Both these are close to a decade old and second hand models could be around $200

Thanks for the reccomendations, although both of those models are 61-key and I needed 88. Got any 88 key recommendations? And would you also have any input to offer on question #1 and any personal experience with #3? (2nd paragraph)

 

[PianOwO]

I can help with one issue----myself and a colleague have Technics keyboards ranging from a KN2600----to a KN6000, these boards are getting on for 40years old----my KN5000 has been used professionally every week for 15years, (not by me) only now are some of the key rubbers needing changed, still plays---but some keys need more pressure than others. Spares for these boards come up on sites occasionally (especially keys) when some one 'breaks' one. SO what I am suggesting is that not to be afraid of an older board.

Wow 40 years. My only concern in using a really old board is the MIDI/DAW compatibility and latency. Do any of you use those in MIDI DAW setups? And do you know what the build quality might be like in comparison with the M-Audio Sono I mentioned?

 

[PianOwO]

He said $200 budget. I don't believe $200 is enough for all those requirements.

~Bob

250? I guess it doesn't matter how old, as long as there's no MIDI/DAW compatibility or latency issues and has at least just piano sound built in for standalone playing.

 

[Rayblewit]

Thanks for the reccomendations, although both of those models are 61-key and I needed 88. Got any 88 key recommendations? And would you also have any input to offer on question #1 and any personal experience with #3? (2nd paragraph)

Sorry mate, I overlooked that aspect.
I personally can't offer you any advice on your requests. I'm not qualified.

One thing comes to mind .. .. .. are there any such low budget, older models with usb or other in/out ports?

Good luck with your searching.

 

[happyrat1]

$200 will get you a 20 year old Casio Privia with mechanical problems from a yard sale.

It's a poor craftsman who blames his tools but even entry level be prepared to spend $400 - $700

 

[Biggles]

Your options are severely limited.

Scratch that……..very severely limited.

Only one comes to mind.

Mind you at £440 ($900 in your monopoly money unless Trump has added 100% tax in which case you’ll need a second mortgage) it blows your rubbish budget out of the water and chances of finding a used prior model the Numa Compact 2X in good order would be slim to none.

 

[guscar66]

Wow 40 years. My only concern in using a really old board is the MIDI/DAW compatibility and latency. Do any of you use those in MIDI DAW setups? And do you know what the build quality might be like in comparison with the M-Audio Sono I mentioned?

Well, not being an expert on MIDI----all I can say is that the 5000 and 6000 are MIDI compatible---the slightly later 6500 and the last of the line---the 7000 I believe are DAW compatible. The build quality (from an engineering view) is excellent , these boards are robust BUT ----heavy. Metal framed, with good quality stereo amps and quality speakers --these elements and the power supplies all heavy with respect to up to date boards. They use built in 'floppy' drives for storage BUT the 6500 and 7000 can also use SDcards. The great thing about them is their ease of use ------no menu diving ----just loads of satisfyingly solid buttons. Yes you can go deeper --and the large colour screen all adds to ease of use.----
I have not even laid eyes on an M-Audio so can't compare ---I just know that the old Technics (top of the line in their day) are well engineered. -----oh and did I say ------HEAVY . One thing to note -----hardware is expensive, very expensive so the major saving that manufacturers seem to make is--------less switches, smaller screens, less knobs, smaller amps, less interfaces. Now you get whirly wheels, (menu diving) tiny screens, ---smaller keys!! ---software pays back the more units you sell------hardware doesn't. I am no keyboard expert ---just my engineering view. Good luck in your search ----love to hear what you settle on.

 

[happyrat1]

Buying a discontinued, orphan brand like Technics is begging for trouble.

You're a beginner and 90% of the people on these forums started out with some sort of Yamaha arranger.

Myself, I started out on the other side of the fence, with a Casio.

Get a Casio WK or Privia P1XX. Don't spend a arm or a leg on them. Buy a decent working unit used for a few hundred dollars. They sound like crap unless you tweak em but that's what soft synths are for. Nothing older than a decade. but anything around 5 or 6 years old will have decent MIDI connectivity and make a fine weighted or unweighted (Your choice. Try them both. Don't ask us. ) controller for USB MIDI control. Plus, you can even run those suckers on batteries. You can amuse the troops during Trumps next Tariff Blackout.

Basically it fills your needs for around double your stated budget.

 

[happyrat1]

 

[PianOwO]

Buying a discontinued, orphan brand like Technics is begging for trouble.

You're a beginner and 90% of the people on these forums started out with some sort of Yamaha arranger.

Myself, I started out on the other side of the fence, with a Casio.

Get a Casio WK or Privia P1XX. Don't spend a arm or a leg on them. Buy a decent working unit used for a few hundred dollars. They sound like crap unless you tweak em but that's what soft synths are for. Nothing older than a decade. but anything around 5 or 6 years old will have decent MIDI connectivity and make a fine weighted or unweighted (Your choice. Try them both. Don't ask us. ) controller for USB MIDI control. Plus, you can even run those suckers on batteries. You can amuse the troops during Trumps next Tariff Blackout.

Basically it fills your needs for around double your stated budget.

Thanks for the tips. You know actually I was considering one of those in the beginning of my research a while back, but the reason I decided against them was because one way or the other it seems like it was going to be limiting the types of music I can play so it seemed like semi-weighted was a suitable way to get the best of both worlds. But I'm just going off of what I've read from keyboardists. I have no idea how much that actually translates to reality for most people.

Unfortunately as for trying them out, due to circumstances I have to order online (probably ebay) so returns will be pricey if they're not defective. Which means whatever I buy, that's probably it until I save more $$ to upgrade.

 

[PianOwO]

Well, not being an expert on MIDI----all I can say is that the 5000 and 6000 are MIDI compatible---the slightly later 6500 and the last of the line---the 7000 I believe are DAW compatible. The build quality (from an engineering view) is excellent , these boards are robust BUT ----heavy. Metal framed, with good quality stereo amps and quality speakers --these elements and the power supplies all heavy with respect to up to date boards. They use built in 'floppy' drives for storage BUT the 6500 and 7000 can also use SDcards. The great thing about them is their ease of use ------no menu diving ----just loads of satisfyingly solid buttons. Yes you can go deeper --and the large colour screen all adds to ease of use.----
I have not even laid eyes on an M-Audio so can't compare ---I just know that the old Technics (top of the line in their day) are well engineered. -----oh and did I say ------HEAVY . One thing to note -----hardware is expensive, very expensive so the major saving that manufacturers seem to make is--------less switches, smaller screens, less knobs, smaller amps, less interfaces. Now you get whirly wheels, (menu diving) tiny screens, ---smaller keys!! ---software pays back the more units you sell------hardware doesn't. I am no keyboard expert ---just my engineering view. Good luck in your search ----love to hear what you settle on.

I personally prefer the software and menus on larger screens, but regardless you've given me some things to think about!

 

[Biggles]

It is your 88 key requirement that is severely limiting your options, the Casio WK does not meet your requirements as it has 76 keys, but it would meet the other needs that you have.

Check out a Casio CT X500, which does seem to get pretty good user reviews, it blows the budget but should last for years.