Opinions on the best keybeds?

[NWSooner]

I have the Alesis Andromeda, Kurzweil K2000 (61 key semi-weighted), Roland Fantom G (61 key semi-weighted), Novation XioSynth 25, and Novation Remote 25SL handy. Of these, the 25SL keybed is by far the worst, the XioSynth is ok, the Andromeda and K2000 are about the same (nothing to write home about but I wouldn't kick them out of bed), and the Fantom is light years ahead of all of them when it comes to the keybed. It's not even close.

Now, I would rank these synths quite differently when it comes to sounds, but for keys the Roland just KILLS the rest. What synths have the best keybeds in your guys' opinions?

[NWSooner]

Oh, and although I don't have them handy I would put the Ensoniq VFX and the Oberheim Matrix 6 in the "meh" category along with the Andromeda and K2000-61 because I do have extensive experience with those rather average keybeds.

[kpatz]

My Motif XS6 has a keybed to die for. Nothing I've played before, or since, has compared.

If only the aftertouch wasn't so oversensitive, or if the velocity was a bit more sensitive, it would be perfect.

[golden beers]

i like yamaha keys the best. not weighted tho.

[synthoid]

I am clinging to my Fantom X8 because of the key action. Roland has made some nice keyboard actions over the years. The RD700 is also a nice action.

Among unweighted plastic-y keybeds, I kinda like the spongy action of the Virus TI Polar. I compared it to the keyboard model and preferred the Polar. It does this kind of double-jointed thing when you push a key all they way to the bottom, that causes the channel pressure to trigger. I find it very playable for synth leads etc.

-synthoid

[Denny C]

I also think the Yamaha's are nice. My go to is an Oasys 76. Also, the quality or character rating on a keybed has to be relative to two factors.
1.) What are you going to achieve? Another words, is your technique sufficient enough to make a piano sound realistic on a waterfall styled keyboard; or do you need the weighted keys. 2.) Also, what kind of pitch bend options are available in conjunction to the keybed.

Just a couple of passing thoughts.

[flat earth]

Originally Posted by NWSooner

Oh, and although I don't have them handy I would put the Ensoniq VFX and the Oberheim Matrix 6 in the "meh" category along with the Andromeda and K2000-61 because I do have extensive experience with those rather average keybeds.

Interesting. While I agree the action on the VFX was good, it was also incredibly noisey and clakky.

The best 61 key synth actions i've experienced were Roland JD800, Korg Z1 & Waldorf Q.

Worst was the Korg Karma. Don't know why they used it on that board, its not as if it was a budget synth?

[Kerzwhile]

Originally Posted by NWSooner

Oh, and although I don't have them handy I would put the Ensoniq VFX and the Oberheim Matrix 6 in the "meh" category along with the Andromeda and K2000-61 because I do have extensive experience with those rather average keybeds.

The VFX was the First board that popped into my head! I LOVE that action. I Also like the Original DX-7 keybed too! Of the Current synths, Yeah Roland is up there on my list too. I like the Motif 6SX action also But The VFX is deff my all time favorite!

[e6400ultra]

Never played on one, but the Kawai k5000s is supposed to be great.

[Yoozer]

Tested and loved:
Virus KB/KC
Novation Supernova II keyboard (the KS was a giant leap down)
Korg M3

I liked the V-Synth keyboard but only got to play it briefly.

The original DX7 keybed is good too; the DX7IIFD is a lot more noisy. I've been using my XP-30 for ages for controller duties. I also have a semi-weighted Yamaha W5 (workstation) with fine keys; it's very heavy and incredibly lacking in terms of sliders, though.

[BTByrd]

Originally Posted by T71

Never played on one, but the Kawai k5000s is supposed to be great.

It is great. I read the thread title and immediately thought the K5000S (my first synth). Smooth, responsive, very nice - probably the best I've played.

[jarrydn]

Out of my boards, it'd be the D-50 closely followed by the W-30.