Playable weighted keys for under 1000

Tommy like sound · 10th February 2012

Hey can I get some feedback on any 88-weighted keys rig for under a grand you might have used? I'm looking for something with A USB connection that can be used predominately as a midi controller. The most important thing is it's playability. It should feel as close to a real piano as possible (tall order I know) I'd consider anything second hand though I'm in Perth WA so most things aren't worth the shipping.

I can find ones like this:

HEMINGWAY - Portable digital piano,88 note. Fully weighted keys,New,3yr warranty | eBay

Though I've never heard of the brand

Then there is this one

M-AUDIO PROKEYS SONO 88 88-KEY DIGITAL PIANO / KEYBOARD WITH USB AUDIO INTERFACE | eBay

Where I've mainly heard bad things about the brand.

pinkheadedbug · 10th February 2012

I've got a Yamaha stage piano and an M-Audio Axiom 61. The Yammy has an awesome action -- it's indistinguishable from a real piano. Mine was about $1000 used. The Axiom is also really good but there is no 88 version as far as I know. The lower-cost M-Audio keyboards I've used are flimsy and you'll break them.

Silent Sound · 10th February 2012

I picked up a Kurzweil Midiboard a while back for dirt cheap from a pawn shop. GREAT feel and response! Only issue I have with it is it has no internal sounds so you have to hook it up via MIDI to something. That and it's incredibly heavy!

So I'd keep a look out for anything local. Not only are there good deals to be had, but you can try it before you buy it. Problem will be the selection, but that's a problem that patience and persistence can solve.

jazzdog · 10th February 2012

I have a Yamaha DGX-630. In the UK it's about £500 new...is that about 750 Australian Dollars?

88-key "Graded Hammer Standard" keyboard. Feels good to me - pretty close to the real thing. I got rid of an old upright when I moved house and replaced it with this. A lot of built-in sounds, but I also use it as a USB controller.

firby · 10th February 2012

Try a Korg N1. No USB though.

ontariomaximus · 10th February 2012

Casio Privia is cool.

dkelley · 10th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy like sound

Hey can I get some feedback on any 88-weighted keys rig for under a grand you might have used? I'm looking for something with A USB connection that can be used predominately as a midi controller. The most important thing is it's playability. It should feel as close to a real piano as possible (tall order I know) I'd consider anything second hand though I'm in Perth WA so most things aren't worth the shipping.

I can find ones like this:

HEMINGWAY - Portable digital piano,88 note. Fully weighted keys,New,3yr warranty | eBay

Though I've never heard of the brand

Then there is this one

M-AUDIO PROKEYS SONO 88 88-KEY DIGITAL PIANO / KEYBOARD WITH USB AUDIO INTERFACE | eBay

Where I've mainly heard bad things about the brand.

there's nothing bad about the m-audio brand. they're not even the same company they were back in the old days when they were actually "midiman" and yes did make some junk. M-audio is owned by avid/digidesign and is a top notch mid-range company.

Their weighted controllers are perfectly good, and considering the price are better than they ought to be.

I've seen plenty of m-audio gear used in real studios by real engineers and real players, including by me.

Tommy like sound · 15th February 2012

Ill try to find a Yamaha DGX-630. So any opinion on the maudio stuff for playability? good to hear you think the quality is okay.

2manyrocks · 15th February 2012

It's discontinued, but the Casio CDP 100 has a pretty decent keyboard feel and MIDI ports. Used to retail for $350-$399 if you can find one. It's replacement, the CDP120 does not have MIDI ports-just a USB connection. I think you may have to go to the Casio Priva PX330 to get a midi port in that line and the retail on that is about $600ish, I think, but there are many more onboard voices. Lot's of plastic in all of these, and maybe not something to haul around a lot.

ivmike · 15th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy like sound

Hey can I get some feedback on any 88-weighted keys rig for under a grand you might have used? I'm looking for something with A USB connection that can be used predominately as a midi controller. The most important thing is it's playability. It should feel as close to a real piano as possible (tall order I know) I'd consider anything second hand though I'm in Perth WA so most things aren't worth the shipping.

I can find ones like this:

HEMINGWAY - Portable digital piano,88 note. Fully weighted keys,New,3yr warranty | eBay

Though I've never heard of the brand

Then there is this one

M-AUDIO PROKEYS SONO 88 88-KEY DIGITAL PIANO / KEYBOARD WITH USB AUDIO INTERFACE | eBay

Where I've mainly heard bad things about the brand.

That is a semi-weighted board; they feel like going halfway between a synth and a piano.

If you want to use an M-Audio board, try this one:
M-AUDIO - ProKeys 88 - 88-Key Graded Hammer-Action Premium Stage Piano

dasnub · 15th February 2012

Get a used Roland Fantom X8. Absolute tank that was selling for over $3 grand just 4 years ago.

Jose · 16th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontariomaximus

Casio Privia is cool.

+1

10th February 2012	#1
Tommy like sound Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 158 Thread Starter	Playable weighted keys for under 1000 Hey can I get some feedback on any 88-weighted keys rig for under a grand you might have used? I'm looking for something with A USB connection that can be used predominately as a midi controller. The most important thing is it's playability. It should feel as close to a real piano as possible (tall order I know) I'd consider anything second hand though I'm in Perth WA so most things aren't worth the shipping. I can find ones like this: HEMINGWAY - Portable digital piano,88 note. Fully weighted keys,New,3yr warranty \| eBay Though I've never heard of the brand Then there is this one M-AUDIO PROKEYS SONO 88 88-KEY DIGITAL PIANO / KEYBOARD WITH USB AUDIO INTERFACE \| eBay Where I've mainly heard bad things about the brand.

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10th February 2012	#2
pinkheadedbug Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 568	I've got a Yamaha stage piano and an M-Audio Axiom 61. The Yammy has an awesome action -- it's indistinguishable from a real piano. Mine was about $1000 used. The Axiom is also really good but there is no 88 version as far as I know. The lower-cost M-Audio keyboards I've used are flimsy and you'll break them.

10th February 2012	#3
Silent Sound Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 895 2 Reviews written	I picked up a Kurzweil Midiboard a while back for dirt cheap from a pawn shop. GREAT feel and response! Only issue I have with it is it has no internal sounds so you have to hook it up via MIDI to something. That and it's incredibly heavy! So I'd keep a look out for anything local. Not only are there good deals to be had, but you can try it before you buy it. Problem will be the selection, but that's a problem that patience and persistence can solve.

10th February 2012	#4
jazzdog Gear Head Joined: Dec 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 41	I have a Yamaha DGX-630. In the UK it's about £500 new...is that about 750 Australian Dollars? 88-key "Graded Hammer Standard" keyboard. Feels good to me - pretty close to the real thing. I got rid of an old upright when I moved house and replaced it with this. A lot of built-in sounds, but I also use it as a USB controller.

10th February 2012	#5
firby Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,491	Try a Korg N1. No USB though.

10th February 2012	#6
ontariomaximus Gear nut Joined: May 2011 Posts: 133	Casio Privia is cool.

15th February 2012	#8
Tommy like sound Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 158 Thread Starter	Ill try to find a Yamaha DGX-630. So any opinion on the maudio stuff for playability? good to hear you think the quality is okay.

15th February 2012	#9
2manyrocks Gear addict Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 444	It's discontinued, but the Casio CDP 100 has a pretty decent keyboard feel and MIDI ports. Used to retail for $350-$399 if you can find one. It's replacement, the CDP120 does not have MIDI ports-just a USB connection. I think you may have to go to the Casio Priva PX330 to get a midi port in that line and the retail on that is about $600ish, I think, but there are many more onboard voices. Lot's of plastic in all of these, and maybe not something to haul around a lot.

15th February 2012	#11
dasnub Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 596 1 Review written	Get a used Roland Fantom X8. Absolute tank that was selling for over $3 grand just 4 years ago.