good 88 key midi controller

[nymortgagepro]

I wan't something with a nice piano feel, The m-audio one is not realistic as far as the weighted keys.

Does anyone know of any good 88 key controllers?

[crna59]

Originally Posted by nymortgagepro

I wan't something with a nice piano feel, The m-audio one is not realistic as far as the weighted keys.

Does anyone know of any good 88 key controllers?

I use a Kurzweil PC2x....

Regards,
Bruce

[lil_jay]

about to start looking for one myself too

[rokuez]

i got a used yamaha kx88 off of craigslist, then I got the felt replaced, and its like new.

[Spy!]

Greetings,

I'm not a pianist (hey, I'm not a musician at all) and I don't own a fully-weighted keyboard, but I have been trying a few out - in store - over the last few months and personally I love the feel of the Roland keyboards (RD-700SX and FP-2, etc.), with the Yammys coming a close second.

Probably more (in terms of features and/or price) than what you want right now, but the way I see it, bearing in mind that I'm not a musician (and therefore might have a different perspective to many of you), is the only time I'll really need a full-scale, fully-weighted keyboard is if/when I or (preferably) a real musician want to play some piano. The majority of other keyboard instruments, e.g. organs, synths, etc., don't have fully-weighted action in the real/actual instrument so why would I want to play a piano-type action on an organ?

So my suggestion is find a store/studio/mate that has a variety of makes and models. Try them all out to see what feels comfortable to your playing style. Consider why, when and how you would use a fully-weighted keyboard and set your budget accordingly. Then bearing this budget in mind, make a shortlist from the keyboards you liked the feel of and do some research (survey your mates, post threads on GS, etc.). Finally choose one, buy it and enjoy it!

[Reza]

I know CME's 88 key controller is full hammer action. I've never used it, but have heard that it's great value for money. They had problems with the drivers early on, but I'd say that'd be sorted now.

[Flymax]

The Fatar is nice

[milza]

another vote for cme! great value for it´s price

[lil_jay]

Originally Posted by milza

another vote for cme! great value for it´s price

yeah, just about to buy a cme too...

[taturana]

just got a kx88 in exchange for some other gear and it feels great... best piano action for me...

[Gear Tramp]

Dont bother with any M-Audio shit weighted controllers. Shitty crap.

Don't bother with any CME shit. They look a lot nicer than they are. Pure dung.

You want a Fatar Studiologic.

You're welcome.

Originally Posted by Gear Tramp

Dont bother with any M-Audio shit weighted controllers. Shitty crap.

Don't bother with any CME shit. They look a lot nicer than they are. Pure dung.

You want a Fatar Studiologic.

You're welcome.

I can't comment, I bought and got used to the M-audio shitty crap (shouldnt all crap be shitty LOL).

I got mine cheap though $299 brand new for the Maudio 88 key

[Gear Tramp]

Originally Posted by no ssl yet

I can't comment, I bought and got used to the M-audio shitty crap (shouldnt all crap be shitty LOL).

I got mine cheap though $299 brand new for the Maudio 88 key

I made the mistake of buying one, but i could never get used to it. It would work, if that's all there was, no doubt. The Fatar is around the same price. The CME is twice the price, and not much better than the M-Audio.

Yes, all crap is shitty, though not all shit is crappy.

i.e. That keyboard is crap / That keyboard is the shit.

stike

[lil_jay]

Yeah when i was looking for one, i was told the CME...tried it and i didnt like it atall...ive seen it in some big studios too...make sure u try it out first before u buy if can

[CWsounds]

I have also heard that the CME's UF8's weighted keys suck... I've heard great things about the synth action keys on the 6 and 7 though. This is just hearsay though... I haven't actually tried one.

[zemlin]

The Fatar StudioLogic SL990xp is selling for $300 if you can find it in stock. 88 hammer-weighted keys with aftertouch. I was not able to find any negative reviews - Folks say the action is good. I'm thinking of getting one for my studio.

[Gear Tramp]

Originally Posted by CWsounds

I have also heard that the CME's UF8's weighted keys suck... I've heard great things about the synth action keys on the 6 and 7 though. This is just hearsay though... I haven't actually tried one.

This is true, bro. The CME boards with non-weighted keys kick ass. Very good. The same can be said of Emu X-Boards... cheap ass boards, but surprising feel.

Man, if you want a "good weighted-key feel" you better get a piano.

Have you no dealer nearby where you can run these pieces of shit through the paces?

[Stitch333]

I used a Casio CT6000 with midi out for years...cost me a pack of cigarettes and weighed a ton!

I've been spoiled by poor keyboard controllers LOL.

I started out with a Roland W30 (bad even for synth feel).

I have a Korg z1 and M-audio Keystation pro 88


My brother has a Yamaha P80 which feels alot better, but the same key is always breaking (even after ordering replacements).

I just kinda gave up on feel. The keystation had alot of control for synth/plugin stuff so I went with it. (It beats my W30 and Z1)

[somedude74]

Originally Posted by Gear Tramp

Dont bother with any M-Audio shit weighted controllers. Shitty crap.

Don't bother with any CME shit. They look a lot nicer than they are. Pure dung.

You want a Fatar Studiologic.

You're welcome.

What specifically is wrong with the M-Audio shit-weighted controllers? I hated my Delta 1010, but I have no problem with my 88 key keystation pro, and kinda like it.

[MorganStudios]

Originally Posted by GTR

What specifically is wrong with the M-Audio shit-weighted controllers? I hated my Delta 1010, but I have no problem with my 88 key keystation pro, and kinda like it.

the keys dont feel real, and they feel plastic like 25 kwey midi's

[taturana]

if you want something cheaper, indestructible and with great action... the kx88 is a contender... the only problem is a bit of backwards midi implementation but the keys feel awesome.

[Gear Tramp]

Originally Posted by GTR

What specifically is wrong with the M-Audio shit-weighted controllers?

The keys, Manolo, the keys!

[Dino]

Are Weighted or semi weighted Keys THAT important?

[davebl@dircon.c]

Oberheim MC 3000

[Gear Tramp]

To people that want a "piano" but can't afford or fit one into their home, yes I would say that they are.

To a synth player, they don't matter for shit. They are crap. Worthless.

I like fully weighted keys. Not semi-weighted. Screw that half-ass bullshit. Might as well give me a guitar with semi-level string height. Fully weighted, or non-weighted "synth" keys. That's where the juice is.

[jayman]

Another option is the new studiologic VMK series. Keyboard mag gave the VMK-176 high marks. It's just made its way over to the USA within the last couple weeks. I think the 176 is the only weighted action 76 key controller out right now. They look pretty cool.

[Gear Tramp]

FATAR

STUDIOLOGIC

the sluts have spoken.

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by Dino

Are Weighted or semi weighted Keys THAT important?

Yes, I already have an el-Cheapo non-weighted controller that I'm very happy with. It was just really funny last night watching a killer piano player struggle on non-weighted keys. it's will also be good for my own "piano playing" if I can call it that . . .

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by Gear Tramp

FATAR

STUDIOLOGIC

the sluts have spoken.

I'm leaning this way as well, my Fatar MIDI-Taurus pedals have served me well in the past.