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  4. Help me choosing a keyboard

  • Help me choosing a keyboard

    X
    X
    Hey guys! I have decided to buy an used keyboard, and i have to choose between these two different models: Yamaha PSR-290 Roland EM-10 Since i have no clue which one is the best, i hope you will help me! Best Regards
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP

    Hello xumeng12,

    These are both auto-accompaniment keyboards, which will also work to record your MIDI signals for sure. Unfortunately I can´t see any real-time controllers like ModWheel or Pitch Bend on any of them....

    If they are the same price, I´d simply go for the newer one. Make sure that this is what you want (I don´t know what you want to do, but in connection with VSL a "normal" MIDI Keyboard with a few MIDI control sliders and 88 keys makes more sense. 

    Best,

    Paul

    Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL
  • M
    M

     If you do go with one of these keyboards, you can buy a separate midi controller interface for your continuous controller controls. One of the ones that comes to mind is the m-audio Evolution uc-33e -- older but still available and I believe, good for the money. Novation also makes some very good midi control surfaces.

    But, if this is not the situation you want to be in (separate keyboard/separate midi control), like Paul said, you might want to save up the funds and buy a keyboard with the controllers built in. Something like the Oxygen 88 from m-audio, or one of Novation's boards.

    Good luck,

    Mahlon
  • D
    D

    Recently I bought a second hand Kurzweil PC3X, to be used as a controller.

    It has the same keyboard than the expensive Doepfer LMK4+ (Fatar TP40), but it also has enormous capabilities as a controller (16 zones, each one with its own complete settings), breath controller input, ribbon controller input, lots of pedals, 9 faders and many other buttons, all definable, etc...

    Oh, and it also souns fabulous :)

    This model can be found very cheap now, because it's been superseded by the Kurzweil PC3K8.

    Cheers
  • A
    A
    No No, the keybed in the Kurzweil PC3X is not the same as the Doepfer LMK4+, the PC3X uses the TP40L light action, where as the Doepfer LMK4+ now uses the TP40GH, which is the superior quality piano feel graded hammer mechanism. Also the PC3X only has 10 velocity curves to choose from, where as the LMK4 has 32 (including special curve for the black notes), and dynamic control from the keys is what these keyboards are all about, The Kurzweil PC3X is very good, but it is no Doepfer LMK4+
  • D
    D

    Yes, I see, there are some differences for both parts.

    At first I considered the Doepfer, but the price seemed excessive to me. If you look at the 32 curves you'll see that they are programmed from a very... programmer perspective. The kurz however has the curves defined and calibrated from a musical perspective. There is no need to have special curves for black notes if the curves are well calibrated in the first place.

    I personally didn't need a graded hammer mechanism to control all the VSL instruments. The light (not so light! it's fully weighted) action retains a very good control over dynamics, and also allows to play fast parts, it's a good compromise. The additon of breath controller input (which I plan to use to control velocity crossfades), ribbon controller, 9 faders and 10 buttons all definable makes it even better as a controller.
  • M
    M
    I'm also in the market for an 88 key master controller. Currently, I have an M-Audio 88ES. While I'm not a pianist and don't need an authentic piano feel per se, I'm unhappy with the dynamic control of cheap controllers. I'm thinking about a Doepfer but wonder if it's overkill not being a pianist. Basically, I want the most expressive controller possible in order to score with nuance. I'm willing to drop the money if the controller will do a lot to make my VSL and other libraries sing, as it were. In short, can anyone tell me if a Doepfer, or something in its class, will make a demonstrable difference with re to scoring, namely with re to dynamic nuance and, in general, make for a superior writing experience? By "demonstrable" I mean worth $2000 :)
  • A
    A
    An 88 note for VSL is really a must (most keyswitches are way down low, especially the A/B keys), and having a decent weighting (hammer action) allows precise control of dynamics, which again is essential. I believe the best key action available is on the Kawai MP10, a stage piano rather than a master keyboard as such, but it is the ultimate in a wooden hammer action keyboard, but it's not cheap if you are only considering it as a master keyboard. The Doepfer LMK2+ is probably as far up the range as you need to go with Doepfer for controlling VSL, but if want a good all rounder at an affordable price, then check out the Akai MPK88.
  • D
    D

    Before ever considering the Akai MPK88, try it at a shop. In my search for "my" perfect 88 key controller I tried many keyboards, it that one had the worst feeling of all. More important than the number of extra pots, faders and connections is the feel in your hands, as it directly translates into inspiration (in my case at least, even being a very bad keyboard player).
  • W
    W
    >"An 88 note for VSL is really a must (most keyswitches are way down low, especially the A/B keys)" Another option is to get a 2-octave midi keyboard and use it just for keyswitches. This drastically reduces the necessity for an 88-key board, and might make more sense space-wise in your studio.