Question for keyboard players

[lockhart flawse]

Hi,

I am looking to upgrade my ancient Yamaha PSR-4500. I only want to use it for recording in my "home studio" (otherwise known as the corner of my office)and not for live work.

I don't want a work station, midi, arranger or any of the other gizmos. I just want a keyboard with as wide a range of pre-set sounds on as possible. Specifically I want a good Hammond sound - my current keyboard manages a pretty good Farfisa but it's not what I want. I would also like a better natural piano sound than my current keyboard.

So what do I buy - a synthesiser or do I have to buy a keyboard that will have by default all the gizmos I don't need?

Ideally I wouldn't want to spend more than about £300 and am happy to buy on fleabay.

Grateful for any guidance.

L.F.

[SeanyD]

Although you mention not wanting a workstation, the industry standard over recent years tends to include the Korg Triton, which has huge huge banks of realistic instruments. You might get one on ebay but I doubt 300 notes would stretch, probably looking 400/500 ish.

Alternatively this fella

http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Yamaha-MM6~ID~5706.asp 

... is within budget. Shares the same sound engine as top of the range Yamaha's, so sound is top notch, and its just about within budget even new.

I'm not sure about multi-timbral capabilities though, so you'd need to read up on the spec etc.

Demo here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E_bDg5ak9w 

HTH

Edited by SeanyD on Friday 30th May 09:50

[qube_TA]

Roland, Korg & Yamaha have made dozens of boxes to suit this requirement over the years, there's loads to choose from.

Personally I'd go for a Roland one as I think the quality of the sounds are far better than anything offered by the other 2, should be able to get a decent XP-xx or low-end Fantom for about £300. You'll not find one without MIDI and most have some sort of built-in sequencer though.

[lockhart flawse]

Thanks for the tips chaps. Great link to the Yamaha MM demo - I love his enthusiasm.

L.F.

[anonymous-user]

Technics KNSX6000 has some good organ sounds, plus digital drawbars aswell. Very good range of piano sounds aswell. I have one Doubt you will get one for £300 though.



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Technics-KN6000-Stunning-Key...

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 31st May 12:23

[andy400]

I'll probably get slated for this, but here goes.....

I've got a Casio WK3800 that I use to keep me occupied when I'm working away from home, and the sounds are great, as are the rhythms and all the other bits, and it's very easy to use. Got it brand new for £210 by hunting around on the net, although the rrp is £330ish. Many are quick to 'diss' the Casios, but they've always produced very high quality machines with a lot included for the money.

At least take 5 mins to check out the WK series, and feel free to hurl abuse if I'm very wrong!!

[lockhart flawse]

Well actually I have bid for a couple of WK-3500 on fleabay but they have always gone for a price too close to the new price. I read very good reviews about it when it first came out a couploe of years ago and in fact it was recommended as a keeper in one of the mags.

L.F.

[andy400]

lockhart flawse said:

Well actually I have bid for a couple of WK-3500 on fleabay but they have always gone for a price too close to the new price. I read very good reviews about it when it first came out a couploe of years ago and in fact it was recommended as a keeper in one of the mags.

L.F.

Cool

I've just come from a couple of hours playing around on mine. I bloody love it I do!!