what is the cheapest fully weighted 88key KB on the planet?

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pixeltarian
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what is the cheapest fully weighted 88key KB on the planet?

Post by pixeltarian » Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:34 pm

I know these two are pretty inexpensive:
m-aduio prokeys 88
casio px-130

my only criteria:
88 keys
fully-weighted
midi capable

can anyone tell me of any other fully weighted 88 key keyboards out there? There are probably some used ones to look out for too, but I don't know enough about keyboards to know what to search for an the craigslist. thanks for your help.
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Re: what is the cheapest fully weighted 88key KB on the plan

Post by LazarusLong » Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:03 pm

pixeltarian wrote:I know these two are pretty inexpensive:
m-aduio prokeys 88
casio px-130

my only criteria:
88 keys
fully-weighted
midi capable

can anyone tell me of any other fully weighted 88 key keyboards out there? There are probably some used ones to look out for too, but I don't know enough about keyboards to know what to search for an the craigslist. thanks for your help.
both of those keyboards feel awful, just FYI.
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Re: what is the cheapest fully weighted 88key KB on the plan

Post by shedshrine » Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:27 pm

pixeltarian wrote:What is the cheapest fully weighted 88key KB on the planet..with good feel?
:D

my keyboard skills are pretty rudimentary, but I love the way a weighted board let's you play so rythymically, like playing drums with the keys. Anyway, I'm interested too Pixelman, good topic!

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Post by LazarusLong » Tue Apr 20, 2010 4:08 pm

sorry, I'll be more helpful this time:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MPK88/

This Akai feels great. It's got all sorts of other bells and whistles... but regardless, it feels great. Smooth action. Not quote Roland good, but it's also a fraction of the cost.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UF80/

This one also feels great (and costs a little less) but I've heard lots of rumblings that after about a year or two of moderate use, the keybed starts to degrade. No bueno.
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Post by pixeltarian » Sun Apr 25, 2010 2:55 am

I'm leaning towards korg stage piano offerings at the moment. either the SP250 or the SP170.

I found a good deal on a used sp250 and I might bite.

someone let me know if I'm going to hate the feel of the keys. that's the biggest reason I'm getting a new KB. I only have 49 unweighted keys at the moment.
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Post by rushofblood » Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:13 pm

The older UF series from CME is the first thing that comes to mind for me, I've had their UF5 for years and never had a problem with it, took it on the road with no case, it's had spills and all.

http://www.music123.com/CME-UF8-88-Key- ... =496865518

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Post by kayagum » Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:54 pm

Cheapest- free/cheap piano from craigslist

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Post by pixeltarian » Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:00 am

ok. I went to the music store today. tried some pianos. here are the results

casio PX series: did not like the action. a little too stiff and not "bouncy." which made things like trills really hard.

Yamaha P85: I liked this one a good amount. very responsive.

Korg: they didn't have a SP250 or 170. I really would like to try this one, but I might go with the yamaha unless I can find somewhere that carries it.

I did play on an old triton and liked the feel a lot. I used to own the same model and always though it was a good action. there was also some new korg there which I did not like, but the sales rep said the sp250 has a much better keybed.

so I probably will not go casio. it's down to the yamaha P85 or the korg sp250. has anyone played on these newer korgs? I'd love to hear an opinion on them!

thanks for all the help thus far. my budget is now $800 and under. so if any pianos come to mind in that price range, I'm all ears. I decided to go with a digital piano instead of midi controller because the 'turn it on and write some music' aspect is really nice. also, it's nice to know I can lug it around to a show and use it.

as I said, anyone that has played a korg sp250... I would love to hear what you thought of it. Also if someone has played an sp250 and a p85 would be ideal. I really liked the feel of the keys on the p85 a lot, but just would really like to touch a SP250 before I make my final decision.
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Post by plurgid » Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:07 am

For the love of all things holy, avoid all CME products like the plague.

I own a UF60 (61 key version, no weighted keys). I have had NOTHING but problems since day one with it. There is ZERO support from the vendor beyond a user forum on their website. The installer for their firmware patches comes with 0 documentation, and it is entirely possible to brick your unit accidentally using it. I'm telling you ... CME is BAD, BAD, BAD, man. Don't go there, even if it's free ... that's my advice on that.

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Post by kittonian » Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:16 pm

I've got an M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 and have been a piano player for almost 20 years now. It might not feel ultra-realistic but I sure haven't had any issues playing it. Grabbed a sustain pedal and hooked it right up. Works perfectly and is inexpensive.

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Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:26 pm

I've got an older Fatar Studiologic 990 on semi permanent loan. It's got really nice action and feel. It's a controller only so you'd need a sound module.

http://www.studiologic.net/sl-990xp.html

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Post by The Real MC » Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:44 pm

If you want use the weighted keyboard as a MIDI controller, do not select the Yamaha P series or derivatives. They can do MIDI note on/off and that's about it. They're a pain to configure for splits and layers.

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Post by Nick Sevilla » Thu May 06, 2010 9:05 pm

I have an M-audio Pro Keys 88.

It is good. It was inexpensive.

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Post by wrenhunter » Sat May 08, 2010 5:01 pm

The Real MC wrote:If you want use the weighted keyboard as a MIDI controller, do not select the Yamaha P series or derivatives. They can do MIDI note on/off and that's about it. They're a pain to configure for splits and layers.
I have not done any MIDI with my older P60, but the keyboard feels great and the sound is good. (I am primarily a guitarist, but did use the P60 for 1 year+ daily for piano lessons.)
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