Key features of a keyboard

[TheMagician]

I am in the process of talking to different retailers about keyboards/synths trying to determine what is the best one for me to purchase in a few months time (I want to get one locally - to get support and to make life easier etc). I am very aware I may not be able to get a particular synth locally (NZ is sooooo isolated!) so I'm more interested in features rather than models etc, so I can judge what's around and make an educated choice.

What are the key questions I should be asking and what are the most important features that a particular synth should have - I'm thinking of things like number of keys, number of voices, customisable features etc - what are the "must -haves", what are the "nice-to-haves" and what are the toys that aren't really necessary (ie the techo-junk that sounds kewl but is really a waste of time)?

I've set myself an ultimate goal to be able to compose music that "sounds" LTE-ish in nature, and also to be able to play most of the songs on the DT Keyboard Anthology I just ordered (from this site incidently lol).

Apologies for the big open ended question - its a big topic, and I'm slowly finding my feet.

[WoofWoofX]

Hi There,

1 word.... K2661.... (just kiding)

Things personally I look for are:

-(if sample based) the quality of samples
-Polyphony
-Multitambrality (how many MIDI Ch)
-Arpegiator
-realtime controls (loads of knobs and sliders so you don't need to access the menu while you're playing)
-Joystick, Wheel Pitch band...and shoud be assignable too (if you need to use it for something else)
-Slide Bar (Ultra cool) and iff possible to use it as a sample trigger will be great
-Semi Weighted Keys (check 3 KB at least in the same shop and compare the feeling of the keys)
-multiple Outs, SPDIF, Optical (if available).
-External storage media is a must...
-Capable to read samples (not necessary a sampler)
-If a Synth none Sample based... check How many LFOs and wave types can it handle (e.g saw, sign, triangle, random...etc)
-Quality of Effects and how many you can use as SEND and INSERT.


Stay away from:

- single , 2ble...quintuple even D-Beam...useless unless you want to impress your friends when they come and visit you.
- Zip Drives Included ...Yuck!!... noise like hell and you wan't realise it untill you turn it off
-small LCDs and complex Menues (non logical)
-Ball Pitch band (GEM Like)
-Stay away from KB with speakers (dissappointing when connected to PA)

I am shure I forgot something...
but that's it for the time.

//WoofWoofX

[Axe2Grind]

I would personally look for keyboard action first, not something you can discuss but rather try out in the shop, also the different sound engines in one instrument is always a big selling point for me, if a keyboard can do sampling, analog modelling, physical modelling etc then that's a big bonus as it can make one instrument very versatile. Polyphony is not as important to me, sounds, expandability for the future and key actions are my big issues. A nice large display is always good too. The things I would not like to see in a keyboard is built in media drives like CD, Floppy or Zip drives as if they go wrong then the whole board needs to be sent for repair, its best to have built in interfaces like USB, SCSI is getting old now and is delicate. Actually when I look at the above, I'd say a new Triton Extreme or Motif ES would be pretty cool. All depends on your needs, and if you have other keyboard gear, how the new gear will compliment what you already have. Its always hard getting new gear as you never know what new stuff is just round the corner. Well, hope this helps and nice to see a Kiwi in the house, My wife's a Kiwi.... :)

[Tusker]

I've set myself an ultimate goal to be able to compose music that "sounds" LTE-ish in nature, and also to be able to play most of the songs on the DT Keyboard Anthology I just ordered (from this site incidently lol).


One thing that will help us is if you describe your keyboard experiences to date. Starting out? Classically trained pianist? Self taught pop piano?, etc.

The key action is important, but especially so, if you have been trained with weighted keys, or hope to play them one day.

Best,

Jerry

[TheMagician]

Thanks guys - thats a really useful starting point.

My background is that I have dabbled with different musical instruments over time, but never really had any particular focus so didn't really put much effort into it. Now I have "found" DT/LTE I have finally found a musical direction that truly inspires me and that i'm willing to pour a lot of effort into.

So in terms of Piano/keyboard experience I have none whatsoever. My plan (feel free to shoot holes in this :wink:) is to borrow my Dad's keyboard (not sure what it is yet, but its fairly basic - he uses it for accompaniment) for 2.5 months while he's overseas and learn finger technique and reading and playing music with keys, including some tutoring on technique etc.

After that I plan to go and buy a synth (when I have to give the KB back lol), carry on learning and practicing, and extend my knowledge to the use of a synth as well as keyboard.

I figure it's important to learn what I like/dislike about Dads keyboard and what features would be better/worse etc.

It's a relief however to know there are good people on a forum like this who are willing to help me out and discuss these things - thanks! :D

[Last Viking]

Ask anything you want, I'll answer anythin i want!




And WoofWoofX,

-single , 2ble...quintuple even

??

[WoofWoofX]

Hej Last Viking,
:lol: What I meant was... it doesn't matter how many D-Beam they offer in Roland.... they are 99% Useless so you don't have to be dazzled by the tricks and Gizmos

//WoofWoofX

[Last Viking]

Yeah, i remember when i got my first "real" keyboard after psr-6, It had
a pitch wheel, me and my friends were like WHOA, but in fact I've tested
the D-beam, and at first try i couldn't get any other sounds than hyper-
psychedelic-WHAUUUUUUAUAUAUA, maybe it's what someone wants.
second try i got the same sound
third try i got the same sound,
Maybe it requires some kind of practice to control all those sounds...

[TheMagician]

Just got hold of the Keyboard over the weekend - turns out it is a Yamaha PSR-1700 - even has a pitch wheel which suprised me. Anyone know anything worth knowing about this keyboard? It seems pretty straightforward at this stage

[Deceit]

Man, I guess you turned on the solo synth option...which isn't really the most useful in the RS-x0 and Fantom series. I like the concept, it's an additional controller I wouldn't underestimate, you can assign it to Wah as well...and THAT's indeed cool. If you're thinking about the new RS series...they're pretty inexpensive, and IMHO much better than the upcoming Juno-D (much more memory, as far as I remember, and anyway they're all 3 really nice entry level boards).
Deceit.