What keyboard to buy?

[sightlessness]

What keyboard should I buy? I have maximum 500 bucks, and I'd like to buy a good, if possible very good, keyboard.

Since you are the experts here, I'd like some suggestions.

What I look for is a great sound for piano and maybe voices (chorus and stuff). Because I have compositions on midi but specially the voices sound kinda crappy. So, I'd like to get this keyboard so I can a decent recording.

If it is possible, make the suggestion about a 7 octave-keyboard (like 86-88 keys). But remember I can't spend that much.

[Scrap]

You won't find much of anything of quality in your price range in the new retail market, but you can get great deals on used workstations and performance keyboards, such as the Korg 01/W and so on. Here are some links to go through:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2564166281&category=38 089 (Korg O1/W Pro-X, 88 keys)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2564972121&category=38 090 (Roland XP-30, 61 keys)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2563454375&category=38 091 (Yamaha S08, 88 keys)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2564996746&category=38 089 (Korg N5, 61 keys)

Be sure to skim through the Gear Talk FAQ as well as the Keyboard Overview. There's a wealth of information available there. Be informed. ;)

[Over The Edge]

Keep an eye out for any of the old Q series keyboards by Alesis on Ebay.
Also, places like Guitar Center or Sam Ash also sell used gear.
I remember during the Labor Day sale at my local GC seeing a used
Korg Wavestation and Roland JX-8P being sold for $200 each. Both
were in decent condition too.


FL
www.franklucas.net

[sightlessness]

Thank you guys. I really appreciate it. :)

[Spacehog]

If you *are* looking to buy new, go for an E-MU *K-6 series (the PK6 or Vintage Keys are the most versatile - I have both!)... they're only 61 keys (but you'll never find 88 for $500 new!). The Halo (sometimes branded as Ensoniq, they're the same company) has the best piano sounds, I've not delved too deeply into the voices and choirs yet. It also has the best sounding General MIDI soundset I've heard (I have the ROM from it in my Vintage Keys)

Martin

[Pedrokey]

Buy a YAMAHA S90!! \m/

[Over The Edge]

S90 for $500?!!???
I wish that were so.




FL
www.franklucas.net

[synthguy]

It's very hard to pass up an Emu synth, as they're being sold here in America for around $500, and they can be expanded with Vintage Synth, Techno, Orchestral, Organ, Grand Piano or other sound roms.

Another synth to consider would be the Roland XP-30, which has a wider variety of sounds, much better effects and better expansion options. You can often find one used for $500 - $600 US.