Need a reccomendation for "Beach" keyboard

[ChrisMcCoy]

Every year, I do a family trip to the beach. It's a family reunion, and we rent a very large house to accomodate the group (usually at least 15 of us !) My brother in laws bring their acoustic guitars, and there's a jam session on the back porch (sun room) every night. So here's my dilemma, I have been brining my wife's cheap yamaha personal keyboard (don't know the model, but it's old and cheap with built in speakers). As I refuse to bring my "Real" equipment to the beach (common sense prevails here...salt air and high end electronics do not mix well ), I need to find something cheap but decent to replace the yamaha (Can't stand the onboard sounds for another year of this, they are just HORRIBLE) in time for the beach trip (end of July). Battery powered with option to use regular power, with built in speakers would be best, but no mini-keys :roll: So, Any suggestions ? Not looking to spend much for this, as it's going to take some abuse going on these family trips :) Thanks for any suggestions !!
C.

[Enigma™]

VERY simple solution: Casio wk3500.
Don't you dare laugh either - I'll come through this damn internet and smack ya around too!
The sound quality *internal samples* although aren't pro, are the absolute best "amateur" quality I've ever heard. There's TONNES of samples, it has layering/sequencing AND sampling ability, it has smart media data transfer and there are some built in effects that make my Kurzweil blush. *I don't have KDFX otherwise there'd be no competition :)*

Honestly, I'd have to say it's probably the best deal you're going to get, and it meets all your criteria. And it has 76 keys too.

Hell, *I* am thinking about getting one just so I can mess around in my livingroom, because my Kurzweil stays in the studio and when I get my TritonLE Pro, That's going to be in the studio with me :)

Check it out - you'd be missing out if you didn't!

[ChrisMcCoy]

No Laughter here. Thanks very much for the advice.
I was noodling around with a Casio at lunchtime and it had some nice sounds. Now the only concern may be the size...76 keys :) I still need to leave room in the back for my 3 year old's beach toys and our luggage :)
Cheers and Thanks for the Advice !
Best Regards,
Chris

[Axe2Grind]

How about one of the EMU keyboards, say the PK6 or Ensoniq Halo. They are pretty light with a good 61 key action and great sounds. A friend of mine has one and always thought it would make a good travelling board.

[ChrisMcCoy]

How about one of the EMU keyboards, say the PK6 or Ensoniq Halo. They are pretty light with a good 61 key action and great sounds. A friend of mine has one and always thought it would make a good travelling board.

Thanks,
Only prob there is no built in speakers (Trying to avoid bringing an amp) :0
Cheers,
Chris

[Angelic Layer]

I am considering a triple fretted suit case clavichord recently, it only weight about 5 kg and electricity are not needed.
It may be a good choice for a travel instruments.

[Spacehog]

How about one of the EMU keyboards, say the PK6 or Ensoniq Halo. They are pretty light with a good 61 key action and great sounds. A friend of mine has one and always thought it would make a good travelling board.

Other problem (as well as there being no speakers) is that they are discontinued and increasingly hard to find (hehe, that's cos they're all in my studio :)) Great boards though

Martin

[Liquid Shadow]

GO CASIO!!

I have one, and I can tell you that the presets don't even begin to do them justice. As far as piano and strings and whatnot, there's not a whole lot more you can do, but as far as leads and organs are concerned, it really has a lot more to offer than you initially think (16 digital drawbars...don't tell me that isn't sexy).

You could save yourself 100 bucks too if you just want to go for the 3000, which is the same thing minus the mod wheel and disk drive. Not a big deal IMO, since I only use the wheel for turning the leslie on/off or filter sweeps with certain patches (programmed vibrato = suxorz)



Hopefully I'll be able to get my recording stuff working again this weekend and I'll make a few more clips of me playing it so you can hear for yourself what it has to offer.

[John]

I've got a nice board for the beach. Never runs out the batteries. Cleans up nicely. Only problem is that really only has one good sound.

- John.

[Hobbes]

I use hohner hm32 melodica :)

[PsawniK]

An accordian's fairly portable. :lol:

[WoofWoofX]

I used to use Yamaha QY-70 with ear phones for composing and throwing ideas....

But Go for any Casio... they're good...light... and you want worry if they got some sand in them... what ever you put them through...they'll keep going (the Fruit of the loom T-Shirt style) ...but you need to sacrifice the sounds OK?

//WoofWoofX

[Liquid Shadow]

Finally got some recordings online of my Casio. Follow the link here:

http://www.albertorizzoschettino.com/~progsounds/board/viewtopic.php?TopicID=189&page=0



You may have to register there to see the thread, but it doesn't take long and it's fairly easy.