Buying a Keyboard

[Claado Shou]

Thanks, zircon. I'll do some research on those recommendations and see if anything really fits the billet. I appreciate the lengthy list, too...sounds like you know what you're talking about, fo sho.

~.C.S.~

[Yoozer]

E-mu Proteus X.

Doesn't that require an E-MU sound card? I don't think he's planning to buy an E-MU 0404, just a keyboard.

No, not anymore; you just need an E-mu product if I understood it correctly. The card is a nice extra for some mediocre 100%-hardware effects.

Also, I have a Roland XP-10. How do you all think it stacks up as a keyboard?

If you like how the keyboard feels and you like the sounds, it's alright. Personally I think it shouldn't be in the XP-series - all the other boards have 64 voices and are expandable.

The only thing I don't like is that it uses legacy MIDI ports.

That's seriously nothing to dislike because MIDI ports are everything but legacy. Sadly enough.

USB is not the future in that aspect - the internal "translation" to MIDI signals still takes place.

A truly new interface would give a much higher resolution for controllers and hopefully, it'd introduce some kind of peer-to-peer model with timestamping.

[Urafaerie]

Hey guys, I didn't feel like flooding the forums...so I guess I should ask in here.

Currently, I have FLStudio and many VST(i) plug-ins, including my favorite, EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Silver. I also just received Cubase and would like to begin learning that. With this, I am planning on buying a MIDI (?) keyboard.

Now, I don't really care for many synths and sounds on the board itself, I just want to be able to play the plugins from my computer using the keyboard (using a typing keyboard is just a pain).

My budget is not very high...I'll say 200-400...recommendations?

BTW, heres a sample of my music - - I can't wait to get a keyboard so I can improve.

http://www.wikiupload.com/file_store/upload_1/1529823601458365bc287a2.mp3

EDIT: I am eying the Evolution MK461C USB MIDI Controller...

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemID=31023&ovchn=NXT&ovcpn=Sam+Ash+TL&ovcrn=31023&ovtac=CMP&AffiliateID=615

decent price with attractive features...not sure how it is though.

[zircon]

The Evolution seems a little pricey. I recommend an M-Audio Keystation (Pro) or an Edirol. Both have done me well.

[Urafaerie]

The Evolution seems a little pricey. I recommend an M-Audio Keystation (Pro) or an Edirol. Both have done me well.

I searched for the M-Audio and it is priced at 599? Is that right?

[Urafaerie]

Ah! I've been searching and there are so many! I don't want to buy one that seems good and ends up blowing.

[zircon]

The Evolution seems a little pricey. I recommend an M-Audio Keystation (Pro) or an Edirol. Both have done me well.

I searched for the M-Audio and it is priced at 599? Is that right?

No. Sweetwater sells the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 for $400.

[tweex]

The Evolution seems a little pricey. I recommend an M-Audio Keystation (Pro) or an Edirol. Both have done me well.

I searched for the M-Audio and it is priced at 599? Is that right?

No. Sweetwater sells the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 for $400.

You can also find a refurbished one on Musicians Friend for $330. However, you would need to wait until the end of the month for when they get them in.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Keystation-Pro-88-MIDI-Controller?sku=709203V

[Urafaerie]

The Evolution seems a little pricey. I recommend an M-Audio Keystation (Pro) or an Edirol. Both have done me well.

I searched for the M-Audio and it is priced at 599? Is that right?

No. Sweetwater sells the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 for $400.

You can also find a refurbished one on Musicians Friend for $330. However, you would need to wait until the end of the month for when they get them in.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Keystation-Pro-88-MIDI-Controller?sku=709203V

Sweet. I'll look into it.