Digital Pianos vs. MIDI controllers

James W · September 24th, 2003, 02:30 PM

I'm looking to add a piano-weight controller to my keyboard rig so I can play the piano and EP sounds of my other keys/modules comfortably (something seems wrong about playing Rhodes samples on a synth-weight keyboard).

Pricing controllers through, it seems that I could spend a little more money and get a digital piano with MIDI outs. A super-basic Studiologic 88 weighted key controller goes for about $600 but that's not so much less than an entry level digital piano ($700 to $900). Plus you get some extra sounds, the ability to bring it along without lugging your entire rig, an LED display (no really, the SL-880 controller doesn't have an LED display, just a series of LED's to tell you which parameter you're editing).

Of course, $100 to $300 bucks is $100 to $300 bucks and with that money I could buy a new MIM tele or a sound library.

I don't know, so I thought I'd ask you guys (and gals). Anyone go through a similar conundrum? Thoughts? Experiences? Witty remarks?

--James W

TeleGeir · September 24th, 2003, 07:56 PM

I ended up ordering a real stage piano (Yamaha P250), simply because it has superior piano sounds. You can get a decent Rhodes sound out a variety of keyboards and sound modules, but finding good acoustic piano samples is difficult, and will probably be expensive no matter how you do it. So if you want acoustic sounds, look out for that. Btw: When they demo them to you, make sure they turn the reverb off. Many keyboards use reverb to cover a thin piano sound.

Also, there are weighted keyboards and weigthed keyboards. To me, the Yamaha ones feels good.

The P250 is expensive, though, and weighs like a ton.

Consider one of the smaller/cheaper models. Not a problem for me, since it is for my home studio and I don't need to haul it around...

Good luck!

Geir :)

Baard · September 25th, 2003, 01:51 AM

a P80(yamaha) it´s cheap, light, considered the full scale(???) weighted keys, and the piano sounds are pretty full and real. But the other sounds are kind of sucky. It´s the thing to have if you want piano sound on stage. To drive a midi module....well it´s got some midi, but it´s not its force. If you Like your module´s sound, go for a weighted keyboard midi controller. That way you can always swap the module and still have a good keyboard controller.

IMHO

Baard

hippietim · September 25th, 2003, 06:32 AM

the Alesis QS 8/8.1/8.2 - the controller portion is made by Fatar which is the same company that makes them for a lot of the big boys. The sounds are really good and the QS 8x can be found very reasonably priced used.

TeleGeir · September 26th, 2003, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baard

If you Like your module´s sound, go for a weighted keyboard midi controller. That way you can always swap the module and still have a good keyboard controller.
Baard

Good point. But it also a starting point for eternal module swapping. Which will be expensive...

That said, the money I paid for my rig would by a lot of modules. It just made more sense to me, since I want to play the stuff, not spend my time swapping and setting up. I spent a lot of time chasing samplers and stuff way back when, on a quest for the ultimate rig, I wish I had spent that time practising...

Plus after trying a few, I just liked the action of the Yamaha keys better than the others. It is not just a question of weighting them, you want the feeling that it hits something (the imagined "string".) Some keyboards just feels dead, even weighted ones.

Anyway, I feel that keyboard technology now has reached a stage where sound and feel is "good enough". While it may still improve, I won't feel the urge to upgrade every few months. So this is definitely a good time to buy.

Geir :)

James W · September 29th, 2003, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeleGeir

I ended up ordering a real stage piano (Yamaha P250), simply because it has superior piano sounds.

I thought about getting a P250 but I decided to buy a small island in the Mediterranean instead. It costs the same and only weighs a little more.

I agree with you, Geir, not all weighted keyboard feel the same. I like the subtle bounce to the keys in the Yamaha and Roland pianos that's missing in the Korg pianos (though the Korg does feel similar to a Wurlitzer EP) and the last time I played a Fatar/Studiologic controller it felt kind of sluggish (I'm not sure if that's the right word).

Anyway, I guess I have a lot of thinking and researching to do. Thanks for all of your input, I really appreciate it. I'll report back if I get any answers but I think you all gave me a bunch of good points to consider.

--James W

TeleGeir · October 1st, 2003, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James W

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeleGeir

I ended up ordering a real stage piano (Yamaha P250), simply because it has superior piano sounds.

I thought about getting a P250 but I decided to buy a small island in the Mediterranean instead. It costs the same and only weighs a little more.

Yeah, fortunately mine stays in my home studio. Or unfortunately, I wouldn't mind playing in a band again... :D

Geir :)

September 24th, 2003, 02:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
James W Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 183	Digital Pianos vs. MIDI controllers I'm looking to add a piano-weight controller to my keyboard rig so I can play the piano and EP sounds of my other keys/modules comfortably (something seems wrong about playing Rhodes samples on a synth-weight keyboard). Pricing controllers through, it seems that I could spend a little more money and get a digital piano with MIDI outs. A super-basic Studiologic 88 weighted key controller goes for about $600 but that's not so much less than an entry level digital piano ($700 to $900). Plus you get some extra sounds, the ability to bring it along without lugging your entire rig, an LED display (no really, the SL-880 controller doesn't have an LED display, just a series of LED's to tell you which parameter you're editing). Of course, $100 to $300 bucks is $100 to $300 bucks and with that money I could buy a new MIM tele or a sound library. I don't know, so I thought I'd ask you guys (and gals). Anyone go through a similar conundrum? Thoughts? Experiences? Witty remarks? --James W __________________ Doing just fine, hour to hour, note to note.

September 24th, 2003, 07:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
TeleGeir Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 1,998	Re: Digital Pianos vs. MIDI controllers I ended up ordering a real stage piano (Yamaha P250), simply because it has superior piano sounds. You can get a decent Rhodes sound out a variety of keyboards and sound modules, but finding good acoustic piano samples is difficult, and will probably be expensive no matter how you do it. So if you want acoustic sounds, look out for that. Btw: When they demo them to you, make sure they turn the reverb off. Many keyboards use reverb to cover a thin piano sound. Also, there are weighted keyboards and weigthed keyboards. To me, the Yamaha ones feels good. The P250 is expensive, though, and weighs like a ton. Consider one of the smaller/cheaper models. Not a problem for me, since it is for my home studio and I don't need to haul it around... Good luck! Geir :) __________________ "This is a room in Paul's house."

September 25th, 2003, 01:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
Baard Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 668	Our keyboard player has a P80(yamaha) it´s cheap, light, considered the full scale(???) weighted keys, and the piano sounds are pretty full and real. But the other sounds are kind of sucky. It´s the thing to have if you want piano sound on stage. To drive a midi module....well it´s got some midi, but it´s not its force. If you Like your module´s sound, go for a weighted keyboard midi controller. That way you can always swap the module and still have a good keyboard controller. IMHO Baard

September 25th, 2003, 06:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
hippietim Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Raleigh Posts: 2,082	How about the Alesis QS 8/8.1/8.2 - the controller portion is made by Fatar which is the same company that makes them for a lot of the big boys. The sounds are really good and the QS 8x can be found very reasonably priced used.