This is the keyboard …

 

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavg…..CNTID=1171

 

I can grab it for $100.  Given it's specs, am I better off getting something different? 

the king of mexico said:

I think you could do better for $100 or find the same or similar for less.

 

That said, i have had a couple of the Yamaha keyboards and i have really liked them. I was using one for a long time as a MIDI controller.

 

The cheaper ones won't have weighted keys or some of that kind of bell/whistle jib jab, but for the purposes of my own hackness, i have never needed anything more than 61 keys, MIDI, and an okay/passable acoustic piano sound built in. The Yamaha acoustic piano sound is often pretty decent. It is just nice to be able to get an okay sound, standalone, without having to hook it up to your computer just to mess around with something.

 

Actually, i like to use the crappy builtin sounds in keyboards sometimes, just run through pedals and guitar amps for kicks. Sometimes i get more interesting results from that than i would with some fancy VST/modelling whatzits.

 

Worth noting that velocity sensitivity is something that you should look for in your purchase. While i can take or leave weighted keys, the velocity sensitivity is definitely a big plus.

 

 

 

---

 

 

This is what I figured.

 

It has touch sensitivity and such, but it seems to be designed for people learning to play piano with the key lamps and such.  I would much rather just not  have those features anyways.

 

Time to look at what else is out there …

 

 

Post edited 10:46 AM – June 27, 2010 by Tron

---

the king of mexico said:

I think that the Yamaha PSR stuff is often pretty good. Just that you could probably buy a new one for about $100.

 

I think that you could score a used one for much less. Admittedly, however, i have not been in the keyborad market proper for a bit, so i don't know what flavour of whizzbanger is currently available.

 

Mayhap hittup yer local craigslist and see what you draw? Or indeed your local pawnshop/used gearhole/yardsale. Entry level keyboards are purchased/abandoned quite often, and i think you should be able to find something cheap and good.

---

 
 

Local guitar stores don't carry used stock, and their new stock is usually incredibly limited.  There is not a huge demand for gear here outside of acoustic guitars and starter instruments, or super expensive pianos.  The used market is not much better, as most pawn shops here are fucking awful and super-overpriced.  Thus I am stuck looking in the usual spots for used stuff.

 

What about a more dedicated MIDI Controller?  Seeing as I really only want the keyboard to use as one.  Something like the M-Audio Axiom line?  I would probably only/want 49 keys, and those go new for ~$250 it seems.

 

Edit: Looks like I could grab one used for under $200.

 

 

 

 

I can see what you mean about at least 61 keys though.  I am trying to imagine how much of an octave range I would need …

 

 

the king of mexico said:

For a keyboard that is only a MIDI controller, you should be able to find something that will do velocity and shizz for $50-100 easy.

 

Like this jobber:

http://keyboards-midi.musician…..sku=700932

 

The last time i was in the store looking at these things there were a shitload of solutions available.

 

In the end, i decided that i like the ability for the use of the thing as a standalone as well as a controller, but if you don't need that, then you should logically expect to spend less than you would for an entry level MIDI keyboard with its amp and speakers and sound making/synthesis bits innit.

 

Mayhap Snaxo can point you in the right direction for what is nice these days. I am pretty punkrock about what i require and how i intend to utilize the thingamabobs.

 

 

---

 

I was looking at the KeyRig as well but I don't know if I like the idea of it having only USB and no standard MIDI jacks.  Then again, I am a know nothing who knows nothing, so I could be confused.