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Geek Culture / Looking for a Portable Keyboards

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MikeS
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Posted: 10th Jan 2005 05:26
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Heh, a year and a couple months ago I started a topic about wanting to learn how to play the keyboard.
http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=17731&b=2
Unfortuantly never learned how or found a keyboard, and I got more into programming than music (Nothing wrong with that though ).

Spent most of the weekend researching a few keyboards, mostly from Yamaha and wanted some opionions from the experts, or anyone interested in keyboards like me.

My price range is $200. So I can't afford anything a professional would have, but I think that's plenty to learn how to play on a decent keyboard.

Couple features that I'm interested in from what knowledge I have.

- At least 16 polyphony (32 or even more would be great)
- Be able to connect to computer to print out sheet music.
- Must be able to take in and export the midi, and/or another format.
- Song memory. Not a must, but still a nice feature.
- Floppy drive would be nice, but not necessary
- Again, must be around the $200(~150 Euros?) price range, or less.

Okay, and here's a couple keyboards that I've found that I'm interested in.

PSR295


PSR 292



I've read most of the reviews at http://www.epinions.com for these models, and some of their predessecors. I've listened to almost all of the media clips as welll, yet I cannot claim to find any huge difference in the music(Would help if they had one sample done everytime with each keyboard. ).

Haven't really looked hard into any other companies though, mainly just Yamaha. Should probably look into Roland a bit as well. So, what does everyone think?



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
(Formerly known as Yellow)
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BealziBob
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Posted: 10th Jan 2005 06:20 Edited at: 10th Jan 2005 06:26
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I used to mess around with keyboards a long time ago, I still have all the kit in the attic. You don't need to spend a fortune to get some pretty impressive kit. In fact the thing you're staring at now (your PC) has replaced the need for high end keyboards.

I'd look for a Midi slave keyboard (one that does not actually produce sounds) if I were you, and get yourself a midi card for your pc. You can pick one up quite cheaply with lots of usefull features like velocity sensativity and aftertouch (so you can play with expression).

The important bit is the software you drive with it. You can spend whatever you want on this but personally, I'd reccomend buying a copy of "Computer music" magazine (UK) and have a go with thier free ComputerMuzys software, it comes with several VST plugins (to synthasize sounds, drums, vocorders and suchlike) and will happily playback any samples you care to throw at it. Basically it's a fully fledged sequencer/tone generator/effects suite for no cost. If that isn't a good start I don't know what is!

Other software such as "Meastro" will take midi data and convert it into sheet music for you. Then of course there is the ubiquitous QBase, but your talking top doller for that. But you get what you pay for.

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BearCDPOLD
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Posted: 10th Jan 2005 08:49
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M-Audio makes some good keyboards ranging from cheap to high quality $500 88 key + soundbank stuff.
m-audio.com

Crazy Donut Productions, Current Project: Project Starbuks
Sony stole our name!
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MikeS
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Posted: 10th Jan 2005 09:19
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Thanks for the information BealziBob. Recently bought a Digital Music Maker magazine that had a ton of software on it (A few full version progams as well!).

Heh, in fact as I look through it now while I type this post, I see many different neat tools you speak of.

Just stumbled upon the Korg website, and found some really neat tools. Also looking at Edirol.

------------------------------
Thanks for the link Bear Crazy Donut Productions . Checked out most of the keyboards, and they seem pretty good.

Read a review of the m-audio Radium 61 in my magazine mentioned above, and it said it was a good buy. Now I have a lot to think about.

------------------------------

Planning on going to Best Buy sometime this week and trying out a few of the Yamaha boards they have. Right now I'm liking the PSR295 from what I've read, but looking at some of these other websites is opening my eyes quite a bit.



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
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Mattman
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Posted: 10th Jan 2005 10:25
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Micro-Korg or Casio WK-3500. I own the latter and like it very much!

Hi
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Eric T
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Posted: 10th Jan 2005 10:49 Edited at: 10th Jan 2005 10:51
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http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Oxygen8-main.html

This little baby is a beast.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Radium61-main.html

My current love... nice response, and its light as hell.

Though those are for PC only. For an actual keyboard.. i still use a ESQ1 hooked up to a mirage diskette drive. Still better then alot fo the trash on the market.

Eric

<Mouse> lag, d'you like "real" RPGs? : <drac_work> ... : <drac_work> isnt that an oxymoron : * Mouse slaps drac_work :
<Mouse> don't contradict me bitch
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MikeS
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Posted: 11th Jan 2005 10:33
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Thanks for the links Eric. Radium 61 is one of my top choices as of now.

Dunno if I can afford a Micro-Korg Mattman. I'll look at the Casio WK-3500.



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
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Mattman
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Posted: 11th Jan 2005 11:40
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I got the Casio for xmas although i had to put up half of it (long story) and I really like it

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heartbone
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Posted: 2nd Mar 2005 07:52
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Mike S, this past weekend I bought the Yamaha UX16. Then I downloaded a bunch of sequencer freeware. If you haven't already bought your keyboard and have decided on a Yamaha then you may want to wait for the new models as the UX16 module (MIDI to USB interface) is builtin to the new 2005 models. The unknown is the price. Since over here we import this stuff and pay for it in American dollars, I expect all new electronics and blank media to be somewhat more expensive. Consumers using the pound may get a better deal.

It's amazing what you can get for free out there. Do you have any software recommendations? I'm currently trying to wrap my brain around Quartz Audio Master's p process for taking my keyboard playing and creating MIDI files.

I think my Yamaha PSR-275 is amazing. But while shopping I saw several the top of the line Yamaha synths. $3000+. And some of their mid priced models too (~$1400-1700). These things are OUT OF THIS WORLD. The depth and sophistication of the tools are hard to comprehend. If you are a serious keyboard musician and you haven't checked out this stuff you just may want to see what has happened in the past few years. The high res LCD interfaces, the sophistication and refinement of sound generation techniques.

Peace, the anti-Bush.
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MikeS
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Posted: 2nd Mar 2005 22:08
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Hi heartbone. I haven't bought a keyboard yet, I'm waiting till springbreak before I make any big purchases(So I actually have time to play the thing ).

Can't make any personal recommendations as I haven't actually used much audio software lately.

(Quick google search brought me this though)
http://www.cleverjoe.com/music_software.html

I'll start looking around for the both of us as far as software goes though. Took a look at the UX16 module, and it would be excellent to have USB support built in(Have 2 USB ports on the front of my cpu already).

Still considering ,over the past days actually, the PSR 295 as my keyboard of choice.



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
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MikeS
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Posted: 28th Mar 2005 07:09
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I bought the PSR 295 on Friday, and am loving it. Meant to post when I first got it, but have been too excited messing around with the keyboard to remember.

Have to say it's very nice, and I'm glad with my decesion to buy.



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
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