Keyboard recommendations?

[recstar24]

Hey everyone, i was wondering if anyone out there has any recommendations for a keyboard that i could get. I am a choir director, so i am looking for a keyboard that has a nice, natural sound to it, i dont need a whole bunch of functions or different tones, i just want a straight forward 88 key keyboard that has a good natural piano sound to it. A plus would also be a headphone out so i can listen and practice at night. My main use is going to be for transcription work, arrangement work, and playing through my chorales and practicing my accompaniments as well as my vocal warmups, i just need something to work on my music at home to prepare for my choirs, thanks!!

 

[saint.panda]

Recstar24, perhaps you can take a closer look at some of the stage pianos, which are usually cheaper than the big digital pianos with stands (Clavinova and likes). The downside is that the stagepianos have a poor pedal (usually just one and only on or off) and in some cases a stand/rack is not provided with the stage piano.

Personally I would recommend the Casio PX100, which should run around $500-600. It's a recently (1 year maybe?) released model and the cheapest E-piano with weighted keys and at the same time also the best if you're on a budget. I've tested Kawai, Roland and Yamaha models and the Casio came out on top rather handily. I was told the PX200 just had some more fancy sounds but the same keyboard; all Casio stage pianos have a headphone out which is loud enough for the HD 650. For a bit more money, I really liked the Yamaha P90, which had a very natural sound and very good keys but it doesn't have speakers on its own as it was intended as a mastering keyboard. The good Roland ones start at $1000 but are really nice if you have the budget. Kawai on the other hand should better stick with real pianos in terms of price/performance. I also saw some good reviews on the low-end Korg models but haven't been able to try them out.

The Casio PX100 is like the Koss Ksc-35 of digital pianos: you'll need to spend more to get to the same performance level and even though Koss isn't known to produce highend headphones, it still has an excellent reputation in the lower price segments. My #1 priority was the key stroke and #2 sound quality. I was looking for a replacement piano for my stay in Zurich and despite an original budget of originally $800, I happily settled for the PX100. Highly recommended.

 

[Orpheus]

hi.

i personally have a Roland A-90EX, which has the BEST key action i have ever touched--closest to a real piano. it's no longer made, and the base version, without the EX, came with no sounds--it was originally intended as a controller only. the EX model does have about 30 piano sounds i think... some are good, some aren't. but anyway, it retailed about $3000 new, and i think you can pick up a used one on ebay now for about 1/3 the price.

the most popular keyboards out there now are the Korg Tritons. they have sampling capability as an option i think, but come stock with zillions of sounds. even has a touch screen. but i think a fully loaded one will run close to $4000. i think the 88 key version without all the xtras might already be $3000+. anyway, the only real competitor i know to this keyboard is the:

yamaha motif. i only heard one before... but it's the same deal as the Korg: gazillions of sounds. has fancy sequencing abilities too. i don't think it has a touch screen though.

anyway, the Korg Triton and Yamaha Motif are THE best out there. i think the motif is a little cheaper.

go out to your local Guitar Center and try both out. see which one you like.

orpheus

 

[recstar24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saint.panda Recstar24, perhaps you can take a closer look at some of the stage pianos, which are usually cheaper than the big digital pianos with stands (Clavinova and likes). The downside is that the stagepianos have a poor pedal (usually just one and only on or off) and in some cases a stand/rack is not provided with the stage piano. Personally I would recommend the Casio PX100, which should run around $500-600. It's a recently (1 year maybe?) released model and the cheapest E-piano with weighted keys and at the same time also the best if you're on a budget. I've tested Kawai, Roland and Yamaha models and the Casio came out on top rather handily. I was told the PX200 just had some more fancy sounds but the same keyboard; all Casio stage pianos have a headphone out which is loud enough for the HD 650. For a bit more money, I really liked the Yamaha P90, which had a very natural sound and very good keys but it doesn't have speakers on its own as it was intended as a mastering keyboard. The good Roland ones start at $1000 but are really nice if you have the budget. Kawai on the other hand should better stick with real pianos in terms of price/performance. I also saw some good reviews on the low-end Korg models but haven't been able to try them out. The Casio PX100 is like the Koss Ksc-35 of digital pianos: you'll need to spend more to get to the same performance level and even though Koss isn't known to produce highend headphones, it still has an excellent reputation in the lower price segments. My #1 priority was the key stroke and #2 sound quality. I was looking for a replacement piano for my stay in Zurich and despite an original budget of originally $800, I happily settled for the PX100. Highly recommended.

That sounds right up my alley, thank you so much for the recommendation, that is exactly what i am looking for, and fits within the budget as well! MY choirs thank you!

Any other recommendations too ill consider, but along the lines of the casio px100 would be great! Again, my priorities are weighted keys, a real, natural piano sound, and price - fast key response would be nice too!