Piano Forum

Topic: Upgrading instrument  (Read 1248 times)

Offline xxkinachixx

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Upgrading instrument
on: December 22, 2013, 06:53:27 AM
Hi, right now I'm using the M-audio Keystation 88es, and it has served me well especially it's ability to connect to my computer via usb. However it is semi weighted, and I would like recommendations for a digital piano which has fully weighted keys (hopefully closer to an acoustic piano). I would however still like to keep the option of connecting the piano to my PC, such that I can record.

Are there any recommendations for under $1000? Thanks

Offline hfmadopter

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Re: Upgrading instrument
Reply #1 on: December 22, 2013, 09:25:08 AM
Hi, right now I'm using the M-audio Keystation 88es, and it has served me well especially it's ability to connect to my computer via usb. However it is semi weighted, and I would like recommendations for a digital piano which has fully weighted keys (hopefully closer to an acoustic piano). I would however still like to keep the option of connecting the piano to my PC, such that I can record.

Are there any recommendations for under $1000? Thanks

Not really no. Actually you have one controller I might have suggested ! Double that amount you quoted and then start looking at digital pianos with the thought that you might have to spend more than $2000 ( Kawai MP10 with it's wooden key cores comes to mind off hand ( $2400 US). It should be a great feeling experience. And the Roland RD700NX ( $2700 US, you can usually find a sale on it someplace for $2400) with it's nice textured key surfaces, not to be mistaken for other Rolands incidentally).. Most or many keyboards today have midi or a USB connection in them, especially stage pianos.

I'd suggest the Kawai MP6 ( I'm merely mentioning it), it's still over $1000 and the keys may feel too heavy to you ( It's a $2000 board that sells regularly these days for $1400 and I bought mine for $1250 with a special one weekend coupon almost a year ago now.. It's getting to be an older model now actually. It's been a nice keyboard for me, I rarely play my grand now. It's taken a long time to get it perfected though, it's internally adjustable and then externally adjustable ad nauseam.

I tried one of those M-Audio key stations before I bought the MP6 and liked the feel of the keys but didn't try it for very long, not the same as owning one. . The MP6 is fully weighted, the keys are a bit heavy actually, as mentioned already..

Kawai also has a new controller out, much as you have probably better built and probably more expensive. I have not seen the cost of one as yet. And really you just want the controller aspect of any of these instruments since you are running it through software I imagine.
Depressing the pedal on an out of tune acoustic piano and playing does not result in tonal color control or add interest, it's called obnoxious.
 

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