Buying A Synth

MrBump

Hey, all - I think I know the answer to this before I post, but I'd like some views that I can ignore.

  

I'm a fairly strong guitar player, and not a half bad bassist.  I like to play keyboards, and when I say that I use my trusty M-Audio Keystayion 49 to trigger samples in my DAW, play pads, occasionally some complex stuff.

I've been taking it more seriously of late - I can now play a decent enough version of Imagine with limited mistakes - but I'm being hampered by the Keystation I think - it's old, and the keys are naff.

Anyway, that's the justification.

The wife has agreed to release some of the funds that I've earned and I was thinking of buying a Yamaha MX88 - something that's not wildly expensive, but get's me into the range of very decent piano/synth gear.

Problem is, I look at some of the YouTube reviews and demos, and see absolutely frickin' awesome pianists demoing them, and I think I'm wasting my money...

Whaddaya think?  I could double the money and buy the Ibanez AZ Prestige I'm currently lusting after, but that's just another guitar...

stonevibe

If you really want piano sounds, then it is probably a decent buy. Though you can pick up older Piano/Synth models for a lot less with weighted keys.

I saw a Korg Trinity Pro 88 note for £450 on eBay in London as an example

paulmapp8306

If you want to lpay piano - you need the weighted keys.


The MX88 is OK for that, but honestly have a look at the Roland Juno DS88 - its got more synth stuff and still a decent piano and weighted board.     If you JUST need piano, Id through the RD88 into the mix as well.   It does that a little better for similar price. 

MrBump

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

octatonic

I have a Korg Krome 88 that I'd do a lot cheaper than an MX88.

Stratavarious

I have a big 88 key Fatar master keyboard and a Clavinova piano but they are too much to take out but got the real piano feel.

I use a Roland JunoDS.. huge range of really useful tones, arpeggiator, sample player (from usb sticks!) and a vocoder.  The 88 has weighted keys at the cost of much more physical weight.  I use the 76. Can pick it up with two fingers and it will work on batteries if power fails or gets kicked out on stage.

The Korg Kross and Yamaha MX were the other contenders but the Roland won on mix of giggable and useful features and ease of use.

If i did not have two weighted 88 key alternatives, the JunoDS88 would be my choice without spending serious money.  Nice bit of kit.

monquixote

Are you planning to gig it?

If not get a weighted controller and a copy of PianoTeq for your laptop.

MrBump

Thanks for all the helpful advice.

My Roland Juno DS arrived this morning, and I couldn't be happier - my playing has immediately started on an upward trajectory, the key action and the sounds are amazing.  Sounds great on headphones, but killer into my Fender Rumble 500 bass amp!