Digital piano/keyboard recommendations?

[Jog On]

Question, why do you need MIDI functionality? Hooking up to other keyboards? Connecting to a sequencer or score writing software?

If you intend to connect your shiny new keyboard to a computer (OSX or WIN), to use plugins gimme a shout if you'd like a Steinway grand

Nice I will

I'm looking for something entry level, not too pricey that I can hook up to the PC via an M-Audio external USB interface (fast track Pro), but also can be used stand alone as a faux piano that folds away nicely when not in use.

The M-Audio price range is about right at this stage in the game.

[NotAllThere]

We have a Roland HP500 series (can't remember which exact model). My son, who got grade 8 piano 4 years ago, and has progressed considerably since then, considers it as good as any upright. He still wants me to replace the dining room table with a grand piano.

[Cliphead]

I believe the Roland 307 has 128 velocity samples where the Korg has about 4, any sustained note has the warbling effect, anything outside an octave up or an octave down from C is simple manufactured. I use the Korg as a controller.

I tried out the new kit from roland (the td-30) the other week and it is awe inspiring, puts my td-12kv to shame, thinking about buying the module and selling the old one which will set me back a grand.

As mentioned in a previous post got myself a Roland GR55 guitar synth and GK3 pickup fitted to the DBZ Bolero, no more crap keyboard playing can do it all from the guitar now. Great onboard sounds but MIDI it up to the PC and be able to access all the VSTi's is just amazing.

[minestrone]

Very true.

Samples vary in quality though. Onboard bundled samples just don't compare with a dedicated software sampler where a Steinway set of samples can be anything from 1Gb to 40Gb and each note haveing 40 velocity layers.

You can gues my preference for a controller keyboard with no sounds of it's own but connected to a PC and sampler...

I believe the Roland 307 has 128 velocity samples where the Korg has about 4, any sustained note has the warbling effect, anything outside an octave up or an octave down from C is simple manufactured. I use the Korg as a controller.

I tried out the new kit from roland (the td-30) the other week and it is awe inspiring, puts my td-12kv to shame, thinking about buying the module and selling the old one which will set me back a grand.

[Cliphead]

Roland sample Steinway for the notes where as yamaha sample yamaha, korg ( I think ) sample yamaha. The difference is massive.

Very true.

Samples vary in quality though. Onboard bundled samples just don't compare with a dedicated software sampler where a Steinway set of samples can be anything from 1Gb to 40Gb and each note haveing 40 velocity layers.

You can gues my preference for a controller keyboard with no sounds of it's own but connected to a PC and sampler...

[minestrone]

Roland sample Steinway for the notes where as yamaha sample yamaha, korg ( I think ) sample yamaha. The difference is massive.

[Cliphead]

Question, why do you need MIDI functionality? Hooking up to other keyboards? Connecting to a sequencer or score writing software?

If you intend to connect your shiny new keyboard to a computer (OSX or WIN), to use plugins gimme a shout if you'd like a Steinway grand

[minestrone]

I have a korg sp-500 (pile of mince) and a Roland 307 (absolute top quality).

Roland is the way to go. Yamaha do not even register when you compare sound for sound with Roland.

(I am still crap at the piano)

[thunderlizard]

I looked into this quite a lot back into December. Kawai are worth looking at if piano realism is your priority, and if you want to get good, you ought to get the feel of a realistic piano early on. Yamaha give the impression of charging extra for whistles and bells (literally, well, almost literally).

[Cliphead]

This one is 88 keys and £400 on Amazon.

The Yamaha one is 76 keys

I prefer controller keyboards to digital pianos so can't comment much but the M-audio keyboard looks a good choice at that price and seems to have everything you want. Always found Yamaha kit to be overpriced compared to similar kit from the competition.

[Jog On]

Last time I checked, a full octave one (88 keys) was a couple of grand, and IMHO nothing less will do unless you're buying one for a toddler to play with and puke over.

But that may have been before the crash.

This one is 88 keys and £400 on Amazon.

The Yamaha one is 76 keys

[OwlHoot]

Last time I checked, a full octave one (88 keys) was a couple of grand, and IMHO nothing less will do unless you're buying one for a toddler to play with and puke over.

But that may have been before the crash.

[SupremeSpod]

Any music types able to recommend a good starter digital piano? Ideally with a good range of keys, portable (storable) with a MIDI output?

Quite like the look of this one here:

Yamaha NP31 Portable Keyboard - Black: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments

Cliphead is your man!

[Jog On]

Any music types able to recommend a good starter digital piano? Ideally with a good range of keys, portable (storable) with a MIDI output?

Quite like the look of this one here:

Yamaha NP31 Portable Keyboard - Black: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments