Many members on this forum seem to be very knowledgeable, and I'd covet and appreciate your thoughts on this; I am buying a keyboard for a church group overseas. I don't know if an arranger function is a must for a church setting, but I am looking at an 88 keyboard. A few things to consider, easy to operate, good piano and acoustic instrument sounds, something between $1,000 and $1,500. I have been watching some demo videos on the Casio PX-5S. Once again, I'd appreciate any thought you can share.
Thanks,
Chris
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"You Shall Know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." John 8:32
#407066 - 08/18/1505:20 AMRe: A good keyboard for a church setting
[Re: Torch]
Bill Lewis
Senior Member
Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 2445
Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA
I have a mint Privia 350 for sale. You would have money left over for a nice stereo sound system to go with it.
Email me at Billlewisnj@aol.com
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Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer
#407067 - 08/18/1505:37 AMRe: A good keyboard for a church setting
[Re: Torch]
adimatis
Senior Member
Registered: 01/28/05
Posts: 1162
Loc: Oradea, RO
As you mentioned "any thoughts", here's mine:
I think is good to have at least some arranger capabilities, as quite often a simple drum track or more complex accompaniment will be needed for various performances. Obviously, a church program can be as different as anything else, so depending on that aspect, I think is good, for contemporary music, to have an arranger if possible, as it really can serve as a full band.
Also, for the proper playing, piano style keys (76/81) make more sense. Go for it.
Finally, depending on how big the church is and for various possible uses, I think is good to have onboard speakers too. More than once I've been saved (no pun intended) by those little speakers, because the best speakers are those that you have with you!
Blessings,
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Yamaha S770, Studio One 3, EMU 0404USB, ESI, ATH, Dell. And others.
Bill, thanks for the offer, but I am buying the keyboard overseas as it is too much trouble to travel with an 88 key keyboard by air. Tax/customs is another issue.
Adimatis, good points. You may be right about the arranger function, but I can't find any quality 88 keyboard with auto accompaniment in the price range. So I am strongly leaning towards the Casio PX5S. Here is a good video demo.
I think is good to have at least some arranger capabilities, as quite often a simple drum track or more complex accompaniment will be needed for various performances. Obviously, a church program can be as different as anything else, so depending on that aspect, I think is good, for contemporary music, to have an arranger if possible, as it really can serve as a full band.
Also, for the proper playing, piano style keys (76/81) make more sense. Go for it.
Finally, depending on how big the church is and for various possible uses, I think is good to have onboard speakers too. More than once I've been saved (no pun intended) by those little speakers, because the best speakers are those that you have with you!
Blessings,
_________________________
"You Shall Know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." John 8:32
#407095 - 08/18/1508:32 PMRe: A good keyboard for a church setting
[Re: Torch]
Mikem
Member
Registered: 08/12/14
Posts: 917
Loc: Quebec, Canada
Originally Posted By: Torch
Bill, thanks for the offer, but I am buying the keyboard overseas as it is too much trouble to travel with an 88 key keyboard by air. Tax/customs is another issue.
Adimatis, good points. You may be right about the arranger function, but I can't find any quality 88 keyboard with auto accompaniment in the price range. So I am strongly leaning towards the Casio PX5S. Here is a good video demo.
[quote=adimatis]As you mentioned "any thoughts", here's mine:
I think is good to have at least some arranger capabilities, as quite often a simple drum track or more complex accompaniment will be needed for various performances. Obviously, a church program can be as different as anything else, so depending on that aspect, I think is good, for contemporary music, to have an arranger if possible, as it really can serve as a full band.
Also, for the proper playing, piano style keys (76/81) make more sense. Go for it.
Finally, depending on how big the church is and for various possible uses, I think is good to have onboard speakers too. More than once I've been saved (no pun intended) by those little speakers, because the best speakers are those that you have with you!
Same goes for the Korg Havian, it just fits your budget, its a better piano and a way better Arranger then the DGX-650, it has the same soundsource and style quallity as the Korg Pa range..
But you have to decide yourself, here is a video to make your mind up, personally i prefer the Korg, its way stronger build, got the better sounds (played both of them) and the arranger section is way more advanced. Speaker system is better too (and it looks better)
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Yamaha Genos, Roland Jupiter 80, Ipad pro.
#407111 - 08/19/1510:26 AMRe: A good keyboard for a church setting
[Re: FransN]
Bachus
Senior Member
Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
Originally Posted By: FransN
What about the new Casio's cgp 700 or Privia PX 360?
They would work to, good keybed, good piano sounds, but many of the other sounds fall a little short.. and there is not to many of them compared to the other instruments proposed here.. There is also the 560 which is a lot more pro, and has a lot more sounds and options..
But where it comes to arranger styles, these fall short of both the Yamaha and certainly of the Korg..
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Yamaha Genos, Roland Jupiter 80, Ipad pro.
This is a fine looking keyboard. I think I want it for myself!!! It is almost twice as much as the Yamaha DGX-650 but still not bad at all for what you are getting. I like this keyboard. Bachus, I don't know if you made the decision easier or harder for me (LOL) but I thank you.
Chris
Originally Posted By: Bachus
Originally Posted By: Torch
Thanks, Mike, for your your suggestion. It is nice to have these inexpensive but good choices.
Same goes for the Korg Havian, it just fits your budget, its a better piano and a way better Arranger then the DGX-650, it has the same soundsource and style quallity as the Korg Pa range..
But you have to decide yourself, here is a video to make your mind up, personally i prefer the Korg, its way stronger build, got the better sounds (played both of them) and the arranger section is way more advanced. Speaker system is better too (and it looks better)
Edited by Torch (08/19/1506:21 PM)
_________________________
"You Shall Know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." John 8:32
Korg Havian was on my list too but no midi, no line in and headphones on the back was the deal breaker.
That's exactly what I found out myself. Korg must have meant this keyboard for home use only. When you have only a shared headphone/stereo line out, how does it work and sound when feeding mono into the mixer/speaker?
Casio is pretty generous with all kind of connectors. The PX5s and PX560 have two sets for audio in; 1/4 and 1/8 stereo. Pretty handy when connecting another instrument/module and notebooks/tablets.
Chris
_________________________
"You Shall Know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." John 8:32
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