Hi everyone
I am thinking about getting a 76 keyboard that can function as a midi controller for softsynth and also have a few basic sounds to play with in a band. Sounds like piano, organ strings and brass. I want something that is light and easy to carry.
Does any one know if such a thing exist?
O Yeah, I would like it to be under $500.

All I can think of is...
Roland JV90, Korg 01/W Pro, Alesis QS series (Good controllers, nice sounds, especially strings and organs).
THat's about it.
Oh,check out Roland A series. They are hard to find though and some of them are controllers only, NO sounds.
You might also try to track down some of the older Korg stuff like M1 and T1/T3 (if you'll be able to find the pro version). They won't sound great, but would make very nice controllers.

If all fails check out some Technics boards. I've got the SxWSA-1. It sounds cool and makes a great controller. I think Tecnics stuff might be the way to go.

-ED-

You could get a B3 LOL but that would be the opposite of what you would want so dont get that.
Seriously, It seems to me that if you do want those patches including some sweeter than the average brass patches, I would get into a mid line Yamaha keyboard. If you had to spend an extra 50-75 bucks, it would still be worth it in my opinion. the Roland controllers (A-??) can be found real cheap sometimes, but as 3351 said, it's a controller ( so youd have to get all of your sounds via soft synth). I personally don't like all keyboard tracks soft synthed. Through real good monitors you can certainly hear a difference. No doubt it must be from a lacking of certain harmonnic overtones because to me it seems quite a bit "thinner" when all the synth tracks are SW based.

Are any of those keyboards under 40lbs? and do they still make them. Thanks all for responding

My thoughts;

Roland A-30 (84 keys I think, no sound)
Roland A-37 (76 keys, no sound)
Roland A-37 (76 keys no sound)

As I understand it, the Roland A- series are very good controllers, but no sound. You could get an Alesis NanoPiano, or Nanosynth though used on ebay for maybe 150 (give or take) just for your sounds in a band. Although those sounds won't blow anyone away, they sure should work in a mix. The A-xx serires controllers can control lots of functions, moreso than the next few 76 key synths that you could get used for 500 or less. (not sure of their controlling abilities:

Alesis QS7 (7.1 and 7.2)
Alesis Quadrasynth
Kurzweil SP76.

I have a Roland XP-80. Sometimes you can get one of those for under 800. I know they cost more than you mentioned, but it's a very good synth for 800 or under and a very decent controller.

Be blessed.
Bob
<><

Well, most of the boards that I mentioned are in the $400 - $600 range. That's what they go for on e-bay. If you want something that's still being manufactured you'll have to spend a lot more then that.
I'm talking a few grand. From the brand new stuff $500 ain't gonna get you anything cool. Well, may be some of the Roland A stuff. But then you'll have to get an additional sound module if you want sounds.

-ED-

Well even if I get a controller with out any sounds, I guess that would be OK since I also would use a sound module. Is it important to have sounds on a keyboard?

Is it important?
Not at all. It's just a matter of how much you have to carry around with you. Especially if you're going to gigs.

The only benefit of having a keyboard with it's own sound is the fact that you don't have to carry additional synthesizer modules.

BTW
I believe the later Roland A series came with optional synthcards. Nothing fancy, but it covers most basic sounds. Would do OK pianos,brass,strings,some synth stuff, rhodes, organs etc.

-ED-

I think you're asking for the impossible. To have a 76 key MIDI controller that is light and easy to carry is a non starter.

If I was in your shoes I would consider getting an Edirol or a Radium. Even though they don't have 76 keys, they have transpose buttons (problem solved!) plus lots of assignable knobs and sliders (which, funnily enough, the Roland ones do NOT have). They are also lightweight, portable and far more affordable than anything else out there at the moment.

Honest ask yourself... do you REALLY want to carry a 76 note keyboard around with you every time you have a band rehersal or a gig (along with all the tonnes of other stuff that will be part of your rig)?

Based on what you've said, I believe it may be in your interests to have a rethink about your entire set up.

-Equalizer

Thinking about it I think I want a 76 keyboard controller for when I need more keys than a 61 keyboard. I know I could press the transpose on my 61 keyboard but sometimes even that does not give me the total freedom to express musically like a 76 key or a 88. I always thaught that a 76 keyboard was a compromize between a 88 key piano and the electronics of a 61 key keyboard that has a lot of sounds. I had a 76 key keyboard but it was too heavy to take to band practice and gigs! I did it but it was a pain. That is why I thaught a 76 key midi controller keyboard would be lighter and thus sulve the problem. I don't even care if it is a use controller just as long as it has a good key feel and can do midi well. But I guess I am still living in dream land.

In that case, maybe you are better just sticking to your current course after all.

I'm just a button pusher, so a short keyboard does me fine. In your case, it sounds like you're probably more of a serious player so perhaps you are better to go for a bigger one after all.

Just for fun, take a deep breath and check out the grand daddy of all MIDI keyboards at http://www.doepfer.de/lmk4.htm . It's a beast!

Hi again. Personally, I prefer to have the sounds in the board. (Keep in mind I play live mainly) The reason is, making changes to my sounds, I mean simple things, like adjusting volume of patches in a performance set-up or changing the patches within the performance set-up is simpler. But then again, I never did use a very good controller. I once had a Fatar SL880 which was a controller, but to change banks and patches on my JV-1010 sound module, was highly impractical. The SL880 did not offer many dedicated buttons, switches, etc...
And I like to be able make changes to my performance set-ups and save them on the spot. At times I stumble across a sound, or split, or layer or something during rehearsal (because I experiment in rehearsals a little, not much) and want to adjust it and save it then and there. If you have that kind of need, make sure the controller you look at can do that. The Fatar SL880 was impractical in that sense. A great feeling board but very limited control.

My real point is, to answer your question above; it would really have to depend on the controllers ability to know whether or not it's important to have on-board sounds or not.

There is the matter of lugging more equipment and although rare, I've had MIDI communications trouble and had to do a reset in the controller/sound module set-up once or twice. Thankfully I wasn't playing live when that happened. So there may be a greater chance of a "stuck" note. But that's just my experience. Maybe no one else has experienced this.

I agree with the need for 76 keys over 61. Sometimes, I split the board and in the highest 1.5 octaves, I'll setup a flute or something (transposing it down an octave or two). I'll be able to play the rest of the board pretty freely, and play that upper section for my flute part where appropriate in the song, while continuing chording in the lower section. Doing that with a 61 key keyboard would seriously hamper what could be played in the lower section of the split. So in my opinion 76 keys are better for splits than 61 keys. Plus just in general, one is much more free with 76. I'm almost at the point that there's no difference between 88 and 76, for me. Almost.

Anyhow, I hope you find what you need. Judging from the specs on those A-series boards, they can do a lot. But could they let you split and/or layer and save that setting on the spot? Will they let you perform bank and program changes on the fly without sound cut-out? Those I guess are som "live" needs one would have. I'm sure there's others.


Peace
Bob
<><


[This message has been edited by RW (edited 01-08-2004).]

When I used to play live, I always made sure that all of my modules are placed just to the right of my controller. That way I was able to edit and save on the fly.

If for some odd reason you are forced to place your gear backstage (never again!), then having a keyboard with it's own sound is pretty important.

But you play in a band, and I see no reason why they won't let you have your modules right where you need them.

BTW
Ifyou're use a multitimbral module, like the JV1080 or Alesis QSR or Motif rack, the Roland A controllers let you do their own midi splits, layers,midi transpose, program changes, volume/pan info and more. All of the settings are then stored as a performance, so you can reconfigure the settings in the modules right from your controller.
That would only work with modules that respond to standard midi control messages like volume,pan,PC,FX sends etc. If you're dealing with a module that uses FX buses/pan buses and has bizarre multitimbral setup (like Z1), then it makes things a lot more difficult and you'll have to edit and store using the module itself.

-ED-

[This message has been edited by 3351 (edited 01-08-2004).]

using the roland as a controller with the motif rack sounds like if that may work for me for live playing. Now, to get more rediculus, are there controllers that would allow me to sequence using the sounds of a rack?

No, most controllers are just controllers. If you need something with the onboard sequencer, you'll have to get a synth workstation. But since you've mentioned Motif rack...Why NOT just buy a MOTIF keyboard?
I believe it has it's own sequencer.
It will cost a few grand, but it is a great investement from my point of view.

Another cool option is to get a Roland XP-80.
XPs are pretty light and they sound good. Again, nothing fancy comparing to gigastuff or killer soft synths or even workstations like the Triton or a MOTIF, but cheap wnough and worth getting a hold of! It has a nice sequencer as well.

-ED-