I'm looking for a digital piano to play in my experimental rock band with my microKorg synthesizer...I don't want to spend a whole lot, but i want something that can compete with guitars/drums and such with no amp, just the speakers on it. These 2 pianos caught my eye...are they any good, the names ok or garbage? Are they light enough to take to gigs?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/702280/
http://www.music123.com/Valdesta-Classico-750-Digital-Piano-i106829.music

im assuming the top one now that i takea closer look will be easier to carry around...maybe i should just look at digital pianos without the wooden stand and just use a keyboard stand?

No built in speakers on any KB are loud enough to cut through and match the output level of drums, bass and guitar amps. Not a very practical approach. Moving digital pianos that require wooden stands and have a fully weighted 88-note keyboard isn't really impossible but can hurt one's back. Wooden stand is about all I would use with those since light metal stands can do the job but to my experience they aren't as solid and are generally made for KBs with 64 or 76-note with light or semi-weighted action. Again, this is according to my experience.

I just don't like the stand moving around or sort of shaking under the keyboard when I get into some loud and intense playing.

Just curious, why don't you put the money towards something used with decent enough sounds, add a pair of external speakers (self powered if you wish) and play like most professional KB players do? Why the search for all the odd stuff?

Sure, there is always a bit of risk buying used gear but it's not like it's the end of the world.

-ED-

I just didn't know how to approach it, thats why I asked here. Could you kind of guide me along? I have a microKORG now that I play through a big guitar amp, are there any reasonably priced speakers I could buy that I could hook both the keyboard and the microKORG to, that would compete with a full band? And I guess i'll be looking for a 64 or so key board with a good piano sound and strings and such, any suggestions? thanks for the help man

Hi!
Well talking about good affordable speakers AJ just posted some advice on that over at another thread. It might be just a couple of threads down from this one.

Personally I used anything from entry level Roland and Yamaha to higher end Genelec and Tannoy studio monitors. Can't be specific about today's entry level affordable speakers but I'm sure there are quite a few good ones. I'll check what I can. Hopefully AJ finds this thread too.

KBs and synths wise if all you really need are some decent strings, pianos, organs (can't be experimental without a couple of B3 sounds ) and may be some cool pads too there are a few synths that I liked and right now they should probably cost next to nothing (in comparison to the original price that is).

1. K2000. Just a good old synth with good old problems but as far as pianos, strings and other stuff it still rocks.
If you can find one for a good price than perhaps even a later Kurzwell like K2500 or K2600. But they go for more than K2000 and are a bit on a heavy side. Great sound though. Will cut right through nice loud and clear as long as you've got them connected to a decent pair of speakers.

2. Yamaha EX5, EX7 Motif. EX KBs are a bit older but they have a lot of good sounds still. Motif is almost like Motif ES but instead of 8 inserts you get just one. Since you'll be playing one part at a time it's not an issue. Great sounding synths.

3. Korg Trinity and early Triton. Hey may be a Triton LE.
Trinity has less polyphony but sounds good. I personally like it and use it on occasion still.

4. Well I'd say ROland XP50, XP80. Phantom synths too but because Phantom series are relatively new they'll obviously cost more. The drawback about using ROland workstations for live playing is that the sound doesn't quite "cut through" when mixed with lots of other instruments. Especially with live drums etc. But generally it's just a matter of using EQ and a bit of compression.

Well that's pretty much it. Alesis are good too. Actually out of all I would recommend something like an Alesis QS6 or QS7. QS7.1 if you find one cheap enough. As far as pianos and strings they are good. Organs and Rhodes too. A bit weak on synth sounds but you've got the Micro Korg for that.

You will also need a small mixer. I always used my Mackie 12/02 for live gigs. There are other good mixers out there of coarse.

Hey don't rush with decisions at all and give yourself plenty of time. If using Micro Korg with big guitar amp works for now stick to it. After all how much stuff do you want to take to gigs? I thought you guys had like a studio where you all jam but if you have to move around a lot then really ; the less stuff the better.

Also, you can use the Micro Korg as a controller for an external sound module. from there it's just a matter of switching between connecting your sound module or your Korg to your guitar amp. You can also mix the two with some type of stereo to mono volume pedal and connect them to your amp that way. Hey like I said. THere are plenty of options. No rush.

-ED-

[This message has been edited by 3351 (edited 11-11-2005).]

Let me start by thanking you for all your time, you are being extremely helpful.

Just out of curiousity - are there any bands out there using just a microKORG or similar synth? I dont know how much of a difference a piano sound would make in my band, everything else seems to be handled by the microKORG, and its very compact...but if im serious, should I be looking at another keyboard with it?

If i choose to stick with just the synth, i definetly want to upgrade from my guitar amp to some nice sound, im sure some real speakers will give me a much better sound...should I be looking at a keyboard amp, or speakers with a mixer?

again thanks for everything

Hi!
There aren't really any set rules. Go with what works. Adding gear is always an option and nobody as far as I know buys just because they have to or it's "mandatory" to do so.

Getting an additional synth workstation KB or a module isn't really a must at this point. If the Micro Korg works and does the sounds that you find expressive enough for the task there is absolutely no need to add any other synth. Again, no harm in adding one either since you will basically add more sounds to your palette. Whatever other bands do is not at all important. What they do works for them and what you do works for you.

Speakers and mixers are pretty much a must have for most KB players since thats kind of what KB players use. Kind of like guitarists and basists using their amps.

Whether you decide to use a KB Amp or some speakers is entirely up to you. Pick whatever goes with the sound of your band. You can always change and upgrade. It's never a final decision.

I must've gone through a dozen of different speakers until I finally stopped and decided to use Tannoy System 600A. Price isn't cheap. But the sound is exactly my kind of sound. even with only two connected it sounds like you're surrounded by the mix. Perfect for mastering and mixing. I went through ROlands, Yamhs (had to put pillows in front of those 'cause the sound was really hard. ) and finally ended up getting into higher end stuff like the Mackie, Genelec. hated all of that stuff.
Tannoy System 800 were alright. Then I discovered that the cheaper version 600A was exactly what I was after.

Mind you I wouldn't advise to take the 600A to gigs. even though an entry model it's not a cheap pair. $1250.00 nowadays. Don't want one of your buddies knocking them over by accident or else.

BTW have you checked for that post by AJ?

-ED-

[This message has been edited by 3351 (edited 11-12-2005).]

thanks again
I've decided to stick with the microKORG for now. Took me a bit to find out AJ went under the username bluezplayer, but I saw the post. He mentioned this logitech speaker system:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000C20R9/ref=e_deav_acc_1_1/102-1138064- 4560944?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Is there anything else I'll need with that, will I need a mixer? Not a problem because the speakers are only $130 or so.

Or, for $200 I could get an 80w keyboard amp like:
http://www.music123.com/Drive-K80--80-Watt-Keyboard-Amp-i127260.music

Either way, this is still going to be a sound improvement over my guitar amp, you believe? The logitech speaker system is looking good right now, 280watts of power for $130..kind of surprising, unless thats differently measured than the amps...



[This message has been edited by bthmedicinetree (edited 11-13-2005).]

Hi!
Well the speakers seem so much better. I mean you get a 5.1 decent quality sound dirt cheap. I'm not sure about reliability or quality since the price is low but if AJ says it's good I have no doubt about it. The only thing i'm not clear on is whether this setup is self powered or it requires an additional amplifier. Wil have to wait for AJ to reply.

In regards to you needing a mixer or not it's not a requirement at this point since you only have one KB right now. If you add more in the future then you will require a mixer. Right now a mixer will only give you some more gain, a fatter sound and some EQ to mess with. If it is a decent mixer of coarse. Some cheap stuff just messes things up.

KB Amp doesn't seem bad at all since it's kind of an "All in one" unit optimized for live gigs. However the main downside is lack of stereo since it only sports one speaker. Also, it leaves little room for expansion because it only has one stereo input. In overall it limits you to just a mono sound. Okay for guitars but sucks for synths. It's not like the 70's or early 80's when KBs only had a mono out. Nowadays things are in stereo and things mainly sound good in stereo. You can get away with mono but as a keyboard player you deserve way way better than that.

-ED-

http://www.provantage.com/buy-7lgts00n-z...03-shopping.htm

I found the Logitech Z-5500, for $200 I can get 500watt system and some people in the arranger forum said it has much better mids and great bass and highs...I guess I'll go for this then...I read that the older and less powerful Z2200 or something is self-powered, so i'm assuming this one is. I figure I should spend $70 extra for the 500watts since i can connect up to 6 audio sources to it, so I can use it if I get more keyboards and play bigger gigs and such...so will I need any kind of adapter with this, or will the speaker wires somehow connect to my microKORG?
thanks, you're really moving me along in my decision-making, i appreciate it very much.

[This message has been edited by bthmedicinetree (edited 11-13-2005).]

Hi!
All I can really do at this point is tell you a little bit about connections and cables. Since I don't own what you're about to buy I can't say what it uses.

Here are a few scenarios (might be a combination of different connections so feel free to mix & match everything I'm about to write).

1. Wiring. Used mainly on hi-fi systems and passive speakers of all sort. Usually a standard red and black (although sometimes there are more) wires labeled "+" and "-".

If thats the case than you can't connect the Micro Korg directly to the speakers since there is no odd type of adaptor (nor there should be really) from a standard 1/4 inch cable to a hi-fi speaker power wiring. If the wiring is used to connect to the speakers then you need to connect directly to the amplifier itself which then connects to speakers.

2. Amplifiers and mixers. Usually it's pretty straight forward. Most amplifiers sport an RCA L/R inputs. If that's the case you will simply need a 1/4 inch to RCA cable. Two of them to be precise. Or one stereo L/R interleaved cable. Nothing crazy. Any Radio Shack or Music store should have a few knocking around.
Higher end amplifiers use 1/4 inch or XLR connections. Meaning that in case of it being 1/4 inch you won't need any kind of adaptors. However if the input on the amplifier is XLR you will need a 1/4 inch to XLR adaptor for each cable or a pair of 1/4 inch to XLR cables. Or an interleaved stereo 1/4 inch to XLR cable. Somehow I don't think you'll need to mess with XLR connectors though. They are only found on high end stuff.

3. Now that I've confused the shit out of you with all that info you should really talk to ownners and clarify several things. First find out if the speakers are self powered. Second find out how it all connects to your Micro Korg (or any KB for that matter since all KBs use a standard 1/4 inch output jacks).

My tannoy 600A are self powered so they do not really require a mixer to connect to one sound source. THey have a connector that allows use of both 1/4 and XLR cables.

-ED-

thanks for the reply. im going to make a seperate thread in hopes it will catch more attention, hopefully someone who uses logitech speakers will know those answers. thanks a million for the help, ill let you know how it works out

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I like the Logitech's as amplifiers or a mini PA for a small to mid size room.

Mine are already modified as the satellites Logitech gives provide nice high end but litle in the Mid-Range. So, the satellite output now goes through an old pair of Kustom KSC10s, and can be sent back out to the satellites if I choose to enhance the high end. All I can say is that the system will practically knock me down in a small room if I turn it up past 2/3rds of the way. It sounds cleaner than my KB amps when I add vocals to the mix. I am getting a second pair to dedicate strictly for use at smaller venues I play at ( solo ).

These are self powered. All I needed was a pair of cables, each having 1/4 inch male on one end ( my outboard soundcard uses 1/4 inchjacks, aqs do most kbs ) and an RCA male phono jack on the other and I was set.

While I think they are very good as a mini PA for my small studio, I don't recommend them at all as studio monitors, though there was a somewhat spirited debate about this in the Gen Arranger forum. In my opinion, the frequency response is not flat enough. For now ( until I get something better .. and I know I probably need to ), I'm using a pair of M-Audio Studio pro 4s on my desktop as my nearfield monitors.

AJ



[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 11-17-2005).]