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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 137
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 137 |
how are you all.
I'm on the lookout for a intermediate keyboard in the under $1000 range that has more than the 5 octave range that the normal keyboard has. I will use it for normal home use, so will be no great demands on it.
Anything come to mind that is good value for money?
thanks
Paddy
Paddy McGurk,
Liverpool,
Don't mention the Beatles!!
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A controller or a synth ?
Trax
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Hi Pwack,
As Music Trax wrote, it would help to know if you need a midi controller keyboard with no sounds, or a keyboard synth.
If you just need a controller, but want a good feeling keyboard and the ability to use faders and knobs to control your mix, I recommend the M-Audio Axiom 61 Pro. It has a ton of great features and is an authorized Pro Tools M Powered device. There are some great videos on Youtube about it.
Ed
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Quote:
under $1000 range that has more than the 5 octave range that the normal keyboard has. I will use it for normal home use, so will be no great demands on it.
Paddy
Wants a 76 or 88 key board .. Axiom 61 is 61..
Do you want piano type feel? Or more of a synth feel? Poly aftertouch?
Lots to consider..
My favorite synth as of late just went up in price! Usually works the other way around. But it is 61 key also.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 137 |
Probably I am after more of a home piano type keyboard with its own built in sounds and speakers and of course midi in and out. Nothing fancy but would like to get the best available at the $1000 or under price range.
Thanks for replies.
Paddy
Paddy McGurk,
Liverpool,
Don't mention the Beatles!!
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Enthusiast
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 46 |
From your posts, I'm guessing that you want a digital piano (DP) rather than a keyboard. By DP, I mean an instrument with 88 hammer-action weighted keys. (As opposed to "keyboards" with lightly-weighted keys, usually fewer than 88.) Please forgive me if I guessed wrong.
There are several good entry-level DP's is your price range.
In slab pianos, the Casio PX-130 sells for $500. Personally I'd lean towards the PX-330 at $700 (but that's because I have my eye on one for use as a stage piano.) Yamaha's P-85 is $600. There should be good deals soon as the P-95 is coming out as replacement (summer, I think). Stretching a bit past $1000 is the Yamaha P-155. Keep in mind that stands and pedal units for all these models are an additional cost. And while all of these have internal speakers, they tend to be only 6-8 watts per side.
Sort-of-consoles (stand and pedals should be included): Check prices and spec sfor the newer Casio px-730 and px-830. Casios have come a long way in recent years. There are some complaints about keys becoming noisy after a few months but that problem may have been fixed in the x30 series.
Consoles (with furniture-style cabinets and pedals attached) are generally out of your price range but there are some good deals on about-to-be discontinued models. I teach one day per week at a Music and Arts store. I walked in last week and was astonished to see the YDP-223 reduced from $1600 to $1200. If you care a lot about specs, the YDP has only one sample layer. But I've been teaching on one for several years and I think it's fine. The speakers are 20 watts per side. It has Yamaha's better GH keyboard action (as does the P-155 slab piano).
Yamaha's YDP-140 used to be $1050. MAC is now selling it in stores for $800. Three sample layers but the speakers are only 6 watts per side. If you have good external speakers, the YDP-140 might be something to consider. BTW, Logitech Z-2300 2.1 computer speakers have something of a following as external speakers for home digital pianos.
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Also check the M-Audio DCP-300 Its new, not a lot of reviews, but the ones I've seen peak my interest. This is something I've just started investigating for my own home. Daughter needs a better board as she is advancing in her piano studies.. The keyboard feel is a subjective thing. We plan to spend the weekend test driving a few boards at the local music store (I have an 'in' there)  .
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Check out the Yamaha DGX series for under 1K. They have some pretty good sounds and will sound great with Biab.
Trax
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Thanks very much everybody for all your replies. Will take on board everything you said then its time to go trawling the shops thanks again Paddy
Paddy McGurk,
Liverpool,
Don't mention the Beatles!!
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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