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Joined: Dec 2007
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Hi all,
Recovery from my injuries, is not going well. Sadly, I'm losing ground on the guitar and I really need to make some music. I used to have keyboards and a piano years ago.
I'm in need of a Keyboard to input MIDI and to play with BIAB and PTPA.
I've been looking at Yamaha's line, PRS in the $200.00 plus range.
They all seem to have USB for MIDI connection now and much better sounds.
I've seen some demos on youtube and the Yamaha site and they look pretty good.
Anyone here use a Yamaha PRS or similar type keyboard?
I'm looking at their PRS E413 and PRS E423. $189.00, $229.00.
Any info on how they work with BIAB would be appreciated.
Thank you, Wayne,
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I use a Yamaha PRS series (one of the older models)
It works well for my needs.
I mostly use it as a midi controller, but it will also accept MIDI output and work as a hardware synth if you want to use it that way. My patches are not arranged in GM order, so if I wanted to use it that way I'd need to create a patch map. SOme models may have a GM set of patches, which would be highly desirable for using it with BIAB... you may want to see if any of the models you're looking at have GM
If using as a controller, desirable things to look for are:
-velocity sensitive keys, (adds midi data that will be useful later)
-pitch bend wheel (helps to make certain patches sound more realistic)
If you wait until February, Craigs list will probably be full of such keyboards that were given as Christmas presents but didn't get touched by kids who preferred to spend all their time on video games
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Quote:
I mostly use it as a midi controller, but it will also accept MIDI output and work as a hardware synth if you want to use it that way.
If using as a controller, desirable things to look for are:
-velocity sensitive keys, (adds midi data that will be useful later)
-pitch bend wheel (helps to make certain patches sound more realistic)
Hi Pat,
Yes they have velocity sensitive keys and a pitch wheel.
I do want to use it as a controller. But I can get a lot of practice (noodling) time in with all the onboard sounds.
Also, do you plug yours in with USB? It seems to be the norm now.
When I had a keyboard and a piano, I wrote a lot of songs with them. I'm not good at all, but I love keyboards. I wish I would have learned when I was young. Playing a piano helped me understand music as a guitar player so much more.
Thanks Pat and havea Great Holiday! Wayne,
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Quote:
do you plug yours in with USB? It seems to be the norm now.
mine is a PSR300, an older model that does not have a USB connection. Instead it has MIDI in and out connectors, which I plug into my MIDI interface (midisport 2x2).
Quote:
Thanks Pat and have a Great Holiday! Wayne,
Same to you Wayne! I hope you have a lot of fun playing music over the holidays!
Last edited by Pat Marr; 12/23/10 06:09 PM.
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Hi redguitars,
The Yamaha PSR series has so many different models now, its hard to keep track.
All should be able to work with BiaB/RB if the thing has MIDI input and output connects or USB connect on it.
Some things to also think about when evaluating a particular model for the purpose:
*Some may not have the modwheel and pitchbend wheel on the LH side. I would avoid those in favor of models that do have them, they can be invaluable when recording MIDI instruments like horns, strings, etc.
*Most if not all should have a jack in the back for a Sustain Pedal - absolutely important when playing in Piano mode - but not all come with a Sustain Pedal as part of the deal. Not a deal killer, but something to be aware of, if the keyboard itself does not include a sustain pedal, you can purchase separately for around 20$US mark or so.
*An added plus would be a jack for a Continuous Controller pedal or at least a dedicated Expression pedal. Great thing to have for organ patches as the Expression Pedal can easily add much-needed animation to a dry MIDI organ patch. But not a necessity by any means.
*The ones that feature their own auto-accompaniment may not be needed by owners of BB/RB - but the feature can up the purchase price.
*Some may have a GM bank, easily spotted by the "GM" logo on it somewhere. (Yes, Yamaha does make a few keyboards that do GM.) The Yamaha "zero-based" XG bank is the equal, and pgmusic products can be set to work with either GM or XG.
*Check for a Stereo Audio Line Output if you intend to record the synth to audio. In a pinch, you can use the earphone jack with proper audio adaptor cables going directly into your soundcard's line input to do the same job.
--Mac
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Any keyboard having a drink holder attachment would get my vote.
In the past there would be something strong in the cup.
Now it's some sort of sparkling water, I'm always 'dry'.
If I could, I really would, rather be a pharaoh than a a water drinker. Yes I would. I really would, but my darn doctor told me to lay off the hard stuff and drink other stuff.
BORING!
I can do the above in Em but darn it all I need time to work on the lyrics.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Quote:
Anyone here use a Yamaha PRS or similar type keyboard?
I'm looking at their PRS E413 and PRS E423. $189.00, $229.00.
Any info on how they work with BIAB would be appreciated.
Thank you, Wayne,
Hi Wayne & sorry to hear you are not recovering well as you were an awsome guitar player. I purchased a PSR E423 for my wife who is just a beginner player. It has USB and works fine with BIAB & RB. It has General MIDI compatibility & the sounds are quite good for the most. It does have a pitch wheel and you can buy a cheap sustain pedal. This keyboard has quite a bit of features for the price. I am not a keyboard player but I am impressed with what it can do for little cash.
Brian
BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Fender Studio Pro 8, Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro
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Hi Brian,
That's good news. I've seen a few good demos of these KBs and they looked and sounded great. The E423 is the update for the E413. I can't see any difference but the color change. From Silver to Black.
The reason I'm leaning towards the E423 is that it's a 2010 model and the E413 is 2008.
Thanks for taking the time. You have a great Holiday, Wayne,
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Hi Mac,
Good guidelines. I've checked them all and so far it has it all.
I will get the Sustain Pedal. That's a deal breaker for me. I love piano.
I'm glad to hear from so many people that the PSRs play nice with BIAB.
Have a great Holiday and thank you so much, Wayne,
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Expert
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I like all brands...the Yamaha "series" of arranger keyboards are nice (I have a PA-60)...most of keyboards I have are 61 keys, except the MotifES and the Roland-G1000, which are battle tanks. I do like the looks of this Akai, meaning it does one heck of a lot for a little bugger. Check it out. If not for my money situation....hmmmmmmmm!  Happy Christmas Eve!!! http://www.akaipro.com/miniakDEMO OF MINIAC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65oUHBiz1v8This is about as far from "an arranger" as we know it and them. However, for the creative mind that likes to deal with synthesizer's potential for a very creative outcom, this one has lot of new features, as this: "In the output stage, the MINIAK allows you to apply a drive effect and add some compression, distortion, or other amplification effects. The MINIAK allows you to set up twelve modulation routes. Each of these is a virtual connection between some physical or internally generated source and some program parameter. Basically, a mod route tells the synth to automatically grab a knob and tweak it while a note is playing. Although there are quite a few sources that you can use for your mods, the most common ones involve the LFOs and the envelopes."
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Well, if we are exploiting our keyboard wishlists ... http://www.kawaius.com/main_links/digital/CP_2010/cp_209.html nice controller Played one at the parents store the other day (again) I really like it. The way the speakers handle the sound to make it sound like the upper strings are where they are suppose to be is really cool. Teachers there chose it for their recital piano, that's how good it sounds and feels.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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AKAI Miniak is quite a synth for the money.
When I bought my Yamaha DX-7, in the 80s, I had to take out a loan.
I'm glad someone is still working on Synths.
Thanks GDaddy, I wish I had the money to buy a couple of things. This would be fun.
Thanks for the Link, it was a good demo.
Have a great Holiday, Wayne
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Yes, this would be great. I had the use of an early Roland Piano like this in church once. It was pretty cool. I really wanted to take it home.
As far as exploiting our keyboard wishlists, I went over to the Steinway Page and just stared at the Concert Grand. I saw a Documentary of them building one. It was amazing.
Not only is it huge, it weighs 990 pounds. I don't think my floor could handle that. At least not with me with it too. lol
Thanks rharv, Have a great Holiday, Wayne
(I wish they had a spellcheck here)(ah, to the wishlist)
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Quote:
Hi Brian,
That's good news. I've seen a few good demos of these KBs and they looked and sounded great. The E423 is the update for the E413. I can't see any difference but the color change. From Silver to Black.
The reason I'm leaning towards the E423 is that it's a 2010 model and the E413 is 2008.
Thanks for taking the time. You have a great Holiday, Wayne,
Here is the basic differences between the 413 & the 423 besides the color.
The Yamaha PSR-E423 is a syntherizer based portable keyboard, with many feature enhancements over its previous PSR-E413 model. It features 61 keyboard style keys, with Yamaha's Touch Response feature. This model features 2 real-time synthesizer control knobs and an improved arpeggio function. There are over 700 high-quality voices accessible on this keyboard, over 200 more than the E413 model, as well as an extended flash memory.
The PSR-E423 features two control knobs that allow for real-time control, just like an analog synthesizer would provide. The Arpeggio function has been improved for a smooth playability. There are over 200 more dynamic voices added to this model. The Extended Flash Memory encompassese 4 times more flash memory than the previous PSR-E413 model, and allows the users to transfer their songs onto the computer to edit and play them back on their desktop.
Brian
BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Fender Studio Pro 8, Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro
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Spell check is a browser function. I'm using firefox on Linux here, works fine, except it's American spelling so it's not English per se.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Yamaha's are good but don't overlook the Casio's. They have a new one out the CTK-5000 for $199 at Walmart and Best Buy. I found this on YouTube Casio demo This is a factory demo but only in French? You would think they would have one posted in English but I couldn't find it. It still gives you a good idea of what it can do. Since you're primarily looking to use one of these keyboards with Biab, I would focus on what their GM bank sounds like. One way to test this is to find out how a given keyboard loads a midi file then create some short midi's from your PC in different styles and instrument combinations using Biab, take them to a store and load them up. Take a good set of earphones too. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Im not a keyboard player but my PSR 620 is good for what I do and thats basically "tinkering)with chords and occasionally doing a few solos(not guitar though)It has a pitch bend wheel and also touch response.Its an old model so Im not sure what it would cost now.I paid about £500 over 11 years ago.Frankie
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
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Hi Wayne,
I've used a PSR 400 for a few years and it works well for playing melody into a track. I never really got the patches lined up between the board and the computer, but it's no big deal to change the instruments within the sequencer program.
Wish I could tell you more, but I never got over that hump.
Bottom line: It will work well with the setup that you described.
Take Care,
Don S.
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