Cheap Keyboard Recommendations?

Gaijin

Gaijin

Gaijin

Soldato
Joined
18 Feb 2003
Posts
8,616
Location
Brighton/West Wicklow
Hello chaps,

I'm on the lookout for a cheap keyboard /MIDI controller that will allow me to just mess about with piano pieces i've heard.

I've no piano experience and don't intend to get lessons at this stage, just want something to muck about on and preferably good to not inhibit me if i get a bit better.

Don't think I need weighted keys or anything like that but it would be nice if it could detect how sharply the keys were hit (not sure of the technical term).

Thanks, and remember, the cheaper the better.
 
Thanks for your response, not really sure to be honest - nothing over a metre in length I guess.

Sorry if i'm being rather noobish here, whereas I play the guitar (badly), i'm a total keyboard/piano virgin.
 
I was in a similar situation as you a while ago (play guitar (badly ;)).. but wanted to dabble with keyboards - not taking any lessons or anything).

After looking around for a while I decided to buy a Yamaha PSR-E403. It's got 61 full-size keys, which was just right for me.. Any fewer and you'd probably 'run out of keys'. Whereas 61 is enough keys for a beginner to be able to play most things within their ability. One of the great things about it is that it has touch sensitive keys, which I'd say is a must have!

The sound quality is really good, and there's plenty of different 'voices'. It includes the Yamaha Learning Suite, which basically helps teach you one of the 30 preset songs by indicating on a little screen which key(s) you need to press. It works quite well, and you can choose whether to play just the left, right or both hand parts.

It's got a USB connection so it can be hooked up to a PC and used with MIDI software. If you google it you'll be able to find out the full specs and everything it can do.

I got it new for about £130, but unfortunately it appears to be discontinued now. There might be a new model in the same range at roughly the same price though. And if you looked for one second hand then I'm sure that would knock the price down quite a bit.


Like I said, I'm far from an expert in this field, but this keyboard is great for what I use it for, so would definitely recommend it. Any questions, just ask.
 
Thanks mate, thats really helpful. Would be too much new, but i'll certainly have a look second hand.

Cheers
 
Gaijin said:
Thanks mate, thats really helpful. Would be too much new, but i'll certainly have a look second hand.

Cheers
Click to expand...

No problem. It's better to spend a little more to make sure you get a decent one so that you don't have to buy another one 6 months down the line. If that's still too much though, Yamaha are a good make - so it could be worth looking at the cheaper models.

Weighted keys are not that important, but no matter what you get try and make sure it has touch sensitive keys, otherwise you will soon get fed up with the flat and monotous sound you get. Touch sensitive keys give you a lot more expression and variety.


Someone else with a bit more knowledge on the subject may be able to add more insight.

Let us know how it goes.
 
Bit of a thread revival but I noticed this thread in my subscriptions and thought I'd update.

Got a good deal on a Yamaha PSR-E323 in the end - perfect for what I wanted. Touch sensitive and enough keys for me :)

Thanks for the help again.
 
If I were you I'd really try to get something second hand with weighted keys!! Really really really makes a difference!

- oh wait ... too late!
 
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