Seannn Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Hey guys/gals, in my ongoing search for a weighted, hammer-action controller, I've come across the old M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 from '04 (and wasn't able to search for threads from back then). I've heard/seen them sell for pretty cheap (around $200), and there's one that's pretty local and looks like it's in pretty good condition. (In fact, there are a few listings in my greater region.) I'd be using it in studio until I get my hands on something like the SV1 (or SV2 ) that I can gig more easily with live. While I've read some very good things about the control surface (look at all those knobs and buttons!), I've heard the action is terrible. I'm used to a piano, so going to 88 keys, I expect something remotely similar. I've played on a Yamaha P140 - it's not the best digital piano, but coming from 61 key synths and a baby grand, the feel was a good compromise. ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I've heard the action is terrible. You've heard right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobadohshe Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I dislike that keyboard, but if it's a temporary stop gap, and your using it to trigger midi in the studio, it might work for you as a cheapy solution. P140 feels better than Prokeys. Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37 My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I've heard the action is terrible. You've heard right. Actually, you heard wrong. It's nowhere near that good. A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seannn Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 Oh boy, I'm feeling worse and worse about this. I'm going to keep my eyes open, though I may go out to try it if I can get it for the right price! ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I'm not sure I'd take one of those things if they paid me to. http://planetsmilies.net/tongue-smiley-8867.gif "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I love the cynicism around here. Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Possibly the worst 88-key action I've ever played. Even Mad Jack McMad, winner of this year's Mr Madman competition, wouldn't touch one. Studio: Yamaha P515 | Yamaha Tyros 5 | Yamaha HX1 | Moog Sub 37 Road: Yamaha YC88 | Nord Electro 5D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwat Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Aside from that, it's a winner. .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I'm the resident dork here, 'cause I actually use 3 of them! 1 for my studio rig, 1 for my church rig and 1 for my gig rig (although I don't gig with it that often anymore). Pros: Control section rocks, especially for VI control. Programming setups from one kbd & taking to the other is easy. Cheap enough to have muliple units (which help make up for it being heavy) Cons: Kbd sucks Programming is a PITA (especially if you try to do it from the front panel) Cheap build quality Only 10 memory locations Kbd sucks Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Pros: Control section rocks, especially for VI control. Programming setups from one kbd & taking to the other is easy. Cheap enough to have muliple units (which help make up for it being heavy) Cons: Kbd sucks Programming is a PITA (especially if you try to do it from the front panel) Cheap build quality Only 10 memory locations Kbd sucks I don't see how the pros outweigh the cons here. Three of crap is still crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillplaying Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 D-Bon - I thought you were going to post that it's not a game changer and do that eat crisps and drink beer thingy. You're full of surprises you are. Did you celebrate a birthday or something recently? I'm the piano player "off of" Borrowed Books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 D-Bon - I thought you were going to post that it's not a game changer and do that eat crisps and drink beer thingy. You're full of surprises you are. Did you celebrate a birthday or something recently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Beaumont Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Noooo!!!! I owned one it was horrendous and the keys started failing after 6 months. The keys failing so soon was its most redeeming feature because any longer and the tendonitis might have made me stop playing permanently. Boards: Kurzweil SP-6, Roland FA-08, VR-09, DeepMind 12 Modules: Korg Radias, Roland D-05, Bk7-m & Sonic Cell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Pros: Control section rocks, especially for VI control. Programming setups from one kbd & taking to the other is easy. Cheap enough to have muliple units (which help make up for it being heavy) Cons: Kbd sucks Programming is a PITA (especially if you try to do it from the front panel) Cheap build quality Only 10 memory locations Kbd sucks I don't see how the pros outweigh the cons here. Three of crap is still crap. Unfortunately, I have to agree. Not my best gear choice ever made by any stretch... in fact, it kinda falls in that "wtf was I thinking?" category. Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanS Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 ... in fact, it kinda falls in that "wtf was I thinking?" category. Yeah, WTF were you thinking, 3 times... What we record in life, echoes in eternity. MOXF8, Electro 6D, XK1c, Motif XSr, PEKPER, Voyager, Univox MiniKorg. https://www.abandoned-film.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 At least Tony only had one Nord Stage at a time. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 The keys failing so soon was its most redeeming feature because any longer and the tendonitis might have made me stop playing permanently. Can a board get any worse review than this? A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwat Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Still waiting for reports of causing blindness in small children and rapid extinction of certain endangered species. On a related note, the latest Sweetwater novel catalog showed up to provide some commode distraction, and it appears Akai has a weighted 88-key controller (MPK88) I wasn't aware of, and M-Audio has an 88-key entry in their Oxygen line (not sure if it's simply a re-badged Keystation or an improved line). Might those be options for the OP? .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Kovacevic Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I second what everyone else said about it already.. -awful action -keys travel way too deep -really heavy -clunky feel of the keys -stuck notes -uneven velocity for some of the keys In the end i gave mine away for free!! Hated it. Stay away even if someone offers it for free -Music Is The Soul Of Life- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Make sure that if someone pays you to take it, the money covers your travel expenses including the drive to the dump and any fees the dump may charge you. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 On a related note, the latest Sweetwater novel catalog showed up to provide some commode distraction, and it appears Akai has a weighted 88-key controller (MPK88) I wasn't aware of, and M-Audio has an 88-key entry in their Oxygen line (not sure if it's simply a re-badged Keystation or an improved line). The MPK88 has been out for a while. I've seen it collecting dust on several showroom floors. It's also 67 pounds(!). I haven't seen the Oxygen 88 in stores. Probably for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e-keys Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Don't forget the fatar action is good. Here is the entry level hammer action weighted board that studiologic makes. Not a bad price. No bells and whistles but good action. I have several... http://www.samash.com/p/StudioLogic_SL990XP%2088%20Note%20MIDI%20Controller_-49993647 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Just get a PX-3 and be done with it. The M-Audio is the worst travesty foisted upon keyboardists since the invention of the wireless MIDI / keytar combo. Keep it greazy! B3tles - Soul Jazz THEO - Prog Rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 No bells and whistles but good action. I have several... You obviously consider multiple MIDI zones to be "bells and whistles", and that's just incomprehensible to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 If the Keystation 88 was good enough for Geoff Downes to use in his studio, the OP should be fine. Unless Downes wore out the action and is now unloading it on eBay. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 No bells and whistles but good action. I have several... You obviously consider multiple MIDI zones to be "bells and whistles", and that's just incomprehensible to me. Come on, Sven, not everyone wants/needs zones. Some people just want to play AP/EP. That doesn't qualify them as freaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeroZero Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Axiom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 If the Keystation 88 was good enough for Geoff Downes to use in his studio, the OP should be fine. Unless Downes wore out the action and is now unloading it on eBay. Roddy Bottum, one of my favorite keyboardists ever, used one for the Faith No More reunion. During the final leg of the tour, I noticed he had a spare onstage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Come on, Sven, not everyone wants/needs zones. Some people just want to play AP/EP. That doesn't qualify them as freaks. It does in my books. You want to play AP/EP, buy a digital piano. A MIDI controller without zones is like a bike without a seat. You might get there, but it's painful and embarrassing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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