Keyboard recommendations for budget under $2K

[jimk0157]

Looking for keyboard recommendations for my basic home studio but portable enough for occasional gigs. Most important to me is:

 

1. Great keyboard feel/action (not necessarily weighted/semi weighted keys)

2. At least 73 keys

3. Great piano, organ and drum kit sounds

4. Under $2000

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Sven Golly]

Kurzweil Artis7 or SP6

[BluMunk]

Casio PX5S could serve your needs as well (depending on your definition of "great"); new for $1k, used for as low as $600.

[Coker]

SP6!

[AnotherScott]

+1 to the Kurzweils. Other than that, Roland VR-730. Maybe Roland FA-07/08 if you dont need real-time drawbar control, though I'd want to beef up the rotary effect with an external pedal.

[Legatoboy]

I'm digging my SP6!

[CEB]

HOME studio .... Komplete 12 and whatever keyboard you want. A used S90xx would be cool.

 

Or a Numa Compact 2 if you don't want a weighted action and have $1000 left over

[Tom Williams]

I love my PX-5S, but I would never recommend it for a "great" organ. I would probably go with the SP6, and maybe spring for a MIDI controller keyboard that has 9 assignable faders for drawbars.

[lsj]

Yamaha modx6

[AnotherScott]

Picking up from Tom's post, so much depends on the definition of "great." But I don't think many would consider PX5S, MODX6, or Numa Compact 2 great for organ, and also the Numa doesn't have drums. For the needs at hand I'd say stick with Kurzweil or Roland. And for home studio use, consider supplementing with VSTs. That might make the Artis7 the pick of the litter because of its MIDI flexibility (at least if you want to try to avoid adding additional control devices).

[stoken6]

1. Great keyboard feel/action

Kurzweil Artis7

so much depends on the definition of "great."

 

Artis7 action and "great" don't go together imo. (I haven't played the SP6, but have heard mixed reactions). These things are so subjective.

 

+1 on the VR730 if you like the piano/organ tone - the consensus on the action is positive.

 

Cheers, Mike.

[BluMunk]

Yeha, hence my "depending on your definition of "great"" caveat.

 

But "great" action, piano sounds, organ sounds, and drum sounds all in one package under 2k, well, there just aren't a ton of options, and a lot of subjectivity.

 

PX5S is definitely a stretch relative to the Artis, but it's at a totally different price point as well. Great option if you're weighing options vs. price. Granted, assuming I had the cash I'd probably spend a little more and go for the SP6 over the Casio, as Tom said.

 

It all depends on how and why you set your budget.

[AnotherScott]

Artis7 action and "great" don't go together imo. (I haven't played the SP6, but have heard mixed reactions). These things are so subjective.

 

+1 on the VR730 if you like the piano/organ tone - the consensus on the action is positive.

Yes to all. Artis 7 acton works for me with lighter springs, but they're hard to find. But plenty of people are fine with the stock action. As you say, subjective, as are thoughts about whether Artis or VR730 piano or organ sounds are "great." I actually haven't heard the VR730 yet, which is supposed to be improved from the original VR09 which was not bad. I'll also mention that I have no input about "great" drum sounds, as I never use them, so I just noted whether a board had them at all.

[KorgyPorky]

Get a used kronos of the orriginal series

 

Still nothing that beats it..