Compact 61 key with internal power (C14)

[The Piano Man]

Any recommendations of compact 61 key boards with internal power supply (C14 type)? Going to use as a midi controller. 

 

The only other thing I need is a midi out. 

 

Ideally black in colour.  

 

A lot of the Rolands (eg XP30) have the figure of 8 type socket. 
 

My thoughts so far:

 

Korg X3 - but perhaps a touch too big

Alesis QS6.2 - too silver! 
 

Any help greatly appreciated!

 

Nick 
 

 

 

[ElmerJFudd]

Yamaha Motif 6

The last version was the XF

Could also use an XS, ES or the original.  All are excellent controllers.  

[kaptainkeys]

One option is a Yamaha YC61, very compact, built well, has pitch bend and mod controls, plus the majority of it's knobs as well as the drawbars send midi CCs, so you get extra controls.  If you don't care for pitch bend and mod controls you could look at a hammond sk1 or xk1c, or an old nord electro.

[JimboKeys]

If we're looking at used (older) keyboards -- i use my old Kawai K5000S as a MIDI controller for just the reasons you outlined.

 

-- Jimbo

[ElmerJFudd]

48 minutes ago, GotKeys said:

One option is a Yamaha YC61, very compact, built well, has pitch bend and mod controls, plus the majority of it's knobs as well as the drawbars send midi CCs, so you get extra controls.  If you don't care for pitch bend and mod controls you could look at a hammond sk1 or xk1c, or an old nord electro.

Ah yes. Along this line of thinking the Numa Organ 2 is also an option. Only 41.5” wide because they put the Pitch and Mod up top.  So you get 73 keys in the space of what most synths/controllers offer 61. 

[stoken6]

Alesis 6.1 is like the 6.2 but "now with added less-silver!". 

 

Roland Juno 2 has internal PSU and the loveliest synth action. Reasonably, but not very, compact.

 

What's your budget?

 

Cheers, Mike.

[kaptainkeys]

1 hour ago, ElmerJFudd said:

Ah yes. Along this line of thinking the Numa Organ 2 is also an option. Only 41.5” wide because they put the Pitch and Mod up top.  So you get 73 keys in the space of what most synths/controllers offer 61. 

That isn't a terrible idea, that could also add the 73 key versions of the SK1 and Electro to your decision as well as a nord stage compact, you could also consider something like a kurzweil sp4-7, although I'm not sure if it has an internal psu or not

[sunspot]

Another vote for Kawai K5000S, but unfortunately it only comes in silver.  Lovely keybed and knobtastic.

[kaptainkeys]

On the note of the K5000, a kurzweil K2661 or PC361/PC3K6/PC3A6 also has lots of knobs and faders all midi programable

[humannoyed]

An older Motif or Kurzweil would make a great controller but neither is compact (nor light).

 

If compact is your top priority then an Arturia Keylab 61 would be a good choice if you can live with an external power supply.

 

Another compact choice would be a Modal Argon8X or Cobalt8x. Again ext PS, but both have joysticks instead of wheels.

Intriguing about the Modals is all the knobs of endless encoders that send midi cc, meaning they can control soft instruments in your DAW.

 

from the Cobalt manual:

“All of the encoders on Argon8 output MIDI messages (The appropriate CC message depending on the SHIFT or panel state) This allows Argon8 to be used as a fully functional plug and play MIDI controller!
When a change is detected on any of the parameters, a CC message is sent out. See the MIDI implementation chart to find which parameters send which CC numbers. The keys also send the appropriate MIDI notes for the Octave range and scale that they are programmed to.”

[AnotherScott]

On 2/20/2022 at 11:11 AM, GotKeys said:

you could also consider something like a kurzweil sp4-7, although I'm not sure if it has an internal psu or not

It does not.