Gus Lozada Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Hi there I own a nice collection of pro synths. Digital, Analog, Vintage stuff and even a Yamaha CP70B. But with this return to the live shows, I am not truly willing to take my YAMAHA MX88 for pianos, my Roland JD800 for Digital deliciousness and my Prologue 16 for Analog stuff to a live show. NO. Not for what they pay, LOL. I want a cheapo -like the pay at clubs- but good sounding keyboard. Think good pianos, fat brass (Jump!) and classic synths. And light to carry on. I do not need editable sounds. And I am NOT taking a $3,000 USD MacBook Pro for soft synths + a MIDI controller. NO. I have in mind buying a ROLAND GO KEYS 61. I kinda like the sounds and even the look. It has speakers and runs in batteries. Yes, it feels cheap because it is cheap. But If I run out of ideas, I could end-up buying it for the small gigs, bring an iPad for triggering the backing tracks and I'm done. ... What else would you guys suggest instead of the ROLAND GO KEYS 61? Quote Músico, Productor, Ingeniero, Tecnólogo Senior Product Manager, América Latina y Caribe - PreSonus at Fender Musical Instruments Company Instagram: guslozada Facebook: Lozada - Música y Tecnología www.guslozada.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 I’ve been seeing some love for the Korg i3 (current one) lately on the forum. A bit higher than your range. If you think you can get along with the GoKeys’ inconsistent velocities and the super cheap feeling, that may be your best bet new. If you’re considering used, then a used Yamaha MX61 might do the job - plus you’d already be familiar with it (and know if that would work for you too). Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76| Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT, Kurzweil PC4 (88) Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Alternatively a used Roland Juno from the last 15 years could cut it as well. Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76| Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT, Kurzweil PC4 (88) Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Lozada Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 5 minutes ago, Mighty Motif Max said: I’ve been seeing some love for the Korg i3 (current one) lately on the forum. A bit higher than your range. If you think you can get along with the GoKeys’ inconsistent velocities and the super cheap feeling, that may be your best bet new. If you’re considering used, then a used Yamaha MX61 might do the job - plus you’d already be familiar with it (and know if that would work for you too). Well, that is why I decided to ask here... I didn't know about the inconsistent velocities of that keyboard -not that it surprises me given its price- I am truly attracted to it because it runs on batteries and has its own speakers. Don't judge me. Sometimes I'd really like to have one keyboard which behaves like a guitar: get it out of its case/bag and play with it wherever you are... The MX61 does not run on batteries. If I want that, I could choose a KROSS 2 Instead... but the price is really different... * I tried once a JUNO DS 61... I didn't like it but I expected a lot more from it, not just some basic sounds... but the price is also very different. Thanks Max!! Quote Músico, Productor, Ingeniero, Tecnólogo Senior Product Manager, América Latina y Caribe - PreSonus at Fender Musical Instruments Company Instagram: guslozada Facebook: Lozada - Música y Tecnología www.guslozada.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Lozada Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 17 minutes ago, Mighty Motif Max said: I’ve been seeing some love for the Korg i3 (current one) lately on the forum. A bit higher than your range. It's twice the price... runs on batteries... but has a lot of stuff I'm not gonna use. Quote Músico, Productor, Ingeniero, Tecnólogo Senior Product Manager, América Latina y Caribe - PreSonus at Fender Musical Instruments Company Instagram: guslozada Facebook: Lozada - Música y Tecnología www.guslozada.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werno Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 A year or so ago I bought a Casio CDP-S350 for my daughter and played with it for a couple weeks. I'd call it gigable. Decent speakers, piano sounds & action, 88 keys, can run on batteries, loads MIDI files or records on built-in sequencer, light & sturdy, LCD display, some autoaccompaniment tricks, music stand included, even has a pitch wheel. Slightly above your $500 limit when I bought it, probably higher now. The only audio out is the headphone jack, which sounded fine played through a stereo system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Lozada Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 8 minutes ago, Werno said: A year or so ago I bought a Casio CDP-S350 for my daughter and played with it for a couple weeks. I'd call it gigable. Decent speakers, piano sounds & action, 88 keys, can run on batteries, loads MIDI files or records on built-in sequencer, light & sturdy, LCD display, some autoaccompaniment tricks, music stand included, even has a pitch wheel. Slightly above your $500 limit when I bought it, probably higher now. The only audio out is the headphone jack, which sounded fine played through a stereo system. 8 minutes ago, Werno said: Thanks so much, Werno! I already have the MX88 which is awesome and incredibly light for its size... but I don't want / need 88 keys for my night club gigs, so I am looking for 61 keys max. Thanks!! Quote Músico, Productor, Ingeniero, Tecnólogo Senior Product Manager, América Latina y Caribe - PreSonus at Fender Musical Instruments Company Instagram: guslozada Facebook: Lozada - Música y Tecnología www.guslozada.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrrtyuuiioop Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Are you serious the Go Keys is a kids toy, its cheap and nasty and has rubbish keybed. I bought one foe our grandkids, it lasted a day before it was packed up and returned, it was that bad. For you meagre budget you have the Yamaha Ew425, or the E473, or Casio CT X5000 or Korg EK50 Quote Feck u Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 2 hours ago, Gus Lozada said: It's twice the price... runs on batteries... but has a lot of stuff I'm not gonna use. I guess I'm not sure on the price of the i3 where you are. Here it's $649 from most US retailers, so about 30% higher than your $500 budget. 2 hours ago, Gus Lozada said: Well, that is why I decided to ask here... I didn't know about the inconsistent velocities of that keyboard -not that it surprises me given its price- I am truly attracted to it because it runs on batteries and has its own speakers. Don't judge me. Sometimes I'd really like to have one keyboard which behaves like a guitar: get it out of its case/bag and play with it wherever you are... The MX61 does not run on batteries. If I want that, I could choose a KROSS 2 Instead... but the price is really different... * I tried once a JUNO DS 61... I didn't like it but I expected a lot more from it, not just some basic sounds... but the price is also very different. Thanks Max!! Yeah, I was very disappointed by the GoKeys 61 when I played it, after all the hype it had. I totally get the attraction to a setup-and-play keyboard, no judgement here lol! I think you might want to give up the battery operation idea, if better sounds are your priority. Neither of the two arranger keyboards that Biggles has listed above have what I would consider "very good piano and synth sounds", but then again neither does the GoKeys IMO. So I'd definitely be looking at used keyboards to get better sound quality (like the aforementioned MX61, Kross 2 61, Juno DS-61, etc). Good luck! Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76| Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT, Kurzweil PC4 (88) Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mullins Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 I would consider the Casio CT-S500. I have no experience with it but I’ve owned a CT-S1 as my “couch keyboard” for quite a while now. I find the key bed quite playable and the sounds to be pretty good quality; I would consider them giggable in the situation you are talking about. The CT-S500 adds a lot to that make it a candidate for you: pitch wheel, lots more tones, setups with splits/layers, some effects configuration, control pedal input, 1/4“ L/R outputs,etc. 4 Quote Yamaha CK88, Arturia Keylab 61 MkII, Moog Sub 37, Yamaha U1 Upright, Casio CT-S500, Mac Logic/Mainstage, iPad Camelot, Spacestation V.3, QSC K10.2, JBL EON One Compact www.stickmanor.com There's a thin white line between fear and fury - Stickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 The new Casios look like exactly what you’re asking for. There’s also another model CTS1000 that is still within your budget. Not sure what the difference is, but there’s a feature video on both here. Quote ____________________________________ Rod Here for the gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaptainkeys Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 7 hours ago, Gus Lozada said: I could choose a KROSS 2 Instead... but the price is really different... Why not the first gen Kross? The keybed on the 61 is decent (from what I remember), the soundset is quite good, and it too runs on batteries. They can be found used anywhere between $400-$600, so it fits into your price bracket, and it even has a mic input so you don't even need a mixer. And unlike some of the other choices listed so far, it can play 16 sounds at one time in combination mode, either internal or external, including a drum track. Quote Instruments: Walters Grand Console Upright Piano circa 1950 something, Kurzweil PC4-88, Ibanez TMB-100 Studio Gear: Audient EVO16, JBL 305P MKII monitors, assorted microphones, Reaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewall08530 Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 The Casio CT S-1 should work for you… at least until you realize the best thing about your low paying club gig might be playing it on a keyboard you actually love. 😉 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mullins Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 As an old fart (first rig was Hammond C3/Wurly/Micromoog in the late 70’s), can I just say it is amazing that we can have a legitimate discussion of covering all this ground on one keyboard < $500. I’m grateful both for the high end stuff that I am completely satisfied with and the low end stuff that opens up more possibilities for people with bad backs or limited finances. Quote Yamaha CK88, Arturia Keylab 61 MkII, Moog Sub 37, Yamaha U1 Upright, Casio CT-S500, Mac Logic/Mainstage, iPad Camelot, Spacestation V.3, QSC K10.2, JBL EON One Compact www.stickmanor.com There's a thin white line between fear and fury - Stickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou_NC Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Does it all need to be in one keyboard? Are you willing to use a MIDI controller and a small MIDI sound module? At the risk of being ridiculed to no end, I'm going to suggest you consider pairing a MIDI keyboard controller with a "vintage" MIDI sound module like the Alesis NanoSynth. I pair mine up with a 49-key MIDI controller that sits on top of my dual manual Hammond setup and it gives a lot of bang for the buck in terms of sounds, IMHO. I think I paid about $150 for my NanoSynth a few years ago. You'll have to check Reverb or Ebay to find one these days, but they're out there. If you don't like the Alesis idea, I'm sure there are a lot of decent sounding modules out there that sell for cheap since they're a few "generations" old. Not too many years ago the sounds in these older modules was considered professional and "state of the art". For the gigs you are describing, do you think anyone in the audience would notice or even care? Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Go take a look at your local thrift stores. I see the higher priced consumer boards from Yamaha and Casio all the time, guessing that people buy them for their kids (who mess about with them for a bit and then pile their other stuff on them) and they end up at Starvation Army. There will be truly crappy ones all the way up to more or less top of the line consumer models and all under $100. Keep an eye on craigslist too. There may be deals on there, craigslist is for the swift. If it's a bundle you may be able to sell the other parts of the bundle separately and get a free keyboard, I've done that a couple of times. Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Used Kross 88 or Juno DS88 in very good to excellent condition? 61k versions even cheaper. Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrrtyuuiioop Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 I would have suggested the new Casio CTS range as they are well within budget but both have a 64 note polyphony limit to consider. At $800 a Korg Kross 2 would be best if you can squeeze more budget, its small yet with full sized keys and only 8 lbs in weight, I had one for two years. Quote Feck u Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Lobo Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 I have a Casio S1 that I take to rehearsals. I also have a Casio PX-S3000 which is a much better keyboard. BUT - and it's a big BUT (pardon the phrase) - the internal speakers on both keyboards, and on the Roland Go, will not be adequate for live gigging, unless you're doing solo work. Even at max volume on these boards, once you add drums or bass or even just an electric guitar, you're going to need an external speaker with a lot more oomph just to be heard. I tried to use internal speakers on both my keyboards for low-to-medium volume blues and jazz band rehearsals and it just wasn't enough. Quote These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 54 minutes ago, Biggles said: I would have suggested the new Casio CTS range as they are well within budget but both have a 64 note polyphony limit to consider. Good point, but at this level of board for this intended use, would polyphony even be an issue? 1 Quote ____________________________________ Rod Here for the gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImproKeys Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Your MX88 should do the job; why not take it? I mean it is not a Montage…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Lobo Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Has anyone else found the internal speakers on any keyboard to be adequate for live gigging? 1 Quote These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xfeten Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 I think a good midi keyboard connected to your mx88 would do the Job. Otherwise a second hand Roland juno ds or a Roland vr09 would be fine. The vr09 has a very decent clone organ if you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 26 minutes ago, El Lobo said: BUT - and it's a big BUT (pardon the phrase) - the internal speakers on both keyboards, and on the Roland Go, will not be adequate for live gigging the battery and internal speaker preference is not for gigging... he said "Sometimes I'd really like to have one keyboard which behaves like a guitar: get it out of its case/bag and play with it wherever you are... " -- so the board is really for two different purposes. That's also related to his saying "61 keys max" which rules out the 88s some have mentioned. 1 minute ago, El Lobo said: Has anyone else found the internal speakers on any keyboard to be adequate for live gigging? yes, if you're talking about an unplugged duo/trio, e.g. one additional instrument and maybe a singer. Some can go a little further. Maybe even a drummer, e.g. if he's using nothing but a snare with brushes. But yes, these are the exceptions. There's also the variable of the size of the room/audience. Quote Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaptainkeys Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 One thing I've used to help mitigate the issues presented by internal speakers is connect a Bluetooth speaker with an AUX input to the headphone out via a 3.5mm TRS cable on whatever keyboard I'm using. Did this last week at a last minute rehearsal and it was loud enough to hear my keyboard over the drums and the guitar amps, although it was not super loud. Here's a quick pic I snapped: Quote Instruments: Walters Grand Console Upright Piano circa 1950 something, Kurzweil PC4-88, Ibanez TMB-100 Studio Gear: Audient EVO16, JBL 305P MKII monitors, assorted microphones, Reaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Lobo Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 18 minutes ago, AnotherScott said: the battery and internal speaker preference is not for gigging... he said "Sometimes I'd really like to have one keyboard which behaves like a guitar: get it out of its case/bag and play with it wherever you are... " For that, it's the Casio S1, the true couch keyboard In his original post, Gus Lozada said "But with this return to the live shows, I am not truly willing to take my YAMAHA MX88 for pianos, my Roland JD800 for Digital deliciousness and my Prologue 16 for Analog stuff to a live show. NO. Not for what they pay, LOL. I want a cheapo -like the pay at clubs- but good sounding keyboard. Think good pianos, fat brass (Jump!) and classic synths. And light to carry on. I have in mind buying a ROLAND GO KEYS 61. " I read that as wanting a keyboard for gigging. Quote These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 9 minutes ago, El Lobo said: For that, it's the Casio S1, the true couch keyboard My first thought also. S500 if you want to spend a bit more. Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 1 hour ago, El Lobo said: For that, it's the Casio S1, the true couch keyboard In his original post, Gus Lozada said "But with this return to the live shows, I am not truly willing to take my YAMAHA MX88 for pianos, my Roland JD800 for Digital deliciousness and my Prologue 16 for Analog stuff to a live show. NO. Not for what they pay, LOL. I want a cheapo -like the pay at clubs- but good sounding keyboard. Think good pianos, fat brass (Jump!) and classic synths. And light to carry on. I have in mind buying a ROLAND GO KEYS 61. " I read that as wanting a keyboard for gigging. Like I said, it's dual use. He wants it for gigging AND couch duties. (The batteries and speakers preference is for the latter.) 1 Quote Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Martin Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 I'm biased but CT-S500 is a great choice. It weights 11 pounds, can run on batteries if need. Comes with Bluetooth MIDI. Lots of great sounds with some real-time control. $375.00 1 Quote -Mike Martin Casio Mike Martin Photography Instagram Facebook The Big Picture Photography Forum on Music Player Network The opinions I post here are my own and do not represent the company I work for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesG Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 A used VR09 might be just the ticket? 2 Quote Hammond: L111, M100, M3, BC, CV, Franken CV, A100, D152, C3, B3 Leslie: 710, 760, 51C, 147, 145, 122, 22H, 31H Yamaha: CP4, DGX-620, DX7II-FD-E!, PF85, DX9 Roland: VR-09, RD-800 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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