Starbelly Posted November 30, 2000 Share Posted November 30, 2000 Ok, I'm looking for insight from any of you out there who have a similar set-up to my own. I'm currently transitioning between a live and studio set up and am looking for a great keyboard controller to do nothing but sit on a desk and crank out the notes. It does not have to have internal sounds, but it does need to drive a rack of other midi equipment (plus virtual instruments) and act as my main keyboard for recording. The feel of a real piano and 88 keys are a must, since I already have an old M1 for my synth "feel." For now I'll leave it at that. Please feel free to fill me full of all of your experiences. Thanks in advance. =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted December 1, 2000 Share Posted December 1, 2000 Originally posted by Starbelly: The feel of a real piano and 88 keys are a must, since I already have an old M1 for my synth "feel If the sounds are not important, and it's all about feel, then what you need to do is to go and play on as many of 'em as you can...trust your hands - they'll tell you pretty much everything that you need to know. As far as the operational specs of these products go, the average computer sequencer will allow almost all of them to do just about anything that any of the rest of them can do - you didn't say if there was a computer sequencer involved, but I am assuming that there is. Hope that helps, dB [This message has been edited by Dave Bryce (edited 12-01-2000).] ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergievsky Posted December 1, 2000 Share Posted December 1, 2000 Roland A80 has the best feel for me, even compared to any of the new ones from any manufacturer. If you can find one used in good shape it's a steal. Only thing is, the operating system looks like it was designed by someone high. The aftertouch also takes a lot of pressure before it can be trigerred, although I understand it can be modified by a simple resistor(?) switcheroo. Anyone know of this? Raul Raul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzzz Posted December 1, 2000 Share Posted December 1, 2000 Originally posted by Sergievsky: Roland A80 has the best feel for me, even compared to any of the new ones from any manufacturer. If you can find one used in good shape it's a steal. Only thing is, the operating system looks like it was designed by someone high. The aftertouch also takes a lot of pressure before it can be trigerred, although I understand it can be modified by a simple resistor(?) switcheroo. Anyone know of this? Raul Correct on all counts! I own an A-80, and I have not found anything that comes close to it in piano "feel." The operating system is ludicrous, but I have a 4 page "translation" that was sent to me by Roland USA a few years back that explained everything. The aftertouch requires hands of steel to use, but it is one of the few out there with POLYPHONIC aftertouch. Roland has an approved mod that involves changing one resistor on the main board to improve this. Email me at Marzzz@aol.com and I can send you the details. -Marshall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starbelly Posted December 1, 2000 Author Share Posted December 1, 2000 Thanks, I hadn't looked at the A80 yet. Currently I've been hemming and hauling between the StudioLogic 880, Kurzweil PC88 and an Alesis QS 8.1. I am running everything through Cubase/32, at the moment, for recording midi and audio. Really, what I'm looking for is a good controller that will be able to send out enough info to all of my midi racks. (pitch, bend, yadda, yadda) I appreciate the help, thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted December 1, 2000 Share Posted December 1, 2000 Originally posted by Starbelly: Thanks, I hadn't looked at the A80 yet. Currently I've been hemming and hauling between the StudioLogic 880, Kurzweil PC88 and an Alesis QS 8.1. Unfortunately, the A80 was discontinued...about 10 years ago. Their current model is the A90, and has a whole different feel. Roland makes their own keybed (model PA4) for that unit - it's a bit too bouncy for my taste. FYI, FATAR makes the keybeds for Kurzweil and Alesis. I believe action in the StudioLogic 880 is more similar to the one in the QS8.1 than the one in the PC88 (you did mean the old PC88, not the newer PC2, right?) dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted December 2, 2000 Share Posted December 2, 2000 I also prefer the A80 action over the new A90, and over just about everything else except a well-regulated acoustic piano. I thought I was the only one... The only reason I have a Fatar 2001 in my studio is, I used to carry it to gigs, and the A80 is just too heavy! But if you don't need to move it, it's a beauty. The Fatars are very playable, anyway. You'll find Fatar actions on the majority of keyboard instruments, with the notable exception of Yamaha. Speaking of witch, the actions on the S80 and P80 (similar, but not identical) are among the best on the market today. The P80, however, makes an horrible controller (no wheels!), but if you'd like to also have a lot of good sounds with your keyboard (and, of course, you're willing to spend a few more money), check out the S80. marino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzzz Posted December 2, 2000 Share Posted December 2, 2000 Originally posted by marino: I also prefer the A80 action....the only reason I have a Fatar 2001 is, the A80 is just too heavy! I must be getting old.....I used to TRY to gig with a Hammond M3, a Rhodes 73 Stage, and a MiniMoog, plus amps. You wanna talk heavy? (And we used to do gigs for a nickel! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/wink.gif) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted December 3, 2000 Share Posted December 3, 2000 Yeah. A partial list of the keyboards that I used to carry to gigs (by myself) includes: Rhodes 76 and 88 suitcase Rhodes Chroma (45 kg. in its case) Roland RD-300S digital piano Hammond L100 Oberheim OBX-a and Matrix-12 (with cases) Plus, of course, lots of "modern" synths. The result? I've multiple slipped disks, plus other assorted back disfunctions. I've tried every kind of physiotherapy and I went under surgery once, but these bastards won't stay in place. It's a pain in the ass, I can assure you. I can't lift anything heavier than 13/14 kg. I know you wrote your post with "light" intentions (pun intended), but I thought I just would share my experience, as a little warning to my fellow keyboardists. I don't want to scare anybody, just remember to use common sense and external help when carrying the heaviest equipment! Uhm, off topic again... marino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergievsky Posted December 5, 2000 Share Posted December 5, 2000 Hey Marzzz, I would LOVE to have that info on the A80, whatever you got. I emailed u but just in case u didn't get it...my email is anatoly@maple.com.ph Thanks Raul Raul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagovbellatlantic.net Posted December 18, 2000 Share Posted December 18, 2000 I have used the fatar studio2001c..and like the action..very deep controller capacity for different midi set ups too. ------------------ http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/278/stanley_sagov.html http://artistlaunch.com/artist3.asp?artistid=2908 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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