billyb Posted April 24, 2001 Posted April 24, 2001 I am approaching 40 and since I can't afford a new Ferarri I am instead going to persue keyboard/piano lessons. My question is where should I start from an equipment standpoint? This is just going to be a hobby and I don't have a bottomless bank account. I was thinking about a digital piano & the Yamaha P80 & Kurzweil SP88 look interesting. Also, anything to be aware of or ask when looking for a teacher. Any good info would be greatly appreciated. My musical tastes are rock...especially progressive(yes, I am an Emerson & Wakeman fan), some jazz & classical. Also I am new to this forum thing so excuse any faux paxs There are no stupid questions but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots!
coyote Posted April 24, 2001 Posted April 24, 2001 To me the Yamaha is a good board - natural feel & good grand piano sounds, as well as a good Rhodes (the tremolo effect works well too). Only thing it's missing IMO is a good clavinet sound. I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football.
steadyb Posted April 24, 2001 Posted April 24, 2001 An Alesis QS8.1 would be a good choice and you can pick one up new for around $1200. It's got an awesome piano as well as actual samples of Keith Emerson's C3 and lots of other great sounds. You'd probably be very happy with it. I think our forum moderator Dave Bryce would concur. Byron Gaither - Alesis Keyboard product specialist
joegerardi Posted April 24, 2001 Posted April 24, 2001 I gotta agree with steadyb. The QS8 not only has the great pianos and Hammond he mentioned, but it also has Emo's Moog programs from Aquatarkus, Mass, Abaddon's Bolero, (and a host of others) and the GX-1 horn sound from Fanfare. Additionally, it has a Fatar 88-note piano action keybed, do you will be getting the best piano-style action out there. Down the road, if you want, you can add an organ keybed-style controller to the rig and MIDI it up so that you can have different sounds playing on different boards. with 64 note polyphony, you won't run out of voices too quickly. I currently have QSR, the module-version, and it has some great sounds. ..Joe Setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88, Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Alesis QSR, Roland M-GS64 Yamaha KX-88, KX76, Roland Super-JX, E-Mu Longboard 61, Kawai K1II, Kawai K4.
Dave Bryce Posted April 24, 2001 Posted April 24, 2001 Originally posted by joegerardi: I gotta agree with steadyb. The QS8 not only has the great pianos and Hammond he mentioned, but it also has Emo's Moog programs from Aquatarkus, Mass, Abaddon's Bolero, (and a host of others) and the GX-1 horn sound from Fanfare. Emo did use those programs on tour, but he didn't write them - I did. The raw samples themselves did come from his modular Moog and the GX that currently resides at Hans Zimmer's studio. Glad you dig them. I 'm quite proud of those...the Trilogy Lead is also one of my faves... dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network
joegerardi Posted April 25, 2001 Posted April 25, 2001 Dave: KILLER 'king programs! You got the modulation just perfect on the Trilogy Lead. Fanfare GX is great, but just a hair too much attack on the pitch for me. Aquatarkus is dead nuts on, as are Abdns Triad and The Sage. (Wow! I guess I'm not showing TOO much favoritism for my tastes in sounds, am I?) My absolute favorite, though is Bank 3, # 91. Emerson Saw. The only thing I did to it was boost its output level so that it really screams. One question though: Why did they put Keith's C3 in the User bank? Way too easy to accidentally erase it there. It should be in the ROM. Did you you have anything to do with the Vintage Synth Q Card? I've been wondering if it's worth getting. (Read: More Emo sounds!!!) Thanks for some great sounds, my brutha. They are the cat's ass. ..Joe PS: Tell Zimmer I want that thing if he ever decides to sell. It'll probably tip Savannah into the ocean, it weighs so much, but what the hell... Setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88, Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Alesis QSR, Roland M-GS64 Yamaha KX-88, KX76, Roland Super-JX, E-Mu Longboard 61, Kawai K1II, Kawai K4.
billyb Posted April 25, 2001 Author Posted April 25, 2001 Thanks for the info. I will definitely check out the QS8.1. It looks like for a little more money than a digital piano I will gain much more. I was also wondering about an amp. Something reasonably priced to start off with or maybe even a good choice on the used market. Also could someone recommend a good starter book on MIDI. I have a very general idea of what it's about and obviously would like to learn more There are no stupid questions but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots!
Guest Posted April 25, 2001 Posted April 25, 2001 Casio.....most any 'board from Casio... I would suggest the Casio WK-1350 keep an eye out at "Sams Club"- I'm from Alaska-and I picked one up for $248 --down from $309---- has "touch sensitivity" too............ don't spend *more*......for..............*less* have FUN!!!
joegerardi Posted April 25, 2001 Posted April 25, 2001 Billy: >a good starter book on MIDI I just did a search on Amazon.com and found this Setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88, Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Alesis QSR, Roland M-GS64 Yamaha KX-88, KX76, Roland Super-JX, E-Mu Longboard 61, Kawai K1II, Kawai K4.
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