Jazzman Posted October 10, 2001 Share Posted October 10, 2001 This may be corny to ask, but how many octaves do you really need for the price in a keyboard, 61 keys, 88 keys? The Alesis series synths have a variety of octave quantities as do some of the other popular brand synths in the market place. I guess in the arsenal of keyboards that you may have on hand, do you need the ability to have this octave space available while playing, or was it a good deal in the store? People build homes by the dollars per square foot, what about dollars per octave? Does it matter to you? One of my keyboards is a QS6 that I find satisfactory for me. If I need to, I just set up the board to suit the range that I need. But in my case I have the board in my studio and it is easier for me to control because I'm not playing on the fly, one song after another. I guess if you are playing out, having the variety of octave quantities on stage would be necessary. Are the sounds that you get with the keyboard sound good up and down the larger keyboards, or are you wasting your money? There is a sweet spot in most sound palates where the horn sounds like a horn, outside of that it may sound like a kazoo, or gas. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif Do you really $pay$ attention to this detail or are you just excited to hear the sounds in any key? Just curious........and your thoughts. My fadeout........... Jazzman http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod S Posted October 10, 2001 Share Posted October 10, 2001 I recently narrowed down my setup to one 61 key controller (non-weighted) and a 88 key controller (weighted). I feel the 61 key is sufficient for 90% of what I play, as long as I can quickly transpose up and down (My cs6x has a octave up and down button right on the front panel). I like playing piano on the 88 key. For some reason 77 key controllers confuse the hell out of me, I never know where I am in the keyboard http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif You are right though, most sounds only sound good in about 3 1/2 octaves at the most, I think. I do like having the full piano range though. If I'm not playing piano, my cs6x does just fine. Korg Kronos X73 / ARP Odyssey / Motif ES Rack / Roland D-05 / JP-08 / SE-05 / Jupiter Xm / Novation Mininova / NL2X / Waldorf Pulse II MBP-LOGIC American Deluxe P-Bass, Yamaha RBX760 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted October 10, 2001 Share Posted October 10, 2001 Mine has 61 key, but had my budget allowed for it, I would have gone for a 76 key. As Rod CA said, I think 90% of the time 61 key is enough. But I hate it when I need one extra octave above or below. Normally it is just for one note, just once, tipically a B or a B flat when playing an octave bass (like c1-c2 etc). Oh, I hate it so much when I'm practicing and suddenly one of my pinkies goes over the first (or last) key and hit the plastic cover... grrr. But well, even in these cases, I always find some arrangement. And needing a lower or higher octave because of the pitch you want (not because you need a wider range of octaves) shouldn't be a problem as long as you have some "transpose" feature. Anyway I agree that most of the sounds just sound good in a range of 3 octaves at most, but when it comes to a piano sound... 88 key would be excessive for me, tho I suppose it's a must if you are seriously into classical piano. Otherwise I find abusive the increment in price when going from 61 to seventy-something and finally to 88... Well maybe it's not abusive, but for me (and my wallet at the present time), the extra keys are not worth the extra money. ------------------ = blue = This message has been edited by Blue on 10-10-2001 at 04:44 PM = blue = Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The T Dot Posted October 11, 2001 Share Posted October 11, 2001 Blue: How are you liking the Triton? (although TritonCentral has been stiffing you with dissapearing posts) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegerardi Posted October 11, 2001 Share Posted October 11, 2001 Years ago I realized that I have to have 3 physical boards. On my recent rebuild, I figured I get one of each: An 88-note, a 76-note, and a 61 note controller. Fate dictated that I got the 76-note first. Now, I don't think I would ever go back to 61-note instruments again, and I have the 88, and 2-76's. There's something about the 76'ers that I've really come to like. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzman Posted October 11, 2001 Author Share Posted October 11, 2001 Hi joegerardi, the 76 key keyboards that you use, do you like them because they allow you to split the board into to parts for better access to high and low end parts such as playing bass and lead or cords? What is that special reason you mentioned? Don't you have problems with the sound pallets on either end? If the board is split, however, that problem goes away because your back to 61 keys or so again, don't you think? If you don't split up the board is it because there is more room to do the lead parts? What keyboards do you have in the 76's? Just wondering about your comment....... Jazzman http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegerardi Posted October 11, 2001 Share Posted October 11, 2001 Originally posted by Jazzman: Hi joegerardi, the 76 key keyboards that you use, do you like them because they allow you to split the board into to parts for better access to high and low end parts such as playing bass and lead or cords? What is that special reason you mentioned? Don't you have problems with the sound pallets on either end? If the board is split, however, that problem goes away because your back to 61 keys or so again, don't you think? If you don't split up the board is it because there is more room to do the lead parts? What keyboards do you have in the 76's? Just wondering about your comment....... Jazzman http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/cool.gif Well, you might think this weird, but I never split or layer controllers. A long time ago when I was still playing out, I decided that I really prefer to split or layer the synth programs I'm playing on a controller, rather than the controller itself. I limit the range of the part on the synth(s) that particluar controller is playing. Though many times, due to the range of the tunes I play, I can't split the boards, hence the reason I need 3 boards. Probably the most intricate song I ever did that way was ELPowell's "Touch and Go." I had to cover the electronic drum parts with my left hand, and I had to layer the same program twice, and where it only overlapped in certain places - and were an octave apart - so my right hand (thumb, actually) would play both the bass note of the chord and the root (an octave up) with the same note. Luckily, the verse had all the chords (both actually. The verse is only 2 chords - C and Bb) in root position, so that worked. Meanwhile, on other boards were the lead and other periphery sounds. Currently, I'm working on a setup to do "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd. The intro is a synth part with strings held underneath. I have the strings set to play with my left hand, but up 2 octaves and way down on the bottom end of one of the controllers, and on the same board is a Hammond program for the right hand side of the board. I wouldn't be able to get the full range I need on a 61-note board. But that's only 1 reason. It's having those extra octaves available. If you want to grab a bass note, it's there. I can't tell you how many times I would have to jump the octave UP for a note because it ran off the bottom of the keyboard. Same for the top end. I have the Alesis QS7 as my top controller, and it's sitting on a Yamaha KX 76. Those, in turn are sitting on a Yamaha KX 88. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted October 11, 2001 Share Posted October 11, 2001 Chris100: I just came across your post! I had read this thread yesterday and didn't notice your post directed to me...! Well, I'm enjoying a lot with my new "toy" (Triton 61 keys). It's even more than I had thought - of course, you always find some flaws, things you would like to change, etc. But overall I'm impressed at the amount of features it has, and although it will take a long time to learn everything (if I ever do), the touch screen makes everything easier and intuitive. It's a gem... In fact I have to keep a strict discipline and strictly separate "practice" time from "experiment" time. Otherwise, I always start trying sounds and things, and an hour has passed before I even notice... So you're "spying" on me on triton central, huh? http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ------------------ = blue = = blue = Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The T Dot Posted October 12, 2001 Share Posted October 12, 2001 Originally posted by Blue: So you're "spying" on me on triton central, huh? http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif LOL, no I'm just another forum user (I'm delerium on Triton Central btw). I'm still fairly new to the Triton too, but getting more knowledgable as I read posts and learn how to use all the features. Theres so much to dig into but so little time available... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/frown.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted October 12, 2001 Share Posted October 12, 2001 My JP8000 has only four octaves. At first I thought that was a severe limitation, but now I find it makes me think about playing differently and therefore has benefits. Besides, I have two other controllers - a 76 and an 88 - I can use with it if I feel the need for greater range. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenthplanet Posted October 13, 2001 Share Posted October 13, 2001 I agree with joegeradi. I would just like to add that how your're playing will make a difference also. If the piano is your thing you need those 88 keys. If you need to do organ licks definitly at least 61 keys possibly 76 keys. If you do those quick mono leads (Chick Corea,Jan Hammer type) and do them a lot you might only want 44 keys. Take the typical 61 key controller if you use the wheels or joystick a lot you might find it a little more comfortable with not so big a stretch. Let your fingers (and arm and shoulder muscles be your guide. Q:What do you call a truck with nothing in the bed,nothing on the hitch, and room for more than three people in the cab? A:"A car".... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfjazz Posted October 13, 2001 Share Posted October 13, 2001 a 71 key fits the all around for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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