MIDI keyboard advice?

[jdbunda]

Hi - just getting started with my home studio and recording projects. I am mostly just having fun, doing demo quality songwriting, not full-on production projects.

I want to get a MIDI controller keyboard. My thinking is that almost any decent keyboard (with velocity sense keys) that has a MIDI interface will do, is that correct? I occasionally work with a piano player who really likes to have a full hammer-action weighted keyboard. Any advice?

On the one end, I am looking at (say) the M-Audio keystudio which can be had for around $250. I don't play keys myself (at least not very well) so this would be fine for midi controller use. But - I've seen older MIDI-capable electric pianos in that same price range (which would probably make my piano player friend happier). Do I give up anything going that route instead?

Thanks for any help...

[garww]

This is not my realm, but I have been wanting something like a old Kawai and have read a lot of user reviews (harmony-central) over the last several years. I'm inclined to find a old keyboard with a high rating for synth or piano feel. I casually bot my Mom a Hammond M3(??) many years ago thinking a keyboard is a keyboard. She couldn't relate to the feel.

[richiebee]

Weighted keys can be a real drag if you're not a piano player, so while they might be just wonderful for your piano playing friend, they might cause all sorts of problems for you.

I would go for something with semi-weighted keys - it gives you some kind of resistance which aids in precision in your playing, without becoming tiring for the non-piano player.

If your piano player loves fully weighted keys, maybe he should buy his own keyboard.

I use a CME keyboard with semi weighted action, and I really like it, for me (also a non-piano player), but I know CME have come under attack for really bad quality control in the past, so you may want to look elsewhere unless you have a good local store with a good return policy.

[jdbunda]

I found a Roland ep7ii locally for cheap, and I'm tempted.

[garww]

Got to start somewhere !!
Roland EP-7 MK II: Harmony Central User Reviews

One person here felt the board had NOT full MIDI. That is not so unusual, really - except n today's whiz-bang marketplace.

[garww]

Hope you went out and got it !! I finally got my ebay Kawai tonight !! Cheers !! The Kawai is 21 years old, so it's not fully MIDI either.

[jdbunda]

I didn't get it, I ended up finding a Yamaha electric piano real cheap (i.e. free). Velocity, but not weighted keys. It will work fine for what I need.

[garww]

Originally Posted by jdbunda

I didn't get it, I ended up finding a Yamaha electric piano real cheap (i.e. free). Velocity, but not weighted keys. It will work fine for what I need.

Cheap is good !! My old Yamaha PSS790 has dinky keys and drum pads, but it's served me very well. I got it without the battery cover and the DC voltage jack is now loose - but It's not in any hurry to stop working.

Congrats !!