What would be your quality 88 key controller of choice

[MRedZac]

Just bought a Korg SGproX recently ! - If you are talking about quality, this old stage piano is as robust as a tank and gives a very good feeling while playing it, hosting a Fatar keybed. It´s also a good midi controller, multiple midi outs... I was also thinking of some newer models, but found out that the build quality from more than 10 years ago, is not realised nowadays anymore...

[Low Class]

I sold my Kronos 88 and now I'm using the PX-5S as a controller with the Kronos 61. Love it!!

[Joe Gerardi]

At home, I use my old Alesis QS 8 (original, not 8.1) and I love the action for piano. From what I understand, they changed the action to a lighter one for the 8.1, or that might have been the 8.2

It was the 8.2 that was cheaped down. The 8.1 was the same keybed and sounds of the 8 with a better display and hotter outputs.

..Joe

[amosdef]

At home, I use my old Alesis QS 8 (original, not 8.1) and I love the action for piano. From what I understand, they changed the action to a lighter one for the 8.1, or that might have been the 8.2

It was the 8.2 that was cheaped down. The 8.1 was the same keybed and sounds of the 8 with a better display and hotter outputs.

..Joe

Gotcha. I remember being disappointed when seeing that update. Still loving the QS8 though and it runs great for a 17 year old board

[ChadOnKeys]

Lots of great advice here, I'll have a look around my local music store before I commit to buy anything. So far Kawai and Casio seem to have the most interest. I have a budget of around £1100.

Thanks for all the great replies guys.

[lonelagranger]

I bought the Casio PX-5S and love it. I got it along with a Roland Integra 7. I also have a Kronos X 88. I have to say, for the money, Casio gives you a lot of keyboard and feels very much like a real piano. I love the fact that it is so light. Also it will run on 8 AA batteries. Maybe I shouldn't mention the last fact on a professional forum as this one.

Anyways, just like their watches, " it takes a licking and keeps on tickin". Or was that some other watch maker. You get the idea. Buy the Casio you won't regret it.

[danhewitt]

Is it true the PX-5S doesn't support half-dampering? I'm looking for a new 88-key weighted controller to replace my aging P80, but I really want half dampering data to be sent over MIDI to my Kronos 61.

I'm weighing that one against the Privia 350, but I read that this one only supports half-dampering through Casio's custom three-pedal stand attachment and not through the regular damper port.

Can anyone who owns either of these verify?

[soundspossible]

Is it true the PX-5S doesn't support half-dampering? I'm looking for a new 88-key weighted controller to replace my aging P80, but I really want half dampering data to be sent over MIDI to my Kronos 61.

I'm weighing that one against the Privia 350, but I read that this one only supports half-dampering through Casio's custom three-pedal stand attachment and not through the regular damper port.

Can anyone who owns either of these verify?

True on both accounts. But another member found a workaround that works really well (assuming you are ok with plugging the damper pedal into the Kronos). It is described here: http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... 1c10a6d98c

Using this method, you could use either the 350 or 5S. I own the 350 and have found it to be a real pleasure to play.

[danhewitt]

Thanks, it's a nice workaround, although I think it may affect my pedal setup.

I run two adjacent sustain pedals taped side-by-side, the left one controlling the P80 (MIDI'ed to the Kronos on channel 2) and then the right one plugged directly into the Kronos.

Even though the P80 is MIDI'ed up to the Kronos, I still want to be able to control the two dampers independently. I think I'll either have to give that up or wait until another model comes out that implements the half-dampering properly. Do I have this all right in my head, or am I missing something?

Can I ask, what is your opinion playing on the textured key surfaces? Having just seen it briefly, I'm not sure about it yet.

[soundspossible]

I wasn't sure about the textured keys at first, but I liked the overall feel of the Casio better than some other boards in my price range, so I got the PX-350. After a few months of playing it on, I can't say I really notice the texture. It just feels nice to play. This is, of course, just one close-enough-for-rock-n-roll keyboard player's opinion.

[Ojustaboo]

I absolutely love playing on my Kawai MP10 and while if they bought a rack/m3 style version of the Kronos out, I'd buy it tomorrow, I have zero regrets selling my Kronos as I'm having so much enjoyment playing on the MP10 keybed.

[adamburgess]

If you like a heavier action, I still like the Yamaha stuff... CP33. Solid and simple. Friend of mine has a CP300, I think - tank that it is!

Sold my CP33 to help fund a Nord, which is a lighter action - but soon got used to it.

[Stipes Vigilo]

I really like my StudioLogic VMK188plus (Fatar). But I'm finding the joystick I love so much on it is a problem with certain software I run. I've been looking at the Akai MPK88 for awhile since it has the double wheel control and the multipad that my VMK doesn't have.

[JPROBERTLA]

I am also about to get an 88 note weighted controller to pair with my Kronos 61. In fact, I was just about to buy an Roland A88, when I heard about the PX-5S. I recently played one and found the action to be excellent (so is the A88's), but then I discovered that you cannot use a continuous controller pedal in either of the 2 pedal inputs (?): it does not recognize CC7, so you cannot control volume or any other non-swith function.

This is a huge deficiency for a keyboard that is called a controller. I see that some people in this thread have a PX-5S, has anyone who has one found a work-around or equipment to accomplish this? I really like the keyboard except for this issue. I use a volume/expression pedal the entire time I am playing, so this is extremely important that my controller has this capability.

[Scott]

You can use an expression pedal on the PX-5S by adding a MIDI Solutions Pedal Controller, $119 at sweetwater

http://www.midisolutions.com/prodped.htm