synth vs. piano

[Poonam]

Hi All,
I am planning to buy a Korg M3 keyboard. I am confused whether to go for 73 key version or 88-key version. Can you please let me know what does actually weighted hammer action means? I am not able to get any where in the internet. Few information that i got was, each keys will have weights and the sound will be produced depending on the force we apply to the keys like in piano. My doubts are

1. till now i have used a normal keyboard. I dont have piano too. Will it be easy for me to play on M3 - 88 keyboard?
2. Can i disable this hammer action in M3-88 so that it plays like a normal keyboard?
3. what are the advantages and disadvantages in buying a normal keyboard and weighted-hammer action keyboard?

[Rob Sherratt]

Hello Poonam,

I had an M3-73 and now I have an M3-88.

The 73-note keyboard is a high quality sprung keyboard like a traditional organ keyboard.

The 88-note keyboard is like a piano keyboard where there is an inertial action as the hammer strikes the strings. This is what is called "weighted" because the 88-note keyboards simulates a traditional piano and the notes have a counterbalance weight that models the same feel as a piano hammer. You cannot turn it off, it is part of the mechanics of the keybed.

So, are you a pianist or an organist? What do you prefer? For me it is the piano feel that I prefer, and hence I upgraded from the 73 to the 88.

The 88 note weighted keybed weights 9 kg more than the 73 note unweighted keybed, so that's another consideration, you need 2 people to lift it, and you need a very solid keyboard stand.

Best regards,
Rob

[Poonam]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the response. Actually i am a organist. I have not played piano.

Will it be easy for me to play on M3-88? I tried playing once but i am not able to apply force equally to all the keys. sometimes i hit hard and sometime i hit the keys softly. Can i master it by practice?

Regards,
Poonam

[Rob Sherratt]

Thanks for the response. Actually i am a organist. I have not played piano. Will it be easy for me to play on M3-88? I tried playing once but i am not able to apply force equally to all the keys. sometimes i hit hard and sometime i hit the keys softly. Can i master it by practice?

Hi Poonam,

It's impossible for me to give you an answer. Some organists hate weighted keyboards, other organists and all pianists love them. Some organists never learn to play a weighted action properly, other organists and pianists are like ducks to water with them. It develops finger muscles and enables you to play faster and with improved control over time. So it can be learned, but it's down to you.

Best regards,
Rob

[Poonam]

Thanks again. Sure i will try it out. I have one more query. Does this M3-88 gives a piano like feeling? or should i go for a M3-61 keyboard and a acoustic piano seperately? Will M3-88 satisfy both the requirements upto a certain extent?
Actually i cant afford to buy both (an acoustic piano and a M3), so i decided to go for M3-88. Is it a good idea? Ur suggestion will be very much useful.

Regards,
Poonam

[dhmartens]

Sometimes I arrange my setup to use a weighted 88 key synth so I have those advantages but also later add a very cheap $60 to $250 61 note unweighted midi controller i.e studio logic sl-161


You can find an even lighter action than that. I find there are organ playing techniques that if played on a weighted 88 note keyboard, your fingernails will start to come off and your fingers will callous and bleed.

[MartinHines]

Thanks again. Sure i will try it out. I have one more query. Does this M3-88 gives a piano like feeling? or should i go for a M3-61 keyboard and a acoustic piano seperately? Will M3-88 satisfy both the requirements upto a certain extent?
Actually i cant afford to buy both (an acoustic piano and a M3), so i decided to go for M3-88. Is it a good idea? Ur suggestion will be very much useful.

Regards,
Poonam

All 88-key keyboards (from Korg or any other manufacturer) that have "weighted" actions ARE trying to emulate an acoustic piano keyboard action.

If you are interested in using a "piano like" action, then definitely go for the M3-88 (or the M50-88, which has the same, identical action). If you later want to add "organ/synth" action, you can add a 61 key midi controller.

I would recommend going to your local music store and trying 88-key electronic keyboards from Korg, Yamaha, Roland, or Kurzweil. Any of them can provide an example of "piano action" feel, as compared to "synth/organ" action of these manufacturers 61- and 76- key versions of the same product.


P.S. -- The title would be better as "synth vs. piano" actions, since many piano players would consider the weighted key piano action as "normal"

[MickyLMR]

Hi, I'm an owner of M3-88

I prefer that hammer action but I can not find a proper acoustic piano sound. I've already updated to expanded version.

Do you have any suggestion please ?

Mick

[Gargamel314]

I personally adore the Korg piano sounds - but for many who don't, they usually like this one:

http://www.irishacts.com/ezypal/index.p ... iano_vol_1

[MickyLMR]

Yes, good URL but expensive maybe.

I search a piano sound like Roland (or nearest) to play music like Tony Banks (Fist of fifth) or Jordan Rudess piano. I'm not a technician but can play piano.

If I compare sound from my M3, it seems to clear sound.
Do you have experiment with some sound and modify them?

Thanks

Micky