Hey there, I'm kinda new to this forum, and I'm looking for a bit of help here about buying suitable keyboards.
I used the play classical piano when I was really young, till I stopped aft some years. Recently though, my interest in playing has been reignited and I'm raring to go again!
I'm in a state of openness/exploration now about what I wanna do with the keyboards. Def no more pure classical, and I'd def play alternative music & vocal accompaniment (think tori amos, fiona apple, damien rice...). I'd try jazz too! But I also want more than just a piano, cuz I'd wanna make use of the other functions to try composition, simple arrangements with diff voices etc. Never done it before though! It's more of something I really hope to be able to play around with and explore.
Based on all this I was hoping for a nice blend between a digital piano (good hammer action!) and a synth/arranger with all those functions that I can play with. Tried the DGX620 (which has many of those "functions"), and thought the sound/touch was okay, and THEN I tried the P140 and oh-my-gosh it FELT and SOUNDED sooo much better! Realised how important good piano sound/touch is to me, and I was compelled to get the P140 despite it being slightly out of my budget.
I -didn't- buy it though. Still sorta hesitant cuz I'm still uncertain about how suitable it is for me. It's more of a digital piano, which is good in a way, but it also means fewer "other" functions, though it does have some things I hope to have (eg: 14 voices, a recorder, 2track sequencer etc.). BUT the thing is I'm not sure WHICH functions are necessary/important for someone like me! I read the specifications, but with no EXPERIENCE of it I can't really tell what things would/would not be useful or significant to me -- what I can let go of, or what I should try to have at my level, and with my aspirations.
So looking for some advice here:
Obviously noone can tell me exactly what -I- need, but based on YOUR experience, what did you use on the keyboards to achieve what purposes, or what type of music? Or if that's kinda vague, what type/models of keyboard do you personally think may suit someone like me?
Now, the only thing I'm quite sure of is that I want relatively realistic piano touch/sound (not necessarily THE best la. but good enough). Other functions wise, I'm really just looking for any input and insight. Besides the Yamaha DGX620 and P140, I also noted the Casio PX320, KORG SP-250 -- but I don't know all that much about them. Haven't had the chance to try out others in the P series either, although from what I heard pianotouch/sound-wise the P70 really can't match up to the P140, and I can't seem to find the rest in other official online catalogues. Price wise, I initially wanted <$1500, but now may push up to <$1800 or around there (the P140 i saw is being sold $1700+).
Any other suitable options anyone can suggest to me? Trying to be cautious about spending money here! Thanks for your time =)
___________________________
[edit]
alright just made a close comparison between P140 and Korg SP250
COST: P140 costs about $600 more
TOUCH: P140 (graded hammer -effect- keyboard), SP250 (real weighted hammer action 3 keyboard, light/normal/heavy touch control)
>> not sure about the difference here. might go down to try out the korg one soon but I'm no big expert so I don't know if I'd be able to tell really well actually =.= anyone has any comments on this?
SOUND: P140 (14 distinct voices, 3 variations), SP250 (30 sounds - 3 pianos, 7 electric pianos, harpsichord, 2 clavs, vibraphone, marimba, acoustic guitar, 3 jazz organs, 3 church organs, 3 strings, 3 choirs)
>> sounds like the SP250 is more like what I want! =\
EFFECTS: P140 (5 diff reverbs, chorus, phaser, tremolo, rotary speaker), SP250 (Reverb, Chorus, 3 levels each)
>> okay I guess this is what I mean by not knowing how useful these functions will be to me!
both support half pedaling, have metronomes.. P140 has 64 notes polyphony, SP250 has 60 notes (odd number?). oh and P140 has a recorder.
Okay so just need some insights.. it's about value for money, but also what I need/don't need, or what is wise (whatever wise is). Advice anyone? =x
I used the play classical piano when I was really young, till I stopped aft some years. Recently though, my interest in playing has been reignited and I'm raring to go again!
I'm in a state of openness/exploration now about what I wanna do with the keyboards. Def no more pure classical, and I'd def play alternative music & vocal accompaniment (think tori amos, fiona apple, damien rice...). I'd try jazz too! But I also want more than just a piano, cuz I'd wanna make use of the other functions to try composition, simple arrangements with diff voices etc. Never done it before though! It's more of something I really hope to be able to play around with and explore.
Based on all this I was hoping for a nice blend between a digital piano (good hammer action!) and a synth/arranger with all those functions that I can play with. Tried the DGX620 (which has many of those "functions"), and thought the sound/touch was okay, and THEN I tried the P140 and oh-my-gosh it FELT and SOUNDED sooo much better! Realised how important good piano sound/touch is to me, and I was compelled to get the P140 despite it being slightly out of my budget.
I -didn't- buy it though. Still sorta hesitant cuz I'm still uncertain about how suitable it is for me. It's more of a digital piano, which is good in a way, but it also means fewer "other" functions, though it does have some things I hope to have (eg: 14 voices, a recorder, 2track sequencer etc.). BUT the thing is I'm not sure WHICH functions are necessary/important for someone like me! I read the specifications, but with no EXPERIENCE of it I can't really tell what things would/would not be useful or significant to me -- what I can let go of, or what I should try to have at my level, and with my aspirations.
So looking for some advice here:
Obviously noone can tell me exactly what -I- need, but based on YOUR experience, what did you use on the keyboards to achieve what purposes, or what type of music? Or if that's kinda vague, what type/models of keyboard do you personally think may suit someone like me?
Now, the only thing I'm quite sure of is that I want relatively realistic piano touch/sound (not necessarily THE best la. but good enough). Other functions wise, I'm really just looking for any input and insight. Besides the Yamaha DGX620 and P140, I also noted the Casio PX320, KORG SP-250 -- but I don't know all that much about them. Haven't had the chance to try out others in the P series either, although from what I heard pianotouch/sound-wise the P70 really can't match up to the P140, and I can't seem to find the rest in other official online catalogues. Price wise, I initially wanted <$1500, but now may push up to <$1800 or around there (the P140 i saw is being sold $1700+).
Any other suitable options anyone can suggest to me? Trying to be cautious about spending money here! Thanks for your time =)
___________________________
[edit]
alright just made a close comparison between P140 and Korg SP250
COST: P140 costs about $600 more
TOUCH: P140 (graded hammer -effect- keyboard), SP250 (real weighted hammer action 3 keyboard, light/normal/heavy touch control)
>> not sure about the difference here. might go down to try out the korg one soon but I'm no big expert so I don't know if I'd be able to tell really well actually =.= anyone has any comments on this?
SOUND: P140 (14 distinct voices, 3 variations), SP250 (30 sounds - 3 pianos, 7 electric pianos, harpsichord, 2 clavs, vibraphone, marimba, acoustic guitar, 3 jazz organs, 3 church organs, 3 strings, 3 choirs)
>> sounds like the SP250 is more like what I want! =\
EFFECTS: P140 (5 diff reverbs, chorus, phaser, tremolo, rotary speaker), SP250 (Reverb, Chorus, 3 levels each)
>> okay I guess this is what I mean by not knowing how useful these functions will be to me!
both support half pedaling, have metronomes.. P140 has 64 notes polyphony, SP250 has 60 notes (odd number?). oh and P140 has a recorder.
Okay so just need some insights.. it's about value for money, but also what I need/don't need, or what is wise (whatever wise is). Advice anyone? =x
Last edited: