keyboard for church use

[pf]

Hi ppl,

sourcing for a new keyboard to use in church. Currently, we're using a Korg N264 workstation. Yes, it's terribly old. I know. We're not fully utilizing the features of the workstation either.

So, thought I'll just check out if anybody can give us some ideas/brands/models to check out.

Our minimum criteria for a keyboard is as follows:
-decent piano sound
-some patches: piano, organ, brass, bells (for jingle bell christmas music) are musts
-88 keys
-light weight
-budget is <$1k

Would be using for worship service and fellowship events within the church.

Thanks guys!

 

[soft]

But why do you need another new keyboard for? Is the Korg N264 not working?

 

[pf]

Nope, our timing clashed. Another service needs the korg for music practice while we need it for fellowship. We have 3 services sharing the korg.

 

[Cheez]

Very difficult to get one for less than $1K with the specs you need.

The 2 that comes to mind (about $1.7K) are Roland RD300SX and Yamaha CP300. Don't think they have bells sounds. But bells can be "emulated" by using vibraphone sounds or layering vibraphone and e-piano etc (try layering a few things, add chorus effect and you'll be surprised).

 

[soft]

When working with limited budget, I think it would be a good idea to get 3 ($300++) Caiso keyboards!

Those Casio when hook up to a PA system with some Eq-ing can sound pretty good.

So, 1 for the Piano sound. 1 for Bells/brass. 1 for Strings.

1 player for each keyboard. Sure very nice.

No need 88 keys unless the music arrangement has notes running up/down all the time.

 

[Cheez]

Yes, agree.

Still, a longer-term solution is always better rather than temporary "stop-gap". Roland and Yamaha has better control for layering of sounds which is often used in church music (ie control of individual layer of sound's volume.

But yes, if absolutely no budget, then go for Casio.

 

[pf]

thanks guys for the suggestions!

Yeah....think we shouldn't need 88 keys hor....

Currently, there are 3 of us playing the keyboard but we don't quite add up to "half a pail of water"...lol. If we play altogether, it will just be a mess.

I'm so happy we're gonna get a new keyboard. The screen of the korg is not too good. The reflection of the light on the screen doesn't allow us to see the settings clearly.

I need to experiment with the layering sometimes. Tried to use the layering a couple of times. But since we have one 1 keyboard during the service, but sharing with sooooo many people who uses it before us, difficult to set those effects and also switch within a song very fast (can't see the screen properly). So, didn't go ahead to use during the actual worship.

Any suggestion for user friendly keyboards for me to check out??

 

[soft]

hey PF

This is the reason why should get 3 keyboards and let 3 keyboardists play at the same time. Each will take care of 1 part. Easier. 1 play piano sound, 1 play strings, 1 play brass/bells.

It will be a bit tough for 1 keyboardist to take care of 3 parts at the same time!

 

[pf]

But we don't need to have so many sounds at the same time.

It's more like praise and whatever ra-ra/christmas songs use bells or brass....

Then the quieter songs use piano or organ.

 

[Cheez]

Playing second keyboard needs maturity. Not to mention 3rd keyboard. Otherwise each will play like a piano and will end up as rojak.

One keyboard is enough unless the keyboardist is good enough to play second. And learn how to layer. Church music is very different - cannot be too thick and not too much things going on. The music is to support the singing and not draw attention to the musicians.

 

[pf]

hahaha....right on, as always!

Anyways, we're tight on manpower. If I'm playing the keyboard, the other keyboardists will either sing, play guitar or flash transparencies or be serving in some other area....

 

[pf]

But I'm dreaming of the day when someone can play the piano while I do the keyboard. I'll just play strings and hang on to chords.

Heavenly!

 

[Cheez]

If you just play strings like chords, then there's really no need for 2nd keyboard. Just layer 1st keyboard's piano sound with strings.

 

[pf]

Yups. Have to experiment with that.

But just thought I would be able to lobo for a while...hehe