Keyboard for jamming studio

[gothviruz]

Hi guys, i'm setting up a jamming studio.

I'll be honest, i know nuts about keyboards.
What would be a good minimal set up for keyboard? What brand and model to get? Price wise?

I'm not going for those high end ones.. just the minimum requirement as a start.

Thanks

 

[digihub00]

basic setup:

a 88-key digital piano

and a 61-key synth

 

[iansoh]

Get second hand keys.

depends what kind of musicians your studio is marketed towards. it's costly to provide keyboards for 'all purpose'.

if the studio is geared towards rock musicians, then just get any one of these:
1) Korg: Trinity / Triton / Triton Le / Karma / X50 / TR
2) Roland: Juno D / RS-50 / RS-70 / Fantom / Fantom S
3) Yamaha: EX5 / EX7 / Motif / MO6 / MM6 / S03 / S08 / S30

The most expensive of the models listed above would prob be the TR or Fantom S or MO6 at about 1.2-1.4k SGD. Used, that is.

Anything less than the above-mentioned list, I doubt your studio would be popular with keyboardists.

 

[pno]

nowadays for $600-800, you can get a used
synth workstation that costed $2800 when it came out.

eg. korg Trinity, Triton, yamaha ex7 and roland xp60 are selling at
the u/m price.


88-key digital piano eg, Yamaha P80, korg sp200 are exchanging
hands for $800

 

[Cheez]

Agree with the second hand suggestion. I don't suggest a full-fledged workstation, since few will eventually use the sequencer function (studio = band = not one-man band = no sequencer). This will cut down your cost. Any other models as suggested above is good. If the keyboardist wants something higher-end than that, the keyboardist is on the high-end side and usually particular about his/her sound. And if you get keyboardists like that, he/she usually bring his/her own gear (usually in the form of modules). So you don't have to worry.

Just need an all-rounder in terms of sound.

 

[piano_ex]

for me, I'm very happy with any jamming studio that provide 88 keys .. not necessary to be a high-end synth, but a digital piano 88 keys weighted, and maybe a synth.

That'll be plenty for me to work with .... in any case, i just need the digital piano, cuz usually i bring my own synth ... =)

ps: but honestly, very few studio will provide digital piano ... so even an X50 will be sufficient for me, not entirely satisfied, but happy enough to go to studio without bringing anythin =P (imagine the weight that i need to bear if I need to bring my synth everytime)

Agree with cheez Workstation is not needed tho...

 

[gothviruz]

Thanks guys.. i learnt a lot from here. Hopefully I'm getting the correct one.

Is it ok if I just get synth but not piano?

 

[iansoh]

if you get a piano, then you're catering to a different crowd. more towards the pop/jazz and chinese pop musicians who would need the piano. but rock musicians would have little use for a digital/stage piano.

synth is a safe choice.

 

[gothviruz]

Is Korg X3 suitable for jamming studio set up?
What abt Yamaha PSR E430?

 

[Cheez]

PSR definitely no. Korg X3 - preferably not. It's an old model - 61 keys and only 32 note polyphony, extremely limiting for a keyboardist. You want at least 76 keys.

 

[digihub00]

Is Korg X3 suitable for jamming studio set up?
What abt Yamaha PSR E430?

in my opinion, Korg X3 is good enough for jamming purpose. it's a mid-range kb. I used to own a X3R, the brass and pads not bad. Piano and organ sounds
may not be top class but good enough for jamming

try to aviod the PSR kb.

 

[SilverBeast]

Is Korg X3 suitable for jamming studio set up?
What abt Yamaha PSR E430?

You might wanna reconsider getting the x3 coz the display is not backlite. I used to have a k5000w that has no backlite lcd and I had to sell it away coz I couldn't play it under under dim lighting after my kid's gone to bed. If you are looking at arrangers, consider getting the mid or higher range models even if they are of older series (but not too old lah). As I have learnt, besides quality of sound samples, the other key factor to consider when choosing arrangers is the variations in each style offered.

These days, whether getting 1st or 2nd hand gears, it's the buyers market and they can be spoilt for choice. The difference in quality and price among the top manufacturers' latest keyboards have narrowed tremendously compared to the age when most makers boast having "sample playback" in their synths. BTW, when it comes to older keyboard models, spare parts and tech support service is important unless you are a good tech DIY person.

In my opinion, go for 1st hand and current models, especially when you are making money out of it which will cover the equipment cost. Good luck and hope to visit your studio when it's set up.