Keyboard/Synth Recommendations for recording

[HiddenStar]

Hi people,

I've done some searches around the forum, but it seems alot of relevant recommendations are dated and therefore the decision to post this new thread. I would like to seek opinion on what is the most recommended keyboard/synth I can get (brand new or 2nd hand) at around $500.

Background:
Basically, I play the piano. However, I was thinking of recording some of my music (with video) for uploads etc. So I would like to have a full scale of 88 keys and maybe weighted ones too (to replicate the piano feel). I kinda prefer to get one from KORG, no reason why. I don't really need to manipulate my music, just nice piano recordings. A tiny bit of variation in terms of sounds would be good too.

Hope to get some ideas, thanks so much! =)

 

[carboxymoron]

Korg? Go to City Music and try. Your budget will be the biggest limitation for finding a good performance synth. The most popular Korg models cost about double that.

If you mainly want to record piano, look for digital piano instead of a synth. Most digital piano have some variation of acoustic and electric pianos, strings and organs. And it will be easier to find properly weighted and full scale models.

 

[HiddenStar]

Hmm... but digital pianos can't connect directly to the computer for music recording right?

 

[Cheez]

Yes they can, depending on the model and how you are going to connect it. Many nowadays has USB direct connection. If not, you can always record it using line output into your audio interface/soundcard.

If piano sounds is your main goal, you have the choice of (as suggested) digital piano - Yamaha P series for example, or going softsampler (if you intend to make ultra-realistic piano recordings). If the latter, you'll need a keyboard controller (M-audio for example), then a piano softsampler that will run from your computer (my suggestion will be either Ivory II or Galaxy II).