I recently bought an electric piano that doesn't have built in speakers. I am very much a beginner and am only playing for myself. I just don't like playing through headphones all the time and I'm looking for a cheap external audio setup. My first thought was an amplifier but my (very limited) research had some suggestions that a PA would work fine.

Or, since portability isn't a consideration, would it be fine to just buy some cables and plug into my hi-fi setup?

My main reason for this is to have a better piano for Logic production and a home/family piano for my wife and future kids. Both piano options are discounted down to about $1,300. For the Williams, it is the floor display that I’d be getting (the only reason for the $1,700 markdown, everything works great but that basically means its used) and the Roland is down from $1,490 to $1,390 but its brand new in box. I already have an akai mpk49, so i can use that still if needed especially if I’m getting the baby grand. But I wanted something fully weighted, and 88 keys. Im not looking for other piano recs, and there are strong reasons and caveats to getting either of these two.

Williams - great family piano and doubles as a midi keyboard. Less portable at 220 pounds. Plays great and…its a $3,000 piano for $90 less than the roland. Feels more like a regular piano sitting at the bench, and would most likely be easier to continue practicing piano on. Loud speaker. It’d live in my badement studio next to my desk set up with the Akai still right under the screen.

Roland - still can work as a family piano but would live at my recording desk, making it a little less optimal for basic piano practice. Much more portable at \~30 pounds. A ton of different sounds. Love the feel probably just the same as the other. I would have to adjust my entire desk and monitor arm for it to sit under a screen. No real use for the Akai if I choose that.

I just really don’t want to regret my choice and I’m hoping any of yall have some experience with either! Any and all advice is very welcomed.

I have some experience with diy like this but if its too complicated may have to get a professional!

Hi friends! I'm curious:

What kind of music do you make?

What boards do you use? Stage Keys? Synthesizers? MIDI Controllers?

If you use DAWs/VSTs, what kind of DAWs/VSTs do you use?

I'm mainly a jazz pianist (but I do pop keys using Mainstage and produce with Logic Pro on the side), rocking the Yamaha CP88, but looking into getting my next piece of equipment, so I was curious as to what setups everyone else is using!

I was eyeing getting the Expressive E Osmose... or getting Ableton Live and using the CP88 as a MIDI controller.

Has anyone used the Miditray (or similar) product, which is a slide-out shelf you attach (via clamp or screws) to the front/bottom of your desktop, that allows a keyboard to attach to and slide under the top of your desk? The concept seems awesome to me - slide keyboard under desktop when not using, slide out to play. With my limited space it could be a great solution.

I've searched this forum and not found anything. This would be for a 36" or 48" wide shelf. My main concern is whether there'd be too much desk wobble when playing, since I would be attaching it to a standing desk. I'm aware that I could make a DIY version but I don't have access to the tools I'd need.

Hi,

I bought a new Yamaha PSR I610 keyboard. Yesterday it got delivered.

If you look at the keyboard keys closely, the keys are not in one line, the horizontal alignment is not being maintained. Some keys appear a bit higher while some keys a bit lower when viewed from the front at the level of the keys.

When viewing from top, the gaps between keys are not consistent. In between some keys, the gaps are broader than others.

I am sharing two photos of the same.

Do you think this is normal? Or is it something to worry about and better to opt for return? Or is it Okay enough to keep the keyboard?

Looking forward to your assistance it will be really helpful.

Thanks!

So I am returning to trying to learn piano adter a long hiatus. I used to have a YPG 535 that I was learning on for about a year before having to sell it due to a change in living situation. Im wanting to get i to production so I want a keyboard I can use as a midi controller but ive also heard it better in the long term to get something with 88 keys and weighted keys (I am planning on playing classical pieces). My question is this: is there something that fits the bill and can do both (doesnt have to be 88 keys) or should I get an 88 key digital piano and learn on that?

I have a YC88 at home that I have loved playing with, but I don't like hauling it back and forth to the studio, and I am looking for a second board that I can keep there. I don't need something with a hammer action, and I'd actually prefer something that has an organ action because it's kinda hard to do some organ moves on a fully weighted keyboard.

I tried a Roland GO:Keys 5, but the sounds are extremely limited and all of the organ sounds suck. Any recommendations in the sub 1k category that sound/play decent?

Hello all,

I’m a new NS4 HA73 owner, and love getting to know it. I’m a keyboard player in an r&b band (where I am the music director), and I also play keys or piano in a jazz ensemble. I use the modx for gigging because it is so light and easy to carry, though as I fall in love with the NS4, I find myself considering switching to it for gigging. But I digress.

I’m just starting to think about how I can connect these two keyboards, one as a controller perhaps?, and use the mpc almost like a drum machine and play over it. For now this is something I’d do at home and just to play around and note I do have a small Yamaha mixer. Perhaps if this became something I could get good at, I would consider some solo performances as a sort of novelty act. I’ve considered adding a looper that can take keyboard input, but perhaps the mpc can do that?

So my question to the group is what kind of fun creative ideas does this bring up for you? What can you imagine doing with this kind of equipment and setup? How would you connect them?

I’m curious about people’s experiences with the Crumar DK61 controller. I would like to use it as an add on waterfall controller to a Nord Electro 7 HP. It would primarily be used to control organ sounds. I’m curious if this setup makes sense and is easy enough to connect.

If it was setup in this manner, could I play both keyboards simultaneously?

I’m also open to other MIDI controllers that could be used in a similar fashion.

TIA

Perhaps someone has seen a similar issue.

I have a Casio keyboard, it's rather old. Sometimes the notes will "wobble". As if I was using the modulation wheel, which I did not. I know the wheel has a button above it that, apparently, toggles modulation, but no amount of pressing that will stop the random modulation if the keyboard is "in the mood".

The kids insist that one of the mode buttons stops the random modulation but tbh I haven't been able to replicate it.

Internet said I should try to clean the wheel, but up until now I have remained unsuccessful.

I'd rather not take the entire thing apart.

Any insight?

After my grandfather passed, he left me this keyboard. I want to try and find an amp for it and I'm looking for suggestions. I know nothing about amps and I'm nervous about damaging this with the wrong equipment.

Hey, so I’m looking to buy either CK61 or Nord Electro 4D. I’m basically buying for the electric keys presets. I play jazz and would mostly use it at home, in studio + in rehearsals and in gigs. Which one do you think I should go for? What offers the best quality when it comes to warm electric keys?

I've started playing in a band with one or two guitarists. We're thinking of recruiting a bassist as well. We play rock, folk, indie and pop covers.

I started out with just one of the guitarists and would often play the bass and lead guitar lines. For solos I'd either play the entire thing myself or add chords to accompany the guitarist. I usually listen to the song and laboriously transcribe the bass and lead guitar lines.

Now that a second guitarist has joined us and we might soon have a bassist, my role needs to evolve. I'm also interested in learning how "real" keyboardists in bands function. If it matters, I'm also the vocalist. Any tips or resources would be much appreciated!

Does anyone know a good keyboard (workstation) under 400€ to use in a band? I need sounds that emulate rhodes or hammond primarily to give you an idea.
Thanks

Considering a Viscount Legend 70s Artist W (Mk I) with all mods except the clav (MIDI module instead), plus stand and pedals, for $3k.

I’m mainly looking for piano/EPs and general stage keyboard stuff, with the virtual analog synth being a bonus here. There aren’t many reviews out there, so I’d love to hear from anyone who has played or owned one.

How do the piano/EP sounds, keybed, synth capabilities, and overall quality compare to something like an RD-2000 or other competitors? At $3k, I could go with an RD-2000 and have a more proven stage piano, so I’m wondering if the Legend 70s is worth it.
Thanks!

Hi all,

Looking for a case that is a good balance between weight and protection. I don’t need a flight case as that seems overkill for my use (lugging it around in a car).

How is the Gator semi-rigid case? Is there a case made by a different company that has more protection without the weight of a flight case?

Hello! I’m a complete beginner who’s interested in learning music production, and I’m looking to buy my first MIDI keyboard. I’m a little overwhelmed by all the options and could use some advice.

My budget is currently around $100, although I’d be willing to wait a few weeks to a month and spend around $120–$150 if there’s a significantly better option.

Ideally, I’m looking for something that is portable, beginner-friendly, good for learning music production, able to function without being connected to a computer/DAW, and has built-in speakers, if possible, so I can practice on the go

I’ve been looking at the Akai MPK Mini Play b ut I’ve heard mixed opinions. Some people say it’s more of a toy and that it isn’t particularly useful unless it’s connected to a DAW. Would you recommend the MPK Mini Play for a beginner, or is there something better around $100–$150?

Also been looking at these on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6HWSHHD/?coliid=I1GYQJSB1Y8LIN&colid=2QOKMXGM0PMXC&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_lstpd_DZA1B1TVWK7W63V5B0KX

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GN92H8WV/?coliid=IBDADWJSNL6YM&colid=2QOKMXGM0PMXC&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_lstpd_DZA1B1TVWK7W63V5B0KX_1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRVDV48X/?coliid=I34Y24F5NF3M1G&colid=2QOKMXGM0PMXC&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_lstpd_DZA1B1TVWK7W63V5B0KX_2

Are there any other MIDI keyboards in this price range that have built-in speakers and can actually be used independently without a DAW? Or would I be better off giving up the standalone/speaker requirement and getting a better MIDI keyboard without those features?

Once I buy a keyboard, I also want to actually learn how to play it rather than just use it for music production.

I’ve heard about the Simply Piano app. Is that a good option for a complete beginner, or are there other apps, websites, or YouTube channels you would recommend for learning piano/keyboard?

I’m also not sure what other equipment I actually need.

I’ve heard people mention things like Audio interfaces, Drum/loop pads, Headphones/studio monitors, MIDI controllers, etc.

What would you consider essential for a beginner, and what can I completely ignore for now?

Eventually, I want to buy Ableton Live 12 Standard, but I don’t currently have enough money for it. I have the Lite version right now, but I’d like to eventually unlock the additional features in Standard.

Are there any reasonably priced MIDI keyboard bundles that come with Ableton Live 12 (or a version that can be upgraded to Standard)? Would it make more sense to wait and save up for a better keyboard/bundle rather than buying something now?

Basically, if you were starting from scratch with around $100–$150, what would you buy and what would you recommend I focus on learning first?

Thanks!