keyboard players...help!

[james-25:22pm]

Hey there, im a guitarist and I play in a band; and I was hoping to expand my 'tonal palette' (lol) by getting an electric keyboard. I was originally looking at a synthesizer system for my guitar, but they are more money than I am willing to spend. Its just going to be something for me to play a few chords on, more as a textual/thing than as a lead (because I can't play anything else other than chords). But, the world of keyboards is VERY confusing. Would someone be able to tell me WHAT I am looking for? i.e the type of product I should search around for? I -don't need a complete range of octaves -need something that I can plug into a different speaker/PA (i.e not an onboard speaker ONLY) -desire I good palette of sounds, particularly ambient style things and strings - WOULD LIKE ability to customise some sounds (I realise this bit is probably a more expensive feature, requiring PC use and stuff?) -would like to perform without using a computer. Any tips on what sort of thing im looking for would be appreciated? ie, do i need some midi system or a stand alone keyboard... thank you all

[skysaw]

Most decent keyboards allow you to edit the patches, and a PC/MIDI connection shouldn't be necessary. Editing is of course easier at a PC, so you at least want something with a good enough display panel and user interface so you can see what you're doing. How much are you willing to spend? I can probably make a couple of recommendations based on your budget.

[joshbotch]

i would look into the nord lead keyboards from clavia, they sound good, have lots of knobs to twist, great with midi applications and should be pretty cheap on the 'bay. look at the nord lead instead of the nl2, they are basically the same but the nl2 is newer and more expensive or the sh-101 or the juno 60 or 106 or anything from sequential circuits if you can afford it. i would avoid NEW roland boards, the old ones rock. go for analog if you can afford it, you will thank yourself later.

[Snowy Egypt]

In my own opinion, ANY 60 - 70 key keyboard is good, but it depends on the brand. (if your looking towards brand-names) You'll do great if you stay away from any Casio. In my experience, it was the worst sound ever produced by a keyboard. I myself have a 68 (???) key Yamaha. But that's just me.Then there's another brand that produces great sound, but I can't remember the name. As for prices, I can't help you there. I got mine as a Christmas present in 2006.

[joshbotch]

i like casio's, after being circuitbent that is. a bent sk-1 will give you some VERY strange tones and sounds... a little hard to use in regular music type music though

[james-25:22pm]

wow, thanks for the quick replies everyone. Budget wise...well, seeing as though a) i am incapable of little more than chords (and dont really wish to be MUCH better) b) a dedicated guitarist (i.e limits to practice time) c) and this keyboard is not for leads...then the least the better! if my conversions are right....then maybe something around the $200US mark? Im open to whatever the hell anyone wants to suggest though, maybe providing its within 2X my budget lol I have the feeling something that -sounds good -is editable (even slightly) -good sounds quality may cost more than 200us. Its really hard for someone who knows nothing about keyboards to do their own research. I mean, theres so many types of keyboard. I presume im looking at portables or something? They look like the entry levels. But yeah, something around the portable keyboard budget, but maybe with a few parameter edits, such as attack speed. Thanks again

[skysaw]

It's a tight budget for a good sounding synth, unless you go used. Check out ebay, and keep an eye on anything from Alesis especially, or possibly Yamaha or Roland. Any of the Alesis keyboards that have a model name that begins with "QS" is worth checking out. I still have and use their QS7.1, which has some fantastic sounds in it. These may be out of your price range, unless you catch a great deal. If you see something interesting, post here, and I'll let you know what I think of it. If you want to pay a little more and buy new, try this one: http://www.zzounds.com/item--NOVXIO49 Very good price for what you get. It's also compact and light, which is nice if you're gigging and don't like lugging your crap everywhere.

[james-25:22pm]

hmmm...ok then...maybe you would be kind enough to answer this (only if you have time!) Basically, if you forget everything i've said...I want a cheap (aka, maybe around $200us or a bit up) way to get the following sounds (and similar types) - from the start up until the first 40 seconds of this video. It's like a mix of strings/choir/sparkle lol. I have no idea what type of sound that is. But thats one i would like. Would I be able to get this from a cheaper portable? Or even close to it? I thought this was called a 'pad' sounds or something, but in the past the ones i've heard are soo harsh and non-sparkly (i dont know the technical term) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwgb1HD-2RU -soft, non-intense strings, with a slow attack -xylophone and some jungle/ethnic sounds -a convincing piano So after thats said, what am I looking at having to buy? Am i still in entry level synthesiser territory? or am I back down into the cheaper entry-level portable keyboard level? thanks again for everyones help!! I promise ill stop asking questions soon

[skysaw]

Basically you're going to probably have to look for something used to get something that sounds good at that price. Most keyboards cover the types of sounds you're looking for, but some just do a much better job than others. Here's something you might want to put a bid on: http://cgi.ebay.com/Alesis-QS6-Keybo...QQcmdZViewItem

[joshbotch]

GET A USED roland JUNO 60! perfect for what you want!

[james-25:22pm]

hmm thank you for all the latest reconmendations. I guess they are still cheaper than an actual guitar-synth system! One thing I am curious about. (in relaton to synths like this one SkySaw suggested) http://www.zzounds.com/item--NOVXIO49. How do you customise synth sounds? like if I want to mix some strings with piano....is it as simple as telling the synth to do that? or do you have to enter exact frequencies to synthesise your own sounds? (i am unsure how synths work. noob lol). And can you make like 'banks' of patches? so I can set up all the sounds i need for one song, and play it through with ease? Thanks again for your very helpful advice. After this bit of info, ill be able to make my own decisions about what to buy not have to bother you all!

[skysaw]

hmm thank you for all the latest reconmendations. I guess they are still cheaper than an actual guitar-synth system! One thing I am curious about. (in relaton to synths like this one SkySaw suggested) http://www.zzounds.com/item--NOVXIO49. How do you customise synth sounds? like if I want to mix some strings with piano....is it as simple as telling the synth to do that? or do you have to enter exact frequencies to synthesise your own sounds? (i am unsure how synths work. noob lol). And can you make like 'banks' of patches? so I can set up all the sounds i need for one song, and play it through with ease? Thanks again for your very helpful advice. After this bit of info, ill be able to make my own decisions about what to buy not have to bother you all! Wow, the bid on the Alesis has already gotten too high! I can't tell you specifics on programming the Novation since I don't own one. It's definitely geared more towards typical "synth" sounds than natural ones, since it's not a sampler. It has some variables you can tweak with the knobs, but it's certainly not as customizeable as something in a higher price range. Sorry to say that $200 is just going to limit you in this regard, and I don't think you'll find something that fits the requirements you listed unless you come across a nice deal on something used. Maybe you should head over to a Guitar Center or whatever you have in your area, and test a few things out and ask the salesperson for help. A lot of times these places have a few used things sitting around as well.

[james-25:22pm]

yeah, I noticed that Alesis was more expensive than the new novation! Thank you for all your help, im pretty much able to sort this out for myself now! I saw a Roland keyboard of some sort in a shop today, it was way out of the budget I allocated, but it had nice sounds and the ability to split the keyboard soundwise (and had features I dont need), but Ill just go into a music store and play around with some. Im definately gearing away from a Synth, and looking more at just keyboard/workstation type ones. Simply, because they look easier to opperate; and as I am looking for good natural sounds too. Thanks again!