Quote:
Originally Posted by opendoor
I don't think I'd buy a USB controller for a piano. Any keyboard is going to have MIDI ins and outs and you can just get a MIDI to USB cable and have the same functionality. Then you can use the built in sounds all you want as well as any samples if you want to do that as well.
In my experience, MIDI/USB controllers are great for a couple of specific reasons. They can be good for touring because they're cheap, light, and easy to replace if something goes wrong. They're also good if you're playing more synth type stuff because they'll have assignable knobs build in so you can make setting adjustments right on the keyboard. But for home use and piano playing you might as well get something with some good built in sounds. Like I said, you can still go the sample route later if you want.
I don't really have any specific recommendations for keyboards. Nord stuff is excellent but quite expensive. Their sample banks are second to none though. I've also heard good things about the Korg SV1. Probably the best thing is to go try some out.
Also, are you looking more for a stage piano (just the piano that you put on a separate keyboard stand) or do you want more of a console type thing with built in speakers and its own stand? I greatly prefer the former, but some people like all in one things.
|
Built in sounds are great but they are not essential and neither are speakers as I use sampling software like Reason to give me a lot more versatility. I already have a lot invested in computer hardware so I might as well make it work for me instead of spending extra for the built in speakers and DSPs of a more all-in-one keyboard or workstation. That's what a USB midi controller would work well for me but the issue is that the keys on all the dedicated controllers (like M-Audio for example) are terrible in my experience. I find that with the built in sounds, whether it's the usual handful with stage pianos (grand 1&2, e. piano 1&2, harpsichord, organ) to the hundreds of other synths, I only ever use 1 or 2 of them because those are the only ones that sound decent.
I actually already have a Roland stand (made in Italy apparently) that I won at the "spin the wheel" at Axe Music's grand opening and I think it should fit most 88 key stage pianos but I've never actually taken it out of the box and built it because I had no reason to.