Up to around $1000/£750


Any recommendations?


I want something fairly slimline (relatively), decent action, although I'm not a nazi when it comes to that kind of thing. I'm not fussed about all the 'extra' sounds like EP, strings etc but I do want a nice warm piano tone. I also need audio out for DAW recording and USB integration would be nice, although I don't even know if any of them have that.

It'll be used in conjunction with my current MIDI controller so extra controls are irrelevant.


Ta

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Knock yourself out:
http://purgatorycreek.com/documents/25.html

yamaha P80 is about that range. Great action and nice piano sound. There might be some newer models with less features but still the same guts with a cheaper price tag but for digital pianos , you can't really go wrong with yamaha.

Ah, I just realised that I mistunderstood the question
Still, the list is helpful if you decide to go the sample library path.

I assume you want 88 weighted keys, right?

I highly recommend Kurzweil for pianos. You might be able to find a used Kurzweil SP3X in that price range (new street price ~$1500). It has a USB connection for MIDI control.

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quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik I assume you want 88 weighted keys, right? I highly recommend Kurzweil for pianos. You might be able to find a used Kurzweil SP3X in that price range (new street price ~$1500). It has a USB connection for MIDI control.

Oddly I was just looking at the SP3X as the Euro has dropped a bit I can get one from Thomann for about £900. Seems foolish to not stump up the extra wonga for something that seems to be so much nicer. And yes, 88 weighted is the idea. About time I started 'playing' again I think. The other reason is that it's impossible to 'play' the orchestral sounds in Kontakt with any feeling at all with my Oxygen. Funny that!

I did look at the Yamaha ones in a store last week (P95 I think it was) and it was surprisingly plasticky for more than £500.

And Morvan, that list is both the most comprehensive AND useless I've seen for a while

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quote:

Originally posted by tehlord stump up the extra wonga

That sounds sorta dirty.

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Uhm, you are about also to get a new pc for Omnisphere and some orchestral stuff? Why dont go for any sample pianos and get decent 88 midi keys. Imperfect samples does some amazing stuff at a moderate price.

When it comes to this sort of thing I really suggest going into a music store and playing on as many different models as you can. I recently did this, and spent almost 2 hours in a store playing Yamahas, Rolands, Korgs, and Kurzweils. No matter how much you look at DP's online, it won't tell you anything until you play it for yourself.

I ended up buying a Yamaha CP33 for the amazing key action and decent grand piano samples, which was one of the biggest factors for me. They have much more expensive, fancy models with features that they can be really good at convincing you are necessary - but make sure and look through the BS. I bought the CP33 also for the simplicity compared to some more expensive models - it has great piano sounds and a few other decent sounds (electric piano, harpsichord, etc) but I wasn't interested in those because it has a USB MIDI connection which means I can make any damn sound I want. The higher up models of the Yamahas had the EXACT SAME key action, but they came with craploads of sounds (synths, pads, etc) that quite honestly I would never in my right mind record or use, especially when I can do a hell of a lot better with softsynths. For the same key action but more "built-in sounds" (which are actually just sampled on the DP), you would end up paying up to $1000 more.

In any case, I personally prefer DP's from Yamaha's product line - I know for a fact there are a couple really good models right around your budget. My preference is based on the fact that I grew up playing on heavier-type acoustic pianos, but I understand that the weight/touch might not be as important to you. Regardless, though, I tend to lean towards Yamahas mainly because of their longevity, key action, and above-average built-in piano samples.

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quote:

Originally posted by tehlord Up to around $1000/£750 Any recommendations? I want something fairly slimline (relatively), decent action, although I'm not a nazi when it comes to that kind of thing. I'm not fussed about all the 'extra' sounds like EP, strings etc but I do want a nice warm piano tone. I also need audio out for DAW recording and USB integration would be nice, although I don't even know if any of them have that. It'll be used in conjunction with my current MIDI controller so extra controls are irrelevant. Ta

I am selling my Roland XV-5050 It's like new.
$350

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Originally posted by Pagan-za Fighting online is like winning the special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still retarded.

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Originally posted by atxbigballer1 I am selling my Roland XV-5050 It's like new. $350

N/M your in the UK.

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quote:

Dr.DRE "It's not the equipment....it's the muthaf@#%r running it"

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Originally posted by Pagan-za Fighting online is like winning the special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still retarded.

quote:

Originally posted by Coyke Uhm, you are about also to get a new pc for Omnisphere and some orchestral stuff? Why dont go for any sample pianos and get decent 88 midi keys. Imperfect samples does some amazing stuff at a moderate price.

It would have been an option, but I really want something standalone that can be used away from the DAW too if I choose to.

quote:

Originally posted by cl0ckw3rk When it comes to this sort of thing I really suggest going into a music store and playing on as many different models as you can. I recently did this, and spent almost 2 hours in a store playing Yamahas, Rolands, Korgs, and Kurzweils. No matter how much you look at DP's online, it won't tell you anything until you play it for yourself. I ended up buying a Yamaha CP33 for the amazing key action and decent grand piano samples, which was one of the biggest factors for me. They have much more expensive, fancy models with features that they can be really good at convincing you are necessary - but make sure and look through the BS. I bought the CP33 also for the simplicity compared to some more expensive models - it has great piano sounds and a few other decent sounds (electric piano, harpsichord, etc) but I wasn't interested in those because it has a USB MIDI connection which means I can make any damn sound I want. The higher up models of the Yamahas had the EXACT SAME key action, but they came with craploads of sounds (synths, pads, etc) that quite honestly I would never in my right mind record or use, especially when I can do a hell of a lot better with softsynths. For the same key action but more "built-in sounds" (which are actually just sampled on the DP), you would end up paying up to $1000 more. In any case, I personally prefer DP's from Yamaha's product line - I know for a fact there are a couple really good models right around your budget. My preference is based on the fact that I grew up playing on heavier-type acoustic pianos, but I understand that the weight/touch might not be as important to you. Regardless, though, I tend to lean towards Yamahas mainly because of their longevity, key action, and above-average built-in piano samples.

Hmmmm maybe you're right.

My only real problem is that there are no stores remotely local to me with a decent selection of different models. This may involve a trip into London, which means that I must take a chill pill first

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