keyboards and computers

[RogerS]

Been thinking a while about going back to playing the piano (after 40+ years) and was thinking about a keyboard to plug into the computer to begin with so i can listen on headphones. As my interest is mainly classical I think that I'll need one with all the keys and so any suggestions? Cheap is good. What about the loud pedal? Or is that now starting to push the 'cheap' boundary?

Should add that I'm not interested in recording my efforts, special synth sounds or special effects or composing. Just needs to sound like a Steinway!

Thanks

Roger

 

[thomvic]

My ex son-in-law, a talented musician and teacher of music has such equipment. He says that the computer needs a very good sound card (whatever that is) and even then the quality of the output is highly dependant on the quality of your keyboard and earphones. These cost more than the computer!

Richard

 

[christoph clark]

I have the Studiologic Fatar sl 990 you can see it on top of my piano.
There are differnt models with full size 88 keys with Semi-Weighted Action. They come with a sustain pedal but not the soft pedal (una corda) and sostenuto.
Have a look here:
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/3599
They have 1 in b stock a little cheaper.
You will also need some software> I use mine with Reason. YOu can play live or record you own concert. Even add other instruments, edit you work and save it to cd.
Reason does come with pianos but you can add on other packs like the Reason Piano Refill which will sound like your playing a Steinway D Grand Piano, Yamaha C7 Grand Piano, or Steinway K Upright Piano.

There is a great video showing what I'm talking about here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc3MA5CCiEQ

Your looking at around £300 for the keyboard, £300 for the software and yes you might have to change your sondcard for something with a lower latency or you might have a delay between when you press the key and when you here the sound..

 

[RogerS]

Are there any s/w utilities that Ii can run to check out the latency of the sound system (on my Mac)?

 

[DangerousDave]

Roger, the main prob with playing a keyboard through your computer is latency; you hit the note on the keyboard and there is a slight delay before you hear the note. I assume that you are wanting to use the keyboard as a MIDI controller and have the computer produce the actual sound (i.e. a sample). Programmes like Cubase offer ways around this, but if you want a good piano sample you could get a fairly inexpensive MIDI controller keyboard and connect it to a sampler. Or just buy a keyboard with onboard piano sounds, the samples on even modestly priced keyboards are very good nowdays. Sustain pedals are fairly cheap and you just plug it into the back of the keyboard, oh and nearly every keyboard has a headphone socket. HTH Be warned going down the Cubase/Pro soundcard route tho, its a slippery slope :?

 

[TonyW]

Roger, as you are not interested in recording, synth sounds, special effects or composing I am unsure why you would want to plug into a computer.

Also from what I can see you want a full size keyboard with either weighted keys or at least touch sensitive keys. In that case have you considered
a "real" electric piano e.g. Yamaha, Roland etc. I suspect that the sound quality will be far higher than listening via a PC sound card. In addition
the cost of a keyboard and software likely to be around the same as a good quality electric piano.

As an example have a look here:
http://www.umbrellamusic.co.uk/producttag_28_1.aspx
http://www.gear4music.com/Digital_Piano ... 3godmEYzRw

Cheers
Tony

 

[ByronBlack]

m-audio do decent external sound interfaces that work well with the mac.

 

[woodbloke]

Rog - my daughter, who's a pianist was always advised not to go down the electronic route (for various reasons that I can't recollect) If you want to play the piano again...buy a proper piano! - Rob

 

[misterfish]

Are we talking about dabbling or is this to be a 'serious' hobby.

You could go for a 'cheap' keyboard - like some of the offerings from Argos but usually cheap is plasticky and lightweight (and disappointing) ( http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... YBOARD.htm .) Realistically you need a keyboard with velocity (not really speed but which gives more volume the harder you press the keys) and aftertouch is a nice extra (can change/enhance the sound the longer the key is depressed. Weighted keys (to feel like a real piano) can enhance your playing experience.

The problem is that a decent keyboard is not cheap. Then the next question is how do you want to generate the sound. An all in one keyboard with keys, sound synthesis and speakers tends to be a compromise and expensive if you want decent quality. Or do you go for a master MIDI keyboard and a sound module and amplifier and speakers/headphones. Or maybe a synthesiser with keyboard and sound generation that you can plug the output into an amplifier (or the line in on your computer)? The possibilities are many!

Now I 'dabble' and have found the best way for me is 'used' equipment (as always courtesy of Ebay). Because some people have to have the latest kit (as with mobile phones and computers) you can pick up bargains. I have an old Kawai K4 which has its own series of programmable sounds as well as the ability to use it as a MIDI master keyboard. I also have a Korg GM synth module (sound generation without keyboard). These can be MIDI cabled together and I can plug headphones into either of them and listen directly. Of course I ccan also connect the MIDI line into the computer which with the relevant software (an old version of Cakewalk that came with a soundcard from a long dead computer) allows me to 'correct' my 'finger troubles' on screen and then use the computer to control the external synth and play it back without the errors.

You can spend lots of money on top quality new equipment if you want - but I didn't have the option (SWMBO restrictions!) and am quite happy with my toys.

Misterfish

 

[christoph clark]

What about this

A Yamaha Disklavier like mine only this is the grand version

including detachable control unit
Advanced Wave Memory 2 (AWM2)
32-note polyphonic
16-part multi-timbral
XG/GM modes
676 normal voices (128 selectable)
21 drum kits (9 selectable)

RRP £107658.60 :lol: :lol: :lol:

Here if your interested
http://www.chamberlainmusic.com/productdetail.asp?ProductID=DCFIIISM4PRO

 

[frugal]

Your looking at around £300 for the keyboard, £300 for the software and yes you might have to change your sondcard for something with a lower latency or you might have a delay between when you press the key and when you here the sound..

So £600 to £1000+ (if he has a built-in soundcard and needs to buy a whole new PC).

Or you can probably find someone who can not get rid of a piano and then just need to pay £40 to have it moved, and £50 to get it retuned. Have a look on Freecycle, ebay or the local free ads. There is always someone looking to get rid of a piano.

We were given a 100 year old piano by a friend who needed more space. Ironically the mover was not only the same guy who moved the piano into her house 10 years earlier, but also the same guy that moved our house's previous owners piano out

 

[devonwoody]

Taking up a piano again after many years and your advancing years (maybe) your fingers might not cope with the heavy keys, so you might have to consider the Yamaha clavinova.

Your fingers and arms will most probably get the RSI type of damage on a piano.