Need an digi piano - suggestions?

paulmapp8306 · January 2018

Background.

Had proper organ lessons in my teens (twin manual plus footpedals) and always had a synth/worstation around. Ive never used weighted keys - nor a board longer than 61 notes.

Im OK at chords on the left hand, melody on the right - and IM OK at chords on the right - though I still have to think at times. Im NOT great at bass lines with the left hand, and useless when I try and play a melody on top of a bass line (though I can play octaves with my left - and a middle note or two while playing a melody).

Anyway - Im now 50, and want to learn proper piano. I want to be able to do boogie woogie stuff, and some mellow more clasical esk pieces (easy listening if you like). Nothing overly technical though (classical wise) and certainly not taking grades.

Id like to be able to achieve a decent level - as I have with my guitar - by the time I reach retirement. Should be quite possible if I put my mind to it.

So - gear. I have a 61 Note Roland Fantom-S workstation (some 15 years old now) and will continue to use this (at least short term) to play organ stuff, and synth lead stuff. It also has a great arpeggiator. I "may" replace it with a proper VA synth down the line IF I get a "piano" that handles pads/strings and acoustic instruments as well.

Im seriously considering a Roland RD2000 to learn my piano skills. It is easy to layer, and has good enough pads/strings etc to take over from the Fantom in all aspects except some synth stuff, drum tracks and arpegiated stuff (I think).

Is this overkill (given the price)? are there other options at a lower price point Id be happy with? The action of the keybed is probably THE most important thing to me hence not looking at Nord stuff which feels terrible to me. Ive never been that impressed with Korg piano sounds (or feel) either. Id happily look at Yamaha, Kurzweil and Kawai though, if something suitable exists.

So - any "piano/keys" specialists what to give me a steer here please.

horse · January 2018

My only properly weighted board is a Casio px5s - future classic I reckon given what else it can do for the price. Here's the old soundonsound review

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/casio-privia-px5s

It is getting on a bit now though - must be due an update at some point.

I've also got a waterfall Nord electro 5, so I'm not averse to the more pricey brands.

paulmapp8306 · January 2018

Yeh - the Nord was nice at the Leicester Jam. I like their waterfall action (organs/synths) just not their weighted one - which is what im Iooking for.

Funkfingers · January 2018

Roland A-80 or A-90, perhaps?

https://www.roland.com/us/products/a-90/

paulmapp8306 · January 2018

The A-90 is discontinued. If I could have got an A-90EX It would be great. A controller board with good keybed and piano sounds - and I could add a module if I needed anything else.

Unfortunately its replacement - the A-88 has the Feel-G bed which Im not a fan of (not as good as the PH4 on the A-90 or the PH5 on the RD), doesnt come with onboard sounds (its just a controller) and its not even as good a controller as the A90.

If I can find a used A-90 fully expanded I might well jump on it..

horse · January 2018

If I were buying a weighted board now I'd be considering the kurzweil sp6, but I do always go for the light weight models, which may not matter if just for home.

paulmapp8306 · January 2018

Havent gigged on keys for 5 years, nor am I likely to in honesty - but never say never.

The only 2 potential issues with the RD2000 is weight and cost. It does everything I want and really well otherwise. Ill look at the Kurzweil

thomasw88 · February 2018

I bought a yamaha p115 a few months ago, and its pretty good and cheap.. doesn't compare to a piano tho.

Winny_Pooh · March 2018

Sight unseen, always Yamaha. I have occasionally heard good Korgs or Rolands but they can be inconsistent. Might be worth googling some keys forums to see what is currently popular.

oaf · March 2018

I've liked the various RD pianos from Roland over the years. You could maybe consider the FP range instead?
These days I'd put more emphasis on the feel than the internal sounds given how many piano VSTs/Kontakt libraries there are for not too much money. Nice to have some decent built-in sounds though!

Whitecat · March 2018

thomasw88 said:

I bought a yamaha p115 a few months ago, and its pretty good and cheap.. doesn't compare to a piano tho.

Having tried what feels like the entire damn lot of "budget" pianos at one point I can say that the Yamaha P series easily has the best key-feel for the money.

Definitely not the same as a "real" piano but for under £500 it's the closest approximation out there IMO.

paulmapp8306 · March 2018

Well, I went and got the RD2000. Cost £1900 to learn on lol - and It means Im not upgrading mu AFX2 to a 3. Im not bothered really TBH.

So far I love it - there are a couple of things that Im keeping an eye on - might have a fault (very occasionally I get a loud note when Im not playing loud - but its so quick I have to do a double take - Think its happened twice. If I hear it again it will go for investigation/repair). Sound wise its great - and the feel is great as well to my untrained fingers. The only bed that came clse was the yam CP4, but I actually preferred the RD slightly.

I have logged quite a few hours on her already...and havent touched a guitar since Ive had the RD either.

oaf · March 2018

Excellent! Enjoy it!

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Need an digi piano - suggestions?

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