Several years ago before I began my forays into modular the wife had a very nice full sized digital piano. Sadly we had to get rid of it as our apartment was a bit cramped at the time. Now that we are in a bigger place again and she has expressed interested in getting back into playing. I was wondering if anyone had some pointers on picking a new keyboard. I would like to get something that she would enjoy playing on as well. It would be nice if it could fit into these categories:
Fairly portable
Have some sort of MIDI
Play nice with my Kosmo
I dont expect to be able to find a single synth that can work in all of these situations, but I have really no knowledge in this area at all so even a starting point for research would be nice if anyone has any suggestions.
I got a Novation LaunchKey, but was pretty disappointed to find that it only has USB Midi, not real, round-hole MIDI. Good otherwise, but probably skip it for Kosmo unless you have a USB-MIDI to CV module. Seems like KeySteps and BeatSteps are what most people use. Or the Behringer clone if you’re willing to talk a walk down the dark path.
Did you need a keyboard CONTROLLER or like an actual digital piano?
As others have mentioned, the yamaha reface series is great portable sound makers, but might not interface that well with modular gear out the box. Though im partial to the CS than the CP. Get the CP if you want a poly piano thats portable and Rhodes-ie. The CS is more lead/bass analog tones.
I would add the Reface CP, which has 37 keys, midi and a great sound as well, if you want to use as a simple standalone epiano! (Also: Battery powered).
Cool thing about keystep/beatstep is that they have a sequencer…
I just LOVE the rhodes sound on the reface CP!! xD
Most 88 key digital keyboards are a damn sight more portable than a Bosendorfer grand, so it kind of depends on how portable “fairly” is.
I’m wondering whether @zorch consulted their wife on that list of requirements, because most of what would fit them would be very different to play than that “nice full sized digital piano”. Does she want more than 25 keys? Full size keys? Weighted action? If so, she doesn’t want a Keystep.
Besides not being sure what “fairly portable means”, “some sort of MIDI” leaves a good deal unspecified (DIN MIDI? USB? 3.5 mm?) as does “play nice with my Kosmo” (does said Kosmo have any kind of MIDI to CV?). So it’s kind of hard to come up with good answers.
I’m guessing the wife would advocate for at least 37 keys (the common choices are 25, 37, 49, 61, and 88, obviously from most fairly portable to least), full size keys. DIN and USB MIDI are common; DIN can be used with Midimuso (or, ahem, MCVI) to drive your synth. USB MIDI is more problematic in that regard, there’s stuff like this https://www.amazon.com/USB-MIDI-Host-Module-controllers/dp/B0752M869X but that adds considerably to the cost — people have done DIY equivalents though. Or you can build a USB MIDI to CV, I know of at least one on Github.
I’ve a few keyboards and no matter the voice I create I love my Yamaha P150 piano and midi. Even after 20 years the P150 piano lets me play with feeling and precision. Using midi filtering you can even section up the very flexible 88 keys and controls.
I record and sequence mostly with a pc so the beatsteps appeal but their not my workflow.
Most of the P150 controls are assignable.
The new models all have very light keybeds and very portable.
Older, like mine and it’s hernia time
