CompuServe Thread

There are quite a few keyboards in that price range which can be used. Which one is best for you depends on your experience and what you want to do with it. If you want to use the keyboard for input and have had experience playing the piano, you'll probably want full sized keys with velocity sensing. If you haven't played the piano, you may be able to do without velocity sensing, and if you don't intend to do much input or will be doing it a note at a time you may be able to live with miniature keys. Those are the choices for the input side. On the output side, it again depends on your needs. Do you want digital sounds or are synthesized sounds acceptable? Listen to a couple of keyboards to give you an idea on this. Another important thing to look for is whether the instrument is *multitimbral* or not. This means that different notes can be different types of sounds even when played together. You might be able to tell from the built in demo if it has one, but it's best to check the manual. Last thing to think about is whether you need keyboard input at all. There are sound modules which only have the sound generation circuitry which cost less for better sound which might do the trick. I personally own a Yamaha PSS-480, which can probably be obtained very cheaply if you can find a place still carrying them. It's 8 voice multitimbral and pretty good for just fun stuff, although it's small keys and lack of velocity sensing make it not very good for input purposes. –>Steve Bennett

I'd look for a used Kawai K-1 (Mark II) which I've seen used for $450 and new for $525. It has a full-sized velocity sensitive keyboard, can do splits, is multitimbral, and even sounds good. I'd much recommend getting this or a similar REAL synthesizer over a "toy" keyboard like the Yamaha or Casio consumer keyboards. My Medley column in the January Amazing COMPUTING had a rundown of what to look for in a keyboard. Other possibilities include the Roland D-5/10/20, Yamaha SY-22, and other older models. Take a look at used keyboards on sale at your local music store and in the MIDI forum on compuserve; these are often good values.