#SuperJAM! & MIDI KB
4 messages in this thread
I'm looking for a MIDI keyboard to enjoy my SuperJAM! even more than I
already do (if that's possible). Any tips or suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.
I looked at the Roland E-5 today at Sam Ash and it sounds great. I guess
it'll handle 8-32 note polyphony, depending on how complex your instruments
are. The price was right (around $500), but I really don't need all the
auto accompaniment (I mean, that's what SJ is for, right?), sequencing (I
mean, that's what B&P Pro is for, right?) or built-in speakers (what're
those for anyway?). I also saw a 14-note Kawai (K1, I think) which sounded
good and has no accompaniment or speakers for around $600. And there was a
cute Yamaha with 28 note polyphony but it had the accompaniment (mostly rap
oriented).
As I said, I don't really need the auto-accompaniment, sequencing or
speakers, just more & better voices. Any help would be great.
Thanks in advance.
Roger
The critical things to look for when buying a MIDI keyboard for use with
SuperJAM! or Bars&Pipes Professional are:
– Velocity sensitive keys
– 16-bit sampled sounds (if it has samples in ROM)
– At least 8-voice, 16 to 32 note polyphony
Hardware sequencing, auto-accompaniment, effects and te like are completely
unnecessary, especially with Bars&Pipes Professional, which can create an
unlimited amount of effects.
Some keyboards have a much better UI than others. It's important to
examine this aspect before you purchase.
Pitch bend, modulation and mono-after touch are also features which help to
create a more musical performance.
Hope this helps…
Melissa
Melissa:
Thanks for the tips.
I haven't seen too many keyboards for under $600 (here in NYC) that DON'T
have the auto accompaniment, etc. Maybe you could suggest a few kb's
you've worked with, with SJ that're in the $800-$1,000 range (these'll
typically discount here for under $700).
Thanks again.
Roger
Roger,
I'm located in New York also. Have you considered buying a used keyboard
from Sam Ash? They have some pretty good units in your price range,
complete with warranty, although they are used.
Dom Fontana