How To Choose / Useful Information for Pro Keyboards
Click a question to see the answer.
Why a Pro Workstation keyboard vs.a Portable/Electronic/Arranger keyboard vs. a Synthesizer?
Pro keyboards have a multitude of other features like audio recording,
editing the sound to the most elemental part of the sound, a 16+ track sequencer
with detailed editing, a lot of synth sounds, they will run 4 to 18 simultaneous
higher quality effects like reverb, … and have no arranging or styles other than possibly
arpeggiators or drum patterns, . . A fully orchestrated sound/song can be accomplished
with a pro keyboard but it assumes you want to create each part or instrument sound in
a song much more closely (from scratch) than a portable ++
Portable/arranger type keyboards are more for fast songwriting,
for backing tracks when you play or for one person band with drum patterns,
bass, and other sounds with the accompaniment having different song style genres
(blues, swing, rock,...) with different patterns for the verse, chorus,...
of the song. The song styles and performances are very educational as well for
learning genres that you may be unfamiliar with. You can have many instruments
follow what your left hand plays in real time and chord recognition for
fast performing,
portables have more meat and potato sounds and fewer synthesizer sounds
Synthesizers- typically do not have workstation features
like sequencing, recording audio, having all types of sounds, . . .
but rather focus on doing a few or sounds extremely well which usually
are not acoustic or real world instruments but 'other worldly' sounds
with many ways to manipulate the sound.
What affects the price you will pay and what should you look for?
The level of realism and selection of the sounds-
each keyboard typically does some sounds better than others so decide
which main sounds are important to you and play each model (or listen to sound files)
you are interested in to find the one that sounds best to you. Does it have all the
sounds you are looking for to make a completed song?
Ease of use- hardware knobs, buttons,... amount and location and logically placed
Display size- touchscreen, color, icon based, easy to read, backlighting not too dark,...
Sequencer- depth of editing features, ease of use as you could spend most of your time here, linear recording only or pattern based recording as well, ...
Quality and number of effects- reverb, EQ per part, compressors, master FX, number of part insert FX, master/global FX, does it have enough DSP to finish a 16 track song without needing external processing
Audio recording/sampling -2 to 8 tracks or more- how easy is it to actually record and playback, does it have enough recording memory/time- re: roughly 10 meg a stereo minute, how is the recording backed up,..
Drums- does it have ‘easy to chain’ patterns or is the arpegiator easy to use, does it have pads on top of keyboard or none at all,...
The number of simultaneous notes the keyboard will play (polyphony)- important if you write denser arrangements or use instruments that use a lot of polyphony (piano,...)
Control computer software via hardware sliders, knobs,...
Computer control the keyboard with editor/librarian- as VST plug-in,
standalone, 100% editing, the visuals on a big
computer screen can shorten the learning curve (much more intuitive)
Operating system- is it intuitive or obtuse, ...
Maximum RAM memory- will determine possibly how much recording time is available
or how much room you will have for adding external samples/sounds
Connectors- # of audio outputs, balanced or unbalanced input,
data storage- memory card, jump drive, USB to computer connection
Please notice that almost every keyboard on our site has a sound file
you can play on your computer to hear for yourself.
What about speakers?
For home or studio use we prefer powered studio monitors
for the best audio quality without spending a lot and keep
the sound in stereo (versus a mono keyboard amp) which is much better with full orchestrations,...
All have headphone jacks if you prefer not to be heard.
For stage, keyboard amplifiers come in all sizes depending on the size of the venue
What accessories should I consider?
Stand- stabds come in many shapes and styles- X style, Z style, ...
Bench- consider a more sturdy 4 leg bench if you do not need portability,
X style if you do -- the wider the better.
Headphones- full size will be more comfortable and quieter
and may offer better quality audio
Pedals- most come with a sustain pedal, some have jacks for more control
- volume, expression, etc.
Bag or case- we recommend the manufacturer bags and cases first,
then Gator Cases and bags. Do you need wheels? Will only you be carrying it? Will it be on planes? (should have ATA rating)
Jump drive/Storage card for audio, midi ...
Computer interface if no USB connection- need multi-port midi,
how many channels of audio ...
Dust cover
Glossary
What is a Style?
combination of sounds like drums, bass and keys with rhythms and chord progressions
in a certain genre (rock, big band, jazz,…) which create backing tracks that you can play a lead part over
What are Song Sections?
these are divisions of a song that portable arranger keyboards identify as an intro, verses, choruses,
bridge, fills, outro,… with performed by musicians that reflect the mood/feeling of each of those sections that enable
faster song arranging
What is MIDI?
an
interface to connect a keyboard to the computer like USB port for printers. It
sends note and other data from the keyboard to the computer or vice versa.
Basically says play this note at this time at this volume level- it is not an
actual audio recording. It also makes it possible for one keyboard to play
another keyboard.
What is polyphony?
the number of
simultaneous notes that can be played, though if it’s a stereo sample/recording
each note can use 2 notes at once. Its important for anyone who plays a lot of
notes at the same time and holds down the sustain pedal. The earliest notes
played will cut out when the limit is exceeded. This can happen with pianos
with 32 note polyphony especially.
What is a sequencer?
a
recorder with 1 to 16 tracks usually so that multiple instruments can be played
back for fully orchestrated songs and can have elaborate editing capability.
Typically digital pianos have only 1 or 2 tracks for playing back a piano
performance and archiving another. These can be downloaded to the computer with
a midi interface
What is sampling/samples?
a short audio
recording of a note. For more realistic sound, digital pianos can be recorded
at different velocities so that when you strike a note harder, the timbre
changes for better realism
What are effects?
to modify and
enhance the sounds in the keyboard including non- piano sounds. e.g. - reverb
will put the piano in a small room or up to a large concert hall.
Don’t see the answer to your question?
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