I'm soon getting an 88 key piano keyboard controller.
But space is an issue so I've been looking at the
Studiologic VMK88 which is pretty slim.


Anyone used this?

Any comments?

I realise for same money I could get the M-Audio Keystation pro 88 with fully weighted keys as opposed to light on the VMK88, and also a load more controllers, but it needs to fit on my desk.

Any comments?

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MySpace / Escapee Planes
Virb

Paradigm shift: why keep it on your desk? Why not lower it and slide it underneath your desk?

Here is what I use; it lowers my Yamaha KX-88 well below my desk (which has adjustable height anyway, but that's not the point). It's cheap: $50 MSRP, meaning I got mine for $39.99. And it's made in Italy; so you know it'll blend in well with your leather furniture

Quote:

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The T-10 features the "Dino-Bite" locking system that insures tight, non-slip height adjustments.


The "Dino-Bite" system uses two steel disks with interlocking teeth that are tightened together at any one of up to 9 different usable height positions. Adjustments are made easily by simply loosening the center knob, adjusting the stand to desired height position and then re-tightening the knob. All T-10's stands are solidly constructed with high-grade steel and computer-welded joints for consistent high-quality and years of reliability.

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This should give you the freedom to buy the controller you want (or can afford), and not worry about whether or not it'll fit on your desk

Never had success with putting keyboard under the desk.
Usually winds up being to low where my knees bang on it.
OR, its completely uncomfortable to reach out and up over the keyboard to use the mouse and computer keys with the black and whites pulled out.

Quote Ocean:

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...But space is an issue ....
Any comments?

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You think you've got problems!

studio pic

The way I look at it is, you've only got two hands, so why do you have to put the keyboard right next to your other gear? Just walk a few steps.

Quote ElmerJFudd:

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Never had success with putting keyboard under the desk.
Usually winds up being to low where my knees bang on it.
OR, its completely uncomfortable to reach out and up over the keyboard to use the mouse and computer keys with the black and whites pulled out.

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Clearly, it works for some people, or are we the lone two composers on the planet whose knees don't bang on it

Quote Jim:

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You think you've got problems!

studio pic

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Noddy!

Yup! Moved in last christmas and haven't got round to redecorating yet!!

Hey Yorkio, just noticed you're a fellow north eastener!

Ocean, the only thing I would add is a warning to watch out for build quality when buying cheaper-end Fatar gear.

I recently kitted my school out with a suite of SL-161 5-octave keyboards, and now I regret it. Those things look and feel like they came out of a cerial packet, and two of them have already broken just in the normal run of setting up.

I bought them because I've owned a SL-880 for some years (just recently replaced by an Oberheim MC2000 as I needed more MIDI features) and it's been good. Even it's not as sturdy as some similar 88-key controllers (like the Oberheim, which is built like a tank), but I never gigged it and it performed reliably and well for me in the studio. I was shocked when I unpacked the SL-161s and they practically fell apart in my hands.

I don't know about the new Fatar range, the TMKs and VMKs. But if I were you I'd try to go and see one in a shop first. Or buy it on the net with a view to sending it back under the distance selling regulations if it looks like it's made of cardboard.

Hi Wurlitzer

The Oberheims are built like tanks however have always had reliability issues. Normally if you get one which doesn't break in the first 3 months, it'll never break, but so many break in the first 3 months they can be an absolute nightmare, ignoring the fact that in the UK you have to deal with everyones favourite retailer to buy one.

The Fatars ahve never been fantastic for reliability but have gotten worse in the pat couple of years.

Just my two cents.

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If it takes more than a minute, bin it.

Thanks for the input guys, Oh and Jim, My room really is smaller than yours.
Two walls for putting equipment on? Luxury.

My room measures about 5'x 12' and my girlfriend has her writing/computer desk at the other end. So the keyboard has to go on my desk

Under the desk was something I considered but I have long legs, and my desk is at a height which may prove problematic with the keyboard under it.

I will definitely check out the VMK 88 before I buy it.

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MySpace / Escapee Planes
Virb

Quote Jim:

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Quote Ocean:

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...But space is an issue ....
Any comments?

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You think you've got problems!

studio pic

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Nice wallpaper

Quote Jim:

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Hey Yorkio, just noticed you're a fellow north eastener!

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Well, sort of yes and no. I'm a Londoner who moved up here a couple of years ago. I have to admit that Washington still confuses the hell out of me though - what the hell is that District 7, Sector G, third quartile business all about? And how many roundabouts?!

Yeah, when I first moved here from County Durham, I got lost every time I went into Washington. It was a daft idea somebody had in the sixties to use numbers for all the road signs. They're gradually adding road signs with the actual names of the districts now.

I still can't remember the district number of the place I live in!

Quote Ocean:

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My room measures about 5'x 12'

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Thats not a room. Its a corridor.

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"To upgrade a computer, physically hardwarewise, is easier than making a lego dog kennel." Tex

Quote britney:

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Quote Ocean:

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My room measures about 5'x 12'

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Thats not a room. Its a corridor.

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Too True.

I went to Gak Pro shop today, and the guy in there said the VMK 88 was cheap flimsy, platicy rubbish.
He said you could pick up one end and it would bend!!!
They didn't have any M-Audio Keystation Pro 88s in stock because they are selling so quickly, but he did say they are very solidly built and have a very nice action on them.
So I'm just going to reorganis my desk and get the Keystation pro88 for £329 from Dolphin I think.

Thanks for the input

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MySpace / Escapee Planes
Virb