I envy the guitarist who can toss (say) a ukelele is his rucksack for those impromptu (possibly even al fresco) jams, and I'm looking for a keyboard players equivalent to the uke...

There's a plethora of battery driven self-contained keyboards out there, but (and I don't want to sound snobbish) most of them are toys, bristling with features that I don't need like playalong and sampling.

So I'd appreciate any suggestions for a sensible mini keyboard...

Rod

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"Dad, when I grow up I want to be a musician". "Sorry son, you can't have it both ways"

There's nowt much if you want built in speakers otherwise the Roland Juno Di would fit the bill or this maybe'
http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Emu_SHORTboard_49_Synth_Controller_Keyboar d/EMU-49USBMIDI

Hi,

Most all-in-one tiny keyboards are toys, but you can find good 25-key MIDI controllers. Just add a small tone generator, and PC speakers maybe.

On some jam sessions I brought a Novation Remote 25 first version (pretty deep because of the sliders) + Nord Micro Modular in a backpack. Not the smallest setup, but I do not have anything better.

Also consider: small monophonic analogue synths (Novation bass station, Korg Monotron, etc), thumb piano, etc

If there is a drummer or an electric guitarist you need to find the right amplifier solution, which is the main problem actually.

-j

I should have mentioned that my default outdoor setup is an M-Audio 49e midi-controller, Roland JV1010 box, plus some Creative Labs speakers. And it involves midi-leads, three separate power supplies, and mains extensions.

It sounds great, but I was looking for something much simpler...

Rod

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"Dad, when I grow up I want to be a musician". "Sorry son, you can't have it both ways"

Quote Correzienne:

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... I was looking for something much simpler...

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an accordion?

How about a portable harmonium. I bought mine in Delhi from Rikhi Ram. The Beatles bought their sitars there

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

I may arrive to sample that shortly Andy - looks tasty!

Does it wheeze?


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Quote zenguitar:

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How about a portable harmonium. I bought mine in Delhi from Rikhi Ram. The Beatles bought their sitars there

Andy

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Has it git MIDI?

Quote Correzienne:

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I should have mentioned that my default outdoor setup is an M-Audio 49e midi-controller, Roland JV1010 box, plus some Creative Labs speakers. And it involves midi-leads, three separate power supplies, and mains extensions.

It sounds great, but I was looking for something much simpler...

---

Lots of questions sorry

What is the most problematic thing with your current setup? Weight, size or setup time?
Which max size and weight are possible?

If you choose a smaller, say 2-octave keyboard, then you won't be able to play the same things. Is it a problem?
The JV-1010 could be replaced by a smaller tone generator.

I can certainly understand why 3 power supplies are impractical. Why not make a PSU that can power all your devices? Or use batteries?

Do you always have to bring the Creative Labs speakers? And are these speakers powerful enough for playing with others?

Final questions:
do you want to do the same things with a more compact setup? or something else?
what music(s) would you play with it?
what musical role would you dedicate to this setup (bass player, chords, melodies, noise/fx, etc)?
do you really want something electronic or an acoustic instrument would be fine?
do you need something polyphonic or a monophonic device would be ok?
do you accept that the built-in speakers of keyboards have no bass at any level?




Depending on the answers to all these questions you may consider these devices (20 to 500 euros):

<synthezisers with a keyboard>
Stylophone (recently reissued)
Stylophone beatbox (same remark)
Korg Monotron
EMU Shortboard
EMU Longboard
Korg Micropiano
Korg Microkorg
Korg Microstation
Roland AX-09
Korg PS-60
Other small synthezisers by Novation, Korg and Yamaha

<expanders / desktop synths>
MIDItech Pianobox
MFB Nanozwerg
Ketron KlaviPro
Ketron SD2
Waldorf Blofeld
DSI Mopho

<all-in-one>
Casio SA-46 / SA-47 / SA-76 / SA-77
Casio CTK-40 / CTK-720 / other CTKs
Yamaha YPT-210
Yamaha PSR series (old or new)

<controllers>
Korg Nanokey
MIDItech Midistart Music 25
AKAI LPK-25

All found on the Thomann website!

<smallest acoustic or electric instruments that have a keyboard, or close to>
melodica
table clavichord
Indian harmonium
clavinet
pocket accordion
cimbalom (some are tiny)
glockenspiel
smallest african xylophones
mbira / sanza / kalimba / thumb piano

Quote crofter:

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Quote zenguitar:

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How about a portable harmonium. I bought mine in Delhi from Rikhi Ram. The Beatles bought their sitars there

Andy

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Has it git MIDI?

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No, but in theory at least you could add MIDI.

And I've not used it for a while Martin, just tested it and a couple of keys are sticking. But nothing a quick service won't put right. And you are welcome to sample it mate, it is surprisingly loud and confident, not especially wheezy.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Quote zenguitar:

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a couple of keys are sticking

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Isn't it normal? Indian harmoniums usually have drone stops

Quote Bob Moose:

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Quote zenguitar:

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a couple of keys are sticking

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Isn't it normal? Indian harmoniums usually have drone stops

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It could be an excess of ghee somewhere inside.


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Quote Martin Walker:

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Quote Bob Moose:

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Quote zenguitar:

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a couple of keys are sticking

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Isn't it normal? Indian harmoniums usually have drone stops

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It could be an excess of ghee somewhere inside.


Martin

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Definitely not drone related, mine has 4 stops in total, one for a drone and the others for the extra reed sets (or multiple oscillators including sub octave). The give away is that a few of the keys don't return when I remove my finger

It's over 3 years old now, perhaps the ghee has dried up.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

No more sticking keys, I fixed it last night.



Fascinating

All handmade, even the springs and keys.



And here's a stuck key



The keys slide out easily enough for a closer look.



The problem was soon spotted. Each key has a slot at the back which locates against a pin (actually, a small nail with the head cut off )and on a few keys the slot was binding against the pin. It was made in Delhi where temp was in the high 30's, low 40's, and no rain for months so almost no humidity. After a few years in the UK with our humidity the wood had expanded just enough to make the gap smaller. A few minutes with a scalpel was enough to get everything working smoothly.

Now it's working fine and all problems are entirely due to my lack of ability

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Quote Bob Moose:

---

Lots of questions sorry

What is the most problematic thing with your current setup? Weight, size or setup time?
Which max size and weight are possible?

If you choose a smaller, say 2-octave keyboard, then you won't be able to play the same things. Is it a problem?
The JV-1010 could be replaced by a smaller tone generator.

I can certainly understand why 3 power supplies are impractical. Why not make a PSU that can power all your devices? Or use batteries?

Do you always have to bring the Creative Labs speakers? And are these speakers powerful enough for playing with others?

Final questions:
do you want to do the same things with a more compact setup? or something else?
what music(s) would you play with it?
what musical role would you dedicate to this setup (bass player, chords, melodies, noise/fx, etc)?
do you really want something electronic or an acoustic instrument would be fine?
do you need something polyphonic or a monophonic device would be ok?
do you accept that the built-in speakers of keyboards have no bass at any level?

---

Thanks for the reply....

I guess the most problematic things about my current setup are a) the setup time and b) the dependence on a mains supply.

I'd be inclined to compromise on key size rather than the number of notes (ie, 49 notes of min keys would be acceptable, 2-octaves full-size would not. I *would* need polyphony, and yes I'm willing to sacrifice bass response.

So, mini keys, polyphonic, batter powered.... From your list, it looks like the Casio SA range could fit the bill.

Thanks Bob, I shall investigate further.

Rod

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"Dad, when I grow up I want to be a musician". "Sorry son, you can't have it both ways"

Roland Lucina and KC110 amp. All battery powered, many of the same sounds as in the Fantom. Of course you might be alergic to the whole keytar thing, in which case the Juno DI also runs on batteries.

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New album 'Fantasy Bridge' available now!
Making of Fantasy Bridge Diary

Yamaha DX-100 or a Novation Bass Station with a Korg Monotron as a speaker...

It does depend on exactly how much space you have because a semi-mini keyboard can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people with experience.

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Sonos Wordpress II Sonos Blogger II Sonos Ezine

If you're a keyboard player rather than a synthesist, have a look at Yamaha's Piaggero line. They're cheap, weigh bugger all, have built-in speakers and battery power, but have quite reasonable sound. Nothing to get excited about, but little to complain about either. If you're just looking for bread-and-butter sounds, they're pretty much exactly what you're looking for.