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Will_m

Joined: 02/04/09
Posts: 518
Loc: Manchester

Choosing a new controller keyboard - Recommendations needed! new

#935223 - 18/08/11 08:47 PM

Hi all, I'm the process of upgrading a few things and have been thinking of getting a nice new controller keyboard. I'm looking for something really simple as I don't particularly need a whole bunch of knobs and faders etc. I'm looking for either 76 or 88 note (some 88's are a tiny bit big on my desk)and something with a decent action, semi weighted or better.

I currently have the EMU Xboard 49 but I've never really liked the keys as they are a bit cheap and light.

Two possible options so far are the Icon Logicon Air or the CME Z-Key 88:

http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/icon-logicon-8-air-88-note-midi-con troller-keyboard--79100

http://www.thomann.de/gb/cme_z_key_88.htm

Does anyone have any experience with either of these models? I can't find much in the way of reviews on either. I'd also be open to suggestions but I'd like to keep it under £400.

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http://www.williammorrismusic.com

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zenguitar
active member

Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7671
Loc: Devon

Re: Choosing a new controller keyboard - Recommendations needed! new

[Re: Will_m]
#935262 - 19/08/11 12:11 AM

Not quite as many keys as you want, and I haven't tried it yet, but the E-MU Longboard seems to have a lot in it's favour. Built in sounds from the E-MU library too, and all for less than half your budget.

It might not be what you want, but definitely worth auditioning just to make certain it isn't.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

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Will_m

Joined: 02/04/09
Posts: 518
Loc: Manchester

Re: Choosing a new controller keyboard - Recommendations needed! new

[Re: Will_m]
#935379 - 19/08/11 01:45 PM

Cheers Andy I'll try and check it somewhere, I'm not sure the keys will be a whole lot different from what I've already got though. Any other suggestions people?

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http://www.williammorrismusic.com

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hollowsun

Joined: 20/01/05
Posts: 4592
Loc: Cowbridge, South Wales

Re: Choosing a new controller keyboard - Recommendations needed! new

[Re: Will_m]
#935400 - 19/08/11 02:55 PM

In your travels, be a little wary of the M-Audio Keystation 88ES.

Don't get me wrong - it's a nice enough, no frills controller for a low price but the claim that it has a semi weighted keyboard action is, shall we say, a little over-ambitious!!

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

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Will_m

Joined: 02/04/09
Posts: 518
Loc: Manchester

Re: Choosing a new controller keyboard - Recommendations needed! new

[Re: hollowsun]
#935539 - 20/08/11 11:49 AM

Quote hollowsun:

In your travels, be a little wary of the M-Audio Keystation 88ES.

Don't get me wrong - it's a nice enough, no frills controller for a low price but the claim that it has a semi weighted keyboard action is, shall we say, a little over-ambitious!!

That's what worrying me about a lot of them is that the description of semi weighted etc doesn't seem to mean anything. I'm not in a position to try many of them so I'm just shooting in the dark a little.

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http://www.williammorrismusic.com

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uphillbothways

Joined: 19/11/09
Posts: 190

Re: Choosing a new controller keyboard - Recommendations needed! new

[Re: Will_m]
#935790 - 22/08/11 01:24 AM

I haven't tried the CME Z-key, but I absolutely love their UF-series semi-weighted keybed. CME seem to be marketing the Z-key as having an improved action over their other controllers; If that's the case, I wouldn't hesitate.

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Will_m

Joined: 02/04/09
Posts: 518
Loc: Manchester

Re: Choosing a new controller keyboard - Recommendations needed! [Re: uphillbothways]
#935834 - 22/08/11 09:56 AM

Quote uphillbothways:

I haven't tried the CME Z-key, but I absolutely love their UF-series semi-weighted keybed. CME seem to be marketing the Z-key as having an improved action over their other controllers; If that's the case, I wouldn't hesitate.

That's very helpful, thanks. Can I ask which UF series you have, as the 88 key is listed as weighted and all the others are semi.

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http://www.williammorrismusic.com

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