Pro Keyboard Recommendations?

[Waverider]

I'm looking for recommendations for a keyboard to use in the real world, as well as in Rock Band 3. Both my wife and I are former piano players who would like to start playing again. We also live in a small home and have plans to move in a couple of years, so a full-tilt piano is not in the cards right now. We would, however, like to get a solid keyboard that we could play in the real world, but also plug in to Rock Band 3. I have snooped around but haven't come across something that meets our requirements of a good keyboard, USB connectivity, and MIDI connectivity, so I was wondering if there were any suggestions out there? All brands and price points considered; just really wanting to know what's out there!

Thanks!

[jimhenry]

Since both you and your wife play piano I think you will want an 88 key digital piano that has a weighted keyboard to give the feel of an acoustic piano. Keyboards in that category start at about US$ 500 and go up pretty fast. The feel of the keyboard is a subjective matter. I'd suggest that you and your wife go to a music store that has a variety of electronic pianos that you can play to get some idea of what you do and don't like in terms of feel.

If playing piano music is going to be a major use of this keyboard, you are probably also going to want to shop for a piano sound you like. You can get some pretty realistic sounding digital pianos these days. A big question is how important are non-piano sounds to you. Many digital pianos have a limited number of sounds they produce, e.g. maybe a half dozen different pianos, harpsichord, a few organs, vibes, and strings. You can find digital pianos that include many more sounds but you'll pay a bit more.

For use with Rock Band you want a legacy 5 pin round MIDI Out that you can connect to the MIDI Pro Adapter (MPA) for your game console. Unfortunately, many keyboards have dropped the 5 pin connector in favor of a USB connector for MIDI. To get a 5 pin MIDI out you either have to look at more expensive keyboards, older used keyboards, or using a computer plus MIDI to USB cable to convert to 5 pin MIDI. I would focus on getting the 5 pin MIDI Out because a good MIDI to USB cable to connect to your computer is only about $30. If you only have the USB connector on the keyboard, connecting to an MPA is a problem that is cumbersome and/or expensive to solve.

Rock Band wireless keyboards seem to be selling for about US$30 dollars these days! I'd suggest you pick one up at that price for playing Rock Band. Even if you also eventually get a digital piano and the necessary gear to hook it up to Rock Band, you might find you prefer the 25 key RB keyboard for playing the game. It does have some advantages for playing the game. Plus it is not a bad little MIDI controller.

[ZoiloCruz]

Well IDK know a thing about actual keyboards, but I do know how to play some simple songs on them xD If you had the MIDI adapter from Rock Band you could play almost any keyboard parts in the game. Well that's if you get the keyboard and plug it to MIDI adapter.

[GNFfhqwhgads]

Well IDK know a thing about actual keyboards, but I do know how to play some simple songs on them xD If you had the MIDI adapter from Rock Band you could play almost any keyboard parts in the game. Well that's if you get the keyboard and plug it to MIDI adapter.

Congratulations, you ALMOST read the original post!

[Alternity]

There's a way to use USB MIDI with the Rock Band MIDI adapter. I don't remember where exactly I saw that but I'm pretty sure if you use google you'll find it, all you need is a computer and either a MIDI out, or a USB <-> MIDI cable.

There you go: http://www.ndolger.com/configuring-u...h-rock-band-3/

[ZigZag2005]

I'm not much of a player myself, but was mighty impressed by the Korg SV-1.

A tad pricey perhaps, but the action is trippy!

[TheHundredDollarHeadache]

I'm not much of a player myself, but was mighty impressed by the Korg SV-1.

A tad pricey perhaps, but the action is trippy!

The Korg SP250 has the same keyboard action (Korg RH3) for way less, though it has fewer sounds.

Alas, neither have a pitch bend, so you will be at a slight score disadvantage.

[skyp1e]

Don't flinch at the brand name but I strongly recommend any of the Casios from the Privia line of digital pianos.

If you can get past the stigma of the Casio name you could do a lot worse.

They're inexpensive starting around $399.
Most models have both MIDI and USB outs on them.
The action in a word is superb. I've been playing piano for over 30 years and I was completely blown away by the action on the Privia keyboards. I participate on some professional keyboard forums and I was almost embarrassed to praise this keybed for the realistic feel of it, but I simply couldn't deny what my fingers were telling me. As it turned out it was an "Emperor's New Clothes" situation because once I complimented the action with high praise my fellow keyboardists felt it was safe to echo the same impressions.

Nothing in the price range comes close and that includes my favorite brands.

Hope that helps you.

[ZoiloCruz]

Congratulations, you ALMOST read the original post!

I don't like your tone and I've did read the the whole post and I'm just pointing stuff out to them. Not everyone would know what MIDI adapter would do. Not everyone is you.

[GNFfhqwhgads]

I don't like your tone and I've did read the the whole post and I'm just pointing stuff out to them. Not everyone would know what MIDI adapter would do. Not everyone is you.

Really? So when they said they want a keyboard with MIDI/USB connectivity that could plug into RB3, they had no idea keyboards could plug into RB3? THAT is what you got out of that post?