OT: Best 88-key fully-weighted hammer action controller?

dave999z · Post by **dave999z** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:01 pm

Hey folks,

I am looking at 88-key fully weighted hammer-action controllers. I do not need a million sliders, etc. - I'm really just going to use it for piano sounds. It doesn't have to have aftertouch.

I'm thinking of the Kurzweil SP2X ($1250). I know part of that price is the onboard sounds/effects it has, which I don't necessarily need (really just need a midi controller), though may be nice to have if I want to noodle around without the computer on (can just plug it right into an amp). But I like the Kurzweil keyboard action.

Just curious whether anyone has any experience with these. I have tried a Kurzweil PC1 before and liked it. I assume the SP2X feels the same. I tried the M-Audio keystation 88 Pro at GC and wasn't thrilled by it. Have not been able to try a CME controller. Any thoughts on that one? Any others to consider?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

stew · Post by **stew** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:02 pm

I have a Fatar/Studiologic SL-880 and love it. No buttons/sliders except for pitch bend and modulation wheels.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:47 pm

http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm

v00d00ppl · Post by **v00d00ppl** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:23 pm

anything from kurzweil has good durable keys. you can even look on craigslist because sometimes people get rid of their kurzweil digital pianos which have amazing hammer keys for 200 bucks.

ciw · Post by **ciw** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:26 pm

I got a roland rd-600 second hand in 2001, £750. Has the nicest graduated hammer action keys of anything I've used, and great piano sounds. However it weighs a bloody tonne so don't go near that range if you want to gig with it

dancerchris · Post by **dancerchris** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:35 pm

I am very finicky about the "feel" of a weighted action controller. None of the straight out midi controllers offered the "feel" i was looking for, all somewhat whimpy and "soft". I ended up with a Yamaha S08 keyboard. They can be had for an "out the door" price of about $900-$1000. The action is as good (or better) than any keyboard I've tried (kurzweil, Korg, Roland, Yamaha, CME, Studiologic, Maudio, etc. etc.)

My $0.02

longjohns · Post by **longjohns** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:49 am

I have been curious about this for a while. Finally got to feel a nord stage, and really hated it. Of course that's a lot of $$ because of all the sounds anyway..

I have borrowed a big heavy kurzweil in the past and it did feel pretty good

I would really like to try a doepfer but I don't know where I could, other than Analogue Haven (not planning any trips to LA, though)

I also am curious about the CME and also Studiologic VMK-188

I like the Yamaha s90ES but I can't remember if it was just an overall like or that the action was nice (?)

Keystation pro was really horrible

I feel like I was forgetting some board, which was available in 76 and 61 key hammer-action too, which seems unusual but really desirable to me (feels weird spatially but realistically do not play at the extreme ends of the keyboard)