Can someone recommend a good keyboard for a beginner

HarryHoudini

I'm taking some lessons in the new year and want to get myself a decent beginner keyboard.
My budget is around the €500 mark.

I've been looking here:
http://www.musicstorekoeln.de/en/Keyboard_Entertainer/2_52_HKEY_0_A/0/price/0/artikel/musicstore.html?preis_von=&preis_bis=500&flag1=price

But to be honest they all look the same to me, what are the kind of things that I should be looking out for?

jimi_t

Main thing you have to consider is are you playing "keyboard" or "piano" i.e. do you want your keyboard to feel like a piano with proper weighted "hammer" action or like a keyboard with lightweight but velocity sensitive (this means that they're pressure sensitive, harder you press = louder) keys.

If you're looking for a keyboard then you should go into Waltons and try one of the lower-end Roland or Korg models. I've a Roland EM-20 and find it very good for doodling around on, it's only 61 key but the sound quality and features are excellent - it'd be a while before you'd grow out of it.

If you want to buy a different brand like Yamaha, as a rule of thumb, stay away from anything under 300 or anything with "DJ" in the title.

So basically you want
*Decent buid quality
*Good solid keys
*Velocity Sensitive
*Midi-Capabilities (For hooking up external synths etc...)
*61 key minimum (88 = Full Size)
*A decent range of voices/arranging or recording features

The reviews on Harmony-Central are usually a very good indicator.

http://www.harmony-central.com/Synth/Data/#man

EvilPixieOne

If you actually want to get in any way good on it I'd go for a piano. If all you're looking for is soundeffects then get a keyboard but most piano players wouldn't touch them. Maybe you should tell us what you are wanting to play on it or something (like if it's for a band or recording or anything)

HarryHoudini

The kind of stuff I'd be wanting to play would be Nick Cave kind of piano numbers. Ideally I would like a piano but I dont think I'd have the space for it.

nickcave

You know I was looking at the Kawai CL20 in Jeffers (Cork) today. It's very small for a digital piano. It's less than 30cm deep, but with 88 keys so its pretty long alright. That might be an option for you if you've willing to spend that much. Has anyone got any experience with it? I found that the amps were a bit weak at a measly 2x7 watts. The shop was a bit noisy but not overly so. Would that do for just around the house, in the living room etc.? I had it at full volume and it definitely wasn't loud or firm. My fortissimos seemed woefully unfortified anyway. I wouldn't want to blow my house down at the same time. Does anyone have this piano, or one with similar wattage? How does it sound in a quiet living room?

Cheers,
Liam.

HarryHoudini

How much exactly was that model?

A small digital could be an option.

nickcave

It's €685 on Thomann.

http://www.thomann.de/thoiw6_artikel-173076.html

Savman

Roland all the way :cool: