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  • K2600 VS M-Audio 88

    I know this is totally off topic, but I noticed in several posts some of you are using the MAudio 88 note controller? I've got a K2600XS but I'd really like to move completely into softsynths since I never use the onboard sounds on the kurz anymore. Can anyone give an opinion as to whether the action on the M-Audio is superior (for piano) than the K2600 or not - action is my main concern, and also if I sell the K2600 I'll get a few dollars back to buy more sounds.

    Thanks,
    Miklos.

  • Not exactly an answer to your question but: I tried both the M-Audio keystation 88 and a studiologic SL-990 Pro and preferred the Studiologic (which was also 50 pounds cheaper). The M-Audio seemed springy and clunky and I didn't know what to do with all those knobs and sliders anyway.

    However, in the meantime, the studiologic broke down (after only 2 months), and I borrowed a friend's Yamaha P80 stagepiano which I thought is about 100 times better than the Studiologic (and the M-Audio). The Yamaha really allows to play softly and evenly, something that's almost impossible on the Studiologic and the M-Audio.

    I will now try and get a P90. (And hopefull can get around the lack of mod-wheel and pitchbend by transforming their midislider output in Logic's environment) Again, like you I'm not using the sounds and feel I'd be wasting money on something I'm not using.

    Dom

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    @mpower88 said:

    Can anyone give an opinion as to whether the action on the M-Audio is superior (for piano) than the K2600 or not - action is my main concern, and also if I sell the K2600 I'll get a few dollars back to buy more sounds.

    Thanks,
    Miklos.


    It depends a lot on what style you want to play.

    The Kurz K2600 was a great instrument when it came out - I never had one, but I had the K2000 which I used for fast playing, given it's pretty good sprung action. Wish I kept it along with my B3.

    For slower playing, the K2600 is fine, but when things start to hot up, it's a bit clunky for my taste.

    The Studio Logic that Dom mentions - I would throw it out the window as soon as look at it - it's rubbish for any serious keyboard player, but you get what you pay for. Remember, even though a lot of what we do is very short playing by nature of i.e. - samples into a computer - you still need to be able and sit down and play as fluently as you can, for general practice and overall writing purposes. This is where I feel a bit of sympathy for non keyboard players as it's unfortunate that the keyboard has become the interface of choice for computers.

    The Yamaha P90 is a very nice keyboard to play like Dom says - I've been looking at that for a while now - that's a really good class action - and you can play fast and slow with no problems really. Very classy instrument, especially for use during writing via computers and samples etc. Cost around £620 ish new I think, although you may see one second hand for less.

    I currently use a Korg SG Pro X which has seen better days and it's action is a wrist breaker - so if you see one of them, I would forget it now that things have moved on. And it weighs a ton.

  • Keep the 2600.

    I own the pro-88 and it is great. Action wise, the P series from Yamaha IS the best, though the 2600 feels great (better than the pro8[H].

    I use an older P85 for jazz gigs and it is the bomb. Feels totally connected to the (really nice piano) sound.

    Keep the 2600. Or go for the Yamaha.

    clark

  • Thanks for all your replies. I think I'll skip on the M-audio it doesn't look to good from your responses and also from looking elsewhere. My only problem with the K2600 is that it is true that it is a bit clunky (but still softer than many grands) - if you're a really accomplished pianist with very strong fingers you can play it at any speed no problem, but I would like something more "personal" that you can really feel, and while the K2600 is great I tried out Kurzweil's new stage piano PC1X I think, and it has a new weighted action system and it seemed to me to clear up all the shortcomings of the action in the K2600. I was hoping something like that (identical in fact) would be available in a simple controller (preferably USB) form - but it doesn't seem there is. I suppose it's not a bad thing too have the Kurz on hand it has so many sounds and is a very powerful synth even though I'm moving completely to software now.

    Miklos
    www.miklospower.com

  • I worked during 10 years with a Yamaha P80, without problem. I have to change for the VSL because I need a Modwheel.

    I bought a M AUDIO KPro 88. I changed it first once: it had a problem of...
    modwheel!

    Today, after 6 months of use I will change it again: approximately 10
    notes do not function correctly.

    no comment [8o|]

    /aristote the frenchie

  • Anyone had experience with the Fatar weighted keyboards - supposed to be pretty good. I'm particularly looking at the VMK-188 check out www.studiologic.net it's on their site I heard they had the best action and feel and no onboard sounds so you're only paying for the quality of the keyboard itself which is exactly what I want. Who wants crummy on board sounds when you have VSL and ivory to play with!? disclaimer: this last sentence is a rhetorical question expressing an opinion [[:|]]

    Miklos.

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    @mpower88 said:

    Anyone had experience with the Fatar weighted keyboards - supposed to be pretty good. I'm particularly looking at the VMK-188 check out www.studiologic.net it's on their site Miklos.


    For the extra hundred quid - I would get then Yamaha.

  • PaulP Paul moved this topic from Orchestration & Composition on