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Complete n00b seeks advice on which keyboard to purchase.

LChen	Date: December 29, 2005 @ 2:56 AM When I say "complete n00b", I seriously mean it. I know hardly anything at all about keyboards and recording, so bear with me. Firstly, what's the difference between a MIDI keyboard and a synthesizer, if any? Secondly, when you use a MIDI controller or a keyboard to record into FL Studio, does it show up on the piano roll, or is it "invisible" in the step sequencer? It's a pretty vague question, so I hope someone understand what I'm trying to say. Now, to the real meat of the problem. I'm looking for a keyboard that will connect to my computer, let me play stuff, record it into a program such as FL Studio or SONAR and when I'm finished, have all the notes and timings all notated in the piano roll view. Is it a MIDI keyboard I'm after? I've heard good things about the Roland Fantom, and it seems pretty cool, but is it actually what I'm looking for? Any help at all is welcome. Thanks.
GeneHilbert	Date: December 29, 2005 @ 3:38 AM Synthesizer – in the true sense of the word produces a sound or sounds. To explain that is way too involved for this time of morning. Midi “keyboards” controls sounds loaded permanently in ROM (Read Only Memory) or temporary sounds you create via synthesis (if available) or by manipulating and altering sounds stored in ROM. You can save these sounds you have created in RAM (Random Access Memory) as a user file to be played later or if you prefer erase them. Only sounds stored in RAM memory can be erased voluntarily. These sounds stored in ROM or RAM can be controlled internally if that is an available option of the midi keyboard, with its sequencer if one exists in your unit, and most new ones have some type of internal sequencer. A controller is mostly used to control external sound modules or computer based virtual instruments via midi control messages. And may or may not have internal tone generator or synthesis capabilities. Roland Fantom is a powerful midi capable keyboard – and will serve you nicely as both an internal sound module and a midi controller for whatever external uses you need. My suggestion to you is to buy a subscription to “Keyboard” and “Electronic Musician” magazines or visit their web sites to bring yourself up to speed on available technologies.
zedsalt	Date: December 29, 2005 @ 11:24 AM I like Yamahas. Man, that looks lame next to Gene's reply.
BlackMage	Date: December 29, 2005 @ 11:58 AM Don't ever buy a Casio. Seriously.
LChen	Date: January 6, 2006 @ 12:07 AM Thanks very much, all of you. I'm still trying to recover from the information overload generously provided by Gene. Awesome information, buddy! Fantom keyboards are astronomically out of my price range, so the main issue now is: will any keyboard that claims it is a MIDI keyboard or is MIDI-compatible, etc., be able to perform the functions listed above? i.e., plug into my computer and act as a MIDI controller? Right now I'm considering this product: http://www.ashtonmusic.com.au/productView.asp?productID=25 It's definitely not the best keyboard around, but it does seem to have everything I need at an amazingly cheap price. As far as I know, the company, Ashton, makes products more for beginner-level musicians, but I think it should be fine. It looks almost exactly like the keyboards my school owns, which are fairly decent. Alright, a summary - I have two questions: 1. Is any MIDI keyboard fine to plug into a computer and use with programs like FL Studio, Reason, Cubase and Storm, to use as a MIDI in/MIDI controller thingy device? 2. Do the tones that come with the keyboard relaly matter? I see some keyboards boasting 127 polyphony tones or something to that effect. However, does that matter if I'm just going to use it to record and replace everything with VSTis and soundfonts anyway? Thanks immensely.
ModuleModule	Date: January 25, 2006 @ 12:15 AM Hey softsynth... If your interested in makeing music, i would reccomend you buy a midi controller ( which is basically just plastic keys which controll sounds that are on your computer ) and Fruityloops. Any synthesizer with midi IN and OUT ports on it will work as a midi controller, and will be able to be used with the programs you listed above, but only if you buy a midi convertor, which takes the MIDI cables coming from your synthesizer, and converts it to USB so your computer can hook up to the synth. If your looking for strictly a midi controller (no atual sounds, its just used to CONTROL other sounds) i reccommend the Oxygen8, or if you want to spend a little more, i would definetly think its worth it to invest in a 2-4 octave controller. If your looking for a synthesizer that has sounds on it, and can double as a midi controller i reccommend the MicroKORG and the Novation K Station. For a midi-usb interface i reccomend the M-Audio Audiophile, which will also let you record audio to your computer.
DJLocoL	Date: January 27, 2006 @ 11:34 AM im thinking of getting a synth or key board...but arent there any synth for less than 1000 bux or even less than 500 i mean come on...i seen some yamaha keyboards for like 200 and up
MinisterofSc...	Date: January 27, 2006 @ 11:52 AM Yeah, Yamaha's aren't bad...but Korgs and Rolands (I think) are the best. Korg MS2000B
MinisterofSc...	Date: January 27, 2006 @ 11:52 AM Okay, I don't know what happened, but this is what I meant to say: Yeah, Yamaha's aren't bad...but Korgs and Rolands (I think) are the best. Korg MS2000B
MinisterofSc...	Date: January 27, 2006 @ 11:53 AM Oasys: The Best (but they cost 8000 MFing dollars). MicroKORG's are the only thing I can think of for less than 500. Korgs have more and better sounds than Yamaha's.
leedsquietman	Date: January 27, 2006 @ 8:11 PM I sometimes use a cheap Casio CTK-333 with a MOTU midi interface to control softsynths (especially if I feel like recording upstairs in our bedroom instead of the basement) and it works very well. No pitch bend or modulation possible (although one can add these in via the softsynth and midi data later if needed) but for simply playing notes via softsynth it is OK and it cost me nothing as it belongs to my wife. I prefer to use my edirol usb-midi controller but have made several decent tunes using the casio as a midi controller.
mattbanx	Date: January 28, 2006 @ 3:49 PM I have a Casio CTK-411. I don't know about the more expensive line of keyboards, but from wherever I see on the net about it, it scores high ratings. The list price is $46 last time I checked a few months ago. It cost me over $100 when I picked it up at Best Buy in 1999. It is still in the same shape as the day I bought it though.
TameasDust	Date: January 30, 2006 @ 4:54 AM yeah I need new keyboard too ... but not one for making music ... the dang centrios keyboard on my computer keeps shutting down and I have to replug it into the puter to get it to operate ... so I need a new keyboard
mcmullen	Date: February 5, 2006 @ 11:21 AM m-audio makes some great keyboard controllers. a 49key will run you about 100. some plug right into a usb port on your computer. as far as synths go, it depends on what kind of production you're doing. though alot of producers i know are using vsts now. roland is tops for piano type sounds (elec and acoustic) and "world" sounds. but korg is better for dance, hip-hop or r&B. if you're looking for a sequencer workstation, run screaming from anything with a touchpad. very unreliable. good luck
leedsquietman	Date: February 5, 2006 @ 2:32 PM It's very subjective - listen to a few different ones and see which suits you. Edirol and m-audio make good midi controllers, some people still like to use older gear like the KX-88 Yamaha full size keys, although it lacks the knobs and sliders that many more modern keyboards/controllers have. (since they are trying more and more to emulate moogs and prophets etc. analog sounds) If you're looking for a top of the range keyboard with versatile sounds including FM, additive and wave synthesis then a Kurzweil is worth a look but it will put a dent in your wallet !! As for Korg, Roland and Yamaha - really it's all very subjective, I don't necessarily agree that one is better for 'piano and acoustic' sounds and one for 'hip-hop' (are you referring to more 'analog' ish sounds by this comparison) - they all offer a plethora of sounds, so have a listen and see which one has the most pleasing range of sounds to YOUR ear. For vstis the Korg Legacy collection will provide you with a very large range of sounds - I bought the Korg Legacy Digital edition, as it features virtual M1 and Wavestation - lots of great textured sounds, world sounds and some very decent instrument synthesis too, (there are LOTS of free or cheap analog sounding vstis, plus Subtractor in Reason) In fact Reason is a great all round program that I mostly use as a vsti, it has Subtractor for great analog sounds, Malmstrom for unorthodox 'graintable' synthesis, NNXT for great samples ranging from pianos, eps, bass,organs, choir, strings, brass etc to drums, redrum which can be used as a programmable drum machine or sounds played via MIDI. It is easily routable and includes some great effects for reverb, delay, compression, analog sequencer and 24 bit quality. For it's money, it offers a complete vsti workstation. There are also any forums for reason users, some of which offer free samples (ie Analog Monsters - I used a great slow attack ARP sounding analog sweep synth on "Through These Eyes" on my music page). Great value for money. There are vsti's of ppg waldorf, moogs, dx-7's and a whole bunch more, and many free ones to be found that have some usability on the internet. Crystal vsti is also a nice FREE download.
raver77au	Date: February 10, 2006 @ 11:28 AM Shit all you guys the guy has not many dollars to play with. My suggestion is to get a Yamaha cs1X or Cs2x, Simply yeh they may be a little older but they are a damn good synthesizer but the are fully midi intergrated and also have Xg technology which gives more control over midifiles. I use the cs1x but I had a korg ms2000r and korg n364 and in the end I sold the korgs and kept the cs1x because it was the easiest and more powerful out of the lot of them. I now have korg sounds via the korg legacy softsynths and so on. But I still have my trusty cs1x doing all my midi controlling and so on and also it produces some good synth sounds of it own. You should pick up a cs1x for around $300 to $400 these days. Regards Raver
GeneHilbert	Date: February 10, 2006 @ 12:05 PM Get a copy of this "Feb" Electronic Musician there is a midi controller round up - reviewing 5 controllers for under $500. Very useful info....
EvalLin	Date: October 9, 2006 @ 12:41 PM I just got a Casio ctk-800, it sounds ok, perfect for me to practice on, also has midi, payed 74 bucks for it brand new
ray104	Date: January 8, 2008 @ 4:37 PM Yongmei- YM490F