Heidi Marcum Electronics.

Synth Keyboard

Buying A Keyboard

There are many different questions when it comes to buying a keyboard. How much should I pay, how many keys it needs and so on. A lot of it really depends on the buyer and your own personal preference. The best way to tell if the keyboard is right for you is if it “feels” right. But, in saying that, there are a few simple guidelines that can help you out come purchase time.

One of the great things about having so many different keyboards to choose from is that you can find one at a suitable price. The first thing is you want to make sure the keyboard actually works. The problem with keyboards is that as they get older they tend to decay a bit. So be careful buying a keyboard before you've actually played it and checked the keys, all the buttons and so on.

The next step is looking at how many keys it has. I'm often asked “how many keys should I get?” The answer is really down to personal preference and what exactly you're using your keyboard for. My advice is to get a keyboard with the full 88 keys. But 76 and even 61 will usually be enough. If you have the choice I think either 88 or 76 keys is best. If you were just using a small range of the keyboard and it's more for recording interesting samples and so on, then fewer keys is fine. Most professionals will use 88 keys.

The next thing to look at is weighted keys or “synth” action. This means what the feel of the actual keys is like. This again really depends on personal taste. Weighted keys: this means that the keys on the keyboard have the same feel and weight as keys on a standard piano. A lot of trained pianists will go this route, myself included. I don't like to use synth style keys but that's entirely my personal taste. One of the benefits of playing on a keyboard with weighted keys is that if you never played an acoustic piano before you should easily be able to adjust quickly because your hands will be used to it. Synth style keys also have their advantages. Because they're not weighted it's a lot easier to play them faster.

Another important aspect is the velocity and after touch of the keyboard. Velocity refers to whether how hard you hit the keys affects how loud the sound that comes out, so that if you lightly touch the keyboard you will get a nice quite sound. Similarly if you hit down hard you will get a nice loud reaction. After touch refers to the sensitivity to the sound and touch after you hit the note and hold it down. If you play a note and you want it to ring the way an acoustic piano does, after touch is very important. Personally I believe that velocity and after touch is VERY important and any keyboard you have should really have these things catered for.

So there are a lot of things to consider when looking at keyboards. Ultimately I believe a lot of it comes down to personal taste and what your instincts tell you about the keyboard itself. Remember, you want it to be something that you can spend a lot of time on so make sure that you are completely happy with what you end up with.

About the Author

Rocket Piano is the leading site for your piano lessons needs, giving you all the free information you need to improve your piano playing skills. For your FREE Piano Lessons information (and loads of other free tools and resources) get along to http://www.rocketpiano.biz now!

All the best from

Ian

Used Roland V-Synth Keyboard $599.99 In Store Used USED ROLAND V-SYNTH KEYBOARD

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 889406773400 $1104.15 Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 889406773400

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830007682 $1104.15 Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830007682

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Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 889406599642 $1104.15 Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 889406599642

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830126567 $1104.15 Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830126567

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830112058 $1104.15 Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830112058

Dave Smith Instruments Mopho Keyboard Synth $849 Dave Smith Instruments Mopho Keyboard Synth

Keyboard Presents Synth Gods $14.68 From the pages of Keyboard magazine, Keyboard Presents Synth Gods spotlights artists who did much more than just play synthesizers: they changed the course of music history and inspired generations. Featuring in-depth profiles of leading synthesists such as Jan Hammer, Wendy Carlos, Rick Wakeman, and Stevie Wonder, this book delves into how these new, untested boxes of circuitry captured the imagination of these legendary artists. Read about the design of some of the most famous synthesizers ever made, models from masterminds such as Dr. Robert Moog, Dave Smith, and Ray Kurzweil. Get the details on what made them sound unique, what timeless music was created on them, and how you can re-create some of these sounds using synths you already have

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard Regular 886830299209 $1104.15 Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard Regular 886830299209

Roland V Synth GT Elastic Audio Synthesizer Keyboard $3184.09 Roland V Synth GT Elastic Audio Synthesizer Keyboard

Dave Smith Instruments Mopho Keyboard Synth Regular 886830320804 $721.65 Dave Smith Instruments Mopho Keyboard Synth Regular 886830320804

Used Roland Juno Stage 76 Key Synth Keyboard $899.99 In Store Used USED ROLAND JUNO STAGE 76 KEY SYNTH KEYBOARD

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In Store Vintage Vintage Yamaha Dx5 Keyboard Synth 8.0 623 013112 $599 In Store Vintage VINTAGE YAMAHA DX5 KEYBOARD SYNTH 8.0 623 013112

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 889406692268 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 889406773400 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 889406599642 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830007682 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 889406706125 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830112058 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830126567 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Roland Ax-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard $1299 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Dave Smith Instruments Mopho Keyboard Synth 886830336126 $721.65 The Mopho Keyboard is a compact, affordable, and powerful monophonic analog synthesizer. The voice architecture is similar to a single voice of Dave Smith Instruments' Prophet '08, but with a couple of twists to distinguish it from its award-winning sibling. Dave Smith Instruments has added two sub-octave generators (one per oscillator) for additional girth and crushing basses. It also has an audio input that lets you process external audio and mix Mopho's own audio output back in pre-filter for feedback effects that can range from subtle distortion to extreme skronk. It features the same semi-weighted keyboard action as Dave Smith Instruments' Prophet.The Mopho Keyboard is an affordable, full-featured mono synth with a 100% analog audio path. The Mopho Keyboard features 32 full-sized, semi-weighted keys with velocity and aftertouch in a package about the same size as most 25-note controller keyboards. Choose from its 384 preset sounds or craft your own sounds with 25 soft-touch knobs and 20 switches.The Mopho Keyboard features 2 oscillators, 2 sub-octave generators, a classic Curtis low-pass filter (2- or 4-pole), 3 five-stage envelope generators with ADSR (Attack Decay Sustain Release) plus delay, 4 LFOs (low-frequency oscillators), and real analog VCAs (voltage-controlled amplifiers). In addition, it also includes an arpeggiator, a gated 16 x 4 step sequencer (with 1 sequence per program), feedback, the ability to process external audio, and an extensive modulation matrix. Hit the Tap Tempo button to beat match or sync the arpeggiator, sequencer, and match LFOs to MIDI clock.The Mopho Keyboard is fully programmable and all the parameters are logically arranged for easy access on the front panel. A free editor is also available for Mac OS and Windows to facilitate programming.You can integrate and automate the Mopho Keyboard with your computer and other hardware using standard MIDI jacks or with a direct USB connection. The eagle-eyed musician may find it odd that a monophonic synth has a unison on/off parameter, but when paired with a Dave Smith Instruments' Tetra (sold separately), the Mopho Keyboard makes an incredibly compact, extremely powerful five-voice poly synth. So for a ridiculously compact analog poly synth, use the Poly Chain output along with the Dave Smith Instruments' Tetra (sold separately) to expand the Mopho Keyboard's polyphony.Affordable, fully programmable mono synth with a 100% analog signal pathTwo oscillators capable of producing sawtooth, triangle, saw/triangle, and variable pulse width square waves, with hard syncOne classic Curtis low-pass filter (switchable 2- or 4-pole) with audio rate modulation, self-oscillating in 4-pole modeAnalog VCAsThree envelope generators (ADSR plus delay)Two sub-octave generators (one octave down and two octaves down)Feedback loop with programmable level and gainWhite noise generator4 LFOsGated 16 x 4 step sequencer (one sequence per program)ArpeggiatorGlide (portamento): separate rates p

Used Roland Ax-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830112058 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Used Roland Ax-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 886830126567 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)

Used Roland Ax-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer Keyboard 889406706125 $1104.15 Pick up the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer when it's time to escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage. This Roland keyboard synth has a sound generator onboard. A stylish take on the over-the-shoulder Keytar popular in the early 80s, the AX-Synth represents Roland's new generation of remote keyboards. The AX-Synth is a self-contained keyboard equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Roland's current synths. It includes a dedicated V-LINK for video/visual control, USB MIDI for easy connection to your PC, an innovative bender mode for expressive solos. The Roland AX-Synth keyboard should last approximately 6 hours with a fresh set of batteries. With 256 tones plus 8 special tones (including SuperNATURAL), 128-note polyphony, and D-Beam, Ribbon Touch, and a Modulation Bar, you've got a lot of musical options hanging around your neck, So strap on a Roland AX-Synth keyboard synthesizer and steal the show.49 keys with velocity256 Tones + 8 Special Tones (including SuperNATURAL)3x7 segment LED displayBuilt-in sound engine with voices from Roland's modern synthesizersRibbon controller, D-Beam, modulation bar, knobs, and easy-to-see display for stageUSB MIDI for easy connection to PCDedicated V-LINK button for video/visual controlInnovative bender mode for expressive solosLong battery operation (approx. 6 hours batteries not included.)