Decent old synth to use as controller?

[emulatorloo]

I've got a second home with a small set-up, right now I am using a Roland D-50 as a MIDI controller. Playing soft synths, Kontakt, etc.

I just don't feel like I am getting much in the way of dynamics.

Not wanting to spend a lot of money, maybe $300 plus. I am thinking a Yamaha SY series might be good? Any suggestions appreciated,

[Dwetmaster]

If you could find a used yamaha KX8, you'd be in business...

[stubbsonic]

I assume you've played around with velocity curve settings in the D-50? It should have pretty good dynamics as a controller.

[Shooshie]

Before you commit to a keyboard, get out your MIDI Monitor (by Snoize), and give it a little test. See if you can get every velocity from 1 through 127, or at least hit enough of them to be sure that the rest are also possible. Some older MIDI keyboards only did a handful of velocities. Others may do them, but are very sensitive, and it may be hard to get some ranges.

Shooshie

[emulatorloo]

I assume you've played around with velocity curve settings in the D-50? It should have pretty good dynamics as a controller.

I've been digging through the manual and haven't found a way to change the velocity curve. Looks like it may be fixed?

Shooshie: MIDI monitor, wow! Thanks for the tip. I am seeing a range of velocities, from 0 up to 127.

What I am thinking is it may be my playing style, I am mostly used to semi-weighted or weighted keys. Seems like D-50 is synth action. Maybe I will try to adapt playing styled and see what happens.

If you could find a used yamaha KX8, you'd be in business...

This may be what I end up doing. Looks like slim pickings for those on eBay. I see a more Roland A series controllers seems like.

[cuttime]

Don't forget the DP Change Velocity plug.

[monkey man]

Greg! You're alive!

Great to see you, man.

I too thought a Yammy SY might be cool, if for no other reason than the facts that they're Yammy-made and have sliders, although I've no idea how configurable said controls are.

What about that Yammy analogue-modelling keyboard? Forgotten what it was called, but it had usable sounds (unique, cutting / biting) and a shedload of knobs etc. I'd be willing to bet that the actual keyboard on the SY would've been better 'though, based on the intended use.

[stubbsonic]

Like many keyboards, I like a little more resistant, heft, weight, to my keys, but not as heavy as the older piano/hammer keyboards which always felt way too heavy and sluggish to me.

A synth action keyboard (especially the D-50) should be able to give you the dynamics you want, but it might not give you the feel you want.

[musicman691]

I assume you've played around with velocity curve settings in the D-50? It should have pretty good dynamics as a controller.

I've been digging through the manual and haven't found a way to change the velocity curve. Looks like it may be fixed?

Shooshie: MIDI monitor, wow! Thanks for the tip. I am seeing a range of velocities, from 0 up to 127.

What I am thinking is it may be my playing style, I am mostly used to semi-weighted or weighted keys. Seems like D-50 is synth action. Maybe I will try to adapt playing styled and see what happens.

If you could find a used yamaha KX8, you'd be in business...

This may be what I end up doing. Looks like slim pickings for those on eBay. I see a more Roland A series controllers seems like.

I'd be a little wary of older Yamaha keyboards. The key actions can get what I call tired. I have an original Motif 7 that has some keys that are very inconsistent in how they respond and snoize bears that out. It's a synth-action keybed. And some of those old Yamaha weighted action keybeds would also wear out quickly (in addition to being inconsistent from the factory).

[HCMarkus]

Love the action on my Yamaha S90ES, plus the internal sounds are very useable and it has BC input. Use the D50 to play organ and synth sounds for a more authentic feel.

[emulatorloo]

Hey everybody, thanks a million. You all gave me a lot to think about and here's what I decided to do.

A synth action keyboard (especially the D-50) should be able to give you the dynamics you want, but it might not give you the feel you want.

This is what it boils down to, I think. I'm just more comfortable playing a semi-weighted or weighted keyboard.

While I'm out here this trip, I'm going to take HCMarkus' advice about using the D-50 for synth and organ parts. Just going to focus on synth-based tracks. So far, so good!

That being said, I'd rather have a semi-weighted keyboard out here. When I go home in a week, I'll check the keyboard collection for semi-weighted keys and see what I could stand to leave out here. I originally chose the D-50 to leave out here, because I have a D-550 at home.

Eventually I may want to get a Roland A-30 off of eBay. Semi weighted, 76 keys. (musicman691, appreciate you steering me away from the Yamaha SY's)

You guys are great!

[emulatorloo]

Greg! You're alive!

Great to see you, man.

Thanks, buddy! And right back at you. I lurk a fair amount but have been keeping my big fat mouth shut.

[monkey man]

Thanks, buddy! And right back at you. I lurk a fair amount but have been keeping my big fat mouth shut.

Self-depreciation. At least your premium payments will be less.

Hope you're OK and haven't depreciated too much, Greg.