Man, that's one thing that I'd also really enjoy doing.

Know nothing about it but good luck ?

I would definately take a look at the Roland E-09. Really nice keyboard that pretty much blows all the other keyboards in the price bracket away.

Drums also sound good.

Features:

•Newly designed Musical Styles, including Western, Middle East, and Asian
•High-performance speaker system onboard 7.5 W + 7.5 W
•New high-quality sound engine; GM2 compliant
•64-voice polyphony
•800-plus tones, 70 drum kits
•47 Multi-FX plus reverb and chorus
•16-Track recorder with Easy Mode
•Friendly Music Assistants, One-Touch settings

Funny you should mention that specific model. Saw it at Bothners on special and researched it. Verdict remains the same that its great value for money.

I would say weighted keys are a must

This, much like guitar, totally depends on your use and function for it.

If you want something to sound like a piano, feel like a piano, play like a piano, but not actually be a huge chunky piano, you should look into something with weighted keys. Something like a http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/Casio-CDP100-88-Note-Weighted-Hammer-Action-Digital-Piano?sku=706083

The other option is to get a midi keyboard and run it through you're computer.. That way you get amazing sounds and the piano feel. Something like this.. http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-ProKeys-Sono-88-Digital-Piano-w-USB-Interface?sku=728946#used

If you just want a keyboard, that roland suggested is a great instrument. Most roland stuff is great, korg too.. I'm not a huge fan of casio, even though I pasted one earlier, it's not the best.

That's my 2 cents! ?

Haha, Aja, you beat me to it! I must agree with you on that... However, that is a preference thing, if he just wants cool sounds, then a keyboard is fine.. If he wants to play piano, weighted keys are a definite must.

guitarboy2828 wrote: Haha, Aja, you beat me to it! I must agree with you on that... However, that is a preference thing, if he just wants cool sounds, then a keyboard is fine.. If he wants to play piano, weighted keys are a definite must.

What I like about weighted keys is that you can play almost anything you find at a friend's house or bar etc. No problem transitioning to a proper piano or whatever.

So I agree with you ?

My two cents as a non-expert: I got a Roland PCR 800 a couple of years ago when Bothners had a special. It's a MIDI controller keyboard, and comes with Sonar LE which includes Dimension LE. Amazing software, giving you access to everything from piano to ethnic drums. The keys are not weighted, but I don't think that's necessary unless you're already a pianist, used to weighted keys or plan to get serious about playing the piano. For my purposes, which is adding other instruments when recording mainly guitar, it's great. Weighted keys adds significantly to the price AFAIK. There is also a PCR 300 (I think) with less keys, but having enough keys is nice. It's not full size, but once again enough for me.

The keyboard also has a multitude of MIDI controls which can be assigned to whatever software you're using - I don't even use that, mouseclicks are sufficient for me. But it's nice to know that sort of control is available should you use it live.

There are also load of free software synths available on the internet, mostly used as VST plugins in Sonar or Cubase, so there's no need to spend lots of money on software synths.

Godda agree Riaan, midi controllers are a GREAT way to go and with R6000, you could get weighted keys. Only thing they aren't so cool for is they're a bit of a hassle to set up, because unless you have a designated computer hooked up to it, you godda plug up and play, with a normal one you switch it on. So pro's and con's, depends on your set up i guess!

OK they are all keyboards, but:

They create sounds in a few different ways, namely:

• 1. Synthesis - Creating sounds from scratch. Best for artificial synthesized sounds. Great for lead synths and the dance stuff. There are many ways to synthesize sounds (Additive, subtractive, granular, modelling, et.al.)
• 2. Samplers - let you record a sound and play it back, usually allowing you to manipulate the recorded sound. Best for copying existing sounds like pianos, strings organs and voice. Most samplers these days are software-based
• 3. Sample playback - Similar to samplers but use prerecorded sounds and cannot record or manipulate the samples

OK. Now we get to the types of keyboard:

• 1. Controllers - Are keyboards only and have no sounds built in. used to drive sound modules and soft-synths
• 2. Electric pianos - Use sample playback and are created with the pianist in mind with mostly piano sounds (+ a few sounds like harpsichords, strings and choirs), and things like hammer action or at least weighted keys. Usually have amp and speakers built in. Often large and heavy with built-in stands and pedals. The only way to go if you have learned to play on a piano.
• 3. Organs - like the electric pianos, but with a different soundset and usually with two manuals (keyboards) as well as bass footpedals.
• 4. Synthesizers - use synthesis. Synthetic sounds in a keyboard
• 5. "Pro" Keyboards - designed for stage use. Most use a variety of types of sound creation - synthesis, sampling, sample playback and hybrids.
• 6. Arrangers/workstations - all-in-one music production systems with sequencers, synthesizers and drum machines - everything built in.
• 7. Home Keyboards - Usually sample playback with GM (General MIDI) soundsets. Generally made with the home user in mind and usually feature fun features like auto accompaniment, which can be a bit gimmicky, but cool for making quick backings to jam over. Also have speakers and amp built in. The main limitations for the serious musician are that the soundsets and amp/speakers are usually inferior quality, not all the built in features will be available (or transmit) via MIDI, and they are not very durable for road use.

For home use the home keyboards are quick, easy and fun, but controllers and softsynths are ideal for home and home-studio use (provided your computer has enough oomph). I like controllers, but they can be a pain in the ass to setup and use live.

For R 6000.00 you will not get anything decent with weighted keys. R12 - 18K is more like it.

Something to also look at if you want something you can tweak the sounds etc is a Roland Juno-D. Great keyboard.

Mariann had one of these which she gave on to her mother as a gift....she now misses it terribly...

Well... I went to Marshall Music and treated myself to a Birthday Present ?

I decided to go for the Roland as weighted keys are a bit expensive and I'm not solely a piano man so it doesn't phase me not having them.

Pics will follow.