Hello,

Im a complete newb and am attempting to get a keyboard. I already singled out getting a Midi controller due to the very high costs. My top two picks are the Casio WK-3000 and the Yamaha DGX300. They both look very good and very equally matched keyboards. Im very open to different board suggestions, im just looking for input on a model i should get. I plan on using this for on stage playing. My spending limit is close to 340$

Thanks for your input!

Phil


[This message has been edited by Pennywizz6 (edited 11-11-2004).]

Of those two models I'd choose the WK-3000. The 3000 will have better speakers, ability to edit voices, drawbar organs, modulation button, smart media storage. As far as sounds...that's really subjective. Everyone has different opinions on that one. However, I've played the DGX-300 many times, and own the Casio WK-3500. The only difference between my Casio and the model you're looking at is floppy disk, modulation wheel, and L&R output. Other than that they are both essentially the same board. Soundwise I'd take the Casio in this case.

Squeak

Thanks for the input. I like that board too, but i have no exsperiance to compare. Can i plug it into an amp? Are those two boards the best for 340$? Or am i missing something else?

Thanks,

Phil

I think if you could come up with another $60. you could get the WK3500, and be better off.
DonM

What are the main differences from the 3000 and 3500? The only thing i can see is the 3 1/2 drive. Since I have smart media cards i dont think its really worth it for an extra 50 bucks.

Thanks,

Phil

I think it's well worth the $60. Having both floppy and smart media is beneficial. The 3500 will give you individual left and right output for connecting to an amp. The 3000 uses the headphone jack as the output jack this can compromise sound output quality. The 3500 will also give you a modulation wheel as opposed to a button on the 3000. The button will not give you the same level of control as you'd have on the 3500 using a wheel. If you want to hook up to an amp it's better to have separate left and right output...

Hmmm thats a tough call... the thing is I really dont have that much to spend, im strapped for cash. 340 is stretching it itself. I looked back at midi controllers. How cheap can I get a tone modulator? That way I can get a 150 controller and a 200 modulator. And can I play pre recorded songs on it via 3 1/2 of smart media? Just another option to throw out.

Thanks,

Phil

[This message has been edited by Pennywizz6 (edited 11-11-2004).]

Ok, I went looking around online and I found a place where they have really good prices. Now here are the two...

Yamaha DGX305 and the WK-3500

Looking for input on both of them. Im leaning towards the Yamaha, good brand, and to me the Casio looks like a toy and the Yamaha looks a little better. Although ive heard good stuff about casio. Tough call.

Thanks a bunch!

Phil

[This message has been edited by Pennywizz6 (edited 11-11-2004).]

I played both at Guitar Center (stores all over USA) and spend about 30 min each and CASIO sounds better all around. Especially the pianos and ep's are probably better in CASIO. Speaker is no contest - it's better with CASIO. I think the Yamaha model is a 61 keys IIRC.

I thought the Yammie model looks more like a toy. I own Yamaha PSR2000 which costs around $1200 when it came out.

Just go to GC and print your ads they will match it and you can try both keyboard for 30 days. There is no better way to know a keyboard than spending one week with it and then decide.

If your price range is tight I suggest the 3000 over the Yamaha. It will still give you more options. Also remember the Casio will load samples into the board. The free Casio software allows you to convert them to the Casio format and then load them into the board. Very good feature here. You load all kinds of samples from sound effects to drum loops to full instruments. Both the 3000 and 3500 have this ability

Squeak