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#208261 - 12/10/03 05:15 PM considering the WK3500... among others
aprilla Offline
Member

Registered: 12/10/03
Posts: 56
Loc: Ireland
Hi,

I'm returning to music after a break of some years and want to replace my PSR5700 with something with more styles and compatability with all the 'stuff' available on the Internet, and dabble in midi/computer music.

I've been enjoying reading here and would welcome any opinions on a keyboard for a home/pleasure novice-forever type ...oh, I don't sing either, however my timing is quite good LOL

When I bought my PSR5700 new I was quickly disappointed/bored with the styles, I don't intend to spend that sort of money again now. There seems to have been vast improvements in keyboards since then, 10 or so years??? so nearly anything I read about and listen to examples of seem to suit my wants.

What do I want? First, sounds good with lots of styles and variations, then midi and an internet community, not too heavy so I can go from computer room to other rooms. That's about it really, I'm not into any one style of music but enjoy dabbling in everything. Oh, I cannot test any keyboard locally and will probably buy on internet or mail order.

Naturally I want the biggest/best/newest but I don't know that I need it right now so value for money seems the best to go for. I have found the keyboards below at what seem fair prices according to my reading, is there anything there you would recommend to avoid or snap up??

* PSR8000 with HD
* SX-KN5000
* WK-3500
* PSR740
* PSR1100/2100

I've always had a Yamaha/Technics bias so have an 'urge' for the PSR8000 or KN5000 but I find myself swaying towards the Casio even though I was never much of a fan. Maybe I want the 'change is good' 'new is fun' aspect, I don't know... The 1100 and 2100 are more expensive so I would expect to keep them longer, therefore they would have to have a real advantage - for me - over the others to pursuade me to buy.

So, any opinions on my selection? I'm finding it really hard to decide, I think I just want them all!


aprilla

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#208262 - 12/10/03 06:07 PM Re: considering the WK3500... among others
deatonent Offline
Member

Registered: 05/28/00
Posts: 292
Loc: Tazewell, VA, USA
Aprilla,
Out of the possibilities you have listed, my recommendation would be the PSR2100. In fact I've "put my money where my mouth is" and bought one. To appreciate how "open ended" this keyboard can be visit http://www.psrtutorial.com . The resources there (and at other sites) can keep your keyboard sounding fresh for years to come.
Best Regards,
Deaton

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#208263 - 12/10/03 06:33 PM Re: considering the WK3500... among others
keybplayer Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 10/27/03
Posts: 2417
Loc: CA
aprilla

If you have been out of Music for several years and maybe are rusty because of it you may want to scale back at first to get yourself back in the groove with a less expensive Keyboard. After you have gotten back into the flow of things you could then sell the less expensive Board, etc., and graduate to a higher end one. I recommend the Casio WK3500 to start off with because it is a great dollar for dollar intermediate Arranger Keyboard. It has features that Keyboards costing 5x as much don't have, ie., "Smart Media" capability. It also has 76 Keys and is light and very portable. Its onboard speakers are decent and the cost of the WK3500 is only $399. The Styles and Sounds are much improved over the WK1800 Series so I've heard. They now have them in stock at Synth Planet.com but if you buy from there the cost is 550 Euros. You should be able to find a Retailer somewhere in Ireland that carries the WK3500 for less.

Whatever you decide to get enjoy the ride!

Best regards,
Mike

[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-10-2003).]
_________________________
Yamaha Genos, Mackie HR824 MKII Studio Monitors, Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro Mixer (made in USA), Cakewalk Sonar Platinum, Shure SM58 vocal mic.

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#208264 - 12/10/03 07:44 PM Re: considering the WK3500... among others
travlin'easy Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15556
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
The best advice any of us can give you is to sit down and play each of those you've listed. As for the Casio, to my ears the styles were good to excellent, lots of things that I would never use though, but the voices were marginal at best when compared to the PSR-2100--not even close. The 8000 is also a good machine, but I still prefer the versatility and portability of the 2100, which weighs considerably less.

Good luck on whatever you decide upon,

Gary
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!

K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)

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#208265 - 12/10/03 08:44 PM Re: considering the WK3500... among others
Bluezplayer Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 11/10/00
Posts: 2195
Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY
I haven't has the chance to demo the 3500, but I did give the wk3000 a good workout. I think the styles and soundset are similar between the two if not the same. I liked some of the sounds, and the organs and saxes were very good, but overall I wasn't impressed, and some of the styles sounded pretty good, but many were not so good. I wouldn't expect much more at it's price though, and for what it cost it's probably a good value. I was looking at the 3500 as a potential 76 key controller and if some sounds were pretty good that would have been a bonus. I didn't like the key feel all that much on the 3000, ( better than the PSR line though ) but again maybe the 3500 is different.

The kn5000 is a few models ago, I played one and liked it, but my experience with it was limited.

As far as the PSR models go, if you can live with the key feel ( I don't like it at all), I would say the 2100 is the one of the best value wise for what it costs of any of The arrangers out there. It's a major upgrade from the 740, wwhich I had for a few years.

The best advice has already been given. Try them all if possible, and then try to decide based on what sounds best, feels best in your hands, and has the features you'll want for whatever you plan to do wuith your arranger.

AJ
_________________________
AJ

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#208266 - 12/11/03 03:54 AM Re: considering the WK3500... among others
aprilla Offline
Member

Registered: 12/10/03
Posts: 56
Loc: Ireland
This is great, thanks for replies.

Unfortunately I can't try out any keyboards, they aren't available to me, but I can't let that put me off and I'd rather look on it as giving me more scope... I am so excited by the prospect of starting up again I'm tempted to pull out our original 'mini kb' with the tiny keys, oh dear...

deatonent, travlin'easy
Thanks, PSR2100 would be my first choice but I think I have decided to go with an inexpensive start. I'm going to leave the PSR1100/1200 to bring myself up to speed cause I do have a lot to learn and catch up with. The PSR1200 will be there when I am ready for it, I do want it but this feels right.

keybplayer
I think you are giving me what I know myself, get back into it and then choose. I will know better what will be right by then and might have a chance to try others when travelling. Yes, thanks.

Bluezplayer
Thanks for the input. New vs old. The KN5000 is at a low price and might give me an interesting change from Yamahas while I play catch up. The limitations might keep me from running before I'm walking again - personally I never did get much past a slow trot LOL

OK I'm now between the Yamaha and the Technics. Prices suit per, each seems to be a well regarded machine and these models have enough built-in to get me going and Internet community to keep me on track. What more could a body ask for? But - the WK3500 keeps butting in. I have this impression that it's like a comedy movie advert - you've seen all the good bits before going to the cinema LOL - still, it won't go away!


KN5000 - inexpensive, short term reintroduction on a new unfamiliar make Unless of course I love it and keep it forever...

PSR740 - safe re-introduction, should get up and running pretty smoothly with this

WK3500 - the wild card, I can't fathom why it's still on my list but it keeps coming back

I will trawl the net today for more examples and reviews, and I intend to check out the KN2400/2600. I hadn't considered them on my first round-up.

again much thanks

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#208267 - 12/11/03 08:21 AM Re: considering the WK3500... among others
Starkeeper Offline
Member

Registered: 09/16/02
Posts: 1704
Loc: Toronto
The PSR740, KN5000, PSR8000 are discontinued models. If you are going to purchase a used machine, why not consider a PSR2000?

I also returned to music after a 25 year break. I wasn't sure if I would stick with it (and neither was my wife) so we purchased a demoed Roland EM20. Well I did stick with it so I purchased a Yamaha PSR540, then sold it and purchased PSR550. I noticed yesterday a PSR2000 for sale in the Buy & Sell. Every time you sell and buy you lose approx 30% - 50%. I could have saved myself a bundle if I had purchased the PSR2000 straight away. Sigh
Kevin
_________________________
I play Roland EM20 and Yamaha PSR550

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#208268 - 12/11/03 08:34 AM Re: considering the WK3500... among others
btweengigs Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/09/02
Posts: 2204
Loc: Florida, USA
Quote:
Originally posted by aprilla:
I'm returning to music after a break of some years and want to replace my PSR5700 with something with more styles and compatability with all the 'stuff' available on the Internet, and dabble in midi/computer music.
aprilla


Aprilla...
No doubt in my mind what I would do. I came from a 5700..went to a 740, then a psr 9000 and finally a PSR 2000. I liked them all...but the 2000 blew me away and fit my needs perfectly. Since then the 2100 and Tyros came out with some improved features...but best bang for the buck at for what you describe is the 2000...and it has the new, improved operating system found on the 2100 and Tyros. (I found the 740 very cumbersome to operate on stage.)
Eddie

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#208269 - 12/12/03 02:28 AM Re: considering the WK3500... among others
aprilla Offline
Member

Registered: 12/10/03
Posts: 56
Loc: Ireland
OK it's all over - I've purchased and I'm like a child at Christmas, it was a real toss between the KN2600 and the PSR2100 at the end but it's done now and I can't wait to get these old hands on it.

Thanks for your help/advice/suggestions, but mostly your experience. It helped steady me when my mind was fluttering in all directions, I know now I have made the right choice.
I'm spoiling myself, my final decision was for the PSR2100 based on 1.desire 2.support 3.price


Yippee!

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#208270 - 12/12/03 03:32 AM Re: considering the WK3500... among others
trevorjohn Offline
Member

Registered: 04/10/03
Posts: 225
Loc: Cambridge United Kingdom
I don't think that you'll regret your decision aprilla. I bought a 2100 last month mainly as back-up for my KN7000 and I like it so much that the 7000 has now become back-up to the 2100.. All the gigs I have done with it have produced great responses from audiences.
Anticipate and enjoy!!!!

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