Which is best to perform with, a midi controller keyboard or digital piano??

Hey,
which is best to perform with, a midi controller keyboard or a digital piano?

I will be using a keyboard to perform on stage with, was wondering if anyone knows which type of setup is best?

i would use a Roland XV 2020 and a fully weighted Midi controller keyboard.

As for the digital piano, my price range is £850 max.

Hope someone can help!

Sam.

I use a Yamaha DGX-500 Digital piano as my controller, (YOU can get a new Yamaha DGX-505 for around $850 US I think) then my main sounds and arranger is a PA1X Pro. You can see pics of my setup in a previous article (a couple of months back)called "pics of my setup".

The Yammie doesn't have weighted action, which is fine because I'm my own roadie, and the less weight, the better, especially with 88 notes.

Jeff

There is No "BEST"......this is a Personal Choice that ONLY YOU CAN MAKE.......I would suggest you go try all of your choices in depth, thru your sound system before you plunk down your money & make SURE its what you really need for your purposes.....
good luck

I really have a problem with buying a controller that makes no sound on it's own... maybe I'm old-fashioned in that sense. Digital pianos are going up in quality and coming down in price so if you want a good piano sound I would buy a digital piano rather than a controller. I like the idea of having an instrument as opposed to having a silent keyboard device that requires midi cables and outboard boxes to make music.

I recently bought a nice digital piano that I intend to use as a controller also: a Kawai ES4. Excellent sound and keybed action. But then to my surprise I located another cheapo digital piano that I also like: a Radio Shack Piano which only costs $299 USD (don't know if this is available in the UK or not, but it's also sold by Casio as the CDP-100). The sounds were marginally good but the action is great so I'm using that as a hammer-action controller now with my arranger keyboard on stage. True, I'm not using the internal sounds of this piano but at least I could if I ever wanted or need to. So the RS Piano is getting a nightly workout at the clubs and my new Kawai ES4 is enjoying center stage at home.


[This message has been edited by Esh (edited 03-06-2006).]

Hey, thanks for the replies.

I understand what you mean about preferring a "real" instrument, although i guess im more interested in having the authentic piano feel and decent, high quality sounds - however theyre produced.

To get this am i right in thinking that it would be cost effective to get a decent weighted 88 controller and an add on synth box? I dont mind about having to plug the midi cables in...

Is there any other obvious disadvantages im missing out on??

thanks again for your help!!

Sam.

Korg4god, I like the look of your setup, especially the idea of using an arranger and a 88 key board to play on, i myself prefer the fully weighted keys Thanks for advice!

The big difference for me is the fact that digital pianos never seem to have pitchbend/mod wheels - which are both a must for me.

What about this ?

The Kawai MP4 is a digital piano that has the same quality sounds and keybed as my ES4 and also has pitch/modulation wheels. Good review in the March issue of Keyboard.

Hi,
as a controller , bear in mind, the DGX505 doesn't have midi ports, so you can't connect a sound module or synth via a midi cable

best wishes
Rikki
[QUOTE]Originally posted by korg4god:
[B]I use a Yamaha DGX-500 Digital piano as my controller, (YOU can get a new Yamaha DGX-505 for around $850 US I think) The Yammie doesn't have weighted action, which is fine because I'm my own roadie, and the less weight, the better, especially with 88 notes.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rikkisbears:
[B]Hi,
as a controller , bear in mind, the DGX505 doesn't have midi ports, so you can't connect a sound module or synth via a midi cable

best wishes
Rikki


According to the specs the Dgx-505 has MIDI IN OUT.
Ian

Ian

The DGX 505 does not have midi in and out ports.I know because I had one and got rid of it again for that reason. I had bought it partly to use as a controller, wrongly assuming that it had the ports.. Taught me not to assume anything without checking specs.

I just checked the Yamaha site and even looked at an owner's manual online and......

Yes there is a USB but no 5-pin MIDI jacks... I was shocked !!!

Jeff

I stand corrected...there really aren't any midi in/out ...what a terrible omission.
What were they thinking?

Ian the Corrected

Hi Ian,
unfortunately it's true. The midi in/out is via usb. The only way I was able to connect my Clavinova to the dgx305 was by using my laptop/omb software to connect the 2 up.

Very bad omission a it really made quite a good controller for my laptop/omb software.

Curious. The model lost the Midi In/Out connection. I had a DGX300 (which I sold) and there the Midi interface was there... -- José.

Yamaha gives then takes away.
The PSR550 has XG voices, the upgrade, PSR450, does not.
Took away DSP button and talk button on PSR2000. Just ranting.
Starkeeper