ckett
Member
I've been trying a few 88-key keyboards. Here are my subjective observations:
Roland A88mk2- This is a very excellent controller. The build quality is typical Roland, mostly solid. I actually like the pitch stick for doing pitch bends. Having the knobs and buttons is a nice add but not very usable given how far to the left they are located. The keys are very well constructed. Quiet, not clacky. They are on the heavy side. After an hour of playing my fingers began to tire out. Even though they are heavy you can still play faster phrases. I find the slower/heavier feel to be more in how fast the keys release back up. They are a little slow in this regard. All in all a very good product.
Casio PX-S3000- This was a surprise. Build quality is not too bad. All plastic and very light weight. Very thin and compact. The key action is very interesting. It is the lightest action of all that I have tried out. Very fast key action with just enough weight to feel like you are playing something like a piano. Works really well for synth work and other instrument sounds that need to be played faster. The keys are mostly on the silent side. They make a strange kind of rattle when you release the keys. It isnt a fault in quality but part of the compact design mechanism. And this keyboard includes a pitch wheel!
Korg D1- Fairly good build quality. Had to order 3 as the other 2 had damaged keys during shipment. Korg use a very small box with very little foam protection so any shock during shipping can break the keys. The key action is very good. Quick, responsive action. Lighter weight than the Roland PHA-4 but not a light action either. The keys have a little bit of a hard bottom that makes a distinct contact sound even when playing softly. Kind of a very soft pop to it. Compact size with no pitch or mod controls. No USB midi.
Roland RD2000- Very good build quality. Very heavy! You get the Roland pitch stick plus two mod wheels. Knob encoders and sliders are so so. This keyboard is all about the action. The PHA-50 key action is fantastic. Lighter than the A88 with a faster release response from the keys. The weight is very similar to the Korg D1. Quiet downward contact, no clacky sound. Just a pleasure to play on.
Other mentions:
Native Instruments S88 mkii - This was the keyboard I wanted to work the most. It is such an impressive design. Pitch mod wheels on the side, 8 encoders with beautiful LCD screens. No sliders though. It came down to the keys. Sluggish, heavy, not a joy to play. I tried out 5 different boards and they all had one or two defective keys that would click or clack. If this keyboard had any of the above listed keybeds it would be amazing!
M-Audio Hammer 88- Not bad! Heavy-ish action. A little clacky at times.
Hope this helps some people with their search!
Roland A88mk2- This is a very excellent controller. The build quality is typical Roland, mostly solid. I actually like the pitch stick for doing pitch bends. Having the knobs and buttons is a nice add but not very usable given how far to the left they are located. The keys are very well constructed. Quiet, not clacky. They are on the heavy side. After an hour of playing my fingers began to tire out. Even though they are heavy you can still play faster phrases. I find the slower/heavier feel to be more in how fast the keys release back up. They are a little slow in this regard. All in all a very good product.
Casio PX-S3000- This was a surprise. Build quality is not too bad. All plastic and very light weight. Very thin and compact. The key action is very interesting. It is the lightest action of all that I have tried out. Very fast key action with just enough weight to feel like you are playing something like a piano. Works really well for synth work and other instrument sounds that need to be played faster. The keys are mostly on the silent side. They make a strange kind of rattle when you release the keys. It isnt a fault in quality but part of the compact design mechanism. And this keyboard includes a pitch wheel!
Korg D1- Fairly good build quality. Had to order 3 as the other 2 had damaged keys during shipment. Korg use a very small box with very little foam protection so any shock during shipping can break the keys. The key action is very good. Quick, responsive action. Lighter weight than the Roland PHA-4 but not a light action either. The keys have a little bit of a hard bottom that makes a distinct contact sound even when playing softly. Kind of a very soft pop to it. Compact size with no pitch or mod controls. No USB midi.
Roland RD2000- Very good build quality. Very heavy! You get the Roland pitch stick plus two mod wheels. Knob encoders and sliders are so so. This keyboard is all about the action. The PHA-50 key action is fantastic. Lighter than the A88 with a faster release response from the keys. The weight is very similar to the Korg D1. Quiet downward contact, no clacky sound. Just a pleasure to play on.
Other mentions:
Native Instruments S88 mkii - This was the keyboard I wanted to work the most. It is such an impressive design. Pitch mod wheels on the side, 8 encoders with beautiful LCD screens. No sliders though. It came down to the keys. Sluggish, heavy, not a joy to play. I tried out 5 different boards and they all had one or two defective keys that would click or clack. If this keyboard had any of the above listed keybeds it would be amazing!
M-Audio Hammer 88- Not bad! Heavy-ish action. A little clacky at times.
Hope this helps some people with their search!