Recommend me a beginner keyboard.

[ScouserAndy]

Im looking into learning the electric keyboard. What would be a good starter keyboard? budget about £300.

[dts borg]

Why not pick up a classic synth like the Yamaha DX7 which was used on every recording during the 80's and early 90's or the Yamaha SY-85 well used during the mid 90's on 1000's of hits.

You can get the SY-85 for under £130 on Ebay. I picked one up for £90. Not bad as they cost £2000 new in the 90's. You can also pick up 1000's of new sounds on the web. They are better quality then most new synth's and have weighted keys.

Good luck

[amgard]

There are many keyboards that will fit your bill, and the sounds, and therefore the 'vintage' will depend a lot on your taste in music.

Do you want to learn 'synth' type keyboards or 'piano' type - for piano type go for 88 keyed boards which have weighted keys and for synth music go for keyboards with less, eg 49, 61, 73 etc.

Do you want to get into programming your own synth sounds or are you searching for the best piano sound?

Come back with a bit more info and we can help a bit more..

[ScouserAndy]

i just want to learn how to play basically. Nothing too advanced. I would like to play a few coldplay tunes, maybe some elton john. Seen the casio ones with the keys the light up and teach you fairly cheap or are they rubbish?

[co55ie]

Access virus B and a control keyboard secondhand

[amgard]

Originally Posted by co55ie

Access virus B and a control keyboard secondhand

That's similar to my thoughts. Get a good controller keyboard and the choice of software synths/pianos for your PC is endless. Of course a hardware module frees up your dependance on the PC as well, but is likely to cost a bit more.

In pure hardware keyboards (new and at your price), I'd take a look at:
Roland GW-7
Roland JUNO D
Yamaha MM6

[Jules]

I'd go for a controller keyboard and soft synths via the PC.
It's probably the most cost effective way of making quality music.

Replacing a controller keyboard is miles cheaper than buying a new synth, and the keys do wear out eventually.

I have an M-Audio KeyStation Pro 88 (about £280), which has 88 full size, hammer action keys so it actually feels like a real piano.
This is connected by USB to my PC which runs a number of VST instruments, including 'The Grand', which is a very realistic concert Grand Piano.
There are others though.

Obviously software is more money, but you can buy it gradually and build up your collection of quality instruments.

If you're serious about learning to play properly, ordinary electronic keyboards are no good IMO. The keys are far to lightwight, poorly balanced and you won't build up the strength in your fingers to be able to play a real piano.

The KeystationPro 88 when I bought it was easily the cheapest way to get 88 full sized, hammer action keys.

I'm a pianist who dabbles in home music production and I'd be happy to lend a hand in getting you started.

[co55ie]

Only downside to softsynths are the fact tha secoondhand they are prett much worthless were as you can buy something like a Virus B for a couple of hundred quid and sell it on for a couple of hundred quid a couple of years later.

Personally I would avoid a beginner style keyboard as you will get bored with it ina few weeks.

For the money the original poster has to spend the Virus B is about the most flexible and powerful bit of kit on the market .