A good introductory keyboard

So, a long time coming probably from hanging around here so much

I've gotten to the point where I've two short-term goals: I want to learn to play keyboards (piano) and I'd also like to begin exploring options towards putting together my own compositions, whatever those might be. I'm especially interested in learning more about track composition and hardware (MIDI) sequencing but would need to start pretty basic first.

Just having done some preliminary research, I'm a big fan of a certain kind of sound in a synth (looking at a few of the old Roland Juno 60/106 specifically) and, though those are at the upper end of my price limit, I'd need to make sure that with an older analogue synth, Roland or otherwise, I'm not getting in over my head right off the bat. What I'm trying to say is because I'm a n00b it would be good to consider how user-friendly the synth is and towards what level of user it would be appropriate.

I hope this is specific enough for at least a few general recommendations; I really want to do this and since there's so much experience out there running around on this board I want to see also: am I asking myself the right questions at this point too!? So there it is.

Have at!

get an MS2000

I think just buying a synth because it's a "keyboard" is a bad idea if you're just starting out. if you're initially just looking to learn piano, then get a Casio/Yamaha home keyboard with built in speakers and practice on that until you're at a level you're happy with. In the meantime you could learn the basics of song arrangement and MIDI by using a simple DAW on your computer to knock together your first "tracks".

I think what you need to do is figure out what you want from music - do you want to get serious and eventually have a studio full of hardwear gear or do you just want to piss about and make a couple of techno tunes?

If you bought a Roland Juno tomorrow I pretty much guarantee that you would have no idea what to do with it. Or maybe even no idea how to get some sound out of it. For example you would need to run the synth through an amplifier and speakers etc to actually hear it. Do you have a decent amp and speakers that will work with a high impedance line signal? Also there's not much you can actually "do" with just a Roland Juno and nothing else....well, in terms of making and recording whole tracks anyway.

My advice for you would be to think about why you want to make music and what you want to get out of it. Then download some software for your computer and play about with that to learn the basics. If you really want to spend some money, maybe buy a MIDI keyboard controller you can plug into your computer to play and manipulate sounds "hands on".

Do not spend any money on any gear until you are sure you like making music and it is something you want to spend time and effort on.

  On 9/4/2009 at 6:24 PM, BCM said:

My advice for you would be to think about why you want to make music and what you want to get out of it. Then download some software for your computer and play about with that to learn the basics. If you really want to spend some money, maybe buy a MIDI keyboard controller you can plug into your computer to play and manipulate sounds "hands on".

I definitely agree with this. I wouldn't go buying a full-on Midi synth untill you're happy to play around with a simple Midi controller keyboard like an Edirol PCR or M-Audio keyboard first, connected to some simple (and/or preferably free) midi software. Baby Steps !

  On 9/4/2009 at 6:47 PM, mcbpete said:

  On 9/4/2009 at 6:24 PM, BCM said:

My advice for you would be to think about why you want to make music and what you want to get out of it. Then download some software for your computer and play about with that to learn the basics. If you really want to spend some money, maybe buy a MIDI keyboard controller you can plug into your computer to play and manipulate sounds "hands on".

I definitely agree with this. I wouldn't go buying a full-on Midi synth untill you're happy to play around with a simple Midi controller keyboard like an Edirol PCR or M-Audio keyboard first, connected to some simple (and/or preferably free) midi software. Baby Steps !

Awhile back I was looking at a smaller M-Audio 25-key MIDI controller and I thought that looked like a really good place to get started. Probably the best thing to do is go into a Guitar Center, etc and give one a shot. (I fully realize it would be foolish to buy something like a Juno, I just love the way it sounds!)

Alesis are re-releasing the Ion.

Good thick analoguish sound and the best user interface I've used which is ideal for the beginner yet has enough depth for futher experimentation when you learn more, other than that the Nord Lead 3 is nice but a bit pricey.

Avoid the modern Roland shite like the SH201 an MS2000's sound a bit weak and only have 4 note polyphony.

  On 9/4/2009 at 6:24 PM, BCM said:

buy a MIDI keyboard controller you can plug into your computer to play and manipulate sounds "hands on".

This.

Then download fruity loops, reason or even live, some good free vsts (minimogue, asynth, etc...), make some beats out of your software and have fun.

Then, one or two years later, if you seem do be doing good tracks, start with serious things: getting a sound card, monitoring speakers and all kind of hardware you like.

Or, if you want to go hardware, buy a groove box (mc 808, electribe or mpc) and build your songs witheout using the computer.

But you wont be doing break core.

yeah, grooveboxes are also a good starting point. you can pick up second hand MC303s, MC505s, Electribes and Yamaha Grooveboxes pretty cheap...

people take the piss out of them, but you could get a second hand Roland MC303 for about £75 - £125. Wicked little box for a beginner and I reckon they're actually alright generally. Quality sequencer on it.

don't try to learn piano on a shitty 50=key keyboard, use the real deal. Its easy to find pianos that people don't want for free. I've got two at my house. You just have to get some friends to load it in a truck with you.

don't try to learn synthesis or mixing on a performance keyboard either. Get something flexable with a good interface.

if you wanna learn synthesis you should download the demo version of Reason imo

i'd suggest this:

novation sl mkII 49

LEARNING THE PIANO??

if you want to learn the piano you have to get a full sized keyboard with 88 keys, otherwise you'll find you probably can't play any of the songs you like. I have a 49 key midi controller that taught me some basics but I can't play Avril 14th without pressing the octave buttons, so fuck it. they make some good cheapo 88 key pianos with preset piano sounds, and you can use it for midi, too. some of them even have weighted keys. you might want expression pedals too.

learning synthesis takes time too. you should probably settle for a free vst at first so you can get the basics, otherwise you might totally give up on a juno or something. and like someone else said, you can't do much with just a juno.

  On 9/5/2009 at 4:17 AM, iamabe said:

LEARNING THE PIANO??

 

if you want to learn the piano you have to get a full sized keyboard with 88 keys, otherwise you'll find you probably can't play any of the songs you like. I have a 49 key midi controller that taught me some basics but I can't play Avril 14th without pressing the octave buttons, so fuck it. they make some good cheapo 88 key pianos with preset piano sounds, and you can use it for midi, too. some of them even have weighted keys. you might want expression pedals too.

 

learning synthesis takes time too. you should probably settle for a free vst at first so you can get the basics, otherwise you might totally give up on a juno or something. and like someone else said, you can't do much with just a juno.

hmmm...in that case go with this:

m-audio keystation 88es

fucking hell. you could go pole vaulting with that.

The Juno 60 or Juno 106 would be a great "starter synth". They're not too complicated and you'd figure out the basics of subtractive syntheses within a day of using it.

If you want to learn how to play the piano then you should get a real piano or a full sized midi controller, but a real piano would be much better.

  On 9/4/2009 at 11:19 PM, chax said:

i'd suggest this:

 

 

novation sl mkII 49

I fucking love that hand.

I think I've seen it somewhere before, not sure where.

  On 9/4/2009 at 7:23 PM, soundwave said:

Alesis are re-releasing the Ion.

 

Good thick analoguish sound and the best user interface I've used which is ideal for the beginner yet has enough depth for futher experimentation when you learn more, other than that the Nord Lead 3 is nice but a bit pricey.

 

Avoid the modern Roland shite like the SH201 an MS2000's sound a bit weak and only have 4 note polyphony.

you've never actually used any of those keyboards, have you?

  On 9/5/2009 at 7:14 PM, hahathhat said:

  On 9/4/2009 at 7:23 PM, soundwave said:

Alesis are re-releasing the Ion.

 

Good thick analoguish sound and the best user interface I've used which is ideal for the beginner yet has enough depth for futher experimentation when you learn more, other than that the Nord Lead 3 is nice but a bit pricey.

 

Avoid the modern Roland shite like the SH201 an MS2000's sound a bit weak and only have 4 note polyphony.

 

you've never actually used any of those keyboards, have you?

hahaha, that's twice today he's been called out.

http://forum.watmm.com/topic/48675-polysynths-used-on-analord/

i've never used any keyboards

  On 9/5/2009 at 7:20 PM, kakapo said:

hahaha, that's twice today he's been called out.

 

http://forum.watmm.com/topic/48675-polysynths-used-on-analord/

i probably would have ignored his reply if not for that thread! also checked YLC to see what his sounds are like; couldn't find anything. concluded his money/mouth ratio is not within acceptable levels....

this looks like a pretty fun keyboard to learn on:

has anybody ever seen one of these before?

  On 9/4/2009 at 6:04 PM, hahathhat said:

get an MS2000

My first synth was a juno 106, it's very nice but extremely limited. Definitely not something I'd recommend if you want to start composing, or learning the piano. I haven't really followed the hardware market lately, so I am at a loss. Sorry! OP would probably be better off with some sort of workstation, unless he wants to hook it up to a computer and shit, then just get whatever usb controller keyboard that you think feels the best when playing and go apeshit ïn your daw of choice.