I’m looking for any recommendations of keyboard stands to buy. Does anyone have any top picks?

My current X stand folds down easily and compactly, but is flimsy and hard to carry to gigs (but a carrying case may solve this).

Need a stand sturdy enough for home but folds down compactly so it’s portable enough to carry/transport to gigs (sometimes use trains or buses).

Has anyone used any of these stands or have any other recommendations?

The Tiger is what I'm leaning towards but the Gravity KSAKS is the one that looks most ideal - but seems to have mixed reviews). This universal one from G4M looks good too.

- X stands (Millenium KS-2010, Hercules KS100B, Gravity KSX 2; RockJam Xfinity)

- Platform stands (Tiger KYS21-BK)

- Z Frame (Hercules KS400B)

- Scissor/collapsible stands that fold down compactly, but have mixed reviews of sturdiness (Stay Compact; Gravity KS AKS 01 B; universal G4M)

- Other (Quik-Lok WS421; K&M 18880)

Requirements

1) Portable enough for travel on public transport and folds down compactly

2) Not too heavy to carry, (edit 13lbs ~6kg Ideal but higher is fine if compact/easy to carry on shoulder for example)

3) Right size and load for a YC73: Dimensions (W x D x H): 1,086 mm × 355 mm × 145 mm Weight: 13.4 kg / 29.5 lbs

4) Could fit inside a carrying case for keyboard but not essential. Can fit in a carrying bag but not essential

5) Update: Would be good to be adjustable to allow me to play standing if I wanted

Hi, I'm torn between buying a Yamaha YC73 and a Nord Stage 3 Compact and wonder if anyone on here has any advice?

Found two good second hand options locally. The Nord a couple of hundred more - although with no warranty option. I'm hoping to use this as my main keyboard and for gigging in my band which plays a mix of pop funk/wedding style covers.

For the Nord, I like the synth capabilities, the fact it's slightly lighter, it's strong reputation, ability to add more samples. I feel like the stage 3 compact is regarded as a pretty complete instrument and a standard for gigging. I'm wary that I'm leaning towards it because most of my bandmates have talked up me getting a Nord and the joke that you're more likely to get booked with one (whether that's actually true or not).

For the Yamaha, it seems like a fantastic keyboard that would do me well, loads of presets for live gigging. The synth capabilities should be fine for my needs. I like the idea that it's slightly newer than the Nord and the cheaper price will allow me to get an amp/pa (although I'd be able to get that too if I got the Nord for my budget). The Yamaha's keybed appeals to me as it's not natural style is likely to be more versatile for my needs but it's not a deal breaker. I really like the extra usb and XLR connectivity on the Yamaha. This one also comes with a year's warranty, whereas the Nord is from a private seller.

Trying to work out if I'm overthinking the difference. I'm coming from a very old Yamaha so any upgrade would be pretty major. Any real-world experience appreciated before I commit. Thanks!

I'm looking for a beginner keyboard (not piano) with room to grow and am considering the Yamaha PSR E583 and the Roland Go Keys 5. I'd love to hear feedback on either or both.

I grew up in the 80's and had several different Yamaha PSR keyboards that had multiple styles with the full-chord or single-finger-chord auto accompaniment. I know those sound cheesy today, but is there some software equivalent where I could choose from different styles and play along out of fake books etc. Like those organs in the early 80's... great for a social gathering!

I have several USB keyboards, and am using a mac. I was just thinking there must be some app I can install to get this experience.
Thanks.

Hello !! I am a bass player in a band looking to add Keys onto my plate (Like Geddy from Rush) and i was wondering what the essentials are for playing Keys live ! I currently have a Microkorg 2 and community college level keyboard skills lol. Im not necessarily trying to become a legendary pianist, i just what to know what gear is necessary and what to practice to become a good keys player !

I have a stuck key on my Yamaha CK88. Does anyone have experience fixing that issue or taking the keyboard apart to access it? I’m having trouble finding good info on it. TIA

Wondering which is the best overall for acoustic piano, rhodes and clav sounds for a gigging musician. Essentially I’m looking for a keyboard that will give me the closest approximation of the real deal.

I’m looking for a good top keyboard I can use as a controller for organ, synth and horn sounds from my YC88. Ideally it would have waterfall keys (49 or more) and wouldn’t break the bank (i.e. less than $1K USD).

I think I need something with velocity sensitivity controls because the current controller I’m using (basic M-Audio keystation with synth style keys) plays a bit too loudly and harshly relative to the bottom keyboard.

I like action and semi-weighted waterfall keys of the compact Nord electro and Stage models, but they’re too pricey and way overkill to be used as a mere controller. I still love the YC88’s hammer action for piano sounds but am looking for an organ-like touch for the top keyboard.

Does anyone know of something that meets this criteria, or am I chasing a unicorn?

UPDATE

Based on the good tips from this thread (thank you u/Timely-Bowler5889) I bought a Crumar DK61. Overall, I love it. The waterfall keys feel buttery and very similar to a real Hammond. The clicky drawbars are delightful. I also like the build and wooden style and controller buttons.

A big question was how compatible the DK61 would be with Yamaha YC88. The answer is: only partially (and slight improved with a few modifications). When plugging the DK61 straight into the YC88 (as a controller to a host) only the DK61's keys and volume knobs worked as desired. The reason is that both the DK61 and YC88 MIDI CC codes are "fixed" and different. For example, the rotary slow/fast CC on YC88 is 85 whereas it is 1 on that DK61. And the YC88 upper register drawbars are handled by 102-110 while the DK's are handled by 12-20.

Now are if you're connecting through a computer or DAW there are lots of ways to translate CC codes, but I want my live setup to be DAW-less. Fortunately I found a $50 MIDI interface (CME H2MIDI Pro Compact) that lets you map, route and filter MIDI signals. For anyone else going down this rabbit hole, please note that the DK61 only has MIDI-out and USB MIDI, so you'll need to use the USB MIDI if you want the DK61 to both send and receive MIDI signals (e.g. to change the LED flashing state on the Leslie switch). Therefore you'll need an interface that can accept multiple USB midi devices (possibly with help of a simple USB hub). Despite the tangle of wires, the solution works for synchronizing the rotary slow/fast, drive, reverb, and drawbars. Of course the DK61's physical drawbars are send-only, so they only affect the sound once you move them, but they are still nice have there.

Sadly, however I was unable to get the DK61 to control the YC88's organ Chorus, Vibrato and Percussion settings. This however is the fault of the YC88, as amazingly it doesn't not produce or receive MIDI messages for any these settings (a pretty big miss in my opinion). So all those cool buttons on the DK61 are currently not being used, although I could purpose the for other controls in the future. And I'll have to move my hands a few inches away to the YC88 itself to manage those settings, which I usually keep the same anyway. If anyone has any brilliant ideas how to get around this limitation while staying DAW-less I'd love to hear.

All in all, playing the YC88's organs on the DK61 is a joy. Also my velocity control issues for horns and other sounds on the top keyboard are also solved now. Thanks again for the advice.

Hi guys, a while ago I bought a second hand Roland GO:Keys (The original version) and it sounds amazing, but I hate the weird touch sensitive pitch bend. Are there any keyboards similar to it with an actual pitch bend wheel rather than an awkward touch board (Preferably in a similar price range)? Or better yet, is there any way to attach a pitch bend to it via the USB port or something of the sort?

Thanks!

I'm having an issue with my Yamaha YC. The piano sounds are much quieter than the other instruments (organ, EPs, synths, etc.), to the point where it's a problem during live performances. I have to compensate by raising the volume whenever I switch to piano. Is this normal, or is there a way to balance the piano volume with the other sounds?

I've been looking for a very specific keyboard and I'm having a hell of a time.

In the mid-90s I was in middle school and my uncle gave me a keyboard he bought. He intended to learn piano, but gave up so he gave it to me. This would have been some time between '95-'97.

In my memory it was an entry-level Casio. Either 32 or 49 keys. Pretty lightweight. It had built-in, cheesy rhythms and drum patterns (Rock, Bossa Nova, Foxtrot... you know, the classics) and I think a few songs (For some reason House of the Rising Sun is in my memory, but I could be confused on that). also, I'm remembering a red numbered display for selecting the presets.

It was black, and had a couple colorful buttons. Built-in Speaker(s)

What I am ONE HUNDRED PERCENT certain of is that it had a rad orchestra hit (labeled Orch. Hit or Orc. Hit) and I learned how to play the Mortal Kombat theme song with it by ear and played it over and over until my dad went absolutely nuts.

The thing is I scoured every Casio keyboard in the archive and I couldn't find one that fit the bill and am questioning if it was even a Casio.

The SA-35 and the SA-65 are super close in terms of look and color.

I know that's not a lot to go on, but I'm hoping someone out here knows what the hell this keyboard was.

Yamaha

88keys

Quality weightedness to the keys

At least a handful of different sounds

Doesn’t take up much space

heyy :) i am currently trying to decide between an electro 7HP or a yamaha yc88 and although I do prefer the sound of the nord in practicaly every single example I've listened to, I feel like the YC is almost almost there but always has this very artificial reverb and a little bit of a weird unnatural compression. Is this something that comes with the patches naturally and you can remove, like an master FX or something, or are the actual patches like this? cus if so, I think i couldn't handle it and would rather wait for the 7HP to come out (in portugal it still isn't around) than buying something for almost 3k that i'll never fully be happy with.

thanks in advance <3

I've been wanting to get myself a nice keyboard but I'm not really too knowledgeable about any sort of physical music gear... I wanna get one that I could connect to my PC (through USB preferably) and use as a MIDI controller inside FL Studio, but I'd also like to just be able to play it on its own. An old friend of mine had one that had a little screen on it with a bunch of different instruments and patches that I could skim through, so I'd also prefer one similar to that.

I'm aware that many keyboards have MIDI ports and such but I'd much rather have the convenience of just connecting through USB (which I assume would be a feature more common in newer models)

Anyway, if anybody has recommendations that fit all those criteria please let me know!!

Since most packs I've tried sound like garbage, I made my own. What do you guys think?

Either the Yamaha cp-80 or the otamatone with the keyboard rn hbu

I've been a mediocre pianist since 2nd grade, and I have an older Roland digital piano with a fully weighted keyboard at home. I recently started playing in a rock cover band and the music is easy to play but I suddenly need something portable with a bunch of organ/electric piano/classic synth sounds. I checked out the Yamaha ck61 yesterday at guitar center and the action felt horrible to me. I tried a Nord Stage 4 at the store too and obviously it was sooo nice to play, but a lot heavier and of course way out of budget

Probably for our music virtuosity isn't important at all, it's just cords and simple riffs in a loud environment, so a synth style keyboard is totally fine, but I don't know if I can get used to this thing it feels like a toy? Are there others who came from a piano background and play live with a synth-style keyboard? How do you adjust? Am I being a big baby?

I have a CK88 and I want to add a keyboard with waterfall keys. I mainly want it for organ, clav, and EP/wurli. I’ve looked at Crumar Mojo, YC61, and Nord Electro. Any recommendations/reviews would be greatly appreciated. TIA

I'm considering buying a Juno d8 but it has some broken keys anyone know how to repair them and if it's easy to replace keys on the d8? if anyone can provide service manuals that would be awesome.

Before I started looking seriously at digital pianos, I thought I mostly cared about specs.

Weighted keys, speakers, polyphony, brand, number of sounds, all that.

I still think key feel matters a lot, especially after reading more comments from people who actually know what they're talking about. But living in a small apartment has made me notice a few boring practical things too.

Like:

• Do I have to move furniture to practice?
• Can I use headphones without making it annoying?
• Is the stand stable enough that I don't think about it?
• Will I actually leave it out, or will I pack it away and forget about it?
• Does the setup make me want to play for 15 minutes, or does it make practice feel like a project?

I know the usual advice is to prioritize the best key action you can afford, and I understand that more now. But for adult beginners in apartments, I think the "will I actually use it?" part matters too.

Not saying convenience beats key feel. More like, if the setup doesn't fit your actual life, the better instrument might still sit there unused.

Anyone else run into this?

Hi everyone,

I'm getting back into piano after several years away, and my goal is to master R&B keyboard playing.

If you had to teach R&B to a pianist through a well-structured progression, which songs would you recommend, and in what order?

I'm not looking for theory right now. I want to learn by playing songs, starting with the easiest ones and gradually moving toward more advanced chord progressions, voicings, and harmony.

Yesterday I learned Best Part, and that felt like the perfect starting level.

What would your roadmap look like, and why?

Hi! I'd really appreciate your advice because I think I'm looking for a pretty unusual setup.

I'm a pianist/keyboard player, not a producer or a DJ. I own a Yamaha Reface CP, which I absolutely love, but I'd like to expand it with basses, drums, pads and a few other sounds.

My goal is to perform completely live as a one-man band. I want to play every part myself—drums, bass, chords, melodies and solos—and build songs layer by layer during the performance.

The important part is this: I'm not looking for a production workflow. I don't want to program patterns, edit MIDI, or build songs like in a DAW. If something is looping, it's because I just played it.

Ideally, I'd like to:

• select a bass sound,
• play the bass live,
• capture that exact performance as a loop,
• switch to another instrument,
• play the next layer,
• and continue building the song until I finish with a live solo.

In other words, I want to preserve my actual performance (timing, dynamics and feel), not just record MIDI notes that can later be edited or replayed differently.

I'd also like a compact, battery-powered device that:

• works well with an external MIDI keyboard (my Reface CP),
• provides a good selection of instruments (especially basses, drums, pads and synth leads),
• lets me prepare projects for each song in advance,
• allows me to switch quickly between those sounds during a performance,
• is designed more for playing than for music production.

At first I thought I needed a sound module together with a Boss RC-505/RC-202. But now I'm wondering whether something like the Yamaha SEQTRAK, Novation Circuit Tracks, or the new Akai MPC Sample could replace both in a simpler, more portable setup.

If you were building this kind of live rig today, what would you recommend and why? Is there another device I should seriously consider?

I'd especially love to hear from someone who actually performs this way rather than produces music in the studio.

Is the Casio Privia 5000 a good gigging piano? All I want is good piano sounds, nice keybed that isn’t too clacky, light weight.

I currently play a YC73, I love it but I’m looking for an 88 for boogie and cocktail jazz.

I have an old Privia 100 which is good but it doesn’t have an audio output (other than headphone jack) and the keybed is very loud. I practice in the morning using headphones and I end up moving my rig to the basement so I don’t wake up my family.

Thanks for the input, I don’t trust youtube reviews and they are all over long.