Cost effective keyboard solutions

[ldavis]

Anyone have suggestions as keyboard solutions that are very inexpensive? I am and will always be a guitar player first but when the songs are worked out, I would like to arrange some simple keyboard parts into the mix.

[RiffLearner]

How do you define "very inexpensive?" I know Line6 has a new keyboard coming out soon under their TonePort line, might not be too bad.

You can pick up MIDI keyboards for less than $200, but then you also need the software and a computer powerful enough to get the sounds you want.

I think you can get a pretty great keyboard by Yamaha or Korg or Roland for under $2,000, probably less if it's used.

[randy]

Ebay and Craigslist are your friends when it comes to finding used gear. If you're looking for a straight up keyboard with built in voices/patches, then try to find one that has the particular sound you're looking for. You can always spice of the sound of a cheap keyboard by adding various FX. Do you want velocity sensitive and/or semi-weighted keys?

Here are all the buy-it-now keyboards on ebay. I have it sorted by the highest to lowest prices, so just skip ahead a few pages if you're price range is under $2k.

http://instruments.search.ebay.com/keyboard_Keyboard-Piano_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfasiZ1QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ3QQsacatZ16217QQsascsZ2QQsbrbinZtQQsbrsrtZl

[ldavis]

Thanks,

I am not really even thinking about 4 digits. Wayyyyy below that. I just want to add some voicings to my recordings to help get some depth.

[mickeymix]

check this out dude

http://www.gearwire.com/mov/Line_6_Tone_Port_KB37.mov

I'm waiting for that!!!

[mickeymix]

$100 more then the toneport UX2 makes it about $300 bucks.......not bad.......

[thunderdrums]

I was checking out a Casio wk-3200/3700 they run about $249/$349 online

it has really nice sounds and can be plugged into the UX1/2 just like a guitar.

you cant synch its sequencer unless you have a midi port , but its a nice alternative to spending over a grande.

[Maxe]

If you somehow have a spare computer, you could also consider to buy a simple keyboard cotroller (a midi keyboard without any sounds) and the get some nice vst instruments for your extra computer. I just installed a free (on computer musics cover DVD) vst instrument - and it has some very cool sounds. That's a REALLY cheap solution - if you have a spare computer. The trick is to feed your toneport / POD, or whatever you use to connect to RiffWorks, with the output of your spare computer. Here in Denmark you can find a decent Keyboard controller for about 70$.
Just an idea...

[ldavis]

check yhis out dude

http://www.gearwire.com/mov/Line_6_Tone_Port_KB37.mov

I'm waiting for that!!!

Thanks,

I think that's what I'm looking for. Just have to wait now.

[mickeymix]

Yeah ........I'm waiting TOO!!!!!
I have an Evolution Mk-361C 61 key midi controllable assignable touch sensitive keyboard that takes up so much space in my room, that I have never used it with RiffWorks........ and I was gonna get a TonePort anyways, so I might as well wait for this!