Any suggestions for which keyboard / synthesizer to buy ?

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nick.knack91011

Forerunner
So I used to play keyboard growing up in school at sorta intermediate level in a band etc but its been a decade I havent played. I own an old yamaha psr 530 which still works great..

Anyway, my mom plays harmonium etc and she now started playing keyboard but also I was thinking of starting again. Having said all that the whole scene has changed so much I have no idea what to look for in a keyboard , I would obviously want it to be able to connect to a DAW ( which also I want to learn but damn work ) but also my mom requires for it to have indian beats ( Also how do modern keyboards work ? I assume you can connect them to a DAW or download beats / rhythms on to them or something as she isnt tech savy enough to use a DAW ? ) . Like i said I have no Idea what to look for .

I would probably sell of my psr 530 for 6k - 7k ( I should right ? its build quality is still amazing tbh) and my budget around 15k and 20k I f I really have to strech it.

I think @red dragon is in production so maybe you can chime in or if you know someone that can help ? @Rockfella or anyone that can help would be appreciated too !
 
Are you looking for a MIDI keyboard? You can probably use your Yamaha keyboard as midi input device. In "host select" switch on to MIDI and connect your interface to the keyboard with a MIDI cable.
You can get plenty of nice MIDI keyboards for your budget.
If it's not MIDI, there are literally thousands of digital keyboards in your budget, BUT you won't find any joy playing them ( those damn non weighted keys..)
If space is not a problem buy a 88 key fully weighted MIDI keyboard and use it with a laptop ( you can entirely skip the audio interface for now), there are thousands of free vsti available ( including Indian instruments)
Regarding DAW, just get a free copy of Cakewalk Sonar, it has a fantastic sequencer for " beat making"
My sincere advice would be not to get a new keyboard for now, get yourself familiar with the very basics of digital audio recording at home and use your existing keyboard ( PSR 530 is an absolutely awesome keyboard even today, I have used the 730) to the fullest.
I'm not sure of the current pricing of new arranger keyboards, but good ones should cost a bomb.
With present days software sampling technology you really don't need another digital keyboard, just use a laptop with it..you will have a great workstation.
Can't seem to upload picture of my current super portable ( and inexpensive) setup, just a laptop, a 25 key Arturia midi keyboard and headphones...that's it!
 
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Not really sure , when I was growing up piano was very expensive so I got psr 530 to learn on s. But I only used it sort of like piano and sometimes play songs with the styles / ryhthms they provide but never really as a MIDI keyboard.

Well the whole reason for buying new one is now that I dont get time my mom plays it and she wants something that has ' Indian beats ' as she uses it to practice bhajans with Indian beats while signing. I think use with a DAW etc is for me but thats for later when I start getting time again . What I want is as she isnt tech savy and not good at computers , is there a way you can load feed up those beats etc on the synth so that she can just select one and play with it as I cant do that on my yamaha.

I am sorry actually I should have read up on everything , I am just not sure what is vsti and have never used keyboards as midi keyboard but more just as a piano sort of. And yes the idea is to get 88 key fully weighted keyboard yes if I can find one at reasoanble price. But basically whole point is for it to be easy for her to do all that stuff directly form keyboard and not need a computer ( I can set it up though if needed ) and have easy learning curve for her.

I actually should read everything up I guess first, psr 530 is still working fantastic for me but its also over 10 years old so if an upgrade isnt super costly and helps her then thats what I am looking for.

Is there a site etc I should check for understanding all these basics ?

Anyway I will try to learn a bit more and then shoot some questions at you if thats okay ?
 
Absolutely, any time mate..I don't know if you can "load" anything in the Synth itself without being tethered to a computer.
 
red dragon said:
Absolutely, any time mate..I don't know if you can "load" anything in the Synth itself without being tethered to a computer.
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Right so I asked her and she said she didnt want 88 keys one as its too big for now and wants indian beats as she doesnt want to spend any time on learning pc lol

Anyways so she was recommended two models from someone who teaches her Casio ct-x9000In and yamaha psr-i500 ( both for around 20k and both have slightly lower models in ct-x8000 and i400 at 16k )

Also ctx 870 and 700 were suggested if she didnt want to spend too much ( both around 10 k )

So , I have 2 confusions first is either i could get the one of 16k or even 10k models and keep my psr or sell it and get the better one ? What do you think should be better ? ( I might be able to sell psr530 for 10k )

And secondly can you glance over the above models specs etc if you get time and just see I dont want to miss any feature or detail that might be useful later ? I tried to compare but I was overwhelmed and didnt understand that much !

I will try to later go to store nearby if possible in couple of days to see one in use and maybe check keybed quality etc
 
Strictly my humble opinion...I have never played or seen any of those keyboards..buy the cheaper one.
But to me, playability is the only thing that matters in a digital keyboard ( all I need is a good playable keyboard with proper usable sustain pedal slot in a reasonable position) but I'm already heavily invested in hundreds of Kontakt libraries so not worried about the sample quantity or quality.
Keep the PSR man!! I've used the 730, the keys are really good. Moreover nothing beats the feeling of playing 2 keyboards with both hands simultaneously.
PXL_20210317_115952952.jpg
You're asking advice for keyboards from a person, who's presently doing all the work using this setup!!
A 2019 i5 laptop, the cheapest Arturia midi controller, a Bluetooth headphones ( total cost around 1300EUR when new, now possibly not even 500EUR) However the laptop has software worth way more than 2000EUR ( entire Arturia collection, Komplete full version, 800 vst/ vsti)!! Strange times indeed!!
 
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red dragon said:
Keep the PSR man!! I've used the 730, the keys are really good. Moreover nothing beats the feeling of playing 2 keyboards with both hands simultaneously.
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red dragon said:
Strictly my humble opinion...I have never played or seen any of those keyboards..buy the cheaper one.
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Hmm thats what I am thinking tbh but someone offered great value for psr. Honestly you are right I feel the quality of keys of older models was way better and construction , i will most likely get cheapest one and keep old psr ! Thanks
red dragon said:
You're asking advice for keyboards from a person, who's presently doing all the work using this setup!!
A 2019 i5 laptop, the cheapest Arturia midi controller, a Bluetooth headphones ( total cost around 1300EUR when new, now possibly not even 500EUR) However the laptop has software worth way more than 2000EUR ( entire Arturia collection, Komplete full version, 800 vst/ vsti)!! Strange times indeed!!
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Haha that setup is crazy tbh this seems to be becoming more and more common now small midi controllers, powerful laptop and maybe even guitar seem enough now !
 
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