Re keyboard choice, and use, of: I like 60s/70s music and due to that, would it be reasonable to be looking at/learning about, synth as "weapon of choice?" I thus far don't have that much experience, in general, to be my own so-called expert and know what's best for what general purpose/use.

Thanks, for ideas, on this.
--Pat

There were a good number of keyboard sounds used through the 60s and 70s, which today are often referred to as simply "vintage" keyboard sounds. Most synths and digital pianos will have some variety of these, though some have more than others, and some do a better job at emulating the old sounds than others.

Broadly speaking, the sounds of that era you'll hear a lot of (besides piano, which is universal) would include electric pianos (Rhodes, Wurlitzer, RMI, Pianet), organs (Hammond, Vox, sometimes Farfisa or Gibson), Mellotron (strings most often, but also flutes, choir, brass), Clavinet, string ensemble (ARP/Solina most often), and a variety of analog synth sounds (Moog, ARP, Oberheim, Prophet, etc.)... though the synth sounds often require more than simply duplicating a particular sound, but also providing the tools to manipulate the sound in real time (pitch bend, modulation, filter sweeps, glide, etc.).

No one keyboard does all of this perfectly, but I would say that the board of choice would be the Nord Stage 2. Other nice boards would be anything in the Kurzweil PC3 series, Korg Kronos, and maybe Yamaha MOX/Motif series with things like the "Vintage Keys" and enhanced organ add-on packs at motifator.com. There are differences among all of these, not just in the number and quality of the sounds you're looking for, but also in the feel of the actions, the price, the weight, and the ease of doing certain kinds of things... but that should give you a start.

anotherscott;

Wow - thank you, that is a help and especially the mention of some models to look at. Most of us don't have piles of money to throw at these things, the way we'd like to, but perhaps in the range of models that you mention there may be something that I could possibly afford. Will look at those.

Again, thanks, for your help.
--Pat

No problem. Unfortunately, none of them are cheap, but the least expensive ones there would be the Yamaha MOX, the Kurzweil PC3LE (maybe PC361 if there are still any around), and the Nord Electro 3 (which is a more minimal version of the Stage 2). The Electro is not nearly as "tweakable" as any of the others, and doesn't provide much in the way of real-time sound manipulation, but it does have a big library of downloadable vintage key sounds. It is also the only one mentioned that can only play one sound at a time, which may or may not be a major limitation for you.

Another possibility could be a Roland Juno Stage with the optional SRX-07 expansion card which has lots of 60s/70s sounds on it. I know that some places seemed to be closing out the Juno Stage for under $1k not long ago, so that might be one of the cheaper ways to go too.

anotherscott;

Yup, you're right; ain't gonna' happen, at those prices unless I > play and win < the lottery. Crikeys!

Could perhaps go somewhere in the Roland range. Yes, I think at least two sounds at once could possibly be desirable, so as you say that rules out the one model. One old gem that I like (Too late to turn back now / Cornelius Bros. & Sister Rose) has piano, violins in it so that - I think - would imply the split and/or layer option. And, correct me, if that's wrong.

I also wonder this: I've read that people tend to "look down" at arranger models, as tho' they're not "real" instruments. Again, I don't have enough smarts on this topic yet, to know from whence such a judgement comes about this or that model.

Had posted elsewhere that my "goal" is (a) to get back to the garage or basement, hang with the guys, play for the fun but it could go beyond that, but I can't know that now, of course. If there is a decent model, for my "lofty dream," that you can think of - love to hear about it from those with much more experience than myself. Am here to learn, after all.

Thanks, again.
--Pat

Do you necessarily need a weighted piano type keyboard? Because, if not, you could opt for a 'work station' - ie a keyboard synthesiser with effects, and sequencing where you could make entire arrangements of pretty high quality. Also, they would normally have extensive synth programming capability so you can customise your own sounds.

There have been keyboards of this sort since the mid 80's and now they are really very comprehensive. Korg, Roland and Yamaha make really good models: the Roland Juno Di or Juno G for example seem a good deal. They do pretty good guitar and brass sections, along with 100s of drum/percussion samples too, along with pianos, organs and clavinets.

They are from around 500- 1000 dollars, I think - there's a Juno Di on ebay for $399 (although it may go up in auction).

Or, for much less, a second hand work station from the last 10 - 20 years might do what you're wanting for well under 500 dollars. But none of these would have a piano feel keybaord.

Right, I was not assuming he necessarily needs a weighted action (though some of the non-weighted actions are more tolerable than others for piano playing). The Juno Stage and Kurzweil PC361 are not weighted. The Yamaha MOX, Kurzweil PC3LE, Korg Kronos, and Nord Stage 2 are all available in both weighted and less expensive unweighted variations... though there is no inexpensive Kronos or NS2!

Another possibility could be the Korg SV-1 which only has a small portion of the vintage sounds, but does a number of them very nicely... and Korg now has a $500 rebate on it.

Yamaha MOX8 it's a no brainer for those on a budget !

All,

Again, thanks for your replies, & mention of more models to look at.

Haven't played enough yet, or on enough models, to know the "best" type of keys. Do have, however, hand me down portable keyboard to use at the time. I would say, at a guess, that the keys have an organ like feel to them. I would also guess that a decent piano sound (for some songs), either from the board and/or wonders of software, would be desirable.

In a PM someone had mentioned the wonders of a laptop/software setup, but there again, I know little of that at the moment.

Again, my thanks for your kind help; will look at models mentioned, then.
Regards,
--Pat

If you're not playing much piano, an "organ like feel" might be fine for you... so, for example, you could look at the less expensive MOX6 instead of the MOX8. But the more you're using it for piano, the more you'll prefer a keyboard with a weighted "piano like feel." Of course, that's not a great feel for playing organ! That's one reason why so many people eventually end up with two boards rather than one. And MIDI allows you to mix and match two boards such that you could play the sounds from either board from either keyboard, so you're not restricted to only playing the weighted board's sounds from the weighted action and vice versa.

Yes, I can begin to see how the "madness" starts, and one ends with more than 1 board to play. ;-) Which, leads to a laptop and software, and... ;-)

More to look at, and ponder, I'll say.

Thanks,
--Pat

In addition to hardware synths, it may be cheaper (and possibly better) to use software synths. I recommend you consider Native Instruments Komplete. The latest version 6 is Native Instruments Komplete here. You can research the sounds provided and if you don't want the whole set, you can buy the individual packages too. I have Komplete and while it isn't perfect, it is very good and a bargain too.

Using software for sound is a good option. but you still have to decide on a key action style. There are weighted hammer piano action keys and there is "synth action" keys that just have light springs under them. You almost certainly will want a pitch bend and mod wheel for the kind of music you describe.

In the past the software would need a good size computer but now you can run it on an iPad if you like. But most is still on the computer. You'd be using software like Kontakt or Logic

Going back to the key action some have "after touch" which in this context, means they are sensitive to pressure after they have bottomed out. Some people like this. The pressure can be assigned to various functions like vibrato or bends.

If you do the sound is software you can use a much less expensive keyboard

Guys,

Thanks, again; will check on software mentioned, and look for boards that may be avail. in area stores, to get the "feel" of a unit's keys.

As I say, I'm a rookie at this and all I can say is what type of music that I like in regard to what board (or boards) may be a good tool; that in turn may be dictated by what one can afford, of course. There is always that reality, to contend with. Unlike D.C., (Disneyland Central), the rest of us have to live within a budget.

Advice has been appreciated; my thanks, for your time, and comments.
--Pat

If the budget is limited, you might want to look at the Casio WK series - a lot of bang for the buck.

voxpops;

"Vox," as in the ol' Paul Revere and The Raiders day of using Vox amps, on one of the old Dick Clark shows? ;-) Am going to buy one of those someday - a small one - purely for a bit of nostalgia and to help recall my lost youth. Have done dumber things with money, so, won't be the first or last time. LOL!

Indeed, will check budget category that you mention; thanks.

Adivce appreciated, from all.
--Pat