Digital piano directly through a keyboard/synth?

[Joe Garfield]

My ideal instrument would be a decent arranger with some decent signal processing power and a nice weighted/hammer action keyboard. If one exists, I can't afford it (been looking at the Yamaha DGX-640 but the keys action isn't great). So I was thinking if I could start with either a digital piano, or a less expensive work station, I could eventually build what I want.

Is it possible? What would I need to look for (inputs/outputs??

If I got a digital piano with a nice piano sound, would I lose the actual sound by using the piano as a midi controller driving the synth/keyboard?

I appreciate any other relevant information. I am totally new to this and don't really understand midi. Right now my price range is probably around $400 per piece (there are some nice used $400 synths or workstations locally, as well as some digi pianos with pretty nice action.

 

[happyrat1]

You can use almost any MIDI enabled keyboard to control almost any other MIDI enabled synth Joe. No problems there.

I realize you poo pooed Casio keyboards earler for some reason but take a look at the Privia PX-3S, which, though being phased out, still makes a hell of a good MIDI controller as well as having a decent compliment of voices on its own. The fact that it's being replaced by the PX-5S actually means that it's hugely discounted nowadays.

BTW, the PX-3S is a professional grade stage instrument so it doesn't have any built in speakers.

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-PX3S-Se...?ie=UTF8&qid=1381102796&sr=8-1&keywords=px-3s

 

[Joe Garfield]

Funny you should mention that I don't like Casio keyboard keys but their digital pianos are not so bad. There is a Casio CDP-100 at a somewhat local Guitar Center. It is a very basic digital piano, with very good reviews regarding it's key action and it's sound (mostly when played through the audio out jack). It has Midi in/out, and is listed at $230.
http://www.amazon.com/Casio-CDP-100...e=UTF8&qid=1381123170&sr=8-1&keywords=cdp-100

I could play around with it for a while, and later get myself a little 61 key arranger or synth and play around with accompaniment or make some background tracks.

The more I play with weighted keys and quality piano sounds, the more I want them. I almost want to drop the guitar lessons and switch to piano... :/