Looking for a multi function 61 key keyboard.

[Rat-king]

I've currently got a yamaha ez-30, it's very old, and getting quite ropey.

So I'm looking at a new one. I'm trying to look at what's available, and it's a minefield, there's so many options.

So I'm hoping to get some advice. I've got a list of features, and a keyboard that I think is good that I'd like to know if people rate it highly.

I'm looking for something with a large selection of sounds/instruments. The ability to split the keyboard, so you have two different sounds on each half. A pitch wheel (I just think they're neat). And the ability to make loops, so I can play some drum sounds, and have them loop in the background. And I'd like to spend less than £500, and if possible less than £400.

I've been looking around, and have found the casio ct-x5000. It seems to have all the features I'm looking for.

So I'm wondering what people recommend that's has the stuff I'm looking for. And what people think of the casio I found.

 

[happyrat1]

Casio makes some very sturdy, functional starter keyboards, but if I were you I'd look at the CTK-6600 or 7600 instead. The DIN midi ports alone are worth their weight in gold.

 

[happyrat1]

 

[seanL122]

Before you buy a Casio, make sure you hear the voices in person before you buy it.

If you are looking for a cheap-but-great instrument, I love my Roland Go:Keys3. The sounds are awesome; the action is not.

My mini-review of the Go:Keys3 is here on this forum:

Roland GO:KEYS 3 Questions

After much searching, I have come to the conclusion that the Roland GO:KEYS 3 best serves my needs. One such need is a good sounding keyboard that allows me to play in the back seat of my car whenever we go on long trips. The first question I have is with the instruments. They advertise that...

www.keyboardforums.com

It definitely will meet your needs of having lots of great voices, splitting the keyboard, and it has a pitch wheel (but no mod wheel). It has minimal record features, and it can't make loops. It has lots of "styles" for machine-based-robotic-preset accompaniment, but I never use them. I do looping and recording on my iphone and ipad, and sometimes play it back through the Roland Go:Keys3 via Bluetooth. The price is still under $400, and I love the thing. The only keyboard that I play more than the Roland Go:Keys3 is my Yamaha Reface YC organ.

Sean L122

 

[Biggles]

I bought a CT X7000 as a temporary keyboard, it arrived on a Friday, and returned the following Monday.

What a load of rubbish, terrible sounds, worst operating system and useless manual.

If you still want a Casio, then do buy from a source that has free returns then at least you can give it a good try out.

Before you order, watch the available Video Tutorials and download and study the Manuals.

 

[happyrat1]

The voices on higher end Casios are quite tweakable. They only suck out of the box.