Looking for a second keybord to add at my setup

[Il_fulgon's12]

Hi there,
I'm looking for a second keybord to add to my setup, now i've got a Yamaha Mo8, I like it so much and of course I don't want to replace it.
However I'm playing in a rock cover band and for some songs I'm in a bit of trouble 'cause I don't know how to play them.
So i decided to start looking for some "new" keybords but still don't really know what I'm looking for.
After a little research I've found some Yamaha keybords with 61 keys like the Yamaha CS2X ( I don't know what's the best number of keys for a second keybord ) and I don't know if I should take a Yamaha keybord 'cause of the Mo8.
What I need is of couse a smooth keybord with easy access to its functions because I'm now playing in live concerts so I need something useful and convenient.
I don't know if is better to take something new or something old but I think I'll prefer old ones because I like how they are made and I think that if it is a Yamaha keybord it could be better.
If you have any suggestion, let me know.
Thank you so much.
Bye

 

[Biggles]

You will also need something reliable.

Are you going to get that with a 20 year old keyboard?

Why not consider a MODX6?

Same make as you are used to, 14 1/2 lbs in weight, available for less than £1,000, plenty of sounds onboard.

 

[Il_fulgon's12]

Yeah I understand what you mean but I don't really like those keybords that has a big touch screen and that are too new because if something happen I don't know what to do, if it is an old one I can fix it or it can be fixed by someone more skilled you know.
I've tried to considering some new keybords but idk, they seem full of things that can easily break.
You're also right because I suppose that they are really reliable.

 

[Il_fulgon's12]

But this however sounds interesting, do you know something else about that?

 

[Rayblewit]

This will tell you all about it . .

MODX - Overview - Yamaha - Music - Australia

Empower your creativity, take control and stand out from the crowd with MODX: a compact, lightweight synthesizer designed for inspired music-making. The MODX features the same technology as MONTAGE synthesizer modernized for amazing sound playback and complex sound design.

au.yamaha.com

 

[Il_fulgon's12]

Thank you Ray

 

[happyrat1]

Why duplicate ROMplers on the same rack?

Wouldn't it make more sense to expand the palette to include a good quality Virtual Analog or Analog synth?

Personally if on a budget, go for a Studiologic Sledge. Or if money's no object, get a Dave Smith Prophet.

You instantly double your range and your value as a keyboard player

 

[Il_fulgon's12]

Ok so you think I shouldn't take another Yamaha 'cause I can upgrade my setup easier with another synthesizer to expand my sound bank and to have more opportunity.
Thank you I think I'll go searching for the studiologic sledge

 

[zstringer999]

I'd get the Yamaha ck61. I use it in a cover band and it provides all the sounds I need. Easy to switch between payches. Plus it only weighs 11 lbs so it's easy to transport.

 

[BleugrassBoy]

+1 for considering the CK61. Lightweight. Good keyboard. Several good preprogrammed voice/live sets. Decent fake Organ w drawbars. Quickly changes (needed for live gigs).
Of course you can go down a rabbit hole with very capable synths/virtual synths w more customizable voices. But that will require an investment of time to learn that skill. Do you have that much time? Or do you prefer quick,easy , and “good enough”? You can guess what I chose.

 

[Il_fulgon's12]

nope i want to spend time on the keybord to learn every single mode or voice that I can use in studio, or live.
Thank you for this advice, I'll sure take a look but don't know because I've already got a Yamaha, but anyway give a chance to this keybord, thank you very much

 

[keyboardpal]

I play on and off in a band and do several solo shows.....I mean JUST ME! The Yamaha GENOS has become my favorite and standard for everything. I own 5 boards of various dates going back to the D-50.
Now I have the D-50 in its rack version!
But most all its sounds are in the GENOS! All the other boards are gathering dust on the stands!
Whether classical. liturgical, pop, C&W, or easy listening, the GENOS has me covered. If with a band or drummer, I just turn that part off with the simple swipe of a slider.
Unbelievable sampled and synthesized sounds. Check it out online!
It is perfect for LIVE performances!!!!

 

[mwtzzz]

I play in cover bands (we play all styles of music from the 50s through today). I use a Nord Stage 3 on the bottom tier for my piano, organ, EP, Clav, and some synth, sounds; I use a Roland D-50 on the top tier for synths, strings, brass, and pads.

Sometimes I swap one of my other 80s keyboards in place of the D-50.

 

[jmemcse]

CK61 might be a good pick. It has better pianos the the Roland VR-09, but the organ and synth are better on the VR-09.

VR-09 is fast to use on the fly and is very dependable. I can do any gig on a VR-09 with confidence. If I owned CK61 I might say the same thing... all I've done is watch YouTube videos of the Yamaha. If you plan on a lot of piano, skip the VR-09. If you wanna rock out on organ go with the Roland. - Jim

 

[happyrat1]

ROMplers, ROMplers, ROMplers... meh

I cannot begin to stress how satisfying it is to twiddle a few knobs and shape a waveform into a screaming chorus of angels or a crescendo of strings, but modelling sound is not only a useful skill to acquire but also will fill in a gap where the VA features of most ROMpler type workstations will be so obscure and buried ten layers deep they won't be worth using.

One Knob per parameter. The way god intended it.