Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    The MKB-1000 has been discontinued--and thank the heavens.  It weighed
    in at something around 120 pounds!  I think that is on par with the
    Midiboard.  Also, the last time I priced it, it was closer to $2000,
    than to the $1400 that you can easily get a KX88 for (There are some in
    the Want Advertiser for $1000 even). (but that was two years ago, so
    that is probably out of date). Personally, I'm not getting any synth
    gear that I can't carry at least twenty yards... If its going to be
    that heavy, it might as well be a CP80M. 
    
    
    How much does the MKB-300 weigh?  How many keys is it?  Roland is
    rumored to be revamping its controllers for the next NAMM, so fire
    sales have been happening on all their current controllers.

    Steph

	Don't forget LaSalle's sellout of the MKB-200 for $399.  Touch 
sensitive, can control two midi channels...  It's by no means extensive as
a controller, but at $400, it'd be a good start for someone needing touch 
sensitivity.

	Dan

	Just stopped in to the stores in Boston.  The MKB-300 is selling
for $595.  At Daddy's, anyway.  Not weighted keys (can't remember if this was
mentioned).  Full size keyboard (at least 73 keys, anyway).

	Dan

    It is my impression that the MKB-300 weighs around 60 lbs (give
    or take). I haven't seen many of these around lately either. It
    would seem that Roland decided that synths with on-board keyboards
    were in the greatest demand. 
    
    As far as prices go, the last I heard, the MKB-1000 was sold for
    $1400, MKB-300 for roughly $900. Indeed, the MKB-200, at $400 is
    a dynamite deal.
    
    Eric Fultyn
    

    
    This looked like a place for this question.
    
    I'm looking for an inexpensive keyboard controller for my U-220. I
    don't need much, just something to play the U-220 sounds. Can anyone
    make some suggestions?? I've that heard CASIO and YAMAHA make some pretty
    inexpensive models. One guy quoted me 295.00 for the YAMAHA YPR20 (61
    keys). Is there something even less expensive??
    
    The real cheapo stuff at dept store would be fine, but these don't 
    have any MIDI IN/OUT. 
    
    Phil

Look in places like Service Merchandise.  They tend to have consumer KBs pretty
cheaply, and the high-end consumer models have MIDI.  A friend of mine got a
Casio CT655 at Lechemere recently (did not say how much he paid).  He then
looked in Service Merchandise and found he could get the next model up for the
same price.

This particular model has some fairly nice sounds, but is not touch sensitive.
From the keyboard, it was polyphonic (of course), but only unitimbral.  I think
he said you could get multiple timbres with midi in, but I'm not sure.  Sounds
like it would probably only transmit on a single midi channel, though.

Burns

P.S.  If CT655 is not a real Casio number, try SCT74.  One number is the Casio
and the other is a Radio Shack cassette machine.  I had them written on a
single sheet of paper unlabeled!

Personally, I'd wait and get a touch-sensitive controller. The Kawai K1-II is
down to something under $500, I think, at Sam Ash, and has both velocity- and
aftertouch-sensitivity. Well worth the difference, IMHO.

Bob

>>Look in places like Service Merchandise.  They tend to have consumer KBs pretty
    That's a good idea! I really don't want to spend $500 on a controller,
    or I would have just sprung the extra 450-500 for a U-20 instead of
    U-220. It seems like touch sensitivity would be nice, but not being a 
    keyboard player, I haven't give it much thought. 
    
    You know, for the longest time I got by with a few guitars and an amp
    (no effects even!). But ever since I really got back into music full 
    force, and then into midi and home recording, I've developed this urge
    to buy lots of new equipment. For instance, I definitely need another
    amplifier :-). Buying a new PC is right around the corner...should
    probably go check out one of those guitar effects processers...maybe
    an inexpensive mixer and some studio monitors...
    
    Phil (who just brought 2 guitars to a dealer for consignment sale)

    re .6: SCT74... Isn't that the muffler bracket for a '73 Toyota?  :-)
    
    	Eirikur
    

...or for $40 bucks you could jump on the DH200 bandwagon.  It's not a
keyboard, but if you can only play one note at a time, it shouldn't
matter much if you play them on a sax or a keyboard, no?

    You know, I have considered that. A guy here in the office 
    just got one and brought it in. $40 bucks is probably worth it.
    

    
    
    	For a low cost keyborb only, you should look at the Roland line
    of "computer" midi keyboards. The PC200 has velocity and many other
    features.
    
    		Steve Peters
    

    
    Yeah, Actually I talked to a guy at Sam Ash about that board. He gave
    me a price of 495.00. I wasn't really thinkning of velocity etc..
    but it looks now like the absolute cheapest midi keyboard I'll find 
    is $300 anyway. The extra 150.00 or so may be worth it. Hmmmm....
    Thanks for all this input, it's all helpful.
    
    Phil

    I recall seeing a Casio for about $100 at Montgomery Wards that had
    MIDI outputs on it.  I think.  It looked pretty cheap though.
    
    Byron

    
    $100??? Wow, even at servicie merchandise the cheapest MIDI board
    I saw was aprrox. $300. Ok. I'll check Wards in my area. 
    I may just fork over the 3-500 for something beter.
    
    Phil

    	Daddy's is having a "basement" sale this Saturday at their
    Manchester store from 10:00-??:??.  You might find some acceptable
    used keyboard to use as a controller.  The other thing to consider is
    a Casio VZ-1 which is a 5 octave velocity sensitive keyboard with some
    pretty decent sounds as well, which Sam Ash was selling in the low
    $400s last I checked.
    
    Brian
    

    Thanks Brian!! Unfortunately, I have a feeling Daddy's is far from
    Berwyn,IL  :-). I did find this though. Yamaha YPR20,touch sensitive
    61 keys, MIDI. 299.00. From Rhythm City in Atlanta
    
    Phil