Re: [LAU] OT: Portable Keyboard

My Yamaha PSR-255GM is 36" wide, 14" deep, 5.5" high. Has 61 keys,
decent speakers built in, and one line out. It lacks any connection for
a volume pedal or any other control widgets, although it has a
connection for a foot switch. The keyboard can even run on batteries.

The PSR-740 I use in our church band has roughly the same keys, is a bit
wider and deeper, better built in speakers and stereo line outs. Also
offers foot switch, volume pedal, a pitch bend controller and a
modulation controller that by default tries to function like a
lightweight imitation of a Leslie speaker. The foot switch, pedal and
both controllers are configurable via the keyboard's LCD menus. It has a
lot of capabilities (including drum machine functions, etc) because it's
sort of designed to be a "one-man-band" instrument. It even has a mic in
connection and an assortment of DSP tricks you can use on an incoming
voice (such as generating a three-voice chorus accompaniment from it).

I'm very partial to Yamahas, I think they have the best built-in sounds. ;-)

Of course, neither of them is made anymore, but perhaps later PSR models
would be suitable. Don't know how it compares to your Evolution.

Simon Williams wrote:
> Hello everyone.
> I'm posting here more out of desperation- I simply cannot find what I'm
> looking for anywhere.
>
> Basically I'm looking to replace my Evolution MK-461c midi controller
> with something of a little bit better quality, and something capable of
> producing it's own sounds (relying on a computer is often quite
> inconvenient, especially since I haven't yet managed to find/setup good
> enough quality sounds).
>
> The main problem I'm having is finding something portable. My MK is 5
> octaves (61 keys), and measures approx 97cm x 23cm x 9cm. The main point
> is that this thing is a long rectangle. Every single other 5 octave
> keyboard is getting on for square- with the same length, but having a
> depth of about 60cm instead of 23cm. What is going on? I know they put
> the speakers in there, but seriously? That's hardly portable, and I
> *know* the additional electronics doesn't need to take up that much
> room. The other serious problem with these is that they aren't even flat
> squares - that I might be able to deal with, but all the ones I have
> seen are more like wedge shapes and end up being stupidly high at the
> back as well (again, well over twice the height of my MK).
>
> The other major problem I have is that I need line out rather than just
> a headphones socket. The main problem with the headphones socket (aside
> from not really being as good for connecting to a PA system) is that it
> mutes the speakers, which isn't very helpful since I'm likely to be
> using PA systems without foldback capability. It seems that I have to go
> to digital piano before I get line out.
>
> Actually, weighted keys would be nice, but again, I have to go to
> digitial piano to get that, and digital piano's are all 7.5-8 octaves,
> which doesn't fit in my car. I've considered the possibility of a 6
> octave, but I don't think that will fit either.
>
> Does such thing as a "portable keyboard" suitable for live performance
> actually exist?
>
> Oh- one other thing- price is a major consideration (I originally bought
> the MK because it was cheap).
>
> I like the sound of Yamahas, and I nearly bought a PSR-E403 off ebay,
> until I saw a better picture and discovered that it's a stupidly high
> wedge, and that it has no line out.
>
> Please, can anybody help me?

-- 
David
gnome@email-addr-hidden
authenticity, honesty, community
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