What Size Keyboard, Synth or Digital Piano is Best For You? 

I published this video in a different order than first intended. My video "WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A KEYBOARD SYNTH ACTION" is coming soon!

When I bought my first workstation synthesizer, I went for the weighted 88 key variant, because I wanted to play proper piano style and I could not afford two expensive keyboards at once. So, I was stuck with the weighted action for playing every sound it provided. Over time, I found that I actually liked the heavier action for almost all things better than regular synth action. Once my fingers were used to the additional force necessary to play on it, I could get more nuanced velocity levels out of it, which benefited playing all velocity sensitive sounds. Also, I find it easier to play fast lines on weighted action keys for the better response of the keys and also because it is not as easy to accidentally play two neighboring keys at once. Now, the only thing that isn't all that great are organ glissandi, they are really difficult to get out of those heavier keys. So, in short, my 2 cents on weighted action keys are: if you put in the practice, you may be surprised at what you get out of it.

This was very helpful, thank you for making this video!

So useful! Thank you!

super helpful, thank you sir!!

Coming from a (classical) piano background and wanting to step into digital music making and studio recording, this was rather helpful. Was thinking that full sized weighted keys would be great! (feels like a piano, my home base), but with your take on how snappy the lower action keys are, I'm actually now considering getting a smaller lower action one, as this would be used to input music into my daw, of course, sometimes for piano, but mostly as a midi controller for other instruments. As for size, you did give me a lot of insight in the pros and cons for the different sizes and since I won't be needing a full 88 keys range for this purpose, I suppose 49 would actually be ideal. 25 seems to small, but 49 would seem like a nice range for single handed input. many thanks! now i'm gonna watch your more in depth video on key action! once again, thanks so much for this video!

Before I bought my first board, I had tried weighted keybeds and thought they felt so much better. Once I got a synth (not weighted, 61 keys) and actually began to play the kind of things I now like to play, I changed my mind. I'd still love an 88 with semi-weighted for piano stuff, but I think the 61-76 range is much better for a hack like me. One of my favourite keyboards for composing though was a 32! An Keystation mini! Yes, the keys were tiny and there were too few of them, but it was a really handy tool and I miss it. One of the things I didn't like about the Kross (61) when I got it was having the mod wheels above rather than to the side. But having had the thing on my desk for two years, I am so glad they did that now.

That's was really interesting. I've never seen a video on this before and it's something I'd wish I'd watched years ago. A much overlooked topic.

I have at least one each of most of the formats you describe. The sweet spot for me is 76 keys and, if there is not too much piano playing, a good synth keybed, as the Montage 6 or 7 superb FSX, works fine. For classical playing, the Kawai VPC1 controller is a wonderful one, paired with quality VSTs as the VSL Synchron pianos. For synth playing, a Montage 6 does it (I wish it was a 7, but was a pretty good offer used). And for arranger playing, the Genos, also with FSX but 76 keys, is perfect. Then the MIDI controllers, as the Arturia Keylab 61 MkII or the NI Komplete Kontrol S61 MkII do also a nice work. For portability, the NI Komplete M32 is a good one. I have also some 25 keyers, as the Xio Synth. All in all, each size and type has its usefulness!. If I should select just one, a 76 keys FSX keybed could do for me

An excellent and necessary presentation for keyboardists. Thank you, Woody. For me, coming from a gigging background I've used various 61/76/&88 keys over the years. I settled on a synth action Roland Fantom 76 key a few years ago for ease of transportation compared to an 88 since most of my gigs are in cover bands and of the pop/rock variety. I don't miss the 88 weighted action keys on these gigs since most gigs for me are synth/organ with occasional acoustic piano or electric piano requirements. Whenever hired to record some tracks the Fantom 76 works out just fine. No more are the days of transporting 3 keyboards. to a gig. The older I get the heavier those boards become. Less is more. 🎹🔈

So informative thank u so much

I first started with a 61-key Casio, then bought a 49-key Roland MIDI controller for my desk. Then got an 88-key weighted Yamaha digital piano. I loved the action and extra range but it is a challenge to transport and it takes a lot of room in my tiny apartment. So I bought a 76-key Yamaha PSR-EW410, which IMO is the right blend of range and space. I would've kept it if only it had weighted keys. I eventually sold it and settled on a Korg Kross. :)

As a pianist, I am really happiest with an 88-key hammer action, preferably a fairly heavy one. I really need to have proper resistance when I play to properly manage dynamics and even to get the expected key response on complex passages. I'm also most comfortable with the full range, so I don't need to constantly worry about running out of notes, especially at the high end. For organ or synth, a lighter action is ok, and I can see where the lighter action is useful for smears and palm techniques, but I don't really enjoy playing on a keyboard like that. I own a couple of 60-note instruments (Roland Jupiter 80, Waldorf Quantum) and even a couple of 37 key instruments (Korg ModWave, Korg WaveState, Behrenger Poly-D). These keyboards are useful to have sometimes, but I'll usually play these instruments MIDI'd from an 88-key keyboard, so I don't have to deal with the short keyboards and springly key feel. I suppose that people who are mostly organists or who aren't really keyboardists might be happy with small, springy keyboards, but I think that they're just awful, and I avoid them like the plague.

Great overview and interesting considerations, Woody 👍 As for me, I'm playing both a 37 MINI-key controller (Arturia Keystep 37) and a synth wirh 73 standard-sized keys (ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe). Both have aftertouch which I find highly desirabale for synthing, the former per channel and the latter polyphonc. Keys are semi-weighted which is not really apparent on the MINI. For the real piano feel I keep one of these highly affordable and recommendable KORG D1s with its trusty RH3 weighted hammer-action keybed.

Great video Woody. The best midi mini keyboards I’ve tried so far are the Komplete Kontrol M32 (with spring system! It’s very rare on those small keys) and after that the Korg Microkey (the keys have enough space when you press, and feels great)

Thanks for this informative video, been struggling into these details for weeks to understand pros and cons. Ended up with a set of Korg wavestate and roland rd2000. Perfect for everything.

Couldn't agree more. 61 is almost perfect for most types of music and what almost every synth I owned and grew up with had. But 49 is a nice desktop size for sure. Those are the sweet spots for myself.

As for number of keys, I consider 61-keys as my recommended minimum, though 49-keys is also fine for me if I really need portability. 76-keys is perfect range for me since I am not a classical pianist and I do not need the full top and bottom keys of the keyboard. But there's very few models that offer 76 keys. 88-keys is more than enough for me and I'd rather get a weighted 76-key whenever that's available.

I use an 88 key usb midi controller for general playing but for programming I use a 49 key. For pure hardware keyboards 61 keys seems to suit me well.

I tend to like 73 keys for the advanced timbres that become available with the extra keys. I do have some 37 key synths but the majority of my playing is on the 73's. If I need additional timbres on the 37 key, I usually run it via MIDI.

I have a korg n264 (76 keys) that has after touch which is hard to find except in very expensive synths. For that reason, I resist selling it. It doesn’t have tremendous sounds save for a dozen or so I’m that I find intriguing but it’s got a slight vintage vibe that I dig. I mostly use an M-audio keystation 61 mkIII which lives on my living room coffee table and triggers soft synths and is wonderfully lightweight and portable. Key action is adequate. Hammer weighted doesn’t interest me as synth and organ sounds are just as important to me as piano. I learned on a synth action keyboard so what I don’t know doesn’t hurt me!

I appreciate the pragmatic approach. Mini keys aren't always lower quality for ex arturio or korg

Although I have a couple of 88 key Korgs, I mostly like the 72/76 key keyboards. I do have a 61 key Arturia Keylab MkII. Thankfully, modern MIDI keyboards let us mix and match our keyboards. I can play piano keys into a synth or semi-weighted keyboard and vice versa, depending on what kind of music I’m playing and what synth I want to hear it from.

61 to 88 full size keys, but i keep the 61 to 76 for keyboard .organ and synth stuff. so i can dial into the sounds, the 88 i use for piano only.

Nobody ever seems to cover pedals. They can be quite useful, sustaining notes while playing other parts. Or the expression pedal which can be used to control volume or filter. I got one for the MODX as it controls the "super knob".

Great stuff as ever. I think manufacturers are really missing a trick with a lack of support for narrower keys. If they quoted the octave width we would at least know what we are getting. Full size is completely arbitrary and really only suits the 25% of men who have large hands. Plus one for the microKey, it's great (and a reasonable bundle too). That said I would have bought a six inch octave synth when my D5 stopped booting. Bought a Kross. Full disclosure, guitarist so can't really play. Cheers.

I have a Roland JV1000 which I use as my main keyboard on a desk, and yes takes up all available space. It's huge and weighs a tonne (ok not quite). But when I see 61 key boards now they look really small to me and I think I'd miss those xtra keys, though I'm sure I'd adapt. I'd certainly opt for the Fantom 07 as opposed to the 06, but quite like the new Juno X too, not being a synth snob or vintage bias, what they've done with that model for the money and hands on approach is in my opinion a good thing. Just wished it could play audio files on USB for a one keyboard live solution.

f you're just starting out, 49 is about the best medium that covers 80 to 90% of anything you'd want short of weighted action. Octave up and down buttons and drum pads on a dedicated controller is just super flexible. Something to keep in mind also is a higher (more expensive) quality 49 key controller is where you'll find most often the most flexible interfaces. Having both USB and 5 pin midi along with at least a sustain pedal jack is more common on a 49 controller rather than the smaller ones. Sometimes they even have both sustain and expression jacks.

I personally use two keyboards, an 88-note stage piano on the bottom tier and a 61-note synth on the top tier of my stand. The Stage piano (Roland RD-2000) does the heavy lifting, and also doubles as a MIDI controller. It is also the reason why I drive a long car! The 61-note synth is there for when a second keyboard is needed.

88 weighted is for a professional pianist or a classical music student 73-76 for an expert live keyboard solo player or a masterkeyboard in a big studio 61 the most common, designed for POP music, it can be used on a stage or in a studio 49 a DAW MIDI keyboard or a learner's keyboard 37 for a professional monosynth or a toy keyboard 25 for a DJ or a DAW in a cramped room, or the smallest toy class Mini keys are toys for kids up to 12 years old. Older will want the real thing with full size keys.

I have a few synths and the largest ones have 61 keys. I'd really like a 73 key keyboard but space is limited in my "synth corner" of the lounge. I have the original Korg Minilogue which has mini keys and I've found them OK. The keybed which I like least of all my synths is the Moog Sub37, this keybed was a real disappointment to me. I do like the semi-weighted on on my DSI Rev2 and also the synth action keybed on the Montage6 feels nice to me. I've never really played a fully weighted one so I doubt that would suit me - I can imagine it would be a shock to the system if you've never used one before!!

I have been playing the piano for almost 50 years (preferably rather than well). My experience is that there are specific advantages with all different types of key beds. Especially when you have to play many different types of samples or emulations of instruments that should sound authentic. The keystrokes give different effects on the performance. In my opinion, it can be compared to different types of shoes for different activities. I can therefore prefer at least two keyboards as on an organ but with different touches over having a split function on a single keyboard. Some percussive instruments in need of impact are preferred on fully weighted keys as they provide more "smack". Also good for a more punchy or even a slappy bass. Then there are other virtual instruments that are less or not at all suitable with piano touches. For example, organ, string instrument and flute. IMHO.

I found some cheap Korg T2ex boards (3 for 500€). Those are basically a souped up M1, with decent sequencer. 76 keys and a disk drive for sample playback. Built like a tank, and thanks to 4 MIDI-outputs great for controlling rack synths. I do like the action of my D50 better, and of my DX7 best. A Roland D10 is also a great bargain board just as MIDI controller, it has the same keybed as the D50, but can be found under 100€.

Hey there Woody. I was in a Neil Diamond tribute band for many years. Since there were 9 members in this group, with TWO of us keyboardists to cover Neil's orchestrations, organ and piano, I always used a pair of workstations. I am NOT a pianist, my keyboard mate did ALL piano arrangements, I handled the orchestral and organ side of the music. In short, the older workstations I used always had synthesizer touch, 76 notes. I upgraded and bought a pair of Korg Kronos. They are the 73 note models. I had to LEARN how to play their patented grand piano keyboards. The 61 note with synth touch was too small. Strings and brass in Neil's music run into the extra octave, so I had to settle for the 73 note models. 88 keys is just too large for this synthesist (O: (Later, Korg DID answer the call with a synth touch, 88 note Kronos.) It was always weird to me to have a grand piano feel when playing string arrangements, organ, woodwind and brass, but after a short while, I actually got into it...............well, I had no choice, but I embrace it now. Thanks for your thoughts on the subject!

Thanks for the interesting video Woody. It's strue that footprint is a big issue, and it is connected with portability, particularly with modern travel demands. Even with DPs, more than one size is needed by the public. But there are precious few shorter-than-88 DPs available. Right now I can thing of only two 73 models which have a graded weighted action. Unfortunately, the "88-is-best" brigade refuses to acknowledge the reality of how pianos are really used. Beethoven, for example, loved 73 key pianos. Sometimes I do appreciate those extra notes (beyond 73) but not enough for me to want to carry them everywhere. I am willing, however, to carry a graded weighted action DP everywhere so long as it isn't too long. This is the point that manufacturers are missing entirely. Hence the arrival of 88 key sprung action keyboards such as Liano, Piaggero and so on. Talk about getting the wrong end of the stick on the portability issue! Supposedly, some (less conventional?) pianists make good use of all 88 notes on these unpianistic actions, but in most cases the public is simply fooled into buying the wrong family instrument.

Great video, Woody. I have an 88 weighted key controller, but I often find I opt for one of my smaller, synth action keyboards for non piano sounds. I find weighted keys especially odd for organ. Of course, I'm not a trained pianist and I learnt to play on cheap 80s keyboards that didn't even have velocity, so that might have something to do with it! One thing you didn't mention is aftertouch. When choosing a controller I opted for aftertouch and bought the StudioLogic SL-88 Studio, but I do find aftertouch feels a bit less natural on weighted keys. That's probably why that combination doesn't appear so often.

I have multiple Keyboards an Arturia KeyLab 88 MK II an a KeyLab Essential 61 also Roland XP-50 and W-30 really like my Keylab 88 worth every dollar I spend.I didn't like the Key bed on it for the first couple of days.It has Fatar ketbed.I really like the feel once I got used to it got it for 900 us dollars a good price for a great Keyboard controller

nice video, i get my my 61 keyboard (yamaha ez300) because i wanted to learn how to play piano many time, and during (covid 21 lockdown), i decide to get this ez300 to start, didnt want a piano but something between, so the ez300 synthizer could be a good one 88 would be to big for a beginner )= and it's not like i could reach the first key and the last if i sit in the middle. didnt pratice very much, the only cons i found with the ez300 is that the key are very noisy

Hi, now that it has been a year more - did you find any beginner piano that will be portable and allowed in economy class hand carry airlines specifically from saudi or canada to philippines ? I want something to learn with as a beginner and will last a lifetime - same with roland fp30x but I want it to be way lighter - either synth or real weighted piano. Pls help ❤ I am looking forward to buying this piano from saudi arabia. I just bought roland fp30x from a music store yesterday - but i will return it back because of this video ❤️ I never played piano but I am really willing to learn - I hope someday you make step by step piano tutorials for beginners & I will watch day and night after buying same piano as yours. 1.) One also concern is - if you take this to your gigs - can you use a normal X piano stand to hold it in place while playing? or do you always do need a flat surface? 2.) Changing that built-in battery how hard is it to replace? Is it easily replaceable in any battery shops?

61 for synth 88 weighted for piano/electric piano, 41 for digital accordion.

Nice video Woody. I have keyboards in 25 keys (full size), 25 mini (only one with mini keys), 49 keys, 61, 76 & 88 hammer action. 61, 76 in "premium" with premium keybeds & without. I know from my first hardware synth, a Casio CZ-101, I'm not a fan of mini keys at all. They restrict your playing. My first Casio toy keyboard around 1980 had them too. If I were recommending to someone looking for a compact keyboard or on a tight budget, I'd recommend a 25 key with full size over a keyboard with more mini keys. My M-Audio Oxygen 8 has an octave switch that changes to the next octave as you press then next keys, so clever use of it allows you to play a great octave range than just the 25 keys. This keyboard works with battery operation which is nice for traveling as it fits in my small back pack. I've used it on airplanes and as a passenger in the front seat of a car many times using my iPhone synths with it. A year after getting my CZ-101 in the mid 80s, I upgraded to the CZ-1000 which is basically identical except it has full size keys. I was really glad to get rid of the mid size keys. I have a Yamaha MX49 that has 49 keys, is super compact & weighs a mere 8 lbs. Nice for taking on trips too. My favorite keyboard of my 13 is my Yamaha MODX6. So powerful, compact & just 15 lbs which is my main gigging keyboard. My Korg M1 was my favorite for ages until the MODX came out. I have two M1's still. Probably my favorite keybed action, but I really have no issues playing on the MODX6 keybed at all, and the millimeter shaved off the keys doesn't affect my playing and helped make it more compact, lighter weight and more economical. I have a Roland D-70 with 76 premium keys. I'm not a big fan of Roland's action even on their premium keyboards, but it's not bad either. My Kurzweil PC2 88 is more of a tank offer closer to piano action and feel. Generally speaking, I'm just fine playing piano on a lighter weight keybed like the MODX6 or M1. But the greater range can be nice, but I can usually adjust and prefer to gig with two 61 key keyboards. I've even extended my piano range playing on both keyboards at the same time when I need extra octaves on the top. Much easier to transport, and more compact on stage too. Anyway, I recommend against mid size keys for anyone that actually wants to play keyboards other than using it as a toy.

Helpful

I drove crazy when I saw Roland RD-64, cause the extreme notes are the same of the 88 note keyboards... For me as a pianist, it's wonderful! I Don't like 73 keys... I made lots of wedings and proms with a 49 keys (Roland PC 200 + SC 50 module). Good times! 🥰🥰🥰🎼🎼🎼

I actually like the Korg microKey's feel although I make sure to spend time on my Kurzweil K2000 to make sure my hands stay stretched out, lol!

with 88 I have a baby grand "Ibach" and an upright "Kawai" plus I'm planning to get an 88 electronic Piano. All my Synths have 61 but for the Microkorg. I also own a vintage Korg 2000 E-Piano with 76 keys - which actually for me would be enough, even with split keyboard ;-)

I like the Yamaha Reface keyboards with its 37 mini keys. Initially those mini keys felt really odd, but I'd say after a bit of playing with them for a week or so you get used to them and they actually feel pretty good, especially since the key quality of the series is very good. I bought the DX specifically to have something to easily put in a back for transport. For regular playing at home, I wouldn't use it as long as you have something with more keys and the quality of your other keyboard is decent.

For organ I think 73 key keyboards are great, just as you mentioned. I also love watefall keys. Don’t understand the purpose of the little ”lip” on regular keybeds, they just hurt my hands. Thanks for another interesting video!

Hello Woody ... Another brilliant video , mini keys are good fun but not as good a the big keys , 61 is probably the best.... Stacking keyboards is good solution to having 88 keys to play with and using a bigger table also helps with space for the laptop , for me the most important thing is to have touch sensitive keys ... Weighted keys are kinda a waste for keyboards ... Me thinks the weighted keys belong on the pianos and rightly so... For one simple reason.... Can't put a grand piano on a table ...lol.... Big thumbs flying high again from over here Woody ......👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

I'm on the market to replace my keylab 61 and of my main concern today is to find a good quality 88 keys with aftertouh (polyphonic if possible, I'm a dreamer) and a synth/light action. Actualy it doesn't exist. All I can find is piano action or "semi weghted" at best, and the light touch cheap things don't have aftertouch.

I play in rock cover bands. I am not a piano guy but recently I learnt that for some blues tricks I need a weighted keybed. Currently I am using a Studiologic Studio SL73 and a Native Kontrol S61 mkII. Yesterday I tested a Yamaha CP88 and I found the keys perfect, weighted but not heavy. I am seriously thinking to buy one. Problem is that 88 thing cannot stay on my back seat car... I would love a 76 key Native Kontrol with buttons and faders. I think Native is the perfect keybed, you can play piano on it too. All the others semi weighted midi controllers that I tested are in my opinion too soft and not allowing a serious dynamic control.

I'm wanting something that just sounds like a piano only and as little space above the keys as possible so I can set it on my pull out draw on my desk . Maybe something in the 36 inch length . This way when I want to take a break from work I can follow along on some how to play youtube videos . I think I like the 61 keys size you are showing but with just a frame big enough to hold the keys . No built in speakers just the keys . Who makes one like that ?

Of all the mini keys controllers most are crappy ones with no proper hinge mechanism and just a bendy plastic strip at the end of the keys - prone to keys snapping off - the exception seems to be Arturia which also provide pretty reasonable aftertouch response on the keystep pro/37. 88 Keys is ideal for a master keyboard if you want to split multiple synths across the range and control them all from one place (as I like to do). It's worth to keep in mind the number of pedal inputs and expression inputs (if you do zone splits, you can use different pedals for individual target synths..).. the more the better imo (assuming the keyboard lets you assign the usage of those to different layers - check the specs before buying), and keep in mind the Roland stick 'modwheel' controller prevents setting a modwheel amount and staying at that value which can be really annoying.

Yamaha reface and Korg mini keys are superb quality imo

61 key for a synth is just spot on although 49 keys are still OK as well. 88 hammer action keys for a piano of course.

I really don’t like cheap feeling keybeds. I use a Yamaha CP88 (fully weighted 88 keys) as my bottom board and a Yamaha Montage 6 as my top board (which has a lovely keybed). Some gigs I can get away with just the Montage. Best keybed I have used in the last 10 years was a Roland Jupiter 80. Top drawer keybed. Novation SL61Mk2 has one of the best keybeds on a controller keyboard.

When choosing a controller keyboard to connect to my computer (Arturia KeyLab mkII), I went with a 61 key. The price difference with the 49 key version was just over 10%, and because the pitch and mod wheels have moved from next to the keys to above them, the size difference isn't very big either. As proper synths, I have a Yamaha AN1x with an OK 61 key keyboard, and a Yamaha EX5 with a lovely 76 key semi-weighted keyboard. But the EX5 is very, very large, and weighs a whopping 22 kg.

Favorite Size for me is the 76 key models. Enough keys for 95% of Piano play. For me I can live with “Synth action” for Piano as long as It’s a high quality keybed with good adjustments for velocity and aftertouch curves. Has to have aftertouch. As I have played a lot of Yamaha and Korg, the latter which for many years used Yamaha keybeds, I’m used to the Yamaha’s little narrow keys which means on 76 keys its roughly 1 and a half key narrower than a standard Hammer 76 key Piano. No matter what you buy today, beside the 2 big ones, almost all uses Fatar beds. So if you want a quality controller buy a used 90’s Synth with 61 or 76 keys. If it has a couple “sloppy” keys it can be fixed fairly easy and you get a much better “quality” feel than any Fatar keys.

i got a 26 Key once, and soon turned around trying to sell it on the second hand market ....it's not even enough for one hand playing IMHO. 4:18

i think hammer action is nice for synthesis also ( not just piano sounds ) ... i think it's sequencing with quantization that forces the assumption. ( but i don't like to quantize many synth parts ) i really think Korg should develop a hammer action Mini key-bed ( not micro, but their Mini ) ... space is important, so is key count, so more keys in the same space makes sense. and i also agree, 73 to 76, and why is that so rare then ? ....because of space concerns, and that Mini keys are not so common, and Mini key action hasn't gotten much attention.

I wish companies expand their product lines with Bluetooth midi implementation and onboard battery which do not need even usb cable.newer laptops with this kind of midi keyboard would be great for travelling musisians. As far as ı know only the korg has 61 key Bluetooth midi option instead of roli. Yamaha reface keyboard has great keybed however does not have 61 key option and Bluetooth. I am triying to buy old yamaha pss mini keyboard with midi out. They have very good keybed and you can connect bluatootn adapter and they are battery operated.

Well I have 2 DX7, Yamaha E463 and Vital vst. What stand would you recommend for a 61 key keyboard and a keystep,,,a keystep is around half the size. im not buying any more keyboard im stuck for space in my little flat, But are there any cheap stands out there for a 61 size keyboard and a keystep. I not a very good player so i would'nt perform live anyway.

I would recommend 76 keys if 88 is not possible. I started out with 61 and very soon ran out of low notes while learning to play the piano within the 1st year. Yamaha has some nice budget ones.

I like my 76-key MODX

61-keys - if it was good enough for J.S. Bach's keyboards, claviers, organs and lautenwerk, it's good enough for me!

Thanks. I've been procrastinating for ages. It's about use really isn't it. What do you want to do and what is best for that purpose?

Which one is on your desk?

Hi what editing tool do you use for your videos

How are the Minikeys on the ASM Explorer?

I use an irig pro 37 with a module and take it on the bus.No pc needed.happy days

I'm still stuck between 49 and 61 :(

For me, the 97 keys of the Bösendorfer Grand Imperial is the ideal.

Please reply me.. I want to do sliding on keys and want smooth movement on keys.. which one should I go? I want to update from 49 into 61 or 88

There is another size you forgot, but hardly think you can find them today, it’s the 44 key ones. F - C. Generally used in Home Organs from the 70’s up thru the 90’s 😎 Yamaha still make Electones but they are only distributed in East Asia and Mexico, which is so strange .. why Mexico ? 🤔 And they are highly advanced. It’s basically like a Tyros on steroids. The top models even have aftertouch on the Pedals and horizontal aftertouch on the top keyboard. I would kill for a synth with horizontal aftertouch

hey woody do u have classical piano training?

My Kawai MP11SE weighs 34KG.

"octave shift might be a bit awkward during performance" - Louis Cole: hold my synth ... (keyboard solo at 2 minute mark) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZMI1iU7VgyI.html

37minikeys (Reface) are enough for me. ;)

3 octaves and mini keys to fit on the computer desk, 49 / 61 full size in other cases. My reface DX is of the first category, it’s my main midi controller that is permanently on my computerdesk above my computer keyboard. When playing around with volca’s I prefer to use an Emu X-board 49 and sometimes a GEM WX2 which was my dad’s keyboard. It’s got a great keybed, much nicer then the X-board but it takes half a minute to boot up as it is a 90’s workstation. It has two midi busses, making it great for splits and controlling two synths at the same time.

I want the biggest piano with the biggest keys. I want it all in gold too. Gold and silver keys. I'm tired of black and white keys.

I have an 88 keys yamaha p45, it is an elephant in the room, very nice for playing piano, but it sucks for playing drums cause keys feel slugish and slow

Less than 61 keys are toys......weighted hammer actions are the best of course but if you wanna fly on the synth and on the organ you needs light synth action.

Unless you are a pianist, if you have only one synth/workstation/master keyboard = 61 keys is the best. Then if you add some more keyboards, the best solution is the rack but nowadays they don't release racks anymore and that's a fucking nonsense. So in this case some 37 keys are the best option (because you don't need to play both hands on every additional synths). I wish I had only a 61 keys master keyboard and all the rest in rack format, my home studio would waste less space for the same workflow :(

Stepping up again... or Stepping Out again?

Does 100 keys exist?

+1 for 88

i prefer the cheap gem s2/s3. poly at for the win

Excellent explanation Woody. For me, I myself don't like 61-key keyboards, and certainly not lower obviously. Had an old Casio keyboard growing up when I first started playing the piano, and probably within about 6 months, I was reaching for keys that weren't even there. For me personally, I would go 88-key. Reasons being, weighted keys obviously, but also I find it cumbersome when I'm playing to constantly use the octave shift buttons to get into either the lower or higher octaves. And for reference, at the moment I've got a Korg Pa3x, and I am wanting to upgrade to either the Korg pa5x (88-key of course) or one of the workstations, whether it be the Nautilus or Kronos if I can still get one.