The Yamaha Genos and PRS 700/900 SX have a touch pad and an option to install a "voice guide".But as you are looking for fully weighted keys, this is probably not what you are looking for as well.You have to import the Voice Guide software into your key board, and than it speaks what is on the touch screen.I do not know how good it works. But I do know the Yamaha PRS 600 SX (61 not weighted keys / got one of those in the house).This is the only Yamaha arranger key board from the SX series with buttons and therefore without a Voice Guide option.But, even with buttons, not everything is very accessible with this key board. No key pad to simply enter a number, and some buttons get a different function in a different situation/screen.This makes programming/creating your own styles or even something simple as selecting the correct memory bank or song, rather complex. And depending on your action and selection, the cursor/focus is on another item. And most menu's circle round / do not have a beginning and end point you could count. So, even with buttons, a Voice Guide, would have been a big plus.The plus side is, that even with this cheapest PRS model, the screen is so good, that apps as Bemyeyes or SeeingAI can scan it (and the AI virtual assistant from Bemyeyes, can even tell you, which item is selected).So, that is a great help, if you have to learn all the key presses by eart...But this is an arranger key board. I guess/hope other key boards are easier to operate.You can do a lot with this key board, connect it to a more or less accessible recording app for your Iphone as well, connect it to your computer etc. Etc. But it is not only rather complex to operate fully blind, the sound/speaker quality "stand alone", is not very great either. In my opinion, you need external speakers and a sub, to make it acceptable. The older models sounded better and were easier to operate.So, no recommendation for the Yamaha SX 600 / more a thing to avoid...Though, the SX does have a couple of very nice sounding instruments aboard.For me, I prefer the computer setup any day (or if it has to be portable, the laptop setup).It is more accessible / easier to operate and there are so many beautiful virtual instruments...
Cheers,Kyungah
On 13 Mar 2024, at 03:48, Maree Steinway <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I’m using a Nord Electro 76 for live performance. It’s weighted and the keyboard sounds are categorised into 4 banks. Once you have selected the bank you want you don’t have to scroll through too many to find something you like. Hasten to add, nothing takes the place of some good wood.
Marée
From: midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Brian Hovmand Olesen ("brian")
Sent: Tuesday, 12 March 2024 6:23 PM
To: midimag@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [freelists-midimag] SV: Re: SV: Re: opinion on fully weighted keyboards
HI,
Ah ok. You want a keyboard with sounds.
Then there are many great options as well.
Personally I like the Yamahas for their sound, but it’s all personal preference.
Also the Kawai pianos has a really good sound in my opinion.
The king of them all is Nord stage 4, and the cheeper Nord Electro series.
You could also go for a good used piano. There are many out there at a fair price.
Brian
Fra: midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> På vegne af joestephen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sendt: 12. marts 2024 08:15
Til: midimag@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Emne: [freelists-midimag] Re: SV: Re: opinion on fully weighted keyboards
Aren’t the A series only midi controllers? I want something I can play without connecting to a computer but want the midi option for future use.
Joe
From: midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Brian Hovmand Olesen ("brian")
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 5:57 PM
To: midimag@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [freelists-midimag] SV: Re: opinion on fully weighted keyboards
Hi,
Not many keyboards comes with a keypad for entering numbers these days.
But the Roland A-series has the ability to key in numbers by pressing a function key, and then press the numbers on the keys. It works ok.
I love their a-88 mark II because it has midi 2.0 capabilities and there for is supposed to be used in the future as well.
Right now I have a Komplete S88 mark III and these keys are amazing too.
But Kawai certainly also is a very good set of keys.
Brian
Fra: midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> På vegne af Vince Mistretta
Sendt: 11. marts 2024 12:04
Til: midimag@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Emne: [freelists-midimag] Re: opinion on fully weighted keyboards
One other observation. Roland’s sometimes Don’t have a way to select a particular sound or voice because you have to read the screen and navigate. Read the manual to see if it has direct selection by entering a patch number. Many older Yamahas do have buttons to select patches diretly.
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 11, 2024, at 6:56 AM, Vince Mistretta <vmistrettatech@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Any keyboard which has physical buttons can be accessible to us. There many Yamaha keyboards which has been used as you can map out the button layout. It’s when you go to touch screens that will give problems. I don’t personally have experience with either.
The controllers were mentioned because you mentioned Komplete and alternatives were provided. Komplete current version MKII is still available
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 11, 2024, at 6:04 AM, joestephen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hi all,
As mentioned in my original question, I’m after a fully weighted 61 or 88 key keyboard which I don’t need to have connected to the computer to play.
E.g. Roland rd-88, Yamaha cp-88/73, ck-88/73? Kawai? Which is most accessible and easy to use in terms of layering and choosing instruments blind?
Thanks
Joseph
From: midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <midimag-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Kyungah Young
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 8:02 PM
To: midimag@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [freelists-midimag] Re: opinion on fully weighted keyboards
Hi Joseph,
The Komplete Kontrol series from Native Instruments is very popular within the blind community (works with Mac and Windows).
The MK3 series is not yet accessible, as far as I know, but the app, that will make it accessible, is in the works / will come soon I expect.
(More or less the same concept as the Maschine MK3 accessibility solution).
The old MK2 model is accessible.
Though I would wait till the MK3 has its accessibility feature up and running.
The S88 is probably the thing you are looking for.
Though personally, I would not spend my money on fully weighted keys.
But go for a A61 or S49 instead.
If I want a "real piano", I have my "real piano" and stick a mic in front of it.
Cheers,
Kyungah
On 11 Mar 2024, at 07:37, joestephen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hi all,
I’m looking at getting a fully weighted keyboard.
I’m wondering if anyone has experience with any of the following and how easy they are to use by a totally blind user, e.g. selecting instruments, etc.
Roland rd-88, rd-300g (used),
Yamaha cp-73 or ck-73/88,
Any other which people are currently using in a similar price bracket.
One thing I noted about the Yamaha cp-88, it sounded at least from the demo that it had actual toggle switches for turning on up to four layers. That sounded to me like it was quite accessible.
My goal is recording but I’m not a midi person yet. I would like realistic pianos, nice synth pads, realistic strings and guitar sounds mainly. I’m leaning toward the Roland rd-88 because it has builtin speakers as well as connectivity to mixer etc, but also seems to have a good collection of quality sounds. I’d be interested in peoples’ opinions.
Eventually once the Kontact s88 mk3 are accessible I may get one but until then, I’d rather get a keyboard I don’t have to connect to a computer to play. Its ok to record but playing I’d like it to be able to be played independently of a computer.
Thanks for any opinions/options/advice.
Thanks
Joseph
