Hey everyone.

What do you guys use in your band/percussion programs in terms of an electronic keyboard that you can use in the pit, use with the Jazz Band and can also be your organ when you decide to play the Pines of Rome?

Of course, I want one that sounds great, but is also easy enough to use for someone who's just not all that bright...

My school uses a Korg Triton and it sounds great. It's not too big a of a learning curve, although I can't say I've reached anywhere near the top yet. I taught myself to program User sounds and be able to recall a list of favorites.  The biggest issue I see is making sure you don't buy what you don't actually need or won't use.  It's hard to know the future, but the budget helps put boundaries on things too, I think.

On the lower end of things, I owned a Korg x50 (I think that was the model) and it had some really darn good sounds for being a $600-ish keyboard.  The synth/piano and string stuff was amazing.

You may want to consider a cheaper stage piano if you're not going to need the extra sounds beyond Piano, Organ, Strings, etc.  A decent one with realistic key hammer-action can be found for around $500 and will still have MIDI-out to connect to a computer.  For a school instrument that students use, simpler is better.

Awesome, Robbie. Thanks so much. (+1 Karma)

Anyone else have any comments or suggestions?

Even if you would just let me know what you use and if you like it, that would be helpful!

Ok, well I've had experience with several and here are my opinions

Yamaha Motif - Huge Soundbanks, great sounds all around. . .Interface is not the best for someone who doesn't know anything about synths. BUT it is by far one of the best on the market. I would compare learning this synth to learning dos among computers. It was never the easiest thing to learn but once you learned it. . .it was incredibly fast and it would do whatever you wanted it too. . . There are also multiple assignable outputs if you would like to use the synth as a midi controller.

The sampling function on this keyboard is good, but a little difficult to learn, but again. . . once you learn it. . .it is a piece of cake. I actually had to call the yamaha tech support and they called me back on my cell phone and told me exactly what I needed to do with what I was trying to do. I was impressed with the support.

Korg Triton
Again great synth and the interface is very easy and intuitive. The touch screen makes everything very easy and clear how the structure of the instrument works. The sampling function is just like the Motif. . . once your learn it. . . it's easy but learning it can be a headache.

Korg Oasys
I've had very little experience with the synth. I spent about an hour or 2 at the local guitar center with this thing and it was fun. If you have the money to get this thing. . .do it. It's like the Triton on crack.

Roland Xg (I think it's called) The interface is easy to learn and the sampling function is a probably the easiest of the 3 synths to learn out of the shoot but I personally do not think the sounds are nearly as good as the Triton and the Motif.

Not sure if you know this but the guy who designed the Motif is (supposedly) the guy who designed the Triton. I am personally inclined to the Triton but the Motif is a Beast as well once you trudge through the manual which is pretty thick. I have heard that the new motif has an LCD interface, but I haven't seen this yet.

Hope that helps. :)

Hey Robbie -- looking at synths. Thanks!

Eric- Are you wanting to know about MalletKats and the like or are you wanting info on Synths? I can help with both, but just want to know what you would like information on.