From aevett1@yahoo.com Tue May 30 09:55:24 2006
Subject:Re: M-Audio Prokeys88SX

In my recent experience, the Prokeys88sx is a capable
ultra-light, 88 key piano/controller. It's not quite
the "Holy Grail" but gets quite close to what many of
us have been looking for in that size/weight/price
range. I've owned one for a couple of months, and have
used it, for the most part, in my 'workspace' up in
Chicago. It's only been out live, once; and that was
for a short, solo piano thing. So, no live band
experience for this board, yet. Thus, as far as how it
works in a band mix, I won't be of much help - except
to refer to a Keyboard magazine review of the sound of
the fully weighted Prokeys88; it received a positive
review as far as how it fit into a live mix, and
sounds are the same between the two boards.
The Prokeys88xs works well for controlling my
softsynths. I've recorded some tracks in Logic 7 using
it with NI B4, EVP-88, etc... As far a playability
goes: it's a decent controller for single zone
softsynth/module performance, and has a lot of
thoughtful features for the money. Its' sounds ?
Better than average for the $$; though for a little
more cash, a used Yamaha P-80 from Ebay would provide
greater depth of sound, better additional sounds,
etc... But then the weight goes up into the 30+ Lb.
range, and then you have no controller features.
I picked the Prokeys88sx because I wanted an
ultra-light 88 key controller, and my experience with
the Studiologic VMK-88 was not very good. The sounds
are an added bonus - the pianos/ep's/clav being very
playable (though I wish they'd left that DX Rhodes
patch out...). Interestingly enough, given the choice
of a Prokeys88 vs. a Prokeys88sx in a live, piano
performance setting: I'd pick the Prokeys88sx. I owned
an M-Audio Keystation 88 very briefly; and when I
played the Prokeys88 at NAMM last summer, my reaction
to the feel/velocity was the same. M-Audio's weighted
88 keybed just doesn't do it for me. The Prokeys88sx
is about 85- 90 % there for me, in terms of
playability/user interaction. It'll likely be a
future' lifesaver for quick setup/teardown gigs where
stage real estate is also at a premium...

Allan

--- tonysounds wrote:

> I'm really hopeful that the Pro88sx is a decent
> purchase, but if what I played today was any
> indicaiton.... Not having my Doepfer work out for
> me has me really on the hunt for a lightweight 88,
> and the Pro88sx is the only thing I know of at this
> point.
>
> Guess we'll see....
> T
>
> Ken Hall wrote:
> Tony,
>
> Don't hold back! Just kidding - it's nice to feel
> the cold slap of
> reality sometimes....
>
> Cheers, Ken
>
> tonysounds wrote:
> > Haven't found one yet....went looking today. The
> Pro88, its
> > precursor, pretty much sucks, at least IMO.
> Crappy feel, and even
> > crappier piano tone.
> >
> > T
> >
> > ken@kenhall.ca wrote:
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I'm considering one of these to compliment my Nord
> Electro on rock gigs.
> > Anyone own one? Any comments?
> >
> > Cheers, Ken
> >
>
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