This review is from: M-Audio PROKEYS 88SX 88-Key Lightweight Stage Piano with Semi-Weighted ActionI finally ordered this piano because, if the description was to be believed, it offered exactly what I was looking for: a lightweight piano with the 14 sounds I actually use (piano, electric piano, vibes, organ) along with some good bass sounds and the capability of splitting the keyboard for walking bass lines with the left hand. Lastly, I've long missed the ride cymbal I was able to layer on to the bass sounds of my Kurzweil K1000, and the M-Audio Prokeys promised to include that feature. The piano had everything a professional player could want, and the description was free of tech-talk and daunting jargon.Sadly, Amazon's description, except for the semi-weighted action part (which is accurate), is for the M-Audio Prokeys 88 rather than the 88SX. For some unfathomable reason, M-Audio not only eliminated the heavy action of the Prokeys 88 for the 88SX version but reduced the total number of sounds from 14 to 7 while eliminating the split and ride cymbal features. From some reports, the Prokeys 88 is an overly-heavy instrument with clunky, inconsistent action, not exactly what the gigging musician would wish for, especially when playing the instrument in organ mode. Consequently, the ProKeys 88SX seemed to be just the ticket.The Prokeys 88SX no doubt still represents a good value, as a number of reviewers have attested, but it's not the keyboard in Amazon's description, and it's of no use to me as a performing musician frequently called upon to supply bass lines. The accompanying manual is thick, but that's because it's written in six languages. Only the first several pages are devoted to using the keyboard as a performance instrument: the bulk of the manual contains MIDI data likely to be of limited use to anyone without previous experience using a keyboard as a MIDI controller.UPDATE: More than a year later, and Amazon is still carrying the description for the Prokeys 88, NOT the Prokeys 88SX. The negative votes that this review has attracted must mean either: 1. the reader thinks I'm trashing the instrument; or 2. the reader doesn't believe that Amazon's description is wrong. Let me repeat that I think the ProKeys 88SX represents a good value--it's very close to a Kurzweil SP-76 or SP-88. (The Kurzweil has only a marginal edge in terms of quality of instrument sounds and keyboard feel, but it's more than twice the price of the 88SX and, unlike the 88SX, has no USB connection). As for Amazon's description of the SX, if you think it's right, please go immediately to the M-Audio website (or a music instrument dealer) and read the descriptions of the Prokeys and ProkeysSX side by side. Either that, or be content with 7 sounds and no split or layering possibilities....
This review is from: M-Audio PROKEYS 88SX 88-Key Lightweight Stage Piano with Semi-Weighted ActionI just received this piano yesterday and I am thrilled! The two piano sound settings are some of the best I've heard (and I've read elsewhere that this piano and its bigger brother--the ProKeys 88--have the best sound for any piano under $1000). The keys feel great considering they are semi-weighted, and the multiple velocity settings are very well implemented.When purchasing this piano, there are some things to keep in mind that can add to the overall cost. Most importantly, this keyboard does not have built-in speakers, so you will need a separate set and some good cabling to get sound for everyone to hear. Otherwise, if listening through headphones suits your needs, you'll either need a pair with a 1/4" connector or a 1/8 to 1/4" adaptor if you want to use your MP3 player headphones. Fortunately, the piano does come with a USB cable and drivers, so you can use it as a MIDI device on your computer immediately. Finally, you may want to consider buying a keyboard cover in order to protect it from dust and the like.If you're looking for more reviews, Keyboard Magazine has the one that influenced me to buy this piano. Overall, highly recommended!...
This review is from: M-Audio PROKEYS 88SX 88-Key Lightweight Stage Piano with Semi-Weighted ActionI've been using this keyboard for about a month now. I was pleased that it comes with a USB cable to let you port your masterpieces to your computer as well as a sustain pedal. The sound quality is surprisingly good: when you hit a high note, you'll swear you can hear the hammer hitting the cord. If I have a complaint with this piano, it's that the included pedal isn't very responsive and will often fail to recognize that you are standing on it. Perhaps this is because I'm using it on carpet? In any case, the pedal was free, so I can't complain.First-time keyboard buyers should be aware that this does not come with speakers of any kind. You'll need to buy headphones or speakers separately to hear what's being played....
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