Open Mic: Do You Prefer Your Keyboard Weighted or Unweighted?

Open Mic: Do You Prefer Your Keyboard Weighted or Unweighted?

on Feb 22nd 2012 with 10 comments

Each week we open our mic to readers and lurkers alike to come out of the woodwork and tell us your thoughts and opinion, your experiences and mistakes, what you love and what you hate. We want to hear from you, and here’s your chance.

Do you prefer your keyboard weighted or unweighted? Why? Or can you get away with a mini keyboard, an on-screen keyboard, or no keyboard at all? Let us know!

 
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Adrian is writer and editor for Audiotuts+ and Envato Notes. He has been playing keys and acoustic guitar for three decades, and has six kids. Follow him on Twitter at @envatoaudio.  

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  • http://rattrapper.org Carter Parks

    It isn’t that black and white. Am I playing piano? Am I playing organ? Am I playing synth bass? Do I want to carry my 55lbs keyboard or my 13lbs keyboard?

    I generally carry the lightweight unweighted keyboard to gigs but playing piano on weighted keys is pure bliss.

  • Bryan

    Weighted only. Feels more natural to me since piano is my primary instrument. Though I can see alot of good uses for unweighted; for performance theres no contest.

  • MarshP

    I agree with Carter Parks. I grew up learning classical piano and am now studying jazz. I have a Novation SL MKII midi controller w/ semi-weighted keys. If I’m playing synth sounds or programming beats, the semi-weighted keys are great. For me, only weighted keys work for any “piano” playing.

    I really enjoy playing Logic software instruments and synths thru a Clavinova (weighted) keyboard.

  • P

    Weighted for playing piano, and unweighted for everything else like recording MIDI for synths or drums.

    I hate that psychological illusion where playing a virtual piano with unweighted keys feels “fake” no matter how quality the library. But alas, actually having both a weighted and unweighted controller isn’t really practical or preferable for me.

  • Dan

    I agree with that comments that it is not one or the other, but perhaps both. I love weighted keys for acoustic instruments. The inertia of the weighted mechanism allows for very precise dynamic control. For organs, synths and all else, unweighted/semi-weighted is great.

  • http://www.sudhingr8.webs.com sudhingr8

    I would personally prefer a weighted one for stage performances where you are playing with a band… cuz it gives a better visual image…
    The unweighted keyboard can be used for studio and MIDI recording purposes. That was, you get better control and it doesn’t take up much space either..
    I use the onscreen keyboard when i really need to play something or try the notes to a song that i just heard, where laziness prevents me from taking my other two keyboards.LOL.

  • georgejnrb

    Learning from all the comments, thx. But I need suggestions on which type of keyboard, in terms of the brand, version, etc that you’d recommended for use in a church services.

    • http://adriantry.com Adrian Try
      Author

      Hi George. For what it’s worth, I use a Roland RD-700sx at the moment. They work well, but are definitely not your only option. Adrian

    • http://www.sudhingr8.webs.com sudhingr8

      From my experience as a church player for almost 5 years, i would suggest Yamaha. The brands which i liked, was Yamaha psr 3000, psr s900 or something like psr 9000 or Tyros depending on the type of music.

  • http://www.intuneaudio.ca Charlie McEvoy

    I get why people would use un-weighted in some contexts but for me weighted is always first choice