How many keys do I need on my synth????

What you're asking for is an apple that tastes like an orange, and a banana, and a grape.  A Hammond's action is different than a grand piano's, which is different from a Moog's, which is different from a Mellotron, etc.   You have 3 choices - weighted (feels like a piano), semi or unweighted (like a synth), or a Hammond waterfall style.  In order to get a Hammond waterfall-style, you need to buy a virtual tonewheel such as an Electro/2.  I use an Electro/2 76-key as my master keyboard in the studio - it allows me to gliss like a Hammond, and I don't get tired after hours of composing, because I'm not jamming down on a weighted keyboard.  Those who grew up playing piano prefer a fully-weighted keyboard; I used to - but as I've grown older and more susceptible to arthritis, I prefer the waterfall and/or a semi-weighted keyboard.  Do NOT get a keyboard with under 49 keys.  If you want to play like the "big-boys", you need to be able to "spread out" across the keyboard.  From my perspective, anything under 76 keys is too small.  The important thing is:  buy something with a good action, the Korg Karma is the perfect example of a killer synth with lackluster action.  I love my Karma, but I never play it with its own keyboard - it feels like a toy! 

Edited by Jaydubz - June 01 2006 at 20:21

More is always better. I'd just go with as many as you can afford for a reasonble price.

Edited by stonebeard - June 01 2006 at 19:14

Lost Chord - If you're tuly concerned about the action, I would advise NOT buying anything sight-unseen.  March back down to Guitar Center, play those puppies until your fingers hurt, THEN make your decision.  Count your blessings that you CAN do that - in the "good old days" when keyboards were super-expensive, they wouldn't even LET you play one...the sales clerk would turn the synth on and play it FOR you!   

Keyboard Action types

A vital quality of any Keyboard Controller is the keyboard action. You, the player, need to feel comfortable using the controller, whether live on stage or in your songwriting or recording studio. Don't underestimate the impact of having a less-than-ideal keyboard on your creativity and productivity! The type of action you prefer is usually determined mostly by what you are accustomed to, and also by the particular style of music that you play, which may call for one type action over another. You can choose from three basic keyboard action types:

Weighted Hammer Action
Many controllers have 88-note keyboards that replicate the mechanical action of a conventional piano keyboard. This is difficult to do because a controller has no strings or hammers. Some manufacturers use different methods of applying weights and springs to mimic a piano's action. Others add a hammer action to more closely replicate a true piano "feel." For example, Studiologic's SL880 Pro employs what is called a graded and weighted piano-action keyboard ("Graded" refers to the practice of increasing piano keys' resistance on low notes and decreasing them on high notes, thus creating a key-response "curve"). If your primary instrument is piano, or if you compose a lot of piano-oriented music, the realism of a weighted hammer action keyboard might be ideal for you.

Edited by Jaydubz - June 01 2006 at 20:12

I want to play MOSTLY banks songs, thats why...i also know alot of ELP and YES stuff, and i want to mimic their exact sounds also!  But i dont want to get stuck not being able to play something because of the keys i am using...

you are amazing, stick around i will need you once i get the synths can you help show me how to configure those exact sounds?

it says here the CS-80 came out in 76, i dont really listen to much stuff after 76, are you sure ill need this? i hate the 80's synth sounds

You want Pianet? 

http://www.applied-acoustics.com/loungelizard.htm

wow my friend youve got one killer setup in there, and i like the relayer poster :)

wow thanks for the pics and the info, thats exciting to see!  I think i am going to go with the semi weighted or whatever, seems it will work best for me, thanks man!