Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Aren't there any 88-key synth action controllers?

Ah, that one!

11 kg / 24 pounds.

It's synth action. It's not like piano action. The keys just look like a piano but at the action, itself is synth-action like Yamaha's PSR series.

Define what semi-weighted you mean?!

Definition of synth action here

Any 76 key keyboard will also act as a controller. MODX7 e.g. better action can be found in higher end flagship keyboards.

YPG-535 is one of a number of Yamaha boards that uses their Graded Soft Touch action. It is not weighted at all. The graded sensation is not created with weights, but by increasing/decreasing the resistance in the sensors the keys hit when you depress them. It may or may not give you the feeling you're after, but technically, it is not a semi-weighted (or weighted) action. The place it misses your criteria is that it is a full keyboard with sounds, not just a controller. Though one can certainly just ignore its sounds, if one's "controller" needs are basic.

Personally, I find the distinction between semi-weighted and unweighted pretty pointless. Yes, the word does tell you whether or not there are any weights in the keys. But there are so many other variables that that, alone, doesn't tell you much about the action or how suitable it will be for your purposes (whatever they may be). I've played unweighted actions that have felt better (or played better for piano) than some semi-weighted actions, and vice versa.

88 keys is not just for being able to play any song. It's also to have more space for splits. Also, even songs that don't "need" all the keys can sometimes benefit from having them there for improv/leads.

Correct. Because adding weight to keys does not give you any piano-like inertia... inertia requires a hammer mechanism, which semi-weighted boards don't have. If they did, they wouldn't ve called semi-weighted anymore. ;-)

Although it has sounds, PX-5S actually has a lot of MIDI controller functionality in it. Even without using any of its sounds, it can function as a 4-zone MIDI controller with 6 assignable sliders, 4 assignable knobs, pitch/mod wheels, and both USB and 5-pin DIN MIDI connectivity.

There are some other sub-25 lb hammer action boards, especially if you're willing to drop below 88 keys. But if you go up a little to the 25-30 lbs range, there are many more.

"Sometimes" I think is really the answer there. I'll have to get out and try a few as it has been awhile, but as I recall what is called "semi-weighted" varies - some have a heavier/higher-tension feel than others, so more truly what I would expect (about half way between "synth action" and "weighted"). Some no doubt feel the same as synth action.

A "higher tension" gets back to what I said above, i.e. "there are so many other variables {besides weightedness} that that, alone, doesn't tell you much about the action or how suitable it will be for your purposes." Some unweighted actions exhibit more "tension" than some semi-weighted actions, and vice versa. "Heavier tension" and "heavier weight" are not the same thing. A higher sense of weight/mass in the key doesn't necessarily mean it takes more force to push it down (or keep it down). Some actual grand pianos have less resistance in their keys than some unweighted keyboard actions. That is, it can take less effort to move a grand piano key from its top position (or keep it held down at its bottom) than a keyboard key with no weight mechanism at all, but a high tension spring.

Also getting back to my earlier post, there is no continuum of weight from none-to-half-to-full. What makes a "fully weighted" action feel different from a "semi weighted" is not that it has more weight, but that it has a hammer mechanism.

I have the PX5S, but it's 3000 miles away. That's why I bought (and returned) the PXS3000 ( I didn't like the action, and I a-b'd it at GC to a 560, and I liked that action much better).

I currently use a 61 key Nektar Impact as my controller. It's so small and light (6 pounds), has decent synth action, and is low profile, which means that I can place it in front of my laptop and work.

I just bought the Numa Compact 2x. Not as low profile (close), but checks most the boxes. Does not have the 4 split MIDI functionality or other things of the PX5S though. 15.6 pounds.

I'm just wondering if there are any controllers that do better at that and have hammer action than the Numa, and still only weigh 15 pounds-ish...

As I wait for a Kawai ES110 to materialize.... Synth action is fine (and often preferable) to hammer action for using a DAW and non-piano VST instruments.

I think you mentioned that there are some.

Thanks...

No, nothing close to 15 lbs. PX5S is the lightest Casio with the action you like, the slightly lighter new ones (i.e. CDP-S100) have the other action that you don't like and lack the MIDI functionality. The Dexibell S3 Pro is lighter than the Casio at 22.7 lbs and it is a 4-zone controller, but only 73 keys and in a different price range. Yamaha has the P-121 which is slightly lighter at 22 lbs, but also only 73 keys and with minimal MIDI functionality. Below 22 lbs, I think you're relegated to non-hammer boards.

I played a Dexibell S7 today at Sam Ash, the keybed was "OK." I assume it has the same keybed as the S3?

As it stands, I have (here in LA...) the Numa Compact 2x (can send it back but like it) and the Kawai ES110, which I can now get. That's $1300, but 15 and 25 pounds. I really have zero use for anything heavier.

For my $1300, is their a better solution than having these two boards? Doesn't sound like it.... Thanks for your input!

What about the Dexibell P3? It's also backordered, but....

The actions are not the same. The S7 uses an action from the Fatar TP40 family, the S3 uses Fatar TP100. The TP100 gives the board a lighter travel weight, but it is generally seen as an inferior action in feel.

The P3 adds speakers (pretty decent ones), but the weight goes up to 27.5 lbs, and it loses MIDI controller functionality. It also uses the TP100.

Thank you! It appears that my split of Kawai Es110 and Numa Compact 2x isn't' that bad of an idea, perhaps? If it were possible (it isn't), I'd just have my PX5S shipped form NJ....

OP, In all seriousness, I have a Roland A-33 sitting unused in a corner. I think it's almost exactly what you're asking for except it's 76 keys rather than 88. Though some sites say "semi-weighted" that just means it has springs. It feels identical to the synths I use like my Korg Prophecy or my Roland Juno-106. There are no hammers, no grading, just a consistent slightly heaver than an organ feel across the board. It's from 1999 but it works perfectly and is in great condition. If you're interested, let me know.

Here's a guy playing it on YouTube and you can see in his description "The valuable light weight 76 keys midi controller"