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(More customer reviews)I 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.
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M-Audio PROKEYS 88SX 88-Key Lightweight Stage Piano with Semi-Weighted ActionThe M-Audio ProKeys 88 Hammer Action Premium Stage Piano is loaded with large, realistic samples--14 world-class instruments in all, including split and layer capabilities. And M-Audio has paired these great sounds with an 88-key hammer-action keyboard that delivers a realistic feel to satisfy the most demanding professional pianist. The ProKeys 88 is also a great master controller keyboard that includes a built-in USB MIDI interface for easy direct connection to your PC or Mac, MIDI in and out jacks to communicate with other MIDI gear, pitch and modulation wheels, sequencer controls, and more. M-Audio pulled out all the stops in creating the ultimate playing experience in an affordable digital stereo piano.
Ultra-Realistic Piano Sound The goal behind the ProKeys 88 design was to create an extremely musical, realistic piano experience. The caliber of a digital piano is greatly influenced by the quality and size of the samples, so M-Audio started by giving ProKeys 88 a generous amount of memory. Then, rather than dividing it up amongst a smorgasbord of sounds that would never get used, they focused on the 14 sounds that are considered the bread and butter for most keyboardists--paying extra-special attention to the stereo grand piano sound.
More Than a Stage Piano The ProKeys 88 delivers all the staple keyboard sounds desired by almost all musicians. The flagship stereo grand piano is complimented by an alternate grand sound designed to really cut through in pop music tunes. This keyboard has electric pianos covered as well -- including classic sounds like the Yamaha DX7 and the Fender Rhodes, and the vintage Wurlitzer (don't forget the tremolo effect!). And with the Clavinet, one word will come to your mind: funky. Acoustic and electric basses give you the option of layering a ride cymbal for jazz tunes, while vibes, ensemble strings, and an inspiring synth pad round a great sonic palette for the serious gigging keyboardist.
Splits, Layers, and 88-Key Hammer Action The ProKeys 88 keyboard also features split and layer capabilities. This smart instrument can put a bass in your left hand and the keys in your right; organ chords while playing a piano lead; lush strings layered over a delightful piano. You can even have a split and layer simultaneously for a total of three different sounds at once. Of course, none of this really matters if the piano doesn't feel like a piano. A realistic digital stage piano must have a full 88 keys that are properly weighted. The ProKeys 88's full-range clavier features hammer action that feels just like the real thing. Plus, it has three velocity curves tailored to different touches, as well as a fixed velocity for synth work.
Control your Digital Audio Workstation When it comes to communicating with the outside world, most digital pianos offer little more than a MIDI jack. In sharp contract, this keyboard inherits much from M-Audio's many years of experience with mobile MIDI controllers. It incorporates a full USB MIDI interface that communicates with your PC or Mac via a single, simple USB connection. This is the perfect tool for recording with virtually all of the MIDI sequencer software that is available on the market. In fact, you can even control your sequencer remotely via the front-panel Start, Stop, and Tempo buttons.
In addition to computer connectivity, the ProKeys 88 has MIDI in and out jacks that allow full communication with all standard MIDI gear. This keyboard also features performance controls that are rare on digital stage pianos, such as a pitch wheel, modulation wheel, two footswitch inputs, and an expression pedal input. The three different ranges available via the ProKey 88's combined split and layer function can each transmit on separate MIDI channels, as well. You also get dedicated front-panel buttons for program change, channel, bank MSB, bank LSB, and local on/off for the ultimate in control.
Built-in Effects, Pedals, Headphones and Outputs With the ProKeys 88 you can forget about messing around with additional gear to add basic effects. This instruments on-board EQ lets you easily tweak any tone on the fly. You also get three different built-in reverb spaces that simulate different acoustic environments. Ever feel the need to practice privately? This keyboard includes a 0.25-inch stereo headphone jack so you can play in private. The ProKeys 88 also has a 0.25-inch, unbalanced audio output with 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and 108dB dynamic range for the best sound in the business.
What's in the Box Prokeys 88SX keyboard, software CD (drivers and applications), 5-foot USB cable, user's manual, power supply, and sustain pedal.
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