[jmr1068204]

I'm posting here, because I've been very much so considering getting a keyboard, lately. Now, I've had a keyboard for years. I haven't played the thing much. Without sounding unthankful or ungrateful (I'm definitely very blessed beyond what I deserve)...the main reason why I haven't played it is because I don't like it. It's a Yamaha PSR-170 that was a gift, a long time ago. The sound is so-so, but not that great. The display isn't backlit, which strains my eyes. The keys aren't weighted or touch-sensitive, which to me is completely useless for expression. Those are big drawbacks that have caused me to lose interest in even learning to play it, because of that. I'm hoping to maybe get a keyboard with both, if I can find a good deal on a decent one that I can afford. It seems to me that the keyboards with both weighted keys and touch-sensitive are more "rare" than the ones that are just touch-sensitive only.

I really like Yamaha's keyboards. They seem to actually have more of a "live" and "real" piano sound (and are apparently recorded from real pianos?). As opposed to something like Casio, which has a computerized synth-tone type sound, and doesn't really sound like a piano. Is Yamaha the only brand that has this more "real" digitally recorded sound? I've heard of Korg, Kurzweil, etc. Are they comparable to Yamaha?

I don't understand something. When you go to Yamaha's website, and listen to the "demonstration" songs from even a lower-class like the PSR-170 keyboard that I have now. Their so-called demonstration of it has all of these flashy effects, sounds all in the background, many different voices and styles in use at the same time, etc. Plus, regular lead playing on top of all of that. It does have an "accompaniment" feature, which is pretty cool. But it can't do all of that at one time, so I fail to see how it is a "demonstration" version. The same with the "drums". Those...are "manual" buttons (they have to be pressed individually...making it impossible to use those and play at the same time). No matter how many things I try to have going at once (which isn't much) isn't anywhere near like they have on their "demonstration" from supposedly the same keyboard that I have. My question is, how are they getting all of this? Is it just *the keyboard*, or are they using some other additional studio equipment to process the sound and dub in the sounds among each other? Even the built-in demonstration on the keyboard itself...plays all of these effects at one time, which are not manually accessible for me to use together. I'm limited to one style and one voice at the same time, and then the background accompaniment. So...are they just conning people with this, or is it a reality to be able to play things like that without some large studio processing equipment?

If I do buy a keyboard in the future, I'm planning on doing it from Ebay...it's a lot cheaper, and it seems to give a better deal and better equipment for the price, compared to retail. I probably wouldn't spend over $450 max, but I've seen some really great deals on newer equipment on Ebay, for much less. I know I'd want weighted keys, with the touch-sensitive keys. I do know that it is quite expensive to get something like that, and it may be well out of my price range. A backlit screen is a must. The 61-key size is just "too small". So at least 76 keys. 88 might be too big for my limited space. Perhaps a Yamaha, but if there is some other brand that is comparable, I might would be willing to look into it.

One more thing is...the artists that actually play keyboards in front of a live audience and sound like it came from a studio. A la Jason Upton (my favorite). And even other artists...it seems like their piano tones on their keyboard are auto-sustained somehow. Like it sounds like a real piano...but doesn't echo until the sound goes away. They hit the keys quick...and it still sounds good, without the chords "ringing" over each other. I know there are lots of voices that don't reverb...and as soon as you stop playing, they stop. But it's not the same. I don't get that...it seems that even with all of the effects I've played with on bigger keyboards...it's like the sound isn't there that a lot of artists use. I know there are "custom" voices that they probably use, and that would make more sense. The same with their accompaniment stuff. How in the world...do they continue playing lead, and suddenly get all of these pre-set effects (drums, cymbals, etc.) from nowhere, with the timing, beat, etc. matching up to their lead playing; yet being able to change the accompaniment when it gets to the main and chorus parts of the song? A la...Terry MacAlmon (for those of you who have heard his music).

I'm sorry that this is so long...and with so many questions. But I feel that all of these are important factors. Thanks.