Need help buying XW-P1 or WK-7600

[pritam]

Hello Friends,I am new to this forum and really in need of guides/pointers from you senior people here.

My background:

I'm a total newbie and never really learnt to play piano and never tried my hands on digital music production.

Almost 10 years back I played a little bit with my Casio CTK-811Ex.I loved that and tried to make a few songs.I totally loved the sequencer,tone editor and pattern editor.I eventually even played with a few bands and composed few themes for local radio and TV program.All and everything using the inbuilt tools that CTK-811ex had.

 

I completely removed anything Music from my life thereafter and have no idea where music scene has come now.

 

Confusions:

So I decided to try my old love again.I want to seriously learn piano(I always wanted to) and I want to try some DAW software and try my hands on these stuffs.

WK-7600 looks good to me as it is much like my old CTK-811Ex but I totally loved XW-P1 but I'm not sure of this is for me + WK-7600 has 76 keys.I wanted to move from 61 keys as I guess that would help in my piano learning as well.Moreover wk7600 is way cheaper.

 

That said I didn't like the sound of WK-7600(it's like my 811ex,always seems something is missing) compared to P1 and I really like sometimes to play with Techno and Orchestra kind of music so I'm not sure if WK-7600 would be a good option.

 

That said I will not be performing anywhere.It's just for my own satisfaction and I will be playing in home room only . .

So I wonder which one should I go for?

 

Few points:

• Midi control is important and I guess that is better in P1 as 7600 sliders doesn't send control data over midi.I may be wrong.
• WK-7600 being cheaper and has 76 keys I'm wondering if I should buy this and buy a Novation Launchkey 49, 49-key USB/iOS MIDI Keyboard Controller with Synth for my midi needs as these two combined will cost me almost same as XW-P1?Good orchestra and heavy weight beats are two things I guess WK-7600 would not be able to provide so I would stick to DAW for them.
• If I go with XW-P1 and if it covers the purpose of using it as midi controller then my question is some people scared me that the learning curve is sooooo steep in P1 that I might just stop using it out of frustration and that it might not be that useful for my Piano learning lesson being 61 keys.
• And few guys have suggested me to go for XW-G1 as according to them would be easier for me to sequence and all.

   

 

I'm really confused.Please help as I cannot try any of them in store as none of the store near my place is having them.

 

Many many thanks in advance to all.

[XW-Addict]

If I'm reading correct you want three things first is learn to play piano, second  Arrange music as well to step into synthesizing.

Hmmm though one plus you're probably on a budget. Playing piano needs a good feel with weighted keys Casio has those Privia and compact

piano now provides a wide range for beginners as well for novice plus they also have arranging possibilities.

 

If you're budget is tight you could go for the P1 as the synthesis capability's would provide you also with the needed sound set and sonic force.

The workstation range is already a bit dated seeing the new sound sources and all except the latest like the WK 6250 it has 61 keys which

not an option I would wait it out.

 

DAW are budget wise a versatile option using VST piano's and synth, Purchasing a full or semi weighted keyboard controller could suffice for you're 

need there are plenty options there. Options still being going with keyboard or with out a computer or the option to complement both either way,

the music you have in mind or practicing playing piano.

 

Learning these thing is an unavoidable process every instrument needs to be learned from inside out no matter which brand.

[Kostas]

Here is my experience to that question.

If you still have the CTK811ex the easiest start would be to get just a MIDI to USB converter and begin your restart on keyboards with that nice old keyboard.

You can play the 811 and use it the same time as MIDI source for software synthesizers.

 

I still like the 811 because of its unweighted keys and its easy to understand menus for the sequencers. I use specially the pattern sequencer.

Once I also had a WK1800 which was almost a 76 keys version of the 811ex. Very nice until it broke.

The menus in the newer keyboards became deeper and more complex, much more powerful of course but more difficult to handle. I always need to have the manual by the hand.

 

I also own an AT-5 which is based on the WK7600 and a XW-G1. The key feeling is the same on both, these light weighted keys are harder to play than the unweighted, harder than on some real pianos.

When I switch from the unweighted to the newer keys and do not change my playing techniques from organ like finger playing to more lower arm piano hammering my fingers hurt very soon.

 

You will probably not be happy with only one keyboard. Sooner or later you will have a similar collection, only limited by the space in your studio.

[Jokeyman123]

If you are serious about piano technique I would consider one of the new or newer Privias-I regularly play the PX-350 and have a classical background for piano and the PX is a serious digital piano, and the newer version looks to have a better (easier to access) user interface. It also has a rudimentary midi sequencer which works with some caveats (read our posts here about that) and I have used it as a midi controller with Cakewalk and other software-has the advantage of having both USB and standard midi din ports-important if you connect multiple keyboards without a computer.

 

If you train yourself on a spring-action keyboard you may have some difficulty later on developing piano technique especially if you put alot of practice/performance time with a lighter action.  I found it much easier playing spring-action keyboards after having developed piano "chops"-including playing older Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes pianos for quite some time which had heavier acoustic-piano type actions.

 

That being said, I also regularly play the XW-P1, which has so many fascinating and creative features, I use both. The XW can do things with music that the WK cannot. Again, if you are serious about developing piano "chops" I would definitely consider a Privia piano action keyboard, or as the prior post described using a midi controller-an inexpensive hammer action 76-key (rare) or 88-key midi controller (much easier to find and many are quite inexpensive nowadays) and the XW. An 88-key Casio and one of the XWs is a pretty sweet combination that can cover alot of ground musically IMO. I play quite a few other brands but lately seem to go to the Casios. Check out my posts about the PX575 (also called the 410)-an older piano action Casio, but if you can pick one up fairly cheap is similar to the WK1800, WK3300 Casios which are impressive instruments-except with an 88-key piano action keyboard-and light enough to carry with no trouble-a little heavier than the PX350, but then that comes in at about 18 pounds without the stand,the PX575 is only about 25 pounds.

 

I used many older Casios in my music classes for many years, and all held up very well, so I guess you can't go wrong whatever you do, will be a step forward.