88 Note "light weight" keyboard controllers for Mainstage/live

aron

I asked this in another forum, but it seems like this forum is geared toward plugins/piano players.

I want to get a light weight (under 33 pounds) keyboard to use with my M1 Mac mini running plugins. This would not be my main live stage setup (for the gigs I need to get in and out quickly) but it would be my "concert" setup. I want a keyboard that has an action that I can practice on and ideally has faders so I can fade layers in and out. I know about the Arturia Keylab 88 Mkii but the bad reviews on the TP100LR make me want to pass on it - although it does have everything I want. The Studio Logic Studio series is out too since it has the same keybed.

For reference, I love playing a Steinway and I do like playing Yamaha weighted actions like the CP88. I usually like weighted but quick action like the CP88.

I have owned the S90ES (too heavy and big, limited polyphony) and now I use a Casio PX-5S which I like but has become worn out due to too many gigs. The Casio is fine except the only 2 good sounds are piano and ep. I would like a little upgrade. I want it to be under $1600 and from looking around, it seems like the RD-88 is the only game in town that I have found.

Just one problem, I played it in the store and thought the piano sound was thin and terrible. However, since I would be using it for MainStage, I guess it would be OK. It doesn't have faders but 8 knobs which can be mapped to different controllers. The Kurzweil PC4SE is another option.

Did I miss a controller that is within my range?

Thanks

CyberGene

aron You can also check the Studiologic Numa X Piano 88, it has the newer TP-110 action. For a brief moment I used the 73-key version with the same action and I found it much better than TP-100LR. However I didn't really like the piano sounds. But if you're going to use it with MainStage, then it might be a good option. I replaced it with a CP88 and it's a much better instrument but also heavier.

aron

Thanks! The CP88 is the gold standard. I have not played anything better and honestly, that is what I should buy, but a part of me wants/knows that plugins are the way to go forward. I have been through so many keyboards, it's ridiculous. The Mac mini experiment has been going on since the first Mac mini and I feel like now is the time to really make it work. I've used mine in 3-4 big concerts and it has worked perfectly with the PX-5S.

I know if I got the CP88 I would probably get rid of the Mac mini because I wouldn't need it. The only things I don't like about the CP88 is that it's somewhat heavy at 40 pounds, and the toggle switches look like I would break them off eventually. But I am a Yamaha fan and I have loved requesting these on the backline!!!!

I thought about the Numa, but the preset selection menus don't look too good. I would like to be able to switch programs quickly and at least the RD-88 has favorites.

The choices are really limited. I asked Arturia about upgrading to the TP110 and they said they are not going to.