
M-Audio ProKeys 88SX 88-Key Digital Stage Piano
88-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action keyboard. 7 premium sounds.
Overall User Ratings (based on 29 ratings)
Submitted August 2, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Prokeys 88SX is perfect for gigging musician!"
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Let's put it this way, after about 2 months, mine was stolen. Here it is 2 weeks later and I just bought another one. It's that good and it's perfect for the gigging musician. I recommend a good solid case (like a Gator case) not only to protect the keyboard, but to keep people from seeing what it is so they are tempted to steal it.
Sound
This keyboard handles the bread and butter sounds of a standard genre gig (rock, jazz, blues, 70s) very very well. Its keyboard action is perfectly between a true weighted hammer action, and a lightly weighted synth type action. As gigging musicians get older, they (okay, me) actually don't necessarily want a true, heavy, weighted hammer action because they need to play this beast for 3-4 hours solid. On the other hand, the lighter action keyboards allow the keyboardist to get sloppy as the fingers spill over the keys a tad. The 88SX suffers from none of this, yet allows the keyboardist to fly over the keys with minimal strain.
Features
Not a ton of features, but then I wasn't looking for a ton of features. What the 88SX does, it does very very well.
Ease of Use
See discussion under Sound. Very easy to use out of the box. You will need speakers or an amp, or a PA system to amplify the sound, however, if you just want to listen through headphones, then there are two 1/4" headphone jacks.
For live gig situations, I run the outputs of the 88SX through a Roland RT-20 Rotary speaker simulator (to simulate a Leslie rotary cabinet) and the results are absolutely fantastic! To hear what the 88SX sounds like at a real gig, go to: bajabluesband.com, click on the Gigs link, scroll down, click on the Listen link for Fri., July 13, 2007 - Bonefish Grill. The Prokeys 88SX was also used at the July 14, 2007 gig. You should be able to hear the acoustic piano, electric piano (both Rhodes and Wurly) and especially the B3 organ.
Quality
It tends to feel so light that you mistrust its quality, however, my first one (lasted 2 months before it was stolen) seemed rugged enough. I hammer pretty hard on it and it never complained.
Value
Value is where this thing shines. You will simply not find another keyboard with the features and sounds that this model has at this price (believe me, as of the date of this review, I've studied all other brands (Yamaha, Kurzweil, Roland, Casio, etc.) and nothing even comes close.
Manufacturer Support
Never had to deal with M-Audio.
The Wow Factor
As long as it is anchored well to your keyboard stand, this thing is very sexy and comfortable under your hands. The Wurly sample is so danged spot on that I have been working up several Supertramp songs (Poor Boy, From Now On, Logical Song, Downstream) just to make use of the Wurly epiano sound. Coupled with a good external outboard Rotary simulator (Roland makes one, Line6 makes one) the B3 is simply KILLER. Listen to the gig recordings referenced above and decide yourself.
Musical Background:
semi-pro gigging musician also do studio work
Musical Style:
rock, blues, 70s, jazz
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Submitted August 4, 2007 by a customer from hotmail.com
"THE BEST PIANO CONTROLLER TO COMPOSE AND WITH EXCELLENT CHARACTERISTICS FOR A GREAT PRICE AND WEIGHT..."
For the composer who needs working hours composing, live show, to learn and play any type of music that needs piano, this keyboard makes the job very well. If you want a "magnificent" piano, heavy and with weighted keys, it looks for more money. But with the price, the 88SX and with all its characteristics, it's the best one!!!
Sound
For me, this keyboard has the perfect sounds for any musician. Unless you are a great composer or a producer of great artists, the sounds of this creature are excellent for all. The piano has good answer, also the electrics pianos. The organs, with something of leslie, sounds very well. And the others, I almost not them use, but very well also. For live, this keyboard makes the job great. Better sound of piano than more expensive keyboards.
Features
The box brings a pedal!!! A somewhat uncomfortable pedal, but sufficient for which they only need this keyboard to practice. The necessary connections for audio and 3 expression pedal inputs (wow!!), semi-weighted keys that make of this very comfortable keyboard to work by more than 4 hours, 126-note polyphony... for any composer and his PC works excellent. Oh yeah!! **USB** :)
Ease of Use
Very very easy, non problems. Easy-to-read manual. In 1 hour, let's play!!!
Quality
Plastic? mmm that's ok. I don't need a tank to compose or play!!! Nice colour finish. Very light, which allows to take it to any place without hurt your shoulders. Any stand are ok! The keys are semi- weighted and that is already nice, at least when you compose and record all the night. ;)
Value
Cheaper, nothing comparable with other keyboards of greater price, weight, size and worse quality of sound. In addition, this stage piano (AND CONTROLLER) brings manifold additional functions and connections that others don't have... or are more expensive, sure.
Manufacturer Support
Good, no problems.
The Wow Factor
For me, this keyboard is really nice for using it for a couple of years. Sure, already it will be seen with time, everything changes... :p
Musical Background:
Composer, Active Musician
Musical Style:
Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues, Newage
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Submitted August 25, 2006 by a customer from xspedius.net
"Outstanding value. This is a Professional Stage Digital Piano."
Take a look to the reviews from serious magazines as: soundandsound and keyboard player and judge by yourself, don't let anybody tell you it doesn't sound well, go and try it.
Sound
Comparable sounds to roland 300sx and yamaha p140, do not believe what I'm saying, just go to the store and try it.
Features
pedal, not many sounds as its big brother prokeys 88, just 7 effects but who cares, it suppose to give you an outstanding piano sound and full weighted keys for just$399. Plus portatibility on the road. what else are you expecting for $399?. Still hard to beat for this kind of price. Would like to see how roland and yamaha will drop their prices to compete against this baby.
Ease of Use
Easy, Easy, Easy
Quality
It's ok.not built as a tank however we are talking here for a product under 17 pounds. To me this is all matters.
Value
are you kidding me?, this in conjunction with his big brother prokeys 88 will create a new category for digital stage pianos.
Manufacturer Support
They have one of the best out there, we all know that.
The Wow Factor
it's light and portable, this is all I care about.
Musical Background:
Active musician
Musical Style:
Gospel Music, techno merengue, salsa, latin groove.
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Submitted June 28, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com
"This keyboard changed my life."
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zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
Its sound is so sweet it sounds like Beethoven is in my house every time I play it!!!
Features
It comes with millions of different accessories a new foot pedal, a back to back wall, a new sound board with many different sounds, a walkie-talkie system, and more!!!
Ease of Use
My fingers fly across the keys, its very easy, if your an expert like me.
Quality
Its made of cheap plastic and every flew off when I took it out of the made of cardboard box!! But I still have love for it.
Value
Its worth its a best buy a new feature on the market.
Manufacturer Support
Its new!!
Musical Background:
Band Director
Musical Style:
Techno
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Submitted January 18, 2007 by a customer from hotmail.com
"It sounds good,price is good,IF..ffff you can keep it working??"
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zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
if i could get my money back, right now, their would be no (m-audio) in my ownership!!
Sound
with a good amp,you can get a descent sound.
Features
mine came with a cheap pedal,i replaced it a week later.
Ease of Use
you can get (7) basic sounds,that can be used ok .
Quality
had mine a little over two months,and it just quit!! no reason,just quit, wouldn't power up ? sent it back to m-audio (georgia to calif.) approx. (8) week turn around.They (m-audio)sent me another piano,took it out of the box,and stuff was banging around on the inside?? sent that piano back,back to calif. because its still under factory warranty,I'm still without a piano!!you be the judge??
Value
if you can keep it working,its fine??
Manufacturer Support
when you buy m-audio it comes with a 12 month factory warranty. even though i bought (2 years of gold coverage) that warranty doesn't kick in, until the original factory warranty has ended? so when your piano quits ,like mine did?? you have to send it to Irwindale Calif. If you live in Ga.,like me, well thats a long turn around time? and believe me m-audio doesn't get in any hurry??
The Wow Factor
no, it doesn't have sex appeal.
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
50s 60s,classic rock,country
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