76 keys or 88 keys? (Semi-Weighted / Weighted)

What kind of music do you play most and what instruments do you prefer?

The weighted 88 not only adds some expressiveness and playing control to playing pinao, but to some other patches as well (Epianos and very few others). For some players who are used to Piano mainly it is essential to keep that feeling even with other instruments.

The big drawback becomes obvious when you play synth solos, organ runs etc.: I don't regard weighted keys suited for that stuff at all, though some well trained hands still do the job.

You simply should test both feelings with all the kinds of instruments you play, and your answer will result quite quickly from what your hands tell you most of the time...

No general answer possible. I belong strictly to the second, semi-weighted fraction, even for EPianos, and of course for synth stuff and all the rest like brass, strings etc.

The third, pure plastic, feeling-like-pressing-rubber-gum fraction is rather a result of bad keyboards production than of free choice...

Another consideration is that of transport:

G8:
32.0 kg
70 lbs. 9 oz.
1,396 mm
55 inches

G7:
16.5 kg
36 lbs. 7 oz.
1,278 mm
50-3/8 inches

Add to that the weight and dimensions of a flightcase and transporting the G8 becomes a problem if you have a medium sized car and only one person to transport it. That combined with the reasoning that I can still play piano on a G7 but I (personally) cannot play everything I need to on a G8 will probably make me decide to get a G7 to replace my X7. The X7 btw replaced my X6 which turned out to be a poor choice for what I do: I was really missing notes.

Even with the X7 I still used a D-70 as an extra MIDI controller for the X7 but that would still be the case with a G8.

I have to admit that I also have a Yamaha P200 digitial piano (30kg, 66 lbs.) which has very heavy key action and which I much prefer over the X7 for playing piano as imho the sound is better and the weighted keyboard does increase expressiveness in playing.

Then again the P200 hasn't left its flightcase for the last 1 1/2 years simply because it's such heavy monster to haul around and setup. I plan on setting it up at home after we have finished some redecorating.

The only reason why I might still get an G8 is that if I remember correctly the X8 keyboard turned out to be much lighted than the P200, that came as a bit of a surprise to me. So I will probably go and find a store that demos both the G7 and G8 but given what I said about transport etc. I will probably get a G7.

You can see my setup in action live here:

TOYZ in 60 seconds

Yeah, it seems like the G7 would be more versatile of the 2 for me as well. I like to play a lot of the orchestral patches/strings, pulsating stuff etc. I think I heard that the semi-weighted action is even better now on the Fantom G6/G7. I'm used to lifting heavy stuff for gigs, as I play guitar and have to lift a 120 pound cab into/out of the car and up on stage with the help of a bandmate....But, it seems like a hassle to have to deal with something that heavy as the G8 as well (70 lbs. + 65 lb. flightcase)...at least till we get roadies...heh. I'll probably just get a weighted board to go with it for home use. BTW, I really dug your band. I play lead guitar in my band, so it was awesome to see your guitarist rip.

Yeah. 76, definitely. I need to get a new synth-action keyboard meself, and I love my Roland FP-2 -- but I wouldn't think to use it for sequencing and MIDI stuff. It is solely there for me to practice upon.

- Sammy

I'd go for 76 keys for these reasons:

- Weight
- Size
- For me, heavy keys are not really needed for anything but piano and electric piano sounds, I will simply be tired after a while

I have both unweighted and weighted keys. I gig and practice a lot. I think its harder to work with weighted keys on synth style than it is to work with unweighted keys on piano style. Meaning, unweighted are a little more versitile. The other aspect is the extended effort factor. If you're going to play for hours at a time with various styles than unweighted is a lot easier. And then, of course, is your personal preference. If you just love to feel the weight, then weigthed keys are good for you. I do notice that I bring my unweighted keys out to gigs and other sessions. I always lean toward the lighted weight. Over time, it seems to me on all my gear, the lighter items win out with regards to what I take out of the house. So, if portability is an issue, the weight is a huge factor.

If you can afford it take the 88 keys model. Myself I'd to get an Oasys 76 keys 'cause I've not been able to find an used 88 model at decent price (and anyways I have real piano and a digital piano, so the weighted keys aren't missing) so I choose a compromise, however isn't life full of compromises? Ehehe.
It's also true that it depends on how you fell more comfortable to play with and your tastes, and in conclusion the transport issue.