M-Audio Keystation Pro-88 HELP!

[dj-spikes]

Hey people, i am wondering if i can use this keyboard without using a mac, so basically say if i wanted to take it to a friends house to practise with live instruments, what would i need to make the keyboard run instruments as i would on garaband or logic without the need of a mac?

Would i need a sound module?

Cheerz..

 

[super_kev]

It looks to me like it's just a MIDI controller, so it doesn't have any built-in speakers or instruments. So you might be out of luck running it stand-alone.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Hey people, i am wondering if i can use this keyboard without using a mac, so basically say if i wanted to take it to a friends house to practise with live instruments, what would i need to make the keyboard run instruments as i would on garaband or logic without the need of a mac?
Would i need a sound module?

Yes: You'll need a hardware MIDI sound module of some description, and a sound system to play it through. Good news is that the price of MIDI hardware is crashing due to the popularity of software instruments, so you can get entry-mid level gear for cheap on eBay. Sonicstate has reviews and specs and current used pricing guides on 100's of models. go there to check before bidding.

 

[wwooden]

It might be worth you looking into getting the M-AUDIO ProKeys 88. It is just like the Pro-88 but has the soundbank built in. All you have to is bring some speakers. But maybe M-AUDIO equipment might not be for you if that is how you plan on playing, they gear their stuff toward studios and home recording.

 

[CanadaRAM]

It might be worth you looking into getting the M-AUDIO ProKeys 88. It is just like the Pro-88 but has the soundbank built in. All you have to is bring some speakers. But maybe M-AUDIO equipment might not be for you if that is how you plan on playing, they gear their stuff toward studios and home recording.

Although their other gear (like the Keystation) is studio oriented, M-Audio is positioning the Pro-88 and ProKeys-88 for performance use.

What alternatives are there <$700 for an 88 key, weighted action keyboard controller, oriented toward performance? The only one I know is the company from China (CME) who is just starting to import. Possibly the GEM unit from Italy.