G8 to G6 users

[z06lm]

I am cusrious to know - anyone buy a G8 and wish they got a g7 or 6 , or even vise versa ?? I am pulling the trigger on a G8 as I don't have any other keyboard and I feel I may get more flexibility . Plus she ain't leav'in the house.

For the G6 users, how come you didn't got for the G8 was is solely cost ? or weight of transportation?

[kenchan]

G7/G6 if you are an electronic musician type making techno music and such.
G8 if you're more of a pianist type or make more conventional music.

that's how i decided to get the G8. plus, the ivory feel is excellent. :p
i got the G7 just to expand the G8's power. i dont play on the keys unless im programming the sounds and need more than 61keys.

you're very limited with 61keys unless you have another set of keys or only record one hand-part at a time.

[Artemiy]

The issues with a G8 are basically the weight, and the extra cost. However, the key action on the G8 is gorgeous - the best balance I have ever experienced.

[cyclops]

kenchan:

you're very limited with 61keys unless you have another set of keys or only record one hand-part at a time

You're exaggerating in my opinion, I'll strongly disagree. A 61-note keyboard is adequate for most cases. For the only job you're gonna need a 88-note weighted keyboard is for playing and recording piano and electric piano parts. Would you choose to play organ or string parts with a weighted keyborad? I know I wouldn't, and I bet most of the rest of people here wouldn't either. After all, the majority of keyboard players use 61-note keyboards, and that's not only for the extra cost that's needed for the extra keys when buying 88-note or 76-note keyboards.

[jessej]

I got the G6 because 61 is enough keys for me, I don't feel comfortable with weighted keys and because of the better portability and I got the G6 for a really nice introductory special price.

Weighted keys vs Keyboard keys is to me like discussing which is "better" - a Classical Nylon-stringed Acoustic Guitar or an Stratocaster.

[nav_]

The G8 is way to heavy, but as I started with classical piano, I dont like unweighted keys. Tried it several times, but never got familiar with it. I'd also say 61 is sufficient in the many cases, but as I usually play compley livesets using the whole keyboard I'm really happy to have 88 keys. So, I love my G8 and would never exchange it with a smaller version.

[kenchan]

cyclops- damn, did you forget to take your vitamins today? hahaha. hey, it's your machine you know best wat's best for you.

for me, 88 keys weighted action with ivory feel is the way to go.... including playing organs, strings, and drums. :p although for drums non-weighted keys work great for fast passages.

[thextreme1]

As a new owner of the G6, I would have loved to have the G8 but the extra cost is unwarranted in my honest opinion. I can buy an 88 key, weighted digital piano for $500 and get the same benefit. I paid $1995 new for my G6, the G8 is $1500 more... That extra money could be spent on more beneficial studio equipment.

Nothing against everyone who bought the G8, I just couldnt bring myself to spend the extra money which could have been used for something a little more substantial for my recordings. When the G8 hits the $1500-$2000 mark, I may reconsider.

[piaknowguy]

Nav alluded to this in his earlier post; one of the major advantages of working with the G8 is made apparent when using live sets. (more sounds with greater range) Live set ranges are much more flexible and easier to manipulate when playing with the full 88 key board. IMHO The action on the G8 is incredible. No regrets here! =)

It obviously really depends on how one uses the board!

Cheers!
PiaKnowGuy
Please listen to Don't You Think It's Tacky?


PiaKnow

[kenchan]

The weighted action isn't just any generic weighted action so we have to give credit to Roland for that. The biggest difference is the ivory feel but also the escapement as well. kurz, yami, nor korg have been able to copy the feel thus far (well, from my limited test playing at the music store).
But if you're not so critical on the keyboard feel, any ol keys should suffice. I like to feel quality when I play my instruments.

[quebec88]

I have the G6 and my decision was based mostly on price, but I actually prefer non-weighted keys for a synthesizer. I'm happy that I purchased the G6....no regrets and I too could not justify the additional cost of the G8. For what it's worth, I prefer to play lead sounds, strings, organ, guitars, bass, synth bass, flute, etc, etc....you get the point, on non-piano keys. The only sound that I would want weighted keys would be the piano and I didn't buy the Fantom just to play the piano. And this is coming from someone who took piano lessons on a real piano.

[nickoli]

i have the g8 and love the weighted keys ivory feel feels amazing. sometimes i do wish i had the non weighted ones for drums. but im glad i have the weight ones and i think it was worth the extra cash

an option that i once thought of doing is get the g6 and a electric piano then you can have both and wire them up together so the electric piano plays the g6.

[jhashe]

The G8 is my first weighted keyboard . Although I learned the piano several years ago, it took me almost a year to feel comfortable with the G8. But today, this work pays; in effect, it "high" my level of play and now, I find very difficult to go back to a non-weighted keyboard.

[lazeeboy]

My answer to the G8's weightproblem: I bought two of them! So one doen't leave the house (attic) and the other is schlepped around the country in a Roadready flightcase with wheels. The case is a bit heavy but the fact that it's got wheels makes up for it; I can lug it around all by myself so no problemo. The size of it is a different matter though; I've got a two seat car (VW Caddy) with plenty (1.6 mtr long) room in the back.

I do miss a non-weighted keyboard for hammond and fast solo-ing occasionally (two fingers alternating on one key just cannot be done fast enough on the G8), but hey I like a clean setup of just one keyboard on stage (plus attached VK-8M sitting on top of the G because the hammond sounds of the G just don't do it for me).

Regards,
Laurenz

[cyclops]

I'd prefer a G6 along with a cheaper and lighter 88-note keyboard controller. Although it might not be as good as the G8's ivory feel, I believe it's a more realistic solution, plus it gives you more keys and more instruments to play, by controlling other sounds with the G6's keys and other sounds with the 88-note keyboard.

And, by the way, how much is the G8 with the new price raises? I don't think many musicians can afford a G8, let alone two of them!!!