Help me choose between FA-06 and FA-08!

[DaMaul]

Hi guys, I really like the sound of the new Roland FA workstations! I've currently got a Juno-GI, which I like in many ways but is very limited in others. An FA-06 or 08 seems the perfect upgrade (supernatural sound engine, onboard VA synth engine, midi sequencer, sampler, more useful knobs etc...).

So my dilemma is whether to choose the 06 or 08. Obviously I could try them both out and see, but there is no shop in my town where I can demo them both (or either for that matter!).

I'm an 'OK' player, and I've never owned a fullsize keyboard with weighted keys before. For this reason I'd like to get the FA-08 so I can improve my playing, but I'm also worried that I might not be able to get used to it once I've got it! Also slightly dubious about how the weighted keys will affect playing synth sounds as opposed to piano sounds.

So I'd be interested in hearing the thoughts of anyone who has tried both the FA-06 and FA-08, which model you preferred and how you rate yourself as a player? Any other thoughts also appreciated! I should add that the difference in price isn't a major issue for me, and I'm not tooooo bothered about the extra weight of the FA-08 either.

[Flavorkeys]

DaMaul,

If you have not been playing a weighted keyboard I would not go with the FA-08. It's piano-like weighted keyboard is a little bit on the heavy side as weighted keybeds go and this certainly is good for piano but not optimal for synth, organ, strings, etc. I could easily see you not liking the keybed for the simple reason that is is unfamiliar and/or uncomfortable to play.

I bought the FA-08 primarily because I wanted the weighted keyboard and will mostly use it for AP and EP sounds although I have learned to adapt my playing the other sounds (synth, strings, etc. ) on a weighted keybed when necessary.

Just my opinion, hope it helps.

[Benjaminimus]

I struggled with the same decision and decided on the FA-08. Some other things to think about are whether you will use the FA alone or in conjunction with another board, and whether you plan to do a lot of splits and layers, e.g. for live performance. For me, it's nice to have a set of weighted keys for the minority of songs where my band needs me to play piano, and I can use my other synth-action keyboard above the FA. I find that while the FA-08 action is a bit heavy and is not ideal for synth/organ playing, the major advantage of the FA-08 is being able to take full advantage of the FA's ability (present in both the 06 and 08) to split and layer 16 parts across the keyboard. 61 keys just didn't seem enough to me for that purpose, or even generally for playing. 76 keys would have been nice, but no one seems to be doing that nowadays ...

Hope this helps. Good luck!

P.S.
I suppose I am an advanced intermediate KB player. Studied piano for about 11 years (in a previous life) and now I play in a local band on the weekends, that kind of thing.

[cello]

I guess it also depends on what music you want to play. If you're wanting to do Jordan Rudess antics then a weighted keyboard might not work for you.

However, for me the single point of weakness of the FA-06 (which I have) is the keys. Very little movement and although I'm an experienced, classically trained and qualified piano player, I find it difficult to play in a consistent manner.

So for that reason, I would recommend the -08 to you. If you want to learn and expand your keyboard playing horizons then I don't think the -06 will be best for you; go for the bigger keyboard.

Whichever you end up going for, you certainly won't be disappointed by the sounds it makes :)

[Blueturtle]

Is there any difference in the sound while playing weighted keys? velocity can be better controlled on weighted keys?

[piaknowguy]

Yes. Generally, velocity can be better controlled using a weighted keyboard. I've been playing on the FA-08 for the last couple of days now and am quite enjoying the action of the keyboard; not too light, not too heavy. Adjusting the global sensitivity also makes a noticeable difference. So far, I am impressed! I am glad I went with the FA-08!

Cheers!

[rolandagent£££]

use your 06 for everything else - but use a weighted 88 midi controller (connect to f6) for everything else. save yourself a fortune.

[Igglethorpe]

This!

I got a FA-06 and use a weighted 88 midi controller. Best of both worlds. Also, 88 key keyboards are expensive. Would rather just buy the 88 key controller once and get the more inexpensive versions of the synthesizer keyboards as I need them.

My weighted 88 key controller is the Akai MPK 88.

[PauloF]

This!

I got a FA-06 and use a weighted 88 midi controller. Best of both worlds. Also, 88 key keyboards are expensive. Would rather just buy the 88 key controller once and get the more inexpensive versions of the synthesizer keyboards as I need them.

My weighted 88 key controller is the Akai MPK 88.

Although I currently have no Weighted 88 keyboard (I had to sell my RD 170 for economic reasons 3 years ago), I do agree that if you want to improve your Piano skills, go for the FA-08. Buying a cheap 88 MIDI controller is not an option if you want a proper weighted 88 note Keyboard.

Besides that, a good weighted 88 MIDI keyboard Controller is more or less the same price difference between the FA-06 and the FA-08. The FA-08 is around 1599 Euros and the FA-08 is around 950, the difference being 649 Euros. As an example, the MPK-88 (one that I would not mind to have myself) is more that that (around 689 Euros)

A Good 88 Key Full-Weighted MIDI Controller ranges between 400 and 1000 Euros, depending on the features.

[Igglethorpe]

All true.

All I'm suggesting is invest in a good quality 88 controller and you will have it for years. Workstation, controller, whatever but keep it for the long haul and then buy the rest of your equipment with synth keys. Unless you are classically trained and intend on playing mainly piano sounds it doesn't make much sense to have more than one 88 note weighted board. You get more for your buck this way.

[DaMaul]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think in the end it was about 50% telling me to go for the FA-06 and 50% for the FA-08 :-P

I decided to throw myself in the deep end and go for the 08, it's being delivered tomorrow :-D

I only plan to buy one keyboard so the seperate weighted midi controller isn't really an economy for me! Having said that I might get myself a cheap synth action midi controller at some point in the future if I find the keys too heavy for synth/organ parts.

I'll update this post after a week or so with the FA-08 to say how I got on with the switch to weighted keys in case anyone else is trying to make the same decision! Cheers to all and make amazing sounds!

[madAhorn]

Good decision I think! I played it at the store and was impressed with the feel and weight as well as the ease of organ like playing compared to other 88 keyboards...