picking a yamaha keyboard to buy

by Amy
(Rosendale, NY)

hi there,

I am a singer-songwriter who has played mostly on a piano and have a dinky rehearsal electric keyboard. I am now playing with a band and need a keyboard to play out with. i would like the keys to be weighted, and i'd like it to be an 88-key keyboard. in addition, i am looking for a few good sounds (not a million). a good grand piano sound, a good organ sound and maybe some strings. one more thing, i'd like to be able to loop sounds on the keyboard. and since i am playing out -- it'll need to be portable. it does not have to have built in speakers especially if this compromises the instrument. i guess that's about it. I would like to spend up to $1,000. the Yamaha MM8 was recommended to me as well as the DGX 630. Are there any others i should check out??? It's quite a big world out there in keyboard land -- i sure could use some help!

thanks!!