49 vs. 61 vs. 73 vs. 76 vs. 88 note keyboards

[Argyle]

61 note keyboards are always either too much or too little for me. If the synth is primarily a lead or bass machine, then 49 keys is OK. If the synth has enough polyphony to be played like an organ (or piano), then I’d think 73 keys is about optimum. Like the old Akai AX73 - perfect keyboard length, but unfortunately terrible action and no aftertouch. 76 keys would be OK, too, I guess. Gotta have aftertouch, though.

And as far as 88 notes … I’ve never needed that many, and I probably never will.

[MC1]

And as far as 88 notes … I’ve never needed that many, and I probably never will.

You will if you split the keyboard into more than two zones. I’ve played many gigs with my 88 key Kurzweil MIDIBoard and there is a need for that many keys at times.

Contrast that to my Andromeda where 61 keys is barely adequate for two splits.