Best lightweight hammer action board to go with my NS3C

[gfullick]

I am after a lightweight hammer action keyboard that I can use with my NS3 compact. I have a NS2 that I have been using for years, but there are times when I would like a lightweight board that was much easier to lug around, and use as a second keyboard for my NS3C. Hammer action is essential - as I would be using it to play some of the piano sounds from the NS3C.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Graeme

[anotherscott]

Casio PX-5S, 24 lbs.

Anything with a standard 5-pin DIN MIDI Out jack will work. I don't think there's anything lighter than that Casio, but if you want something cheaper, some are not much heavier... still under 30 lbs, you've got Studiologic SL73, Kawai ES110, Kurzweil SP1, Casio PX-360.

Do you care at all about sounds in this second board? Do you want to be able to easily send patch changes to your Nord from it? Do you care whether it has pitch wheel, mod wheel, aftertouch, expression pedal? These are some other ways those options differ.

[gfullick]

I used a Studiologic SL73 for a while in dual keyboard mode with my NS3 compact, perfect for rock/pop piano.

[gfullick]

Thanks guys,
I have been looking around and am aware of a few of the options. I am open to using either a board with sounds (such as the Casio’s), or midi only such as the SL. Really interested in hearing from users about the playing experience if that is possible. I would like to keep weight and size down as much as possible, so 12kg or under would be desirable. Also I use Camelot Pro to control my boards, so I probably need USB midi I/O to fit in to my current setup. Both the Casio and SL should fit that I believe. After touch is desirable, mod wheel not really required - I do my patch changes from Camelot Pro through MIDI, expression pedal input is desirable, but not essential as I would be using mostly for piano sounds.

[gfullick]

I bought the Roland RD88 and am very happy using it with Stage compact. You can route your stage through it and use its internal speaker when soundman mutes you during sound check. Some nice alternate sounds too. Less than 30lbs.

[anotherscott]

If you want aftertouch, go for the Studiologic SL 73 (or 88 Studio at slightly higher weight for the extra keys). If you want something with sounds, the least expensive hammer action option with aftertouch is the Kurzweil PC4, also light at about 28 lbs, but it is substantially more expensive.

Camelot Pro will work regardless of whether your boards communicate via USB or standard 5-pin MIDI (there are USB adapters for those).

[gfullick]

Roland RD88 looks very interesting. Will have to check it out. About the top of my weight range, but very nice looking board.