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Posted by DjSimonB on Oct-13-2004 14:19:

Buying a controller keyboard...

I'm thinking of buying a controller keyboard now, basically I want USB support (so I don't have to shell out more money to get a MIDI interface straight away), and I'd rather have a 4-octave one. Ideally I'm looking at below �100 because I've not got all that much money... So I've found these two, they look like likely candidates:

http://www.sub.co.uk/prodimg.php?pi...e=200&ysize=200
http://www.sub.co.uk/index.php?sec=...=EVOLUTIONMK249

The difference is 1) �20 and 2) some knobs and sliders.

So do the knobs and sliders actually matter, or are they just fancy-looking features that aren't really necessary (and at my budget, I'm not looking for any bells and whistles, just something that will make my production a bit easier)

So what are you guys recommendations?

I didn't search because the button's not working, plus this is a personal thing I'm wondering...

Posted by ManTrance on Oct-13-2004 15:18:

I've got the Evolution keyboard, and it works v v well for me.

Installation was v v v simple. Just plug it in, no extra software drivers needed.

There are a good amount of knobs & sliders, so you can control levels, filter values etc.

Would definetly recommend it.

The keys are a good size aswell.

Posted by Vizay on Oct-13-2004 15:20:

I have the Evolution MK-249C and imo it's great. It doesn't feel all to plastic even though it's made out of it it's very stable.

the keys feels very good too, I mean okay they aint weighted but if you can live without that then the keyboard is well worth it's price

Posted by Rikki on Oct-13-2004 21:50:

I just bought an Evolution eKeys 49 today, was about �75 including VAT and delivery from https://www.makingwavesaudio.com

I had emailed the company asking the difference between the various keyboards they use and since it will be used as a dumb master keyboard for Fruity Loops it's perfect. It doesnt have extra buttons or an LED display but sod it, its got everything I need and it actually looks pretty good too.

R.

Posted by DjSimonB on Oct-13-2004 22:52:

quote:
Originally posted by Rikki
I just bought an Evolution eKeys 49 today, was about �75 including VAT and delivery from https://www.makingwavesaudio.com

Thanks for that link, I'm seeing some good prices on that site

I think I'll go with the 249, to be honest I feel that having some knobs and sliders would be useful, it would be great to do stuff like automation that I find hard to get right by drawing in certain situations...

Posted by DjSimonB on Oct-14-2004 13:30:

Apparently the E-Keys 49 is now replacing the MK-249, apparently with the same features even though it's cheaper... Explains why the 249 seems to be becoming harder to find these days.

Ordered the E-Keys instead, hoping they weren't telling me lies and it is indeed the same product

Posted by Rikki on Oct-14-2004 19:58:

quote:
Originally posted by DjSimonB
Apparently the E-Keys 49 is now replacing the MK-249, apparently with the same features even though it's cheaper... Explains why the 249 seems to be becoming harder to find these days.

Ordered the E-Keys instead, hoping they weren't telling me lies and it is indeed the same product

Thats what I was told, the ekeys seems fine though for what I need.

R.

Posted by Subtle on Oct-14-2004 22:32:

what is wrong with the Edirol PCR ones

link

they seem to never be mentioned

Posted by Rob on Oct-15-2004 02:27:

What's wrong with the oldskool Evolution line?

Presenting the MK149!

Posted by Rikki on Oct-15-2004 08:11:

quote:
Originally posted by Subtle
what is wrong with the Edirol PCR ones

link

they seem to never be mentioned

That looks a fantastic bit of kit but its about �170 which is quite expensive for a master keyboard when the ekeys is only �70 and does the same basic job. The knobs and sliders are trick though!

R.

Posted by echosystm on Oct-15-2004 08:35:

quote:
Originally posted by Vizay
I have the Evolution MK-249C and imo it's great. It doesn't feel all to plastic even though it's made out of it it's very stable.

the keys feels very good too, I mean okay they aint weighted but if you can live without that then the keyboard is well worth it's price

Me too

Posted by DRM on Oct-15-2004 10:44:

wot about the m-audio o2?

link

Posted by DjSimonB on Oct-15-2004 17:26:

My Evolution came today

Came bundled with a bunch of pointless software, but it seems to do the job, was easy enough to set up too cos all I had to do was plug it in, switch it on and start playing...

Posted by Rikki on Oct-16-2004 14:45:

Yeah the box it arrived in for me had lots of kiddies software all over it "learn to play, its fun" etc. Had me worried until I opened it up and saw the keyboard was actually faily hefty and well put together. Would have liked to get a MIDI cable with it but thankfully had one from the last keyboard.

R.