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> MIDI keyboards - need suggestions plz <
Well I was thinking of buying a MIDI keyboard to start some proper producing. What MIDI keyboard do you prefer?
I was thinking about M-Audio Oxygen 49, or maybe the bit more expensive Axiom 49 but I don't really want to spend much money on MIDI cause its only I controller right?
And a question: whats the difference between "synth mechanics" and "semi-weighed mechanics" referring to keys on the board? Is the latter much more superior? As I understand the Oxygen (cheaper) has synth and the Axiom (expensive) has semi-weighed mechanics which I suppose are better?!... And also Ive heard that M-Audio sucks in general. But Edirol and Korg stuff is way to expensive for my pocket..
And oh! Octaves!!! What do you think should be the minimum for production (trance, progressive) - 49 keys (4 oct) or 61 keys (5 oct) and does it make a big difference?
Would be glad to hear some tips 
P.S: and oh...one more think - are pad controls usefull for writing drumloops?
well after some researching I've bought an Emu xboard 49.
that was about 3 months ago, but there hasn't been too much changes...so I think it's still your best bet...the design isn't as hot as M-Audio's but on the other hand Emu has much better keys and also (AFAIH) the build quality is much better...I think that experience of Emu's is pretty long and you can be sure the product is the best you can get.
Specs: USB, Midi out, 16 knobs, modwheel, pitchbend, 49 semi-weighted velocity sensitive keys.
copied from Emu.com ->
The E-MU Xboard 49 features: 49 full-size professional keys with Aftertouch - the Xboard 49 is a true performance controller with a high-quality synth-action keybed
Xboard Control� software lets you easily create custom setups for your favorite hardware/software instruments
Advanced studio/live performance features, like Latch Mode for triggering drum loops, Snap Shot for instantaneous program changes, and many more
16 real-time controllers that can be assigned to the key performance parameters of all your favorite virtual instruments
Includes Proteus X LE Desktop Sound Module (for Windows) with over 1000 presets and Ableton Live Lite 4 for E-MU (for Windows)
USB, battery or AC powered - take your music anywhere
PC & Mac compatible - Windows XP/x64/2000 and Macintosh OS X drivers
and btw...yeah I'm an Emu-whore 
semi wieghted keys are good if you want something a little more substantial than no wieght at all. i suppose they allow you to be more "expressive" while playing, but semiwieghted are still no where near fully wieghted keys(or piano keys for that matter).
the trigger pads are sic cause you can do a million things with them, not just drums, but for live acts and stuff. either of those keyboards are gonna be fine for you, and they will last you a long time.
octaves arnt really an issue unless you are playing a lot...i think both those keyboards have octave shift capabilities, so you're good on that end.
personally, i'd get the axiom because it has the trigger pads.
Dang I was considering a Upgrade from my M-Audio e-Keys 49e to an Edirol PCR-M50 for the control knobs and sliders. But I never saw that Axiom49 anywhere in my searches is it brand new or something? It looks sweet the PADs will be a nice addition as well as I was looking for something simlar as well in a separate unit. I was awaiting the new Alesis Control Pad due out this spring in the $250 range. But I'll see how much the Axiom is. I know M-Audio is not the best bit Im far from requiring the best. If it plays the notes it's good enough for me sort of idea! lol
http://www.rolandus.com/products/pr...65&ParentId=114
^
I will be getting this brand new roland in a while (it's around the $300 mark)
I have have bad luck with the fully weighted 88 key workstation by m-audio (it's all dead keys right now much like the $500 I spend on the motherfu*er)
Not to say nothing good about m-audio... not to say nothing bad about m-audio
that's just what happened to me... it could have been a faulty unit ...
But we all know roland and how the do. 
When they put something out its usually built good and lasts (jupiter, juno, sh-101, tb-303, 808, tr-909 anyone? )
Copy and paste from rolands website:
Introducing the next generation of EDIROL�s popular MIDI keyboard controllers. In addition to providing more physical controls than previous models, the PCR-800 also offers new innovative and intuitive controls. This controller is solidly built, and optimized for both music production and live performance.
61 velocity-sensitive keys, now with aftertouch
50 fully assignable controls, and editor software (Mac & PC)
18 velocity pads
New, unique crossfader feature
High-quality keyboard mechanism, and durable, stable body
�Dynamic Mapping� � intelligent assignment of controls
Convenient location of connections on side panel
USB bus-powered
MIDI merge
�Cakewalk Production Plus Pack� included (SONAR LE, Project 5 LE, and Dimension LE)
Ive been using the Axiom 61 and love it. I would def reccomend it
guys not gonna bash you...but why the "F" do you need those pads? cant you just map to keys?
I mean when I'm playing live I use the first octave for launching samples (or drumming) and the other parts for melodies...works just as well...although you're missing an octave...but I think the pads are not a big deal!
| quote: |
| Originally posted by BOOsTER guys not gonna bash you...but why the "F" do you need those pads? cant you just map to keys? I mean when I'm playing live I use the first octave for launching samples (or drumming) and the other parts for melodies...works just as well...although you're missing an octave...but I think the pads are not a big deal! |
what do you think of Evolution MK461C
Sounds neat to me. Must be better than M-Audio..
What do you think?
man im having one hard time deciding which midi-keys to get. ive heard M-audio is shit in comparison with stuff from Edirol, Novation, E-Mu etc. but darn! im not a pro pianist, im no live performer. i just want to type some simple melodies into my Cubase and thats about it, so... i think i'll go for the M-Audio Oxygen 61. It has plenty of sliders and rotary knobs, and its 5-octave long, so to say
but really the main reason is the money, cause its only 250 USD while a 4-octave Edirol costs almost 400 USD. planning to get the midi-keys around April
xboard 49 is reasonably cheap too
the axiom 49 looks really nice
I am planning on buying this next month:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Oct.../keystation.htm
this is what i currently have: http://web.quick.cz/a.tom.x/dx27.htm (we call it vintage
i think ill go for Korg K61. its Korg and its 61 keys and sufficient MIDI knobs for me imo... and its around 220 USD
I just bought a Korg k25
its sweet!! The finger XY thing rocks to control effects ( on XY plane) or you can use it as mouse (you can click it too)
It looks much better in real life. And doesn't feel cheap. ( I tried M-audio 02 and oxygen and didn't like them as much )
The Axiom 49 kicks major ass. You just made me order it and spend my last money, you bitch
Yes, the Axiom 49 is very good! I hardly use the pads, though. They aren't very responsive. The infinite rotary knobs are kind of useless, seeing how MIDI only accepts values from 0-127 to begin with.
anyone used the new Kork K25/49/61 ?
| quote: |
| Originally posted by blacknoizybox anyone used the new Kork K25/49/61 ? |
oops...
| quote: |
| Originally posted by TheChuckster Yes, the Axiom 49 is very good! I hardly use the pads, though. They aren't very responsive. The infinite rotary knobs are kind of useless, seeing how MIDI only accepts values from 0-127 to begin with. |
.
I have an Oxygen49, and I like it for production stuff. I have no idea how to use it for live applications with 2 cdj-200's and a djm-400. Maybe someone can clue me in 
| quote: |
| I think you fail to understand the point of infinite rotary controllers they send +1/-1 data, and not their current position. |
| quote: |
| Controller Status 0xB0 to 0xBF where the low nibble is the MIDI channel. Data Two data bytes follow the Status. The first data is the controller number (0 to 127). This indicates which controller is affected by the received MIDI message. The second data byte is the value to which the controller should be set, a value from 0 to 127. |
So, I bought the Axiom 49 a while back, and I'm very pleased with that decision.
I MIGHT be coming to the conclusion that rotary encoders are worthless without some feedback (like the behringer BCR unit) while adjusting effects parameters. In Ableton, scrolling scenes with the lower right encoder is quite handy though, triggering clips in the selected scene with the corresponding button under the faders, which correspond to each track.
As far as the pads? I can't compare them to other drum/trigger pads as far as velocity and sensativity... but I can say that it is INCREDIBLY useful for momentary effects in Ableton. Hitting a pad, then 'Ctrl Assign' then (-) to select 146 (or 147? it's in the instructions) makes the pad send an on message when pressed and held, and an off message when released. Just download Glitch and throw it in there and suddenly I'm wasting hours on end cutting and reversing loops and beats... 
Sigh... there's not enough time in the day.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by TheChuckster Wrong. From the MIDI specification, it says clearly that the knob values can only be from 0-127. I tested this hypothesis by reading a hex dump of the MIDI data produced by me turning the knob back and forth. The knobs themselves are infinite, but at a certain point, it stops sending data. You can even see it on the Axiom LCD. Here's the documentation: |
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