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-- a very simple laptop set up and MIDI keyboards (any good?)

a very simple laptop set up and MIDI keyboards (any good?)

Hi all,

Been ages since I've been on ta. But now that I am starting to get into producing I should be around more often....although for a while I may not be much use.

I'm wanting to start producing and having read through a lot of the topics here I see I need quite a lot. However,I have a limited budget of �500 and I am keen to get a MIDI keyboard so initially I find producing fun and more interesting than keying piano roles.

What do you guys think of these two?

MIDI keyboard that ferry corsten likes

and

Korg microkorg

My reasoning is see what I can do with basic stuff but a fun MIDI keyboard and if I get any good then I will throw more money at it. Like what I did with my DJ set up first.

Advice on those two MIDI keyboards would be greatly appreciated for a noob at production.

Neither. novation remote SL 37 or 48 IMO. Don't buy a pretend synth like these, they're too toyish and you won't use them after a year.
IMOIMOIMO

yeah Ive seen the novation remote SL but it was too pricey hence why I am looking at something else. if only I'd cut back on a few mas pressies this year haha

quote:

Originally posted by smaulpaul yeah Ive seen the novation remote SL but it was too pricey hence why I am looking at something else. if only I'd cut back on a few mas pressies this year haha

haha you're in my position 5-6 months ago
i was deciding between those 2 and everything!

i chose the novation xio 49, goes alright, but if i were to choose again i would just not get a synth at all mate (which both of these are), and just go for a M-Audio Midi keyboard... I paid a couple hundred bucks more for the synthesiser on this thing which i only used for the first week i owned the synth (before i understood how to use software synths) from which point i've only used it's midi functions...

no point getting a cheap hardware synthesiser imo, just go a normal midi keyboard

xio's fine as a keyboard i think, the knobs are fine tho i havn't synced em to my sequencer or anything so theyre pretty much useless atm... but yeah, with the xio you're essentially paying heaps more for the synthesiser which you probably won't use: just stick to a plain midi keyboard like and m-audio...

edit: this is becoming a huge reply, but do you have a sound-card?? the xio comes with a builtin one which might be good for you if you don't have anything except your computer's inbuilt... probably worth getting this if you don't have a sound card and won't be able to get one for a while, it's crappy, and you should really get an external audio interface, but the xio's is better than a standard laptop one if you can't afford one for now!

I would go with a dedicated midi keyboard instead of a cheap synth that you will end up using as a dedicated midi keyboard.

quote:

Originally posted by smaulpaul yeah Ive seen the novation remote SL but it was too pricey hence why I am looking at something else. if only I'd cut back on a few mas pressies this year haha

A 37 is well within your price range. I seem to remember that mine was only 400-500 on ebay including shipping.

Damn $500 for a midi controller! It better make good sandwiches.

sounds like some sound advice with going for a decent MIDI keyboard.

Whats the big hoo haarr with M-Audio midi keyboards then?

Oh and yes my soundcard is the crappy laptop one. But surely I can get another half decent soundcard with the savings I could make by getting a proper MIDI keyboard.

So then I can just get some decent VST's and synths and just use the MIDI keyboards as a controller cant I? See.....I'm getting somewhere!!!

I love my microKorg! I love the small keys and i can take it anywhere!
I have the microKONTROL and microKoRG! Korg is coming out with a NEW microKorg called the microKorg XL!If i was you ill wate to buy any thing till after NAMM in January! Also check out Sonicstate for all the new shit thats coming out!
http://www.sonicstate.com/video/index.cfm?vid=1

Take care!

well I think I have foun the best soundcard for my laptop thanks to the guides on the front page:

The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 - its cheap as cheaps.

So now I can get a half decent Compact MIDI
Keyboard Controller.

All I need now is an affordable program to get me on my way and that should set me up for a while surely?!

Man, I've been reading so much from these forums now that I need a beer!!!

I went and bought a Novation 61 SL, and it's pretty cool.... But the thing is that there's a learning curve involved with the use of this too. so if you're already knee deep in learning other stuff, get something simple. I've had this for months, and barely utilized it because it was too complicated to worry about until recently, when I've had a chance to put some time into getting in tune with it.

Furthermore, it's meant to be a main control surface, so for it to be of use in that role, it's got to be RIGHT in front of you, and the center of your attention. precisely between you and the screen and the speakers. If you have to look to your right or left to get at your knobs and faders, you wont use it. I don't.

If you can get your setup right, and if you've got the time and stamina to learn it right as you get it, then it's worth it. Otherwise, get el-cheapo keyboard with little-to-no functionality. Functionality is only good if you USE it.

To it's credit, however, when I am able to focus on it, the Novation shines. I tried out mapping it to Traktor. It works great. Every control is assigned. the only problem is that all the buttons pots and faders are packed together and look the same, with only the programmable LCD reading off their functionality. Most the time, unfortunately, my focus is on my compy screen. Too far away from my controller.

PRO TIP! Check craigslist or ebay . I bought mine for half price.

quote:

Originally posted by smaulpaul Whats the big hoo haarr with M-Audio midi keyboards then?

cheap and good nothing too complicated hehe

M audio's good for keyboards, but go with an echo, focusrite or similar for soundcard maybe... M audio just have a bad rep from what I've heard. There was something about this in a thread a couple of weeks ago from memory, have a search. I think the consensus was that the firewire cards aren't up to scratch.

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips I think the consensus was that the M-Audio's firewire cards aren't up to scratch.

you mean the m-audio ones yeah?

go an echo, i got an echo audiofire 2 (echo's smallest, cheapest model ) brilliant piece of equipment

had the echo audiofire 2 myself but blowed it away by detaching the firewirecable while in use. be carefull. also its abit small/light so the cables kinda drags it down from the table lol. id go for echo audiofire 4 next time.

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips M audio's good for keyboards, but go with an echo, focusrite or similar for soundcard maybe... M audio just have a bad rep from what I've heard. There was something about this in a thread a couple of weeks ago from memory, have a search. I think the consensus was that the firewire cards aren't up to scratch.

Partly.... I use M-Audio's Firewire 410. It's GREAT.
Wasn't always great though... The big problem came when I built a new 64 bit computer and hit up Vista64. M-Audio hadn't made drivers, so I was completely bereft of an audio interface for nearly 8 months.

I think most their 64 bit drivers have hit the public beta now, though. So problem solved. I'd be wary of their support in the future. They seem interested in giving good support, but they're still playing catch-up. Who knows what'll happen next time there's a big change that they need to make drivers for.....

Previously, I'd have been in the camp espousing avoiding them. Now though, I'd put off the decision till the last minute, do the research, then decide. From the experience I've subsequently had in the last few months, they deserve at least the benefit of the doubt.

thanks guys, all this info is really useful. will have a search for that soundcard now.

been reading all the beginners files over and over again and its so confusing at first. But then again so was learning to mix....all part of the eperience I guess!!!

If it's external (which I hope it ends up being), it's more accurate to call it an audio interface.

quote:

Originally posted by EgosXII you mean the m-audio ones yeah? go an echo, i got an echo audiofire 2 (echo's smallest, cheapest model ) brilliant piece of equipment

Yep.
Palm, interesting to hear your problem with the Echo, hadn't heard of that problem before... Did they replace it for you or anything?

I think M audio might occasionally be ok, but I've just gotten the impression to steer clear. Might not apply to all their products, but I've used a couple and not been really impressed.

nah its common knowledge to not remove firewirecables when in use, i did it by accident, it fell on the floor beacuse it was too light then the cable went out and BOOOMMM. dead. this has nothing to do with echo its a firewire issue and its a big warning on all firewire products about it. this is also why im starting to look for other solutions that firewire/usb. meanwhile echo audiofires are the best interfaces ive ever used. i had the 12 too which was awesome but sold it as i sold all my hardware and then didnt need all the inputs.

quote:

Originally posted by palm nah its common knowledge to not remove firewirecables when in use, i did it by accident, it fell on the floor beacuse it was too light then the cable went out and BOOOMMM. dead. this has nothing to do with echo its a firewire issue and its a big warning on all firewire products about it. this is also why im starting to look for other solutions that firewire/usb. meanwhile echo audiofires are the best interfaces ive ever used. i had the 12 too which was awesome but sold it as i sold all my hardware and then didnt need all the inputs.

Never heard of that. You'd think they'd put a fuse in to prevent that problem I was thinking about getting an RME fireface, but if its gonna be susceptible to that sort of problem...

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips you won't use them after a month.

fixed.

seriously, I bought the xiosynth a while ago, and if you don't need it for its audio card capabilities ( and you shouldn't if you're willing to spend the amount you've stated), it's garbage. Making your own presets with its controls is an absolute bitch. only thing that can be said about the korg is that it's got a vocoder that would be fun to play with, but emphasis on the word play. its' keys are largely useless (tiny toy keys). my recommendation would be to buy a basic midi controller (m-audio's axiom series is great) and a quality audio interface (presonus firebox is a good bet).

sorry if people have posted stuff saying the exact same as me, basically just read a few posts.

think I'm gonna get me an external USB soundcard and an M-Audio Aiom to get me on my merry way.

usb soundcard? i dont know of anyone good, what where u looking at?

quote:

Originally posted by smaulpaul well I think I have foun the best soundcard for my laptop thanks to the guides on the front page: The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 - its cheap as cheaps.

Audiophile 2496 is a PCI card... It won't go in a laptop.

I owned an M-Audio Firewire 410, back when I was a noob and didn't know anything. Take my word on this - they are complete shit. The ADC/DAC is particularly poor for the price. Likewise... only 4 in, but 10 out? WTF? The preamps eat a dick too.

Do yourself a favour and get an Echo Audiofire.

Alternatively, if portability is important, look into getting a Novation X-Station. It's very similar to a Xiosynth, except it has a good editing interface. It has an inbuilt audio interface, which isn't the best in the world but should be fine for a beginner. The synth is the same as V-Station, but you get lots of knobs to twiddle instead of using your mouse. I think this is a good thing for beginners - you will learn synthesis alot quicker.

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