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m-audio Vs Novation

After a good 49keys or more midi controller (dont want to have to tab down for octaves), suit logic/mac setup. or, any other suggestions, akai MPK etc or are they one and the same?

Any guidance appreciated greatly". Have ordered some HS80m's as well so thanks for the feedback previously.

Im in the process of building my studio bit by bit so this help is really appreciated.

Here's my 2 cents in the case you need less than 88 keys (full piano keyb with hammer action)

Go For Novation. Period.

I've got the X-station 49 here, and although I'm now selling it, I must say I was really happy.

I've also got an Axiom 49 (Black). I'm not a fan of endless rotary controls to be honest, I'm also selling it. Also, it has a huge limitation: the pitch bend lacks MIDI precision, so with high bend values (+ 24 semitones) you'll hear artifacts/scaling! Unacceptable for me.

The only reason I'm selling the XS49 is that I'm going for something radically different.

The price tag isn't the same, but I like the idea of having one specific fader/knob/button that is labelled on the unit itself. That's the big advantage of a synth/midi controller combo.

And its price is just amazing. 800 $ AU max.

Mine's for sale, but I won't ship to Down Under because of the customs hassle.

I have a digital piano full keys. So i soley want a good midi controller, I have had a cheapo in the past. So i want something very useful that wont incur me any problems when it comes to functionality, to run with logic/mac.

thanks heaps for the info

Semi-weighted or hammer actions are great if you want to actually play piano, but I don't like them for anything else. I think synth action is far more precise for strings and virtually anything EDM, because the keys rebound faster.

nice one, therefore you need a good synth action keyboard or it won't make sense :-) I had a test on the Juno DI, the pcr 500 and many more, I wasn't too convinced TBH. Novation's on the other hand is quite nice and its aftertouch responds correctly.

61 keys is still a minimum for me. I feel short with 49. But the latter is easy to pack.

Dramatic decision on the way for our man! ROFL

quote:

Originally posted by Lolo nice one, therefore you need a good synth action keyboard or it won't make sense :-)

Actually, on that note, I just want to say I am talking about the average case. Hammer keys will never feel like synth action keys and vice versa, but semi-weighted keys can often feel like hammer action or synth action. For example, M-Audio semi-weighted keys are rather similar in feel to synth action. Conversely, Novation semi-weighted keys are a bit more towards the hammer action end of the scale. Thus, you really need to judge on a case by case basis.

Novation Novation Novation



I cannot recommend the 49 key SL enough. Do NOT get the compact. Pay the extra for the faders. They also make a 37 key SL which is priced VERY well lately if you're ok with limited octaves

thanks guys. yahooo. yeah i was leaning more towards the Novation SL series as well they looked more compact, and solid unlike the M-Audio Axiom range and MPK akai's.

The Novation SL range do the knobs completely rotate? I would rather a hard left and hard right then the 360 rotation.

Thanks again any more info really appreciated.

cheers

zoom in... I think that on the SL range some are endless and some are not.

L.

quote:

Originally posted by Energy_3 thanks guys. yahooo. yeah i was leaning more towards the Novation SL series as well they looked more compact, and solid unlike the M-Audio Axiom range and MPK akai's. The Novation SL range do the knobs completely rotate? I would rather a hard left and hard right then the 360 rotation. Thanks again any more info really appreciated. cheers

8 knobs rotate 360 and 8 knobs have hard left/right.

quote:

Originally posted by cammaxwell 8 knobs rotate 360 and 8 knobs have hard left/right.

ah nice thats ok. they dont look flimsy either, the trouble is where I live im in a rural part of Australia and there is no music shop for like 2000miles, i am literally in the desert.

So i have to ask questions on here..!

thanks heaps

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm I think synth action is far more precise for strings and virtually anything EDM, because the keys rebound faster.

weighted keys have a faster action.

quote:

Originally posted by RichieV weighted keys have a faster action.

It takes more effort to press a weighted key and they rebound slower. Once you break the weight threshold, yes they do press down faster, but I find this is terrible for anything where you want good control over velocity (eg. strings).

Out of curiosity, have you actually owned a piano, hammer action keyboard, semi-weighted keyboard AND synth action keyboard, and used them for any significant period of time? If so, I really don't see how you can make such a claim. Hammer keys rebound so slowly you have to absolutely smash them if you want to hit the same key again quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm It takes more effort to press a weighted key and they rebound slower. Once you break the weight threshold, yes they do press down faster, but I find this is terrible for anything where you want good control over velocity (eg. strings). Out of curiosity, have you actually owned a piano, hammer action keyboard, semi-weighted keyboard AND synth action keyboard, and used them for any significant period of time? If so, I really don't see how you can make such a claim. Hammer keys rebound so slowly you have to absolutely smash them if you want to hit the same key again quickly.

hammer keys rebound much faster. There is more pressure in the opposite direction unlike unweighted keys. You can stroke a key and alternate with three fingers and because the action pushes the key in the opposite direction , you can go incredibly fast. As far as effort, well that comes from your arms, not your fingers so it is not an issue for people that play properly.

Put it this way, it is impossible to play some concert piano music on anything but a weighted keyboard because the action is alot slower. Weighted keyboards offer much more dynamic range as the distance is usually greater and can interpret how hard you hit the key.

I don't think you need one but I was just addressing a mistake I think you made.

Well, as someone who has owned a piano and keyboards of all types (I assume you have too), my opinion differs from yours. I'm going to have to agree to disagree

I'm on the same page about hammer keys striking faster once you break the threshold, but I've always found them to rebound slow and make velocity control harder (due to the threshold of the hammer).

chances are you are playing with improper technique. The velocity control comes from the weight of the arms, not the fingers. It is probably better to stick with the synth keyboard if you aren't playing that way because the extra pressure of the weighted keys can hurt your wrists.

quote:

Originally posted by RichieV chances are you are playing with improper technique. The velocity control comes from the weight of the arms, not the fingers. It is probably better to stick with the synth keyboard if you aren't playing that way because the extra pressure of the weighted keys can hurt your wrists.

I love to comment, but have only dealt with semi weighted keys, and piano.

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