I've been asked by my rents what I want for my Birthday this Dec - I want a Keyboard.

I've been looking at the M-Audio Axiom range - the 25 key I think is in my price range but its abit small.

The older oxygen's look alright and cheaper.

Also theres some nice ones on this ebay shop at good prices such as:

Novation Remote 49 LE USB.

All this shops prices are pretty good.

Any pointers, I think the ones I have mentioned look good i.e. the Novation Remote 49 LE USB.

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if by USB you mean midi, then they all do the same thing which is trigger notes on whatever sample you're using on your software. It all comes down to how many octaves you'd like on the keyboard and what your budget is.

I've got a M-Audio 88 key Midi Keyboard. It was pricey but i definately enjoy having a full keyboard as opposed to 2-3 octaves.

don't settle for anything less than 5 ocatves.

3 oct will do.

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https://soundcloud.com/ghostea stuff

how come i never find a need for a midi controller?

for trance, i would go for 4 octaves. you can get away with less, i suppose, but convienience factors come into play.

also, seriously don't look at getting a keyboard with a million knobs. most people dont use them at all (just because mouse is so much more accurate and just as quick anyway) and not having motorised faders is well... pretty annoying. if you want a good surface for controlling your vsts or mixer, look into behringer bcf/bcr midi controllers. i had to learn this lesson the hard way, i took knobs over good feeling keys and have regretted it ever since.

on that note, make sure the keys feel nice. see if you prefer semi weighted, unweighted or HAMMER ACTION (ftw) then buy your keyboard based on that.

also inbuilt pad controllers are mad fun. probably not really that important, but i've always wanted one

I have the Edirol PCR-50 and strongly recommend it

The Edirol PCR-50 looks good and also because its around £50 cheaper than the Axiom - I take it both are compatible with cubase 3SX?

No Worries - found out the Edirol is, I'm sure the Axiom is too- Nice review of the Edirol here - http://remixmag.com/tech/performance/remix_edirol_pcr/

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Last edited by daeus on Nov-21-2006 at 14:39

Novation Remote 49 LE USB and Edirol PCR-50 both look pretty good and they are around the same price (dolphin music and ebay).

The Edirol PCR-50 seems to have more functions and is powered via USB compared to the Novation which needs batteries or an external power unit.

hmhmm

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http://soundcloud.com/drewwihl

If you are planning on doing lots of on the go works, 2 octaves is really all you need, but if you are doing a more permanent studio installation, I'd go for at least 49 keys...

Maybe check this out?

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MK449C-main.html

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Fortuna Favet Fortibus.

I do not recommend the PCR-50. I am sorry to burst your bubble but. I am currently using it and looking to get another one.EMU X Board 49 . The PCR-50 was good over all but starts to give you problems with the keys. They just start dying out for no reason. They will work and then all of a sudden one key will stop working properly, like give a delay, then just die out completely. it just starts happening. I tried to read up on if it was drivers,firmware,my seq. Nothing. I tried opening it up to do what i read online and still nothing.. It was a common problem from what i read and the warranty will cover it, but take 5 months before you receive a replacement. So i just want to give you a heads up. Do some research on the PCR and see for yourself. If there is something else you have in mind let me know as i am on the market for a new keyboard myself