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

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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!

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

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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.

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

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Kill the women. Eat the children.
It's just one of those days where you want to bend over everyone you know and kiss their ass goodbye with a big sideways boot.

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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!

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Dr.DRE "It's not the equipment....it's the muthaf@#%r running it"

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Originally posted by Pagan-za Fighting online is like winning the special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still retarded.

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

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