Hi guys

I know this has probably been discussed before but with the ever changing releases of equipment these days its easy to get lost in what is the best for me.

I really want an access virus TI2 but money is simply not there at the moment.

I am looking at a really good midi keyboard with a few decent controllers on there as most of my tracks are all software based and logic is what I use mainly.

I am looking at a 61 key and something like the new impulse from novation or maudio etc etc.

can anybody suggest a good solid unit which will be good for everything really. There are so many to choose from these days.

Thanks for your help in advance

The Novation 61 SLMK2 is fantastic, I wouldn't go with any other unit.

quote:

Originally posted by jsrobinson The Novation 61 SLMK2 is fantastic, I wouldn't go with any other unit.

Sorry but its such a piece of shit.
So not user friendly, and lets not mention all the automap BS that comes with it.

Save your money and get a Virus instead.

The prosumer MIDI controller market is in desperate need of a quality line of controllers that built solid, have a good range of controls, don't have a bunch of garbage tacked on to them (e.g., Novation AutoMap).

Personally, I think the Novations have the best keyboard feel of anything in that price range, but everything else about it is a big turnoff, esp. AutoMap.

The AKAI MPK61 is probably worth checking out (although, personally, I hate the keybed on it).

Cakewalk A-800Pro (formerly Edirol) is another one to look into. I've heard good things about it, but never really spent any time with it.

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quote:

Originally posted by Julz Sorry but its such a piece of shit. So not user friendly, and lets not mention all the automap BS that comes with it. Save your money and get a Virus instead.

You've obviously not bothered to a) learn automap, or b) try any recent version. Automap works flawlessly, and gets a lot of guff it doesn't deserve with the recent software.

quote:

Originally posted by jsrobinson You've obviously not bothered to a) learn automap, or b) try any recent version. Automap works flawlessly, and gets a lot of guff it doesn't deserve with the recent software.

I owned a Zero SL and I learned AutoMap (not that there's much to "learn" really) and I still hated it. I found that, for every manner in which it incrementally sped things up and made it quicker, there were even more aspects that slowed me down and annoyed me, particularly having to scroll through twice as many .dlls whenever I wanted to insert a plugin.

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quote:

Originally posted by jsrobinson You've obviously not bothered to a) learn automap, or b) try any recent version. Automap works flawlessly, and gets a lot of guff it doesn't deserve with the recent software.

Who are you to say what I'v learned or not. If automap suits your work flow then enjoy.

thanks for your help guys

I have narrowed it down to 2 or poss 3 from doing some research.

I do like the looks of the Impulse from novation and also the Akai MPK61.

With the prices being vebry simular its hard to know what will be best for me really.

As I have a Nocturn already I must admit I do like the automap and must admit it works pretty well even if its a little tricky at first. I love the quick edit on the nocturn for being able to adjust anything quicky and easily recording this into logic is brill. Will the akai allow me to do this still without messing around in loads of menus.

Out of those 2 what would you guys go for.

just to re-cap, I mainly use logic for all production and need the keyboard to intergrate well with logic and also a little live 8 too.

I just want something solid and nice to use with some nice gadgets for if I need to use these in the future

thanks again

Akai's keyboards are too bulky for my liking. I would definitely go with the Impulse.

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hi again

when you say bulky do you purely mean weight of the unit.

I still dont know what to go for.

has anybody got any experience of both units to point me in the right direction

cheers

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik The prosumer MIDI controller market is in desperate need of a quality line of controllers that built solid, have a good range of controls, don't have a bunch of garbage tacked on to them (e.g., Novation AutoMap).

Couldn't agree more tbh.

I'd love to see a 61/88 model with a few rotaries, a transport control and a few sliders with a decent key action for mid range money. Doesn't have to be weighted, just decent.

I really don't get all the multi function button actions on MIDI controllers, kind of defeats the object. And don't even get me started on the abortion that is automap.

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quote:

I really don't get all the multi function button actions on MIDI controllers, kind of defeats the object. And don't even get me started on the abortion that is automap

what would you buy at the moment if u were going to but a controller keyboard.

cheers in advance