I'm curious to see everyone's current main midi controller. Keyboard, console, or both. Is it your favorite? Why?

Right now I'm rolling with a cheapo m-audio job. Looking to ditch it soon though; I've taking piano lessons, practicing, and it's horrible action is getting to me. Plus I could really benefit from some little pads to punch rhythms onto.

i just sold edirol pcr-m30 caus it didnt do the job. not sure what im after so ill be watchnig this thread

Last edited by djpalm on Mar-21-2008 at 13:00

I use an Axiom 61 and UC33e. Both have worked really well for me in my set up.

imo, midi keyboards with a million fandangle knobs are a bit of a waste of time. there are far too many parameters on a synth to get decent control from a midi keyboard. best advice - just get one with 8 or so knobs and map them to the critical stuff (filter cutoff, etc.).

secondly, mixer controllers are a complete waste of time, unless they are mackie controls or novation automaps. if you dont have an LCD parameter read out, you will always forget what knob does what. hence, your awesome new mixer controler becomes a complete waste of time.

on that note, novation automap controllers are without a doubt the BEST all-in-one midi controllers you can get. however, you have to use the wrapper, which can be dodgy at times. they are also incompatible with the inbuilt plugins in cubase 4, logic, etc as they are not normal VST/AU plugins. also, if you open your projects on a computer without the automap wrapper, they wont run... obviously.

i think the best thing to do is to just get a basic keyboard with 8 knobs and use that for the essentials. then get a uc-33e or bcr-2000 and dedicate it to a specific purpose - eg. make a layout for v-station and just leave it specifially for that. then if you need to control something else, buy another one.

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Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox I've never had a problem with FLs tech support till this day. (I've actually never used it till this day)

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Originally posted by floyd741 i think echosystm is a pretty cool guy. eh pwns robby rox and doesn't afraid of anything.

I use Novation Remote Zero - Love it, plus it has transport controls.

Trigger Finger, and CME UF6

M-Audio Oxygen 8 (had it since i started producing and it's rock solid),


Mackie Controller Universal Pro(this is the shit in Cubase, you can control virtually any parameter using the MCUPro)

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I use my andromeda as midi keyboard, due to space issues. I have an old m-audio radium 49, and while its drivers are dodgy, and the quality feel is not great either - it gets the job done.

As for control surface, this is what I'd love to have:

http://www.euphonix.com/artist/products/mc_control/

Mac only atm though.

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Originally posted by Beyer As for control surface, this is what I'd love to have: http://www.euphonix.com/artist/products/mc_control/ Mac only atm though.

i look forward to this too. pc version should be out later this year.

I actually don't even use any midi controllers for the midi automation. ever since i got a new comp (with vista) i couldnt get my oxygen 61 to work with it.) this was still in the first weak of vista coming out but still, i just learned how to just use the mouse to pratice, then manually automate what i what. the problem i always had with recording manualy was that i could never get the numbers to match up in a certian order, maybe it's ADD but the numbers need to increase or decrease in a set amount of numbers like +8 or 16, or 32, or what ever(as long as there on a number divisable by 4. which is something i can not do manualy. So bassicly i guess were in the same boat. really what i look forward to come out from reason is to be able to play 2 or more channels at once.

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Originally posted by thecYrus i look forward to this too. pc version should be out later this year.

You reckon it will be good enough to trade an MCU Pro for? Looks tasty

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Looks pricey!!!

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Originally posted by Ry Thomas You reckon it will be good enough to trade an MCU Pro for? Looks tasty

novation remote > euphonix > mcu, imo.

but no, not enough to trade in an mcu.

if i were you, i'd sell the mcu and get a novation remote sl zero. i've had a lot of experience with the mcu (hui etc.) protocol and it really can't compete with automap. automap gives you everything an mcu will give you, plus much better control of all your plugins.

i'd say go to your local music shop and play around with one. the upside is that they only cost $300US, so you will have money left over.

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox I've never had a problem with FLs tech support till this day. (I've actually never used it till this day)

quote:

Originally posted by floyd741 i think echosystm is a pretty cool guy. eh pwns robby rox and doesn't afraid of anything.