I find a midi controller/keyboard to be invaluable when trying to come up with melodies.

I think it's easier to get a more natural, flowing performance if you play it well on the keyboard rather than programming it into your sequencer. Most people who program tend to leave the notes very quantised that can lead to a very metronomic sound without movement and dynamic.

î've two 61 key keyboards here and realy like to play with both hands. so you can a lot simpler create your new melodies and background strings.. with the small oxygen you're very limited..

I don't have any keyboard synths, just table/rack mounts with a master USB keyboard that works through my sequencer. I can play thru to the modules to see what I like and/or record keys/knob movments and edit them later to come up with things. I would suggest buy a good master keyboard controller and get rack mounts, becuase space is eaten up very quickly by 61 to 88 key synths.

BTW, I can't play piano for $hit, but I can sure improvise something that sounds good (with the sequencer helping).

quote:

Originally posted by TranceInMySoul I think it's easier to get a more natural, flowing performance if you play it well on the keyboard rather than programming it into your sequencer. Most people who program tend to leave the notes very quantised that can lead to a very metronomic sound without movement and dynamic.

Most Dance music is Quantised to the 16th divisions, I use a keyboard and I tend to like to play stuff like Hi-hats or piano a little out of time to make it sound less robotic and give it a shuffle feel but for most dance music and trance it all sounds very on the 16th division (very robotic like)


Anway getting used to at least one keyboard (midi or vintage) in your set up would help you get ready for hands on stuff (eg. Live) plus you can trigger of things and automate filters with a midi keyboard, hell you can go live, do loads of shit and never even play a single note.

Last edited by Damie Mckeown on Nov-18-2003 at 15:27