Hardware Synth or Midi Controller. Neeed Help
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Posted on May 13, 2008 07:39 pm
JamMasterJon
Member Since: May 13, 2008
I'm really new to the this end of the music scene. I've been looking to purchase a synth with midi control features to use with pro tools LE and or reason. I've been looking into the Alesis Micron. And basically I would like to know if the micron would work well as a midi controller with pro tools or reason?
If i used the micron as a midi controller with protools or reason, would i be able to control only the sounds the micron makes? or would i still be able to control the virtual instruments, software synths, and other sounds pro tools and reason come with?
I am trying to avoid having to buy both a midi controller to use on my pc with pro tools and reason, and also a synth I would use out of the house.
If the micron wouldn't work for this then I was also looking at the novation remote sl compact as a midi controller. But this is really my 2nd choice right now because then I would have to end up buying a separate hardware synth to use with the band.
Any advice, or info would really help
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J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
May 13, 2008 09:40 pm Honestly, looking at the Micron, it doesn't look it has that much in the way of controlling your DAW via midi as far as knobs or faders go. But it looks like it has midi-in/out, and you should be able to use it to play your soft-synths in your DAW.
Honestly, seeing as you want both a midi controller and a keyboard-synth to use stand-alone, I'd look into the Novation products. They're a bit more pricey, but I think you can get a lot more out of them. Take a look at the Novation X-Station, the Remote, and the XioSynth.
Actually, take a long hard look at the 49-key XioSynth.
-J
Edit: Just re-read on the Remote, so you can skip on that one as I think it's just a controller, so no internal sounds. But do check out the X-station and XioSynth, as they do both.
May 14, 2008 04:43 pm I'll definitely do some research on the XioSynth. As for the X-Station I think it may be a little out of my price range.
Back to the Micron though,If i were using it for my Midi controller, would I be able to assign the few knobs and sliders it has to effects knobs in my DAW?
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
May 14, 2008 07:15 pm Yup, the few knobs it does have should be able to control the knobs and sliders in the DAW. But, depending on how many tracks you work with, not to mention vst effects and synths, you may find the micron very limited in its controller features. So, fair warning on that side of things.
Anyhoo, I'd google up some opinions from others on either the micron or the xiosynth, or both. Do some reading and some research, note the context that the instruments are being used in and such. You know the drill.
Here's one from harmony central to start you off.
acapella.harmony-central..../t-1617369.html
-J
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
May 14, 2008 07:25 pm Just as a note, personally, I very rarely use the knobs sliders on my midi controller to control my soft synth parameters. I prefer mouse...
