Midi Keyboard????
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Posted on Oct 21, 2009 01:20 pm
brocky11
Member Since: Apr 08, 2008
I'm going to buy a midi keyboard but i'm not sure which one to get. Has anyone got any recommendations? I'm going to be using it with Cubase SX & Reason 4.0. Also does the spec of my comp matter about which one i get?
Any comments/suggestions appreciated. Thanks.
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maxmixMember
Since: Oct 21, 2009
Oct 21, 2009 03:54 pm I have an Edirol PCR-M80. I've had it for 2 years, and it works very well - enough controls on it for tweaking VST instruments. I have Cubase as well.
The PC doesn't really play6 into what kind of controller you have, assuming you have USB 2.0
Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Oct 21, 2009 03:55 pm If your audio interface has a MIDI input then you can get a keyboard with a MIDI output and use the MIDI cable to connect them. Otherwise you should buy a keyboard with a USB emulated MIDI connection. Works fine.
The cheapest MIDI keyboards are going to transmit event data (when you push on the keys) and velocity (how hard you push on the keys) to your computer. The more you spend on a MIDI keyboard the more features you'll get...but those features will be dependent on your software and may require some configuration.
If I were you I would get something pretty simple. The only extra feature my MIDI keyboard that I use is a pitch bending wheel. Once you get more familiar with what your software can do, then you might find uses for all the bells and whistles of some more expensive MIDI keyboards.
If you are a player, I would base my decision on the feel of the keys, and the size of the space you have to work with rather than loads of features. My biggest complaint with the keyboard I have is that its keys aren't weighted...feels like I'm playing a toy.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Oct 21, 2009 06:09 pm First of all, what sorta budget are you looking at? There's plenty of good controllers in the $200-ish range. (I got my EMU Xboard 61 for $220-ish) Depending on what you want to use it for, you might get away with a smaller controller (like the 25 or 49-key versions) If you're a pianist, I would highly recommend getting at -least- a 61-key controller as a minimum.
If you've got the USB Ports to spare, I'd go with a USB-powered controller. Works well for me since I don't have any power sockets to spare even if I did have a power adapter. (Though if I can ever get around to replacing the batteries in my APC UPS unit, that will no longer be an issue)
If you can go to a local music store and try some out to see how they feel, that would be good too. I find the Xboard's keybed to be adequate. It's not fully weighted with a gradient or anything, but it feels solid, and not too light or spongy like some keybeds, and it's a hell of a lot better than my old Yamaha PSR portable keyboard. I'm pretty happy with it, and it's served me well over the past couple years. At some point I do want to upgrade to one of the Novation controllers but they're a bit more pricey.
If you have enough, I'd go ahead and take a look at the Novation brand of controllers. They have a lot of features, and though I haven't tried them myself, I've always heard really good things about their keybeds. Check out the XioSynth, X-Station and the new SL MkII. Though they are a bit pricey.
Oct 22, 2009 10:49 am Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm looking at the M-Audio Keyrig 49. I think this will suite me seeing as i am a total novice to music production.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 22, 2009 01:18 pm I can't tell if that Keyrig from M-Audio has velocity sensitive keys or not. That would be a deal-breaker if it didn't have velocity sensitive keys. But M-Audio is a trustworthy brand name in this entry-level range of MIDI controller. Maybe their Oxygen series would be worth a look, its a step up from the Keyrig series.
Another entry-level MIDI controller line to look into would be the EMU XBoard series. They have great keys (best in class, actually), although their chassis are pretty lightweight (wouldn't stand up to gigging for very long). But the XBoard comes with a lot of very useful software and a giant library of very usable sounds.
When I did my research for an entry-level MIDI controller, the EMU Xboard won out based on the quality of the keys, the amount of assignable knobs/wheels/sliders, the included sound library, and overall bang for the buck.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Oct 22, 2009 01:20 pm Well, before you get the keyrig, take a look at the oxygen 49. It's only about 40 bucks more on musician' friend, and at least you get some knobs and other controls to play with which I think will help you in the learning process once you start getting into automating stuff.
I was in the same exact boat a few years ago, thinking I was just going to use it to replace my old keyboard and that I didn't use knobs or faders much, and I was looking at a very bare-bones Korg controller. My budget was a bit more, so I ended up with the XBoard which was perfect for my needs at the time.
I'd definitely recommend getting something with at least a few knobs though.
