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Midi KEYBOARD i really need one... please help
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a212121
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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87
Posted : Aug 28, 2007 00:00
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Hi mates, i'm starting to produce some music in cubase and i think i really need a midi keyboard... i think it's essencial to have one
From what i've been reading the best midi keyboard out there is the Nonation Remote SL but i got some questions
First, a simple one, how many keys should a keyboard have??? what do you recommend? I asked some producers and they told me never to get the 25 key version, get at least the 37 key version it's a lot better, what about the 61??
Since i NEVER touched a midi keyboard i really don't know how much it metters
There's also some synts that work as midi keyboards, the virus, etc.... i don't know anything about hardware synths, are they good midi controllers? Better than the Remote SL???
Should i save more money and buy one of those synths? Or should i just buy the Remote SL and after some years playing with it buy a synth?
What i really want is a midi keyboard... but if there's a synth that is very good and works perfect as a midi controller i could save money and buy it
Please help, thanks  |
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Suloo
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Aug 28, 2007 02:15
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Hello,
how many keys depends on your pocket money..
but i would go for the axiom 49 by m-audio..i got this one and am really satisfied with it..it got endless potis even as drum patterns..wich are very usefull when playing live with ableton live etc..to trigger some loops or whatever..so year 37 key at least are recommended and its true..its a lot better!
if you think about buying a hardware synth..keep cool and think about good monitors and an interface first..that gives you more satisfaction..i dont know how your setup looks like so far but good monitors and an interface are essential to start serious producing..so like good monitors in my opinion are the adam s3a..a friend got a pair of them and they are killer!!!
but i`m far away from them..they are just too expensive..go for dynaudio or something like that..about 500€ a pair should be your goal in the first place..and like 300€ for an interface like echo audiofire 4 for example..wich sounds really good...
so i hope i could help you out a little bit..
happy tweakin..
greez mark
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a212121
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
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87
Posted : Aug 28, 2007 02:24
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Thanks for you reply
I'm only producing with cubase...
I'm a dj... got two Alesis M1 Active MK2 monitors, got a ECCHO Indigio Dj wich is a card bus sound card because i only have a laptop computer, it connects to my Xone 92 mixer and outputs to those monitors
"how many keys depends on your pocket money."
Some people told me that 61 key keyboards can be a waste of space because i won't use them much, i don't know, as i said i know nothing about keyboards hehe
One of the things i liked from the Novation remote SL was "Two backlit displays show you controller parameter names and values simultaneously"
Thanks |
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Suloo
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
87
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Posted : Aug 28, 2007 02:55
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ok...think about a situation while producing..you got a sound wich you really like and wants to know wich keys are fitting together..so its all about that..with an 61 keyboard you wont need the transpose button on the keyboard to reach the next octave..so a bigger keyboard is just handy or more accurate..so but think about the space..you maybe will transport it to a stage and have to carry it..thats why a 61 keyboard is maybe too big..a 49 keyboard is a really good solution in my opinion..its not too big and i got a nice workflow on it as well..ok that thing about the pocket money is about how many features do you want..and if you get to the point of playing live think about using live cause its the best sequencer for playing live..very innovative blah blah...
i use cubase as well but just for producing..i dont like live acts that are setting up an hour of``live``music arrange in cubase or whatever and are just hitting the spacebar and thats it..i like to mess around with parameters ..tempo etc..and therefore ableton is realy good fun!
but back to your question..if you just want to produce..you dont really need those drum patterns or endless potis or several banks where you can save settings etc..then you can just go for any simple midikeyboard..you could even try several in a shop to get one you like to play on..but if you might need some more features in the future go for the m-audio..it even got faders etc..and is nice to play with..and it got a lot of features that i didn`t really discovered yet..but might be helpful..
greez
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a212121
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
15
Posts :
87
Posted : Aug 28, 2007 03:20
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I thank you for your long and detailed reply
Must take things easy First cubase.. maybe in some years i will think about playing live
Maybe i'll get the 61 key keyboard 
I'll wait for more opinions, mates please share what you think |
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knocz
Moderator
Started Topics :
40
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1151
Posted : Aug 28, 2007 03:32
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I won't say not to buy a 25 key keyboard, it can come in handy as a secondary keyboard. And it's great for the road.
When you buy a midi controller you want to know how many knobs, faders and buttons you want. (and if the knobs are endless). See if you want a X-Y pad, touch sensitive pads for drums, the number of keys it has and the power supply.
The best thing is to search around and check all the features midi controllers come with (like if you only want it for DJing, you don't need keys.. ). Go to www.musicstore.de and look for products and prices.
But if you want to produce you need a controller. It's not a demand, but it sure helps a lot.
A synth isn't a midi controller, but it can function like one. Theres no way you can get a synth better than a midi controller for a cheaper price (in controlling matters). Midi controllers don't make sound unless you throw it at the wall and hear it break. So if you make a midi controller with the same buttons/knobs/etc as a synth, the synth will be more expensive cause it needs the sound making hardware.
 Super Banana Sauce http://www.soundcloud.com/knocz |
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a212121
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
15
Posts :
87
Posted : Aug 28, 2007 04:41
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Alex Roudos
IsraTrance Junior Member
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411
Posted : Aug 28, 2007 12:03
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Go for the 61 keys. If you go deeper in producing/playing on the keyboard you'll thank yourself for this extra octave.
I recently bought the EMU X-Board 61 and i'm very happy with it. It's a bargain considering the software that comes with it. Check it out.
A friend told me once that the biggest mistake we make is that we believe we live, when in reality we are sleeping in the waiting room of life. |
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Chambao
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
19
Posts :
138
Posted : Aug 29, 2007 10:15
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i heard great things about the Novation X-Station.
its a synth + Midi controller, very good one too.
you have all of the V-Station's sounds, plus new ones, software, built in effects, and i cant remember how many knobs...
its great anyhow's =D
Peace
Love is Life
- www.myspace.com/pinkadelica (Myspace)
- marcio_zimerman9@hotmail.com (Email and MSN contact) |
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