| Author
|
Proper Alternative to Novation X Station
|
-=Mandari=-
Mandari
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
655
Posted : Dec 15, 2014 11:31:38
|
hey guys,
sadly my x station is slowly passing away and i soon will have to replace it. im looking for smth similiar.... best would be in all aspects... terms of flexibility n price. but iŽd be happy to find any similiar piece of hardware....
so my question is, do you guys know of any controller, which is similiar in its function? at least some midi controller which includes a proper audio interface? i mean no traktor interface with a dj controller or such, i mean proper keys n knobs in convenient size (like 25keys) with some usable interface?
for those of you who dont know, the x station has been a great controller including a two dsp synth/effect uni, which you could switch between. its been working as an audio interface too, which came very handy on stage. i didnt have to carry much and i would love to keep things like that. no cable mess, just my laptop and those keys needed...
i know theres ultranova, which i sure thought about... iŽd anyways love some similiar alternative, cause the ultranova isnt available in 25keys version which in case of the x station went easily as hand luggage at the airport :/
cool would be some controller still sold, i know g2 would be killah, but in my case its neither affordable nor easily available. a virus for sure would be cool too, and i really thought about getting me a snow, but still would be in need for proper keys.... id go for an arturia keylab25, but these still would be in an unaffordable pricerange. thing is i need proper replacement asap, not after saving money for one year... 
open to any suggestions, thanks in advance!!
kind regards, cheers
  FUCK GENRES, LOVE MUSIC!!!!
http://soundcloud.com/mandarimedia
http://banyan-records.com |
|
|
|
-=Mandari=-
Mandari
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
655
Posted : Dec 15, 2014 12:44
|
oh n can pls someone enlighten me if the se minibruteŽs knobs n faders are assignable for midi controlling ? wherever i read n whatever language i wasnt able to figure out. it might get my favoured solution aside a new interface then....
FUCK GENRES, LOVE MUSIC!!!!
http://soundcloud.com/mandarimedia
http://banyan-records.com |
|
|
|
frisbeehead
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
1352
Posted : Dec 15, 2014 15:12
|
As far as the controller goes, the SL MK2 controller would be the way to go: similar interface and layout, more advanced features to make life easy, like the "Automap" software and the editor for hardware mapping.
Proper knobs, keys, audio interface and synth?... I can only think of the Virus Polar |
|
|
|
-=Mandari=-
Mandari
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
655
Posted : Dec 16, 2014 12:02
|
well i have to say i dont exactly like novations controllers, the x station been some exception to me, because its been quite versatile. anyways, surely theres a reason its been that cheap. the knobs and faders dont feel good and i dont like the haptic of the sl mk2 either...
to be honest, i def. am not in the mood to upgrade again anytime soon, so im looking for solid solutions, they dont have to be exactly one piece of hardware. i wouldnt mind rejecting the synth in it, its been fun and quite good, but anyways wasnt able to use t for ages cause the cutoff knob went nutz few years ago.
so yeah, a polar would be nice, i had a look and i think aside about getting me a virus and some nice keys. my heads quite busy comparing all those possibilities. a polar with its at least one n half grand is sadly too much for me now. iŽd have hard times saving thousand bucks. so a snow and some proper keys might be some more realistic. i like the specs of the arturia like said, anyways reading all over its not that good, getting wobbly keys n such pretty fast. which shouldnt be for simple keys that pricerange...
i actually found the minibrute seems to be able to function as a midi controller... i really think of going for it and get some good interface aside.
thanks, cheers
FUCK GENRES, LOVE MUSIC!!!!
http://soundcloud.com/mandarimedia
http://banyan-records.com |
|
|
|
Jeto
Jeto
Started Topics :
258
Posts :
3252
Posted : Dec 16, 2014 23:08
|
|
frisbeehead
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
1352
Posted : Dec 18, 2014 12:21
|
You probably will be complaining about the "cheap" haptic on most controllers anyway, unless you hit the big buck for an instrument, like the Polar.
What I find most bizarre, is that most controllers feel a lot worse then the SL, specially considering the keys themselves. I mean, if that matters to you, be sure to try it out on the store before grabbing one. Never go for the looks alone, 'cause with the Novation SL/Remote/X-Station you have proper semi-weighed keys (fatar design) with aftertouch, proper midi integration (two channels, many options for settings things up) and the knobs feel as good as any controller does. The layout itself makes more sense to me, with a decent array of knobs then most things on the market, plus automap makes it easy to actually get to control the software, whilst many other solutions are much less convenient.
So if keys, a decent array of knobs and the possibility of actually getting down to business with controlling software matters, I still feel like the SL range ranks way up there - even today. |
|
|
|
|
