[production bible 2] MIDI Controllers

daft cunt · Post by **daft cunt** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:12 pm

If you want to add a model plz give its name, pros, cons & average price (new).
Thanks everybody!

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KEYBOARDS
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AKAI MPK49 £280 new
49-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch and full-sized keys
8 360 degree rotary dials each with 3 banks = 24 total
12 MPC style pads, velocity and pressure sensitive, 4 banks = 48 total
8 sliders each with 3 controller banks = 24 total
note repeat and arpeggiator
8 assignable switches with 3 banks each = 24 total
MMC/MIDI Start Stop transport buttons
USB powered.

great all in one midi controller/keyboard although you do pay a bit, typical price is around £280 new. Also as someone who has owned an MPC I can testify that the drum pads do note respond like an MPC, although they are the closest out of all the keyboard controllers I looked at, apart from that I can't fault it.

Evolution MK-449C
Pros: 9 faders, 8 knobs, 10 assignable buttons, pitch and mod wheel add up to 29 controls, works as a charm, cheap.
Cons: Configuring it can be annoying as fuck.(I mean the configuring of presets and other stuff)

Evolution MK-425C
It the same as MK-449C, but without the faders and with only 2 octaves. I'd say that it is an awesome starter controller. Keys are a bit plastic ish and light, but it is good for it's price.

Korg K24 ~ £40
Pro's: well it's Bus powered + Plenty of octaves (5 up and down if i remember rightly),
Con's : none, it does exactly everything you expect from a basic midi controller, more expensive ones seem to have no better functions other than more of the same...unless you want weighted keys.

Korg Nano Series all usb
$59.99 nanopad - 12 pad drum controls + x/y pad
$59.99 nanokontrol - 9 knobs 9 faders 18 switches
$49.99 nanokey - 25 key midi keyboard, pitch and podulation controls adjustable velocity curves
suited for portable rigs and saving space + low cost

M-Audio Axiom £150-£170
Pros: The keys are FANTASTIC. Aftertouch is great.
Pitchbend and mod feel very nice.
Having transport controls was enough to convince me to sell my UC33e to buy this.
The tap pads also were a strong selling point.
Cons: The knobs are straight useless. You can't go from 0-127 in one turn. They're loud, as well.
All of the output from the keyboard seems random, and alot of people have trouble setting them up.

M-Audio Keystation 61es ~ £115 / €135
It has got one volume fader and 5 octaves. It's keys are much better than the MK-425C ones

M-Audio MidAir25 Around 200 in all currency. I got it for 70 in a deal though, wouldn't say its worth 200 new but cheap 2nd hand, bargin.
Pros/: 8 Assignable knobs. Mod wheel, sustain button & jack for sustain peddle, pitch shift, assignable slider too. (note: I haven't used all the functions of it, you can go into "select mode" but I don't know how to use it, so if someone did, it might be of use) its wireless too so you can go sit across the room / in another room and play , might be good for live work if you want a little controller quite far away from the laptop or something.
Cons: Only 2 Octaves, plastic-feel to the keys, drivers were a trouble to get working, only midi out.

M-Audio Oxygen
Possibly one of the most classic portable midi keyboards in existence.
I've had my Oxygen 8 for years, and it's still going strong.
Well worth the 80 buff I spent on it

Novation Remote/SL

Novation Remote Zero Price seen em go for £150 -£199 i paid 120 from ebay
Pro's: Infinate and 270 degree assignable knobs, drum pads and faders and toggle/gate buttons. Good for controlling everything i use in reaktor for live gigs (automap assignment function for big named applications) automap software for creating your own midi maps on screen which is useful for when you make your own synths in something like reaktor. it's also Bus powered.
Cons: faders a bit small, and bit plastic...needs a bit more length on the fade.

Novation X-Station

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OTHERS
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Behringer BCR2000 (knobs controller) ~ 150 EUR
Pros : user friendly, cheap, 32 user presets (assign 24 knobs per instrument for up to 32 instruments)
Cons : have to do more than 1 rotation to go from 0 to 100%, cheap built

Behringer BCF2000 (faders controller) ~ 180 EUR
Same as BCR2000 but with 8 faders instead.

Evolution UC-33 (knobs & faders) ~ £140
Pros : easy way to use, cheap, easy portable.
Cons : If you're a goof itll break quite soon. In other words. With lots of traveling the thing gets paranoid after some bumps[/quote]

r · Post by r » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:16 pm

r · Post by r » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:18 pm

R wrote:

Pros : easy way to use, cheap, easy portable.
Cons : If you're a goof itll break quite soon. In other words. With lots of traveling the thing gets paranoid after some bumps

Brisance · Post by **Brisance** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:21 pm

http://www.evolution-i.net/company/pres ... mk449c.jpg
from the same company, cheap and lovely:)

daft cunt · Post by **daft cunt** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:27 pm

Cheers R

Brisance wrote:http://www.evolution-i.net/company/pres ... mk449c.jpg
from the same company, cheap and lovely:)

Does R's description of the UC-33 applies?

Brisance · Post by **Brisance** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:30 pm

Brisance wrote:http://www.evolution-i.net/company/pres ... mk449c.jpg
from the same company, cheap and lovely:)

Oh yeah, forgot.

Pros:
9 faders, 8 knobs, 10 assignable buttons, pitch and mod wheel add up to 29 controls, works as a charm, cheap.
Cons:
Configuring it can be annoying as fuck.(I mean the configuring of presets and other stuff)

was like hmm.. if I convert it... under £100 new.

Disco Nutter · Post by **Disco Nutter** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:31 pm

I've got the MK-425C Evolution keyboard. It the same as MK-449C, but without the faders and with only 2 octaves. I'd say that it is an awesome starter controller. Keys are a bit plastic ish and light, but it is good for it's price.

I've also got the M-Audio Keystation 61es. It has got one volume fader and 5 octaves. It's keys are much better than the MK-425C ones, and I use it to play stuff a lot.

daft cunt · Post by **daft cunt** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:42 pm

Cheers guys!

Also, could you possibly give an indicative price for all these (new)?

legend4ry · Post by **legend4ry** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:06 pm

Ive got a little MidAir25

Pros/: 8 Assignable knobs. Mod wheel, sustain button & jack for sustain peddle, pitch shift, assignable slider too. (note: I haven't used all the functions of it, you can go into "select mode" but I don't know how to use it, so if someone did, it might be of use) its wireless too so you can go sit across the room / in another room and play , might be good for live work if you want a little controller quite far away from the laptop or something.

Cons: Only 2 Octaves, plastic-feel to the keys, drivers were a trouble to get working, only midi out.

New : Around 200 in all currency. I got it for 70 in a deal though, wouldn't say its worth 200 new but cheap 2nd hand, bargin.

futures_untold · Post by **futures_untold** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:31 pm

Legendary wrote:Ive got a little MidAir25

It's basically an updated Oxygen 8, possibly one of the most classic portable midi keyboards in existence.

I've had my Oxygen 8 for years, and it's still going strong.

Well worth the 80 buff I spent on it

DZA · Post by **DZA** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:03 pm

M-Audio Axiom - £150-£170
Pros- 49-key USB mobile MIDI controller delivers semi-weighted action plus assignable aftertouch, along with eight rubberized trigger pads that are perfect for hands-on drum programming and performance. Nine sliders complement eight endless rotary encoder knobs to control just about any software studio parameter you can think of. 15 MIDI-assignable buttons—including six transport controls—and assignable wheels and foot pedals round out total control. The dedicated front-panel keypad and backlit LCD screen provide intuitive setup. There’s room for 20 non-volatile memory locations for instant access to setups, plus compatibility with our free Enigma editor/librarian software for managing a virtually infinite library via Mac or PC, Its a good keyboard all around.

Cons-erm carnt think off none really but im picky so i would have like 10 pads instead off 8

daft cunt · Post by **daft cunt** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:20 pm

I found back a post by Decklyn about the Axiom which, imho, is more appropriate than a copy/paste from the manufacturer

DZA · Post by **DZA** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:22 pm

ok

but i agree with everything the manufacturer said

spencertron · Post by **spencertron** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:39 pm

I have these, what i can tell you...

Korg K24. Price £40 i paid for it new.

Pro's: well it's Bus powered + Plenty of octaves (5 up and down if i remember rightly),

Con's : none, it does exactly everything you expect from a basic midi controller, more expensive ones seem to have no better functions other than more of the same...unless you want weighted keys.

Novation Remote Zero: Price seen em go for £150 -£199 i paid 120 from ebay

Pro's: Infinate and 270 degree assignable knobs, drum pads and faders and toggle/gate buttons. Good for controlling everything i use in reaktor for live gigs (automap assignment function for big named applications) automap software for creating your own midi maps on screen which is useful for when you make your own synths in something like reaktor. it's also Bus powered.

Cons: faders a bit small, and bit plastic...needs a bit more length on the fade.

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:15 pm

korg nano series all usb
$59.99 nanopad - 12 pad drum controls + x/y pad
$59.99 nanokontrol - 9 knobs 9 faders 18 switches
$49.99 nanokey - 25 key midi keyboard, pitch and podulation controls adjustable velocity curves

suited for portable rigs and saving space + low cost

spencertron · Post by **spencertron** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:18 pm

Deadly Habit wrote:
korg nano series all usb
$59.99 nanopad - 12 pad drum controls + x/y pad
$59.99 nanokontrol - 9 knobs 9 faders 18 switches
$49.99 nanokey - 25 key midi keyboard, pitch and podulation controls adjustable velocity curves

suited for portable rigs and saving space + low cost

i will be buying these probably next month if i can

deadly_habit · Post by **deadly_habit** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:26 pm

spencerTron wrote:
Deadly Habit wrote:
korg nano series all usb
$59.99 nanopad - 12 pad drum controls + x/y pad
$59.99 nanokontrol - 9 knobs 9 faders 18 switches
$49.99 nanokey - 25 key midi keyboard, pitch and podulation controls adjustable velocity curves

suited for portable rigs and saving space + low cost
i will be buying these probably next month if i can

yea i'm looking at the nanokontrol myself

daft cunt · Post by **daft cunt** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:04 pm

spencerTron wrote:
Deadly Habit wrote:
korg nano series all usb
$59.99 nanopad - 12 pad drum controls + x/y pad
$59.99 nanokontrol - 9 knobs 9 faders 18 switches
$49.99 nanokey - 25 key midi keyboard, pitch and podulation controls adjustable velocity curves

suited for portable rigs and saving space + low cost
i will be buying these probably next month if i can

Man how many controllers do you need?

Plus those you already have seem easy enough to carry

spencertron · Post by **spencertron** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:51 pm

Daft tnuc wrote:
spencerTron wrote:
Deadly Habit wrote:
korg nano series all usb
$59.99 nanopad - 12 pad drum controls + x/y pad
$59.99 nanokontrol - 9 knobs 9 faders 18 switches
$49.99 nanokey - 25 key midi keyboard, pitch and podulation controls adjustable velocity curves

suited for portable rigs and saving space + low cost
i will be buying these probably next month if i can
Man how many controllers do you need?
Plus those you already have seem easy enough to carry

No...my korg K25 and novation SL are surprisingly large despite those pics i posted previously...there is no bag big enough to carry them all (a korg controller , a novation controller and a laptop and a sound card and cables) other than my camping bag which is huge!

also...after a soundcheck...i hate to leave my set-up all out (i do alot of gigs on line-ups with bands not DJ's)...perhaps i should be a little more easy going but i ain't leaving my macbook/controllers/card out...so currently the hours i'm waiting to go onstage i'm walking around with this huge fucking bag on or it's taking up a load of space on the decks or under the desk...and the venues i play aren't prestigious enough to have a backstage area...and if they do...most twats have no respect for other peoples stuff.

if i can reduce it all down to a laptop satchel or regular backpack with those nano controls i'll be laughing...add that to the fact that i don't drive. getting around will be a breeze...

so yeh, thats why i would like to go for the smaller controls.

daft cunt · Post by **daft cunt** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:03 pm

spencerTron wrote:
Daft tnuc wrote:
spencerTron wrote:
Deadly Habit wrote:
korg nano series all usb
$59.99 nanopad - 12 pad drum controls + x/y pad
$59.99 nanokontrol - 9 knobs 9 faders 18 switches
$49.99 nanokey - 25 key midi keyboard, pitch and podulation controls adjustable velocity curves

suited for portable rigs and saving space + low cost
i will be buying these probably next month if i can
Man how many controllers do you need?
Plus those you already have seem easy enough to carry
No...my korg K25 and novation SL are surprisingly large despite those pics i posted previously...there is no bag big enough to carry them all (a korg controller , a novation controller and a laptop and a sound card and cables) other than my camping bag which is huge!

also...after a soundcheck...i hate to leave my set-up all out (i do alot of gigs on line-ups with bands not DJ's)...perhaps i should be a little more easy going but i ain't leaving my macbook/controllers/card out...so currently the hours i'm waiting to go onstage i'm walking around with this huge fucking bag on or it's taking up a load of space on the decks or under the desk...and the venues i play aren't prestigious enough to have a backstage area...and if they do...most twats have no respect for other peoples stuff.

if i can reduce it all down to a laptop satchel or regular backpack with those nano controls i'll be laughing...add that to the fact that i don't drive. getting around will be a breeze...

so yeh, thats why i would like to go for the smaller controls.

Fair enough.
And respect for actually playing live and not faking to do things with your mouse with everything's automated

[production bible 2] MIDI Controllers

[production bible 2] MIDI Controllers

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