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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:22 am
by lhd
I love being able to play the keys, but, even though I've been playing piano for twenty years I still have to do some drawing/editing. I agree, it depends on your background. If you're after a suggestion, I use an M-Audio Axiom 61, and for the price I feel it's best value product available. The Axiom comes in 3 sizes/prices.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigati ... B&ZYXSEM=0
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:31 am
by lojik
I've only got a 2 octave keyboard so I tend to just find melodies by playing then program them in.
I'd say a keyboard is essential just for the fact that while your creating sounds in the synthesiser you can just keep tapping a note while adjusting, much easier!
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:45 pm
by Lurka
ahh man i bought a novation sl midi controller, and i mustv used it twice! if you have experience playing piano/keyboard or enjoy a hands on approach to automation then get one, if not just use the computer keyboard! wish i had done that ahah
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:48 pm
by magma
More controllers = more ways to stimulate creativity.
Buy one and spend days wondering why you're suddenly making totally fresh sounding tunes...
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:55 pm
by the wiggle baron
I got to say, ive never used a midi keyboard...but I really want one lol
Fairly sure I wont be able to imagine going back after I get one too.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:19 am
by blkmsk
im really feeling the korg nanopad because I can keep it literally right next to or in front of my laptop
something about the nano pad is just dope to me
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:32 am
by s & m
i'll do both. I'll key around and fine a cool little tune, do a rough record, and then edit with the mouse to get it where I want it. My keyboard has like a half sec delay because my CPU can't handle instant playback so thats really my only option..unless i'm doing a pad or something where it doesnt have to be right on time. it works well for me I actually like using the mouse it's what I'm most used to.
more than anything I like the midi knobs on my controller/keyboard for playing the effects instead of just automating them.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:43 pm
by aramid
Most NI synths give you 2 octaves on the keyboard
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:50 pm
by connection
M-Audio Oxygen 8
Bosh!
Use it for programming chords/bass riffs and the like.
Do all my drum programming and other bits by hand.
I aint looked back since I got it though to be honest...
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 1:26 pm
by mr ads
I try and use mine as much as possible, normally its just for 2 or 3 hours per tune to write the main riff though.
also use it to record automation occasionally (maybe twice per tune) and to launch clips when I messa round with it to DJ.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:12 pm
by John Locke
how essential are hands?
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:59 pm
by connection
Battle Gong wrote:how essential are hands?
Stephen Hawking gets by, by using his right cheek...
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:42 pm
by fiziks
Caps lock in Logic will let you use the keyboard as...a keyboard.
I've never had one and never really plan on getting one, so no, they're not necessary.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:00 pm
by John Locke
Connection wrote:Battle Gong wrote:how essential are hands?
Stephen Hawking gets by, by using his right cheek...
true, but i'd like to see him play rachmaninov with it
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:13 pm
by scooterjack
Completely necessary for me to get things done in a timely manor.
i'm a 1000 times faster finishing tunes using my controller with its keys, buttons, and sliders (Korg Kontrol49)
would take me fucking ages to get the same groove and feel trying to program melodies and chord progressions.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:33 pm
by DZA
Connection wrote:
Carnt stand 25 key all about axiom 49
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:37 pm
by Coppola
Connection wrote:Battle Gong wrote:how essential are hands?
Stephen Hawking gets by, by using his right cheek...
don't mess about. he is seriously ill!
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:53 pm
by chrish
I rarely use my midi keyboard now a days. I'm on my laptop most of the time, so I just use the onscreen key's option that allows the laptop keyboard to do the job.
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:17 pm
by dj nation
i have to say i dont really have much musical knowledge on a piano or keyboard, so wen i first started out producing on reason i dint have a midi, and things were going alright, just taking a while longer. but ive just got myself a midi and finding it so much easier and faster making beats, you just sit ther messing about till you get something that sounds good.
i think its totally worth getting one.
peace