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Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:07 am
by Surab
I am about to buy a Korg nanoKEY for 35 bucks because its so cheap as my first midi keyboard unless anyone has any reasons why another one is a much better idea; constructive criticism and suggestions welcome.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:20 am
by jrisreal
DONT GET THE NANOKEY!

Its way too small and really not a good midi controller at all. Look into buying something with either a big range of keys and/or knobs and faders and mpc pads. Take a look at the Akai MPK series. If you can afford any of those, get the best you can afford.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:55 am
by RandoRando
Nanokey is good If your on a laptop and always on the go. I got the akai mpk and I love 400 bucks with a three year warranty.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:01 am
by Radiant
The M-Audio (Keystation) ones are pretty good, if you want one like the NanoKey but with good keys, get the Akai LPK25 (think it's called that?) for around the same price, with better keys. I've got a CME M-key myself which was pretty cheap and offers 49 keys, it doesn't have the looks but the keys are good for the money.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:27 am
by travis_baker
well i got an mpk 49 and would recomend it (best value for money) although the drum pads on em are shit

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:38 am
by RandoRando
Drum pads arent that bad. Op stay away from m audio they are made of beef plastic

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:16 pm
by Mysius
Get the Akai LPK25 if you want a smaller keyboard. its a better build and design than the nanokey for about $5 more.

Image

I've got an MAudio Oxygen 25 as well but I am selling as all I really want is a few keys to jam with. Never really used faders/pads. So depends what you want the keyboard to do.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:47 pm
by lyons238
mpk 25 if you want a very nice controller that your not going to need to replace. you can get one used.

i dont recommend the nanokey or the lpk. there just too small for my tastes. and you at least will want some knobs and such.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:52 pm
by wub
M-Audio Oxygen, you should be able to find one 2nd hand for cheap. 25 key, 8 rotaries, couple of sliders and a pitch wheel. Awesome little starter keyboard, mine is still going after 7yrs.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:13 pm
by tezifon
yo can get usually a keystation 49 for 50+- the old evolution its better cause it have midi in/out

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:18 pm
by walker101
i got maudio oxygen v2 25 key and its lasted about two years no probs but iv always wished id av gt the larger one straight away jus for better melodies on the octaves n such.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:12 pm
by Surab
Im thinking of just getting the korgnanokey because its only 35 and im not sure if im ready to invest that much money into this. Later on if I want a better midi keyboard I can just upgrade and sell this one.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:52 pm
by jrisreal
Surab wrote:Im thinking of just getting the korgnanokey because its only 35 and im not sure if im ready to invest that much money into this. Later on if I want a better midi keyboard I can just upgrade and sell this one.
well you probably won't like it...

I got a nanoKontrol from the same series and it feels really cheap and I don't like using it

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:53 pm
by kingGhost
m-audio oxygen or axiom 25

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:59 pm
by oprs
jrisreal wrote:
Surab wrote:Im thinking of just getting the korgnanokey because its only 35 and im not sure if im ready to invest that much money into this. Later on if I want a better midi keyboard I can just upgrade and sell this one.
well you probably won't like it...

I got a nanoKontrol from the same series and it feels really cheap and I don't like using it
your not using it right.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:10 pm
by jrisreal
oprs wrote:
jrisreal wrote:
Surab wrote:Im thinking of just getting the korgnanokey because its only 35 and im not sure if im ready to invest that much money into this. Later on if I want a better midi keyboard I can just upgrade and sell this one.
well you probably won't like it...

I got a nanoKontrol from the same series and it feels really cheap and I don't like using it
your not using it right.
how not?

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:11 pm
by Radiant
jrisreal wrote:
oprs wrote:
jrisreal wrote:
Surab wrote:Im thinking of just getting the korgnanokey because its only 35 and im not sure if im ready to invest that much money into this. Later on if I want a better midi keyboard I can just upgrade and sell this one.
well you probably won't like it...

I got a nanoKontrol from the same series and it feels really cheap and I don't like using it
your not using it right.
how not?
No idea, but this is one hell of a quote. Did OP buy a midi-keyboard yet?

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:44 am
by travis_baker
well your not really gonna notice a couple of weeks without a midi board trying to save for a good one, but youll notice the plastic peice of crap you designated to your cupboard after buying

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:57 am
by RandoRando
OP GET THE LPK, it's just a couple bucks more than the nanokey. They are real piano keys, not laptop keys like the nanokey, will last longer because the build quality is far more superb, IMO it will give you more motivation seeing a 25 key controller that looks nice, rather than seeing little black and grey thing that weighs as much as a feather and looks like it was made by Fischer price.

Re: Starter Midi Keyboard

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 7:42 pm
by Surab
im starting to understand what you guys are trying to say,and appreciate everyone bearing with me for this one. Ive talked to a few of my friends and now im working on getting a good deal through cragslist, guitar center, or someones used keyboard. My friends in real life also drilled the fact into my head that having "realer" keys helps alot especially while learning. Thanks for the help.