Dubstepforum.com

Hey gang,
I'm hoping you guys can help me out as I am losing my mind!

I apologize in advance if im not asking the question properly as the thoughts are scattered and what ive gathered from boards/forums/people is partial answers. I will try to answer as best as I can should someone respond to my post. OK diving in it...

A little description...
I'm getting into making Dubstep
I'm beginning to use native instruments software (Massive,Reaktor,Kontakt etc.)
I will own a NI maschine within a few weeks.
From what I gather from boards/forums some say 25 keys others say 49?

some say mpk25 or axiom 49 or nocturn 25 or a portable cheap midi keyboard and run it through the NI maschine as the workhorse would be mostly the maschine controller (knobs,pads etc.) hence the few people who have responded said to just get a cheap portable keyboard....

My questions are....
what midi keyboard is good for dubstep?
25 vs 49 keys?
which midi keyboard maps easier in ableton? (ex.novation automap)
which midi keyboard would be easier to map/control - Native instruments massive,kontakt reaktor etc....
I have NI maschine controller and want to use NI massive which midi keyboard (layout/pads/knobs) would be best linked into maschine?

Thanks in advance !!

jyurei wrote:what midi keyboard is good for dubstep?

A good keyboard is a good keyboard!!! I have tried quite a few different midi keyboards, and I like Akai MPK's, and Korg Kontrols. If you can try some out, it might be a good idea too.

jyurei wrote:25 vs 49 keys?

Depends what you you want to use it for? How much space you got? ect...

But you can never have too many

jyurei wrote:which midi keyboard maps easier in ableton? (ex.novation automap)
which midi keyboard would be easier to map/control - Native instruments massive,kontakt reaktor etc....
I have NI maschine controller and want to use NI massive which midi keyboard (layout/pads/knobs) would be best linked into maschine?

Most will work fine, with everything, and should be easy to set-up. I don't reallt know what automap is, but I can't see it being any easier to set-up controls then I do with out it.

I got a MPK 49, and it's very good, only thing is the pads are a bit crap, but you got a maschine for that

P.S. Don't buy M-audio!!!

P.P.S Welcome

there isn't anything wrong with M-Audios btw. I have an M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 and it works like a charm. But if you're going all out and getting a maschine, get a 61 key one.

Agree with what 3za said about keyboards though, it's not the midi keyboard that makes the music, you do. I'm gone half the year from my home and can't bring my keyboard with me and often times i have to use the midi keyboard feature in logic to produce everything. yeah it takes longer as i have to cycle the pattern i'm working on over and over to add each individual hit on the drums and change the octave which i'm playing at more often, but it's still better than nothing and can be done. it's not the tool you're using, it's your knowledge and experience that make you a great artist. and that my friend, comes from lots of practice, experiments, and research.

49 keys is good for obvious reasons, but if you travel often then 25 keys might be better. My axiom 25 fits in my flight luggage.

Also, nothing wrong with M-Audio.