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need help finding the best controller to suite me.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:41 pm
by bete noire
im trying to go buy a new controller today beings guitar center is having their midnight madness sale and i was looking at the korg micro xl, the alesis micron and the axiom pro 25. which one do you guys think would suite me best fpr dubstep, dnb, electro, and hiphop production as far as sounds and whatnot. are there any others that you guys would recommend as well? all help is greatly appreciated.
as far as my setup i am using logic 8 with the apogee duet interface and im using the rokit 8 g2 monitors with a krk 10 sub.
thanks guys.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:43 pm
by contakt321
Do you want a controller or a synth?
A controller does just that, it interfaces with your DAW and VSTs to control it.
A synth like the micron, can do some controlling but also synthesizes sounds.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:02 pm
by bete noire
i need it more for the controller but i was trying to find a controller some some "extras" if you will. i was kinda diggin the axiom pro 25 or 49. does the axiom hve a library as well or is it just a controller. i think im looking for a lower priced synth by the way im describing it. hehe i just wanna make some beats.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:04 pm
by bete noire
thanks for replying btw. much appreciated.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:07 pm
by contakt321
The Axiom is just a controller.
Let me ask:
1. What's your budget?
2. If you are using logic, what do you feel like you are missing? I don't have Logic, but I am told the factory content is amazing. Where do you feel like you need more? Also, why a hardware synth instead of a VST or AU?
Just asking to help figure out the right answer.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:07 pm
by DZA
bete noire wrote:i need it more for the controller but i was trying to find a controller some some "extras" if you will. i was kinda diggin the axiom pro 25 or 49. does the axiom hve a library as well or is it just a controller. i think im looking for a lower priced synth by the way im describing it. hehe i just wanna make some beats.
its just a midi controll but if ya gonna get an axiom dont get the pro just get the normal one
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:09 pm
by bete noire
so yeah im pretty much looking at like a micron or micro korg. i want something that has some sounds in it but also controls with my DAW. any other synths around the 300-500 range you know that feature good bass, stabs and pads? the "reese" in the korg isnt too bad. rather make my own though. i wonder if there is a huge difference between the old one and the new xl.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:13 pm
by bete noire
i didnt want to spend more than 5-600. and i think i just like the feel of and actual piece of hardware. ive never owned a synth and ive been using virtual synths for years. just wanted to try something new.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:15 pm
by bete noire
The_Dza88 wrote:bete noire wrote:i need it more for the controller but i was trying to find a controller some some "extras" if you will. i was kinda diggin the axiom pro 25 or 49. does the axiom hve a library as well or is it just a controller. i think im looking for a lower priced synth by the way im describing it. hehe i just wanna make some beats.
its just a midi controll but if ya gonna get an axiom dont get the pro just get the normal one
whats up wit the pro? why do you say use the older version? thanks for the reply man.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:16 pm
by contakt321
Gotcha.
MicroKorg and MicroKorg XL are both cool. Different sound engines, so you may want to compare.
Alesis Micron
Novation XioSynth
Akai Miniak
Are all comparable, are synths, and in your pricerange.
Do some reading, and check out soundbites.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:17 pm
by DZA
M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 £317.99
M-Audio Axiom 49 £166.99
All the pros got is a couple of shitty new features and is white which aint worth £150
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:17 pm
by bete noire
contakt321 wrote:The Axiom is just a controller.
Let me ask:
1. What's your budget?
2. If you are using logic, what do you feel like you are missing? I don't have Logic, but I am told the factory content is amazing. Where do you feel like you need more? Also, why a hardware synth instead of a VST or AU?
Just asking to help figure out the right answer.
logic does feature the "floating keyboard" so it is pretty much like having a controller but only for logic. i love using it, but its a pain cuz obviously the "keys" on my mac keyboard are soo tiny.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:18 pm
by bete noire
The_Dza88 wrote:M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 £317.99
M-Audio Axiom 49 £166.99
All the pros got is a couple of shitty new features and is white which aint worth £150
yeah, good point. i agree.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:21 pm
by bete noire
contakt321 wrote:Gotcha.
MicroKorg and MicroKorg XL are both cool. Different sound engines, so you may want to compare.
Alesis Micron
Novation XioSynth
Akai Miniak
Are all comparable, are synths, and in your pricerange.
Do some reading, and check out soundbites.
ok. cool. yeah... as for soundcard im using apogee duet as my interface. im def gonna check out the difference in the korgs. thanks for your help bro. all the ones youve mentioned are ones that i have been looking at. today is the first day where i will actually have the time to go test them out. all this online reseacrh is driving me nuts. i just wanna play!! lol.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:29 pm
by contakt321
Haha, no prob.
My personal experience:
I have tried the MicroKorg - I liked it. Although, the presets are pretty rinsed, this is the fastest selling synth of the decade or maybe even ever (seriously).
MicroJorgXL - played it at NAMM, but that's not really enough of an experience.
Alesis Micron - Never played, but from what I have read - better sounds than MicroKorg, but worse interface (less knobs, buttons, etc) and harder to program for a novice.
Haven't played the other ones.
Peep Ebay or Craigslist for used MicroKorgs

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:32 pm
by Project_B
I have a XioSynth 25 and its amazing as a synthesiser, and amazing as a midi controller.
get on it!
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:50 pm
by bete noire
contakt321 wrote:Haha, no prob.
My personal experience:
I have tried the MicroKorg - I liked it. Although, the presets are pretty rinsed, this is the fastest selling synth of the decade or maybe even ever (seriously).
MicroJorgXL - played it at NAMM, but that's not really enough of an experience.
Alesis Micron - Never played, but from what I have read - better sounds than MicroKorg, but worse interface (less knobs, buttons, etc) and harder to program for a novice.
Haven't played the other ones.
Peep Ebay or Craigslist for used MicroKorgs

ok cool. thanks for all your help man. im going to go head up to guitar center now and see whats up. im on the ebay checking out the korgs and the alesis. i will let you know what the outcome brings later tonight when i get back. you are right though. the mini korgs sounds are pretty rinsed out. im hoping the alesis has some ill sounds. i can deal with the interface. all good. they are all going to have their ups and downs.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:51 pm
by j-sh
I reckon the Axioms the way to go. Or any standard controller really from evolution or m-audio or whoever. Ive been using a Evolution Mk 425c for like two years and its never failed me. and that cost me like £50 (although its only two octaves)
Rather than shelling out for a synth like the microkorg, which in my opinion sounds a bit bland in comparison to good soft synths
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:53 pm
by bete noire
Imaginary Forces wrote:I have a XioSynth 25 and its amazing as a synthesiser, and amazing as a midi controller.
get on it!
thanks man. im actually going to go check one of those out as well today. just finished watching a demo of it on youtube. thanks for the input.
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:07 pm
by bete noire
J-sh wrote:I reckon the Axioms the way to go. Or any standard controller really from evolution or m-audio or whoever. Ive been using a Evolution Mk 425c for like two years and its never failed me. and that cost me like £50 (although its only two octaves)
Rather than shelling out for a synth like the microkorg, which in my opinion sounds a bit bland in comparison to good soft synths
which soft synths are the sickest out there you think? once again. looking for sme filth and some nice sexytime pads ya know? ive been getting soo many diff answers. im really trying to weigh my options. thanks for reply.