KVR :: Getting Started (AKA What is the best...?) » First MIDI Keyboard - I feel like I'm going to be disappointed [View Original Topic]
There are 29 posts in this topic.

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NethioX - Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:53 am

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Hey guys!

I've been looking to get my first MIDI keyboard,
I'm no piano player so I don't need something too grand, but I realized I want 49 keys.
I've weighed my options mainly around M-Audio stuff.
I looked at the Keyrig 49, the Oxygen 49, and the Axiom 49.
The axiom is pretty expensive for me - but I can get a used one.

From reviews I see around it looks like EVERYONE is disappointed with their midi keyboards, so I really dunno what to pick.

Initially I went to the keyrig 49 for the price, but now I'm scared.
How much will I hate the "non-realistic" keys?
Is it better to buy a second-hand Oxygen or Axiom?
Is there something else for the 100-150$ price range?

Thanks a lot!

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geroyannis - Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:09 am

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I also hate my M-Audio Keystation.

The E-MU Xboard series is very good though.

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thecontrolcentre - Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:29 am

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I like my Novation ReMOTE SL ... semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, loads of knobs, buttons and sliders, an X/Y pad, LCD screens, MIDI ports, USB and Automap.

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mcnoone - Sat Jun 16, 2012 3:37 pm

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Simple.
The Axiom is the only one there.
I had an Oxygen, which was just horrible.
Stuck notes, terrible action, loose usb connector.
Then I got the Axiom, and it was just perfect.
No sticking notes, great feel, and solid port/usb connector.
After over 2 years with it, never had a problem.
It's got aftertouch,and velocity curves too.

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michael2 - Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:29 pm

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for what it's worth: I bought a cheap M-Audio keyboard about 5 years ago used on Craigslist for $40 (they don't even make it anymore). chunk of plastic garbage, very unrealistic keys, shoddy USB port,... i am still using it and it works great. had to update drivers a couple of times, but I am shocked it's still kicking. never had problems with stuck keys (or anything). the one thing that really bugs me about it is the non-weighted keys. if i'm playing synth parts, I don't notice it; but if i'm playing piano, it is a big bummer. I sometimes work stuff out on the piano in my living room, and then move over to the M-Audio and want to cry. BUT it does the job admirably.

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xamido - Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:55 pm

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Novation impulse or sl is better than axiom. I use the automap all the time. And i think impulse is cheaper than axiom.

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deastman - Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:39 pm

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It isn't 49 keys, but I've been very happy with my Edirol PCR-80 for years now. There was a problem with velocity failing on it, but Edirol repaired it free of charge. I can highly recommend that series.

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Xenobt - Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:48 pm

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That was my experience with KeyRig/Keystation too, Michael, and paid roughly the same on eBay. It's a really light (but quiet!) action, and I'm always surprised how well the keyboard tracks velocity. From a pinky to an elbow, it's right there. Especially nice for doing finger drum/percussion parts!

Featuring only pitch and mod controllers and one assignable data fader make it a poor choice for real-time, hands-on types, but I picked up a Korg NanoKontrol with gobs of assignable knobs and faders PLUS basic DAW control for $29 at Musician's Friend, and still only had $70 in the whole set-up!

KVR/eSoundz: Xenobt

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sjm - Sun Jun 17, 2012 1:42 am

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If you aren't a piano player, you're not going to notice the "non-realistic" keys for the simple reason that you don't know what they're supposed to feel like in the first place. I'm assuming with "non-realistic" you mean unweighted keys as opposed to piano-like weighted keys.

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updog - Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:54 am

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i've never liked regular synth keys so i recently went with m-audio prokeys sono 61 which has the semi-weighted keys m-audio puts in their better midi keyboards. it has no bells and whistles like the axiom but the keys are the same - they don't feel exactly "real" but i much prefer them to the flimsy-feeling regular synth keys.

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3ptguitarist - Sun Jun 17, 2012 9:47 pm

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I used to have an Axiom 49 and I liked it. The feel of the keys was nice and it had a number of knobs, sliders, and a 8 drum pads.

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ErikH - Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:04 pm

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I have a Roland A-Pro 500. I had an Axiom, but I couldn't get used to the keys. I tried te SL MkII but the XY pad is not responsive enough, and Automap, which is very handy indeed if you don't like to assign midi yourself, makes the keyboard far too expensive. This is of course my opinion.
What I like about the Roland is in the first place the keyboard itself. The keys play very easy and give a more solid feel without trying to be (hammered) piano keys. The instrument feels more solid too. What I also like is te manual. The entire software setup, midi, aftertouch...everything is explained in detail.

Both keyboards have weighted keys. Not hammered ones like piano, but pressure-sensitive.


Of course Automap is extremely easy to use and to learn. Work your way through the manual and in a few hours you know Automap. v4 is really useable, even for Kontakt instruments inside the NIsampler.

But the SLMkII costs 100Euro more here than the Roland and it is, my opinion, not that much better. Automap may be the only benefit. If you want an XY pad, get a Korg nanoPad. Together with the Roland you still save.

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Aiynzahev - Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:11 pm

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Behinger UMX keyboards are surpisingly good.

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Agathodaimon - Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:36 am

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I have the M-Audio 61es the feel is amazing, beautiful velocity, just perfect and quite sensitive. It should be sensitive but no too sensitive and the velocity is right there on the perfect spot! And it's semi-weighted keys. The pitch wheel is extremely comfortable, and the modulation is so soft and easy to controll the effect and also easy to just kick/throw to full if using organs or something.
Hmmm ye its plastic so you might want to be abit carefull with it, that's all.
Over all I've been using it for 2years and am not changing it for any other MIDI Controller, just does its job perfectly!
And for more sound tweaking, envelope or wave forms I use my Korg NanoKontroll which fits PERFECTLY on top on the M-Audio 61es.

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Numanoid - Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:50 am

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You haven't experienced any of the problems like with the PCR-30 series, with keys dying?

Picking up Analog Lab 49 keys before the end of June, will add 3 free Arturia synths

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billcarroll - Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:31 am

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The Axiom 49 is at around $225 new these days, which seems pretty reasonable.

My problem is I always fall for the more expensive gear, and after seeing the Akai Max 49 I'm having a hard time getting it out of my head.

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zerocrossing - Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:41 am

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I'll put another vote for the Novation Remotes. I have an old 61 (pre SL) and a 25SL and they're both great. Expensive, but when I felt everything else I just hated them. I'm not a piano player... or even a keyboard player for that matter. At least I wasn't when I got my first MIDI keyboard.... some cheap Edirol $99 P.O.S. I never used it. Then I felt the keyboard of a Novation synth in a store and I realized, "Ah, I don't use the Edirol because it feels like a cheap toy." I checked out a bunch of keyboards at that point and the only one that really felt like an "instrument" was the Novation. Now I play all the time.

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jonathanlloyd84 - Thu Jul 05, 2012 5:18 am

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ive got a Keyrig 49 - its really robust and high quality...

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waltercruz - Thu Jul 05, 2012 5:31 am

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I had an axiom 61, and being a keyboard/piano player since 10, I really disliked their keybed, altough as a controller, the axiom worked fine. Now I have a Roland A-800 pro, and I'm pretty happy with it as a controller and happy with the key actions.

but like others have said, If you're not a keyboard player, you won't have suck feelings about the keybed.

The novations like pretty cool from the keyboard action point of view, but I really don't know them.

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kritikon - Thu Jul 05, 2012 6:45 am

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I'll differ from most people and say that as you're no piano player, the feel of the key action is irrelevant to you unless you specifically are trying to learn to play properly. So you should pay more attention to comments about reliability and build quality. I'm in the same boat - I never learnt on a proper piano and TBH it has never been a problem for me with my sort of music not having proper key action. If I really need subtle playing (which I can avoid really easily... ) then I go in and edit via midi later. And for many years I and many others started out with electronic stuff on old analogues that didn't even respond to velocity, so key action was completely irrelevant. The same applies today - it all depends on what style of music you're making. I can't see velocity sensitive keys being particularly useful if you're making Dubstep or tarnce or most kind of techno or house or really, any mainstream electronica.

I'd even suggest maybe you should look at what synths there are out there that are more than just midi keyboards - things like the old Yamaha DX100s and similar - you get a keyboard (sometimes with no velocity - but that may not be necessary for you) AND some rather useful sounds onboard as well. Used to be that a DX100 would cost similar to most midi keys. Cheap as chips. So for the same money (although way less in terms of midi functionality) you get midi control and some stonking bass sounds. A midi keyboard gives you just the keys and nothing else. You might also be surprised at how cheap some of the older h/w VAs are too - again you get sounds as well as midi control. Oh by the way, the DX100 have a small keyboard, so I can see you might want a bigger keyboard. But there are options.

Just a suggestion.

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kx.001 - Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:10 pm

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anyone have any experience with the alesis ones? (QX49) I like the knobs and faders, but will have to see if I can test it alongside the similar M-Audio oxygen 61...

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bluedad - Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:15 pm

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+1
I took my Keystation Pro 88 to the dump, it was just a piece of junk.

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ezelkow1 - Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:14 pm

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I have a q49, not the qx, but its very similar just no knobs and faders. For a cheap keyboard it does the job but it is definitely not great quality or anything. The keys squeaked on mine after a while though it was definitely still usable. For 50$ i would say it was actually pretty damn good, for a 49key to bang around on. I pretty much went in to that purchase knowing that eventually it would be upgraded however. 2-3 years after I got it its still kickin along just fine though it was recently replaced with an axiom pro 49.

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bluzkat - Sun Jul 08, 2012 12:30 am

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I ran across this recently... looks like a lot of keyboard for $200 usd!!

http://www.samsontech.com/samson/products/usb-midi/keyboard-controllers/graphite49/.

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Erwin78 - Mon Jul 09, 2012 7:32 am

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I had an early one in the series and it broke quite fast.

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Trakstar - Mon Jul 09, 2012 7:47 am

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I went to electro music to buy an Alesis midi keyboard with the faders and 49keys for £120. Anyhow there was a Maudio Oxygen version 2(2 octaves) which I bought for £25 second hand with no box or usb cable or manual, just the keyboard. For the money I thought why not. And so_ its rock solid and stable and has 10 different envelopes for velocity sensitivity on how to play the keys, which can be very expressive when you build layered patches in a sampler and manually set the velocities while playing and hearing. Im glad I bought it, Ive had it about a year and no problems, the knobs still respond well and same with pitchbend and modulation wheel. I could probably throw it at the wall and it would still work. Previously I had an evolution midi keyboard and another with the Joystick and stuff which i paid full for, but I have to say this last one has to be the best for good build quality and lastability. You should go around and try a few shops and demo a few to get the feel of each one. The evolution ones are alright but are really shitty build quality especially the rotary knobs.

the latest ones are here, if i upgrade I was going to get either a new roland one because they sell them cheap at the music shop but cost twice as much as the maudio oxygen ones and have more or less the same features

http://www.thomann.de/gb/maudio_oxygen_49_3rd_gen.htm

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Streak2010 - Mon Jul 09, 2012 12:06 pm

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I have an Oxygen 49 and I love it. Haven't had any problems with it.

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deastman - Mon Jul 09, 2012 12:32 pm

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Sorry, missed the question until just now. I never had any keys die, just velocity. Roland fixed it, free of charge, and I haven't had a problem since.

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bluedad - Mon Jul 09, 2012 2:11 pm

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ok, I ragged on the Maudio keystation pro,
but I just realized the little keyboard I plonk around on everyday, is the Keystation 49.
Just synth keys, but I've had it 6 yrs so not everything is junk.

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There are 29 posts in this topic.