I'm interested in a 25-key controller keyboard (Novation Impulse). Can you get used to only 25 keys? I think it must be pretty challenging at first, especially when playing chords instead of just a single line at a time.

Yeah I can get by just fine, depends what you play though. I'm not a piano player and usually just do basic chords/bass lines and drums. Works for me, though I did opt for a 49 key. I'd love to get a smaller 25 key.

When I used a 25-key it was great for auditioning patches / presets, and okay for entering -- not exactly playing -- chords or simple melodies. I couldn't use one for regular use but it was very handy to have just behind the computer keyboard.

25 keys works for me, but I'm no piano player ...

I'm not a keyboard player but have found the smaller keyboards to be limited. If you use sample libraries, you'll need space to access key-switches and space to play notes. 25 is a bit short imho.

I personally think it depends a lot on the context. I've got a tiny AKAI LPK25 (25-key mini keyboard) which is really great when you just want play some minor things. It's actually surprisingly playable, and I often had it laying next to me to just play around when waiting for compile times, a long distance run in WoW, or waiting for the round to finish in CS:S.

However, if I really want to play piano stuff or something (which I'm not at all that good at, but enjoy), I find even a 49 key keyboard a bit cramped from to time to time.

i killed (so to speak) my studio some years ago, moved to a 25key controller and a macbook (i had a LOT of gear before that).

for several years, did EVERYTHING with that setup...until i had to do a piano piece for a film.
then, the 25keys were not enough.

but the fun in it is working within a limitation, or rather, NOT letting it be limiting.
was a lot of fun (and may try it again...but will keep my 49key controller in case...)

I've been using a 25 keyboard since 2007, and find it limiting.
I only had a 61key synth before that.
It's limiting if you really need to play through a whole tune.
If you are more into only playing parts, then moving midi around in your daw, then it's fine to use 25keys.
If you have to travel a lot, as I do...eh did. It's essential.

2 octaves is fine for laying down beats, simple chord changes or melody lines. If you're not a piano player (as many have said before) it's just fine. That said, the price differential between the 25 and 49 key impulse is over $100 so if price/portability are a big issue go with the 25. If you think you might want to learn the piano or you want to play 2 handed parts then 25 keys simply won't cut it.

It all depends on how you want to interface with your music.

I'm no accomplished pianist or keyboard player. I know some scales and chords, and edit most stuff I play..

That said, 25 keys KILLS me. Even for monophonic instruments. I need at least another octave.

49 keys works great for me. 61 is too much, I just don't use most of it!

I'm not a piano player either, and I use a 25-key controller for space reasons, but I'd say if you can swing it go for a bigger keybed - that leaves you room to grow. I have a 49-key controller at the school where I work, and it's much more comfortable when I'm entering vocal lines into Finale than my controller at home.



If you do decide for a 25-key controller, I read a tip a while ago regarding Aloysius' point about keyswitching. If you have a set of drum pads on your controller (which the Impulse does) you can assign your keyswitch notes to the drum pads.

I bought a Novation Remote 25 and 2 months later I sold it and bought it a 61 key version

If I was you I'd get a keyboard with at least 37-49 keys (3-4 octaves).

Imagine having to an old cellphone keyboard instead of your regular computer keyboard, that's how it feels to have a 25 key keyboard. You can live with it but it's much more practical to have a full one.

after reading thru this thread, i dug out my old edirol 25-key controller, and made some music.
the novelty has definitely worn off LOL... i need my (49-key) controller! i used to live & die by the edirol, but can't go back.

If you're going to actually play, I think it's not enough. But if you will be using it for some chords and to trigger some midi effects or simple arpeggiators then it's pretty enough.

QFT.

I bought a PC-800 long time ago and haven't look back ever since.
Shall it fail on me (hopefully not for a long time to come ), I'd get another 61-keys wonder.

In the end unless you definitely need a small key'd one for the purpose of portability or you think you lack the space of it has some interesting extra features and you cannot afford to wait a little longer and save for more keys... then I'd say go for the little one.