KVR Audio

bryozoaman · Post by **bryozoaman** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:59 am

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the Forum and this is my first post. Hope I can tap into the experience of you all.

I'm thinking about getting a new MIDI controller keyboard to fit into my setup. Currently, my keyboard rack consists of a Roland D-50, a Korg Trinity V3, and a M-Audio Keystation 61es which I use as my main soft-synth keyboard...I'm getting more and more into soft synths now (impOSCar, Zebra, Albino and Predator) and would really like something that I can use as a control surface with Live and Reason.

Anyway, I need some advice as to which controller to get. It will have to have semi-weighted keys (I quite like the feel of the Keystation, but I also play with the fully-weighted keys of my Yamaha Clavinova CLP150...though sometimes these feel a little heavy and dull, but that may just be my bad playing technique), and I'd really like aftertouch. I try to play quite a few piano pieces (have Synthogy Ivory and the Piano Refill for Reason), so a good piano-like response would be ideal.

I was considering the M-Audio Axiom 61, but have seen quite a lot of favourable reviews for the Novation Remote 61SL.

The problem is that I live in Saudi Arabia, so can't just pop over to a local music store to try out the various models. Instead, I'm having to rely on good advice and ship in whatever model I finally decide on.

So, I'm hoping you can all share your experience with me and give me some solid advice.

Cheers.

G&L_player · Post by **G&L_player** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:44 am

If I were buying a new MIDI controller today, I'd look for the feature that displays the automated parameters either on board (e.g. Novation), or in a rack of some sort. This features takes presets to the next level.

bryozoaman · Post by **bryozoaman** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:04 pm

That does indeed sound like a very useful feature. Any idea what the keys feel like?

stoolz · Post by **stoolz** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:45 pm

if you are going to be stuck qith it over there then get something simple and easy to use, something already out there that has been well tested. I have seen lots of problems posted about the new remotes and a few about the axioms. It depends what you want out of it. If you are like me and dont need every single parameter mapped and just the well used ones like res/filter/ etc then have a look at the edirol range. I have had the pcr50 and now the pcr800 and found them easy to program and use. The aint semi weighted but they have a nice enough key action. The are both fully usb bus powered and the pcr800 has an additional cross fader which can be used to mix with in ableton.

Shane Sanders · Post by **Shane Sanders** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:53 pm

http://www.sonicpal.com/

Shane Sanders · Post by **Shane Sanders** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:55 pm

http://www.synthzone.com/ctrlr.htm

bryozoaman · Post by **bryozoaman** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:11 am

Thanks for the input...much for me to think about. I'll check out those additional models and have a good hard think about it all.

Stoolz rightly pointed out the lack of support I'd get out here...I'd overlooked that as my D-50 has been going for 16 years without a hitch and the Trinity is 8 years old and in perfect working order.

Are the new models really that problematic? I'd only very, very rarely be using it for live performance as the public playing of live music is banned here in Saudi Arabia!

Thanks also to Shane for his list of links...much to keep me busy now!

Cheers.

maxhodges1 · Post by **maxhodges1** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:19 am

When I outgrew my Axiom 25 I bought an Edirol PCR-800 and really love it. The keyboard action isn't like the keystation, but pretty similar to the M-Audio Axiom 61 you mention. The pads are better on the Axiom, but all the knobs and sliders and buttons make the PCR-800 a dream.

Also the dynamic mapping works great with Sonar. I don't use Live so can't report on that. Anyway, maybe take a look at it.

maxhodges1 · Post by **maxhodges1** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:24 am

bryozoaman wrote: I'd only very, very rarely be using it for live performance as the public playing of live music is banned here in Saudi Arabia!

Cheers.

Really? Amazing. is that only for non-traditional music? They don't have concerts? Do you just need permission first? What about DJing?

bryozoaman · Post by **bryozoaman** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:54 am

maxhodges1 wrote:
bryozoaman wrote: I'd only very, very rarely be using it for live performance as the public playing of live music is banned here in Saudi Arabia!

Cheers.
Really? Amazing. is that only for non-traditional music? They don't have concerts? Do you just need permission first? What about DJing?

"Traditional" music is allowed on special occasions, and shoudl be religious in nature. There are some people out here who refuse to let their wives listen to music, considering it to be sinful! Thankfully, the island state of Bahrain is just an hour's drive away from where I live, and that has a fairly active music scene.

BASSDRIVE · Post by **BASSDRIVE** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:35 am

I have an Axiom 49. Love it!

bryozoaman · Post by **bryozoaman** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 5:06 am

Thanks to everyone for their friendly tips and links.

After much pondering, it looks like I'm slightly leaning towards the Novation Remote 61SL...the automapping feature looks great, the X-Y touchpad will be very useful, and the LCD which labels each switch is a great feature.

But it is definitely a close call with the Edirol PCR-800 (but not so sure about the sockets all being at the side...sort of awkward with my setup) and the Axiom 61 (...very tempting indeed). I could still be swayed!

Cheers.

C-note · Post by **C-note** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 5:48 am

I love my Novation SL61. The key action is great and the Automap Universal is way ahead of everything else. The midi editing is very easy and very complete functionally. It is great to open up IMPOscar, Z3ta+ or Sylenth 1 and just start tweaking knobs. All the midi functions are truely mapped for you and you can easily map them differently if you don't like the automapping. Don't own an Edirol but tried them out before buying my SL. I liked the key action but the midi is not nearly as full featured as the SL. Don't like at all the key action on the Axiom line and the midi implementation is again far behind Novation.
My .02

Cheers,
C

kuanding · Post by **kuanding** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:00 pm

just a wishful thinking, does axiom support midi merger so I can use the midi in and connect to my other keyboards?

Foxglove · Post by **Foxglove** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:37 pm

Another vote here for the Novation Remote 61 SL. I'm in LOVE with her. The quality of the keyboards action is amazing. The aftertouch works considerably well. The drum pads are of exceptional quality, as are the knobs and sliders. The Mod/Pitchbend joystick can be configured so that your modulation can have spring action. And Automap Universal, for me, is the greatest thing to come out for a LONG time. The x/y pad, while being good, seems to have to be worked in. Meaning that if you spend about 10 minutes just rubbing your finger along the pad, it should work fine after that, but it seemed to be a bit "stiff" out of the box.

You won't be disapointed, it's the best controller out there, period.

Advice Needed...Which MIDI Controller Keyboard?