Just got a PCR-M50 controller tonight- any other users here?

[koolkeys]

I got some birthday money the past few days(turned 28 today!) and went out and bought an Edirol PCR-M50 controller for $120. It was the last one, and was open box. But it was up high where people couldn't really touch it, and was in PERFECT condition with all manuals/registration card/cables in place.

I've never had a REAL controller before. Up till now, I've only used old Casio and Yamaha keyboards to play sounds on my computer. No real functionality beyond that. So this is my first that I've personally owned. I've used them a bit elsewhere, but not extensively.

Anyways, any advice on setting this thing up? Things you like or don't like about it?

I'm pretty excited about it though. It's much lighter then my other boards, and I can take it to work, and even leave it there if I want. But I'm most excited about all the knobs and faders and such that I couldn't use before! No more doing ALL of my automation with the mouse!

Cheers!

Brent

[koolkeys]

Hmmm, maybe nobody uses this controller?

[D-Fusion]

I did until yesterday
Some of the keys started to die 2weeks ago and yesterday some of the knobs lost contact now and then while using them on a softsynth.

If i where you i would go and exchange it to another controller that is'nt Edirol since there are many people that have had the same problems with them.

And mine was'nt even a year old before it started to acting weird.

Happy birthday M8 i hope you will have a great day

[koolkeys]

Well, I HAD a great day. My B-day is come and gone now. But thank you!

It's odd, I have a few friends who have used Edirol stuff and liked it. So far things seem good, so we'll see once I test it some more. Hopefully I don't have the problems in question. Thanks for the tip though.

I haven't gotten the chance to do much more then just hook it up yet because it's just been busy. So I'll cross my fingers and see what happens. I sure can't afford a controller that is much more right now. I stretched the cash I had to get this! So if it does go bad, I'm always open to suggestions.

Brent

[spa]

I've had a PCR-M30 for two years now. It worked fine. However, I read so many posts about the keys failing over time that when it came to buy a keyboard with more keys, I went with the emu xboard 61. I like the feel of the xboard keys (semi-weighted vs 'synth' weighted on the edirol), and the board feel solid. The only problem I've had with the xboard is getting the computer to recognize the USB connection when turning on the computer or coming out of standby. It took some work, but that's been fixed.

As long as the keys work on the edirol, you've got a nice keyboard. If you have probems, you might consider the xboard as an alternative.

[koolkeys]

Thanks for that suggestion. I did try out the board finally, and all the keys and knobs/sliders/buttons seem to work perfectly. I'm not seeing much of a problem with the way the keys are balanced. Some people claim that the keys can't be pressed on their highest parts, but I disagree. Some pianos I've played are tougher to play.

I wouldn't mind weighted keys, as I am used to a piano more. But this keyboard is perfect because it's decent size while still being portable. My other keyboards are 61 keys. It kills me not having a full 88 keys, but money hasn't allowed a full keyboard yet. And my upright piano will eventually be brought down here from my parent's house, so that will help.

It's taking a bit to get used to the sideways pitch bend wheel, and the modulation is spring loaded unlike most boards. But it's still not too difficult. I really like the amount of features on this board for the price. It was a great feeling to be able to MIX several tracks using the board, as opposed to using the mouse for everything.

Brent