M-Audio Axiom-49 or Edirol PCR-500,

[rocketman5]

The new CME UF-50 looks like it could be a very nice keyboard also. I have an PCR-A30 that has started having keys fail on me, so I've been looking for a replacement as well. I actually received a "new" Axiom 49 for my birthday and was very excited -- until I opened the box. The keyboard they sent me was so dusty that I could hardly read the labels on the panel. I fired up the unit and found one key non-functional and another one intermittent. The keyboard looked like it had been a demo, or just sitting open on a shelf for some period of time before someone decided to ship it off. I shipped it back and asked for (and got) a refund.

I've been tempted to get one of the CME UF-5 keyboards -- they are selling them really cheap now through most outlets ($159), but the wireless capability of the UF-50 is very tempting. I haven't looked at the Akai yet, but I kind of like the PCR-500 -- I really liked the feel of my old Edirol.

[calex]

Get the Edirol.

[Leslie]

Played around with Edirol PCR-500 and it feels really "cheap" through and through - keyboard has very "plasticky" feel to it, the whole panel above keyboard bends under slightest of pressure and Dynamic mapping (Edirol version of Novation ReMote SL Auto-map) does not exist outside the "world" of Sonar... I guess you get what you pay for.

[hibidy]

you know what, these things are just junk imho.

My keystation (which has been very reliable for many years, though no bells/whistles) is going south HARD so I need alternatives.

I'm thinking I'll just get another one to get me by and keep saving up for a REAL KEYBOARD!

[MaliceX]

I haven't seen the EDIROL PCR-500, however I do own the PCR-M80 which even though it doesn't have weighted keys, it's still the most usable thing to own.

The only thing that it's screwed up so far is computer-related, this being pitch bend on the positive side not reaching the +8191 value, though this only happens at times when my computer's been using so much memory without restart..

12 selectable velocity curves, and 8+8 configurable knobs+sliders, this thing works like a dream. (integrates well with S-YXG50, S-YXG2006LE, VSC, and Hypersonic 2, though most other stuff only respond to CC74 at least.)

I love the fact my sustain pedal (DP-8) can be configured to use Continuous mode and map it to CC74.

Though if anything, get an 88-key weighted controller. Cousin bought a Yamaha MO8 keyboard, has a very nice feel to it even though it's massive.

[hibidy]

Yeah, if I was a "real" keyboardist and had unlimited money.....I think the motif is "the one"

Was messing around with it and it's very very nice!

but 3000 usd.........ish. I have other fish to fry first

[hibidy]

Oh, and forgot to say I'm sure that having a hardware synth/keys presents it's own set of problems with DAW's/host/computers.....etc

[MaliceX]

Yeah, however with the more professional-grade line of keyboards, they tend to work more flawlessly on the PC than el-cheapo alternatives. And besides, anything by Yamaha the PC would usually support anyway. (USB thru integration for instance with software clients.)

[Leslie]

As I have mentioned before (or maybe not) Novation ReMOTE SL's offer fantastic semi weighted feeling keyboard with aftertouch (release velocity as well) - I can not think of any other controller (regardless of the price) that will do that... We are talking about real quality (players) keyboard here. Believe me, after my "Axiom experience", I have tried them all and nothing and I MEAN nothing stacks up against the ReMOTE SL keys... and you get no less than 72 pots, faders, buttons, dedicated transport controls, X/Y touch pad, 144 character LCD display, 40 scene/memory locations, AutoMap (that actually works)... etc, etc;
Bottom line - there is NO other keyboard controller on the market today (regardless of the price) that offers that much...