I am thinking of buying this a Novation 61 LE,
it is not too large and for my knob-needs I own a BCR2000.
A minus of the 61 LE is that it has no aftertouch.
Primarily I am looking for a board that is 'playable', ie with decent velocity and proper Keys and preferably aftertouch. It should be notably better than my Evoluton MK361.
Alternatives could be the 61 Novation SL or maybe the Axiom, but do they really play better? Besides they are larger and the SL is much more expensive.
What do you think? My ideal keyboard is slim, well playable and has aftertouch as well. I may cost more than the LE if it exists, but I cannot afford a Doepfer at the moment
On a side note, the Remote 61 SL is about 580 euros, I might as well get a weighted Fatar for a bit more.
I would really appreciate any comments/ opinions on this. Again, playability is the most important issue here.
Thanks in advance,
Okke
Novation Remote 61 LE? Or? Please advise
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- KVRist
- 74 posts since 24 Jan, 2006
I have the Emu XBoard 61. Can't say much about Novation except they generally get positive reviews.
XBoard Positives: nice key action (semi-weighted), aftertouch, GUI on-screen adjustment as well as from the keyboard, control knobs solid, construction okay (although there is one key weight that is coming unglued).
Negatives: Very difficult to get my HP computer to recogize the USB connection. Once they mate all is okay, but it is very frustrating to get there. Maybe this is only a problem for my computer, but when I lose my connection, it can take an hour with several reinstalls and just connecting and reconnecting to get the keyboard to be recognized as a USB device. When it finally 'takes', I have no idea why. Emu acted surprised at this problem.
Having said that, when it works, I like it. You might look at the new Edirol 61 keyboard. It's quite a bit more expensive but I've heard good things and it may be worth it.
XBoard Positives: nice key action (semi-weighted), aftertouch, GUI on-screen adjustment as well as from the keyboard, control knobs solid, construction okay (although there is one key weight that is coming unglued).
Negatives: Very difficult to get my HP computer to recogize the USB connection. Once they mate all is okay, but it is very frustrating to get there. Maybe this is only a problem for my computer, but when I lose my connection, it can take an hour with several reinstalls and just connecting and reconnecting to get the keyboard to be recognized as a USB device. When it finally 'takes', I have no idea why. Emu acted surprised at this problem.
Having said that, when it works, I like it. You might look at the new Edirol 61 keyboard. It's quite a bit more expensive but I've heard good things and it may be worth it.
"It was not down on any map; true places never are." Ishmael
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 71 posts since 26 Feb, 2006 from Amsterdam
Hi Spa,
Thanks for your spot-on input.
The EMU seems to have quite good playability, although it seems to lack a bit in velocity curves (at least that's what I get from other reviews)
I can't find much info about the Edirol PCR800. Although I think it looks ugly it indeed is in the range of what I am looking for.
Both models are slimmer and cheaper than the Novation 61 SL, and I will try them out.
About the Novation 61 LE, I read two times the description of 'muddy' action. When I tried it in store in found the action relatively heavy, mayby that's what they meant by it. I thought this could help you to play more dynamically, but maybe it's just annoying. (I will try it with some synth on at least). I cannot find any reviews about the LE.
I think I am going to regret buying something (like the LE) without aftertouch. Not that I expect piano-like action, but at least I want to experiment with it, for example my FF Twin supports it.
Instead, the action of the Novation SL felt much lighter, but nice to me. It seems to offer very good playability (3 reviews). I still think it is big and quite expensive but like I said before playability is the nr 1 issue.
BTW I do'nt want to buy a wheigted action (yet), while not having a good synth-action controller.
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Okke
Thanks for your spot-on input.
The EMU seems to have quite good playability, although it seems to lack a bit in velocity curves (at least that's what I get from other reviews)
I can't find much info about the Edirol PCR800. Although I think it looks ugly it indeed is in the range of what I am looking for.
Both models are slimmer and cheaper than the Novation 61 SL, and I will try them out.
About the Novation 61 LE, I read two times the description of 'muddy' action. When I tried it in store in found the action relatively heavy, mayby that's what they meant by it. I thought this could help you to play more dynamically, but maybe it's just annoying. (I will try it with some synth on at least). I cannot find any reviews about the LE.
I think I am going to regret buying something (like the LE) without aftertouch. Not that I expect piano-like action, but at least I want to experiment with it, for example my FF Twin supports it.
Instead, the action of the Novation SL felt much lighter, but nice to me. It seems to offer very good playability (3 reviews). I still think it is big and quite expensive but like I said before playability is the nr 1 issue.
BTW I do'nt want to buy a wheigted action (yet), while not having a good synth-action controller.
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Okke
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- KVRist
- 74 posts since 24 Jan, 2006
IMHO a keyboard is one of the most important links between me and my music. Purchase the keyboard that you feel the most comfortable with, regardless of price. It may mean saving up a bit more and sacrificing something else you wanted, but if keyboard playing is important to your music, don't settle for second.
BTW, the Emu XBoard comes with Proteus, but don't let that influence you. Most people, including myself, have poor luck getting Proteus to work consistently. I deinstalled it. Personally, I wouldn't buy a keyboard for the extras -- buy it because it's the one you want.
Good luck!
BTW, the Emu XBoard comes with Proteus, but don't let that influence you. Most people, including myself, have poor luck getting Proteus to work consistently. I deinstalled it. Personally, I wouldn't buy a keyboard for the extras -- buy it because it's the one you want.
Good luck!
"It was not down on any map; true places never are." Ishmael
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- KVRAF
- 8519 posts since 7 Apr, 2003
i have a remote sl 61, and i would never trade it for anything. it is the perfect controller for me. enough keys, faders, knobs, and great action on those. the pitchbend is a stick type which i prefer over wheels.
the only downside to the sl61 is the xy pad requires significant force to activate it in my experience and it makes an audible sound from the friction of my finger tip when moving it.
the editor software and the support is the best i've ever tried though. so easy to use the editors to make new templates, and the led read outs mean you dont need to even look at your computer unless you want. it's sort of like owning endless amounts of hardware synths feeling. it also comes with a nice tutorial dvd video to help you out. but the documentation and the system is very easy to use without any help at all.
the pads are a bit small on the sl for my large fingertips but they do ok. the inclusion of transport keys is nice as is the ability to modify every control detail with 2 buttons.
novation automap makes it so that you dont need to worry about your hosts implementation for automation/controller links, you just link it with automap wrapper and save it and done. no worries.
i've not had a single problem with novation remote sl 61 and i highly recommend it if you can swing it it's worth the price difference imo. i've owned in the past a fatar 61 key controller, a maudio oxygen8, and a roland xp60. i was considering to buy the axiom61 but hated it's key action.
the sl61 is VERY close to roland action. very great for me
the only downside to the sl61 is the xy pad requires significant force to activate it in my experience and it makes an audible sound from the friction of my finger tip when moving it.
the editor software and the support is the best i've ever tried though. so easy to use the editors to make new templates, and the led read outs mean you dont need to even look at your computer unless you want. it's sort of like owning endless amounts of hardware synths feeling. it also comes with a nice tutorial dvd video to help you out. but the documentation and the system is very easy to use without any help at all.
the pads are a bit small on the sl for my large fingertips but they do ok. the inclusion of transport keys is nice as is the ability to modify every control detail with 2 buttons.
novation automap makes it so that you dont need to worry about your hosts implementation for automation/controller links, you just link it with automap wrapper and save it and done. no worries.
i've not had a single problem with novation remote sl 61 and i highly recommend it if you can swing it it's worth the price difference imo. i've owned in the past a fatar 61 key controller, a maudio oxygen8, and a roland xp60. i was considering to buy the axiom61 but hated it's key action.
the sl61 is VERY close to roland action. very great for me