Best MIDI KB Controller(s) for Receptor

[jimspurlock]

Greetings to all. I am replacing my stage rig with all new equipment starting with a Receptor. (fyi, we are loud/eclectic rock&roll) Looking for any knowledge/experience as to best choice of MIDI KB controllers for use with the Receptor. To include a weighted 88 & semi-weighted 61. Looking at CME, Studiologic; unimpressed with M-audio, Edirol. Any and all facts, opinions, loves, hates are most welcome. Oh, also, what's the best way to route 2 MIDI outputs into the Receptor?

[dudegruvy]

I use Midi Solutions Midi Merge to route my two keyboards into the receptor. Works great. You might not need to replace your stage rig if you like the action of your keys. They might come in handy as backup in case of a receptor meltdown.

[Hybernation]

I use Midi Solutions Midi Merge to route my two keyboards into the receptor. Works great. You might not need to replace your stage rig if you like the action of your keys. They might come in handy as backup in case of a receptor meltdown.

Agree with that point. I use three keyboards (and MIDI bass pedals) and merge them all with an old 8X8 MIDI interface (MOTU). 2 of these keyboards are part of my pre-Receptor rig (Alesis QS8.1 for piano and Roland VR760 for organ). It's kind of strange seeing all those keyboards up there with NO AUDIO outputs being used

Anyway, as mentioned above, side benefit to this approach is that if the receptor fails at the gig, the show could go on (we are a keyboard-heavy/centric band).

Lastly, I have had a Fatar Studiologic SL880 for many years and find it an EXCELLENT controller for receptor as well (better action than the QS8.1 for sure). It has four zones, which is very handy for switching between sounds quickly. Not sure if they still make this model however. (also it has aftertouch, which surprisingly, many of the weighted action controllers today do not - like the M-Audio one).

[richwhite9]

Wait til NAMM?

Zones are a real problem w/ new controllers.

The M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 has them. No Aftertouch and only 10 memory slots. Lots of stories about the feel and construction. Only one out.

The new Studiologics are all one zone but have a rep for 'decent feel' and construction. They make a waterfall keyboard 61-note with sliders for drawbars which is about the only decent organ actiom.

The more expensive CMEs have zones and sliders and their brain software is not yet stable. They do have all the frills, 4 zones, 4 midi out, etc.

[billw]

Are MIDI zones on a controller really necessary w/Receptor? Doesn't it have the ability to split and layer already?

Another controller suggestion is the old Roland A series keyboards. I'm using an A-37 (with Brianspawn Forte as a VSTi host on a PC) and it's great. It is highly programmable, has 2 midi outs and 76 keys. I found it on Ebay for $225 BIN.

Bill

[Hybernation]

Are MIDI zones on a controller really necessary w/Receptor? Doesn't it have the ability to split and layer already?

That is correct.

The nice thing about HAVING something with four zones like the SL880 is that you can turn them on and off on and fly to create layers (piano, organ, epiano, strings) and you can also use it to switch sounds entirely just by switching to a zone on a differently midi channel.

But, the amount of layering and splitting you can do with just one midi channel using the receptor is pretty awesome.

+1 for the A-37, I have had one for years and I love it!

[richwhite9]

It's nice to be able to configure a split for an organ and use the drawbars (faders) on a controller to adjust a B4.

There are other ways to do this on a single channel but working 'naturally' I want zones with separate bank and program changes on different channels.

This is not a Receptor issue: it's a manufacturer issue. It's also the 'weak link' in modules including Receptors: there simply aren't enough good controllers.

[dudegruvy]

I have used the Roland A37 for many years- great action and perfect for any organ tone. Get one on Ebay and save your $.

[Robert Karasek]

A-37 is great !

however, I used the KURZWEIL SP-88 pretty much !
if you like the key-action this is quite a cool thing...
not expensive at all!

[TechEverlasting]

If you want to be creative with assignable controllers and have lots of zones at your fingertips considers a used Kurzweil K2500 keyboard. I've seen these close for less than $700 on ebay. The K2500 offers 4 switch pedals, two expression pedals (one can optionally be a breath controller) eight sliders, eight muteable zones, two ribbons and a few switches. All this stuff can be very flexibly assigned with varying curves and minimum/maximum values, and you can have hundreds of different controller configurations saved as separate Setups. Also, if your Receptor crashes you have a fairly capable Rompler on your hands, especially if you get the optional Orchestra and Contemporary boards.

I don't recommend the 88 note K2500Xs because the Fatar TP-10M action is notorious for cracked weights, cracked notes and notes that play at full velocity. I've had far less trouble with the 76 note actions on the K2500 and K2600.
You'll get the same controller functions in the newer K2600s, but I'm not aware of any advantages these newer models offer for your application and they do generally sell for a lot more.

[Robert Karasek]

... but the SP-88 is just about 13kg

[thesoundsmith]

I've been using M-Audio Axiom 61 for upper manual, for the controllers, and 88sx for the bottom. Advantages - 17 lb and 13 lb, 88sx has internal sounds should the Receptor fail, Axiom can control nearly anything. Disadvantages - the keyboard action sucks - it's too deep, reminds me of a Rhodes. The Axiom librarian is terrible, and the 88sx has no zones and limited preset selection.

But I have been able to get some very complex setups out of this rig, by properly combining channels to access patch change or not depending on the channel and complexity of the patch. Check it out here: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... imate+live

I am currently trying to replace the lower board with a CME UF70, but two major problems - can't get the board to work properly, and it complete screws up my physical setup - with the 88sx, i can set the second keyboard almost exactly like a dual-manual Hammond, no space between keyboards - see the photos on the link - sown the page. it is also a clumsy keyboard to move, the layout makes it easy to DROP... (haven't done it yet, but it IS an accident waiting to happen.

In the meanwhile,, in case it is not clear on the pix, I have added a Leslie half-moon switch to the 88sx to control the B4 Leslie - it connects to the Axiom, but lives on the 88sx. Works great, but is a bit delicate to move.

[jimspurlock]

To all - Big thanks for the excellent info. My Receptor Pro w/Komplete 5 arrived today (woohoo!) & I think I'm going with StudioLogic VMK-188+ below (thanks for the CME warnings) and Roland A-37 above (what a great tip). For failover, I've got my K2500R that will have been the home version of my K2500X gig axe which, after 10 years of bars, stinks way too bad to bring in the house. A big Happy New Year to all you pros. BTW, SoundSmith, I read your link - you are sick. --js

[demierra]

I might be a little late on that thread, but I am using an Oberheim MC3000 masterkeyboard, together with an M-Audio Axiom 61 (after reading thesoundsmith's post one year ago), and sometimes a Novation Nova (that's for when I'm too lazy to make sounds on the Receptor...). I bought the Oberheim 6 years ago and I think it is no longer built, but still can be found second-hand on ebay.
I must say that the MC3000 is the coolest and most complete masterkeyboard I've ever seen. It sure doesn't have all the functions of the Axiom 61 (pads, buttons, transport...), but it has 8 Zones, each with a on-off button, 8 sliders, two modwheels, one pitch wheel, 8 inputs for pedals (either switch or expression, three master pedals and 5 zone pedals), eight midi outs, two midi ins and two midi thru. Of course, everything is assignable... The keyboard is 88 hammer-weight notes and it has 8 banks of 128 programs (yes, I said eight). The very cool thing is that the sliders and zone switches are located on the left part of the keyboard, next to the wheels, which is very useful when you want to switch zones on or off or use the sliders with the left hand and play with the right hand.

For further info about this beast, read sound on sound article about it: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov99/a ... erheim.htm

I am very happy with the Axiom 61 too, especially for the additional options which the MC3000 doesn't have. I use it mainly to trigger samples and loops on Kontakt or Stylus, and now that version 1.6 of the Receptor allows better Midi channel handling for control of the plugins and Receptor mixer, I am planning to configure it even better to use all the buttons and sliders...

Before, I had a Roland A-33 (a little inferior to the A-37) and I was very happy with it, though there was just one slider and 2 zones. Edition was a bit hard because there was no screen, but after reading the manual, it was ok.

Demierra

[Robert Karasek]

I'm def with demierra !
forgot about the oberheim !!
personally I wan't that happy with the key-action... matter of personal taste...

def better than these CMF-keyboards... the keyboard-action is just crap...