KVR Audio

MaliceX · Post by **MaliceX** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:05 am

The best thing to do is walk into any music instrument store that sells these type of things and ask them if you can demo their 25-key midi controllers they sell and see if you're satisfied with their feel.

ATS · Post by **ATS** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:08 am

MaliceX wrote:The best thing to do is walk into any music instrument store that sells these type of things and ask them if you can demo their 25-key midi controllers they sell and see if you're satisfied with their feel.

yeah I know I technically should do that but I always buy stuff online, even more expensive stuff.

kwgm · Post by **kwgm** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:16 am

griels wrote:I liked the look of the Microkontrol but if it's anything like the Microkorg I tried in Soundcontrol the keys have absolutely no resistance in them

I own a Korg microKontrol, and while I appreciate the fact that I have 3 octaves in the space of 2, and a set of 8 sliders, 8 pots, and 16 pads, the software leaves much to be desired.

There are no layers--8 sliders/pots means there are only 8 slider/pots per setup, period. Very limiting and disappointing.

The most common complaint is the velocity sensitivity of both the keys and pads. The keys have 8 velocity profiles, are non-programmable, and all very similar in their response. None offer control over the whole range of 1-127. The pads are worse--very hard and even though they support a full velocity range in software, they are essentially bi-state or tri-state buttons at best.

Those are the problems. I must also say in fairness the keyboard is solidly built, and is a consistent performer. I'm afraid it never had the commercial acceptance that Korg desired, and there's little support--very little in the way of downloads of new profiles, no driver upgrades, etc.

One common complaint from users is that you can't program the text display. Korg includes a large set of common descriptions one can assign to each control, which displays in a small display over each slider/pot, but if your particular assignment isn't in the list, there's no way to edit the string to add your own value. Now how difficult could that be to change in the driver and utility program--keep an extra string table in non-volatile ram? Yet, no joy from Korg after many years of consistent user complaints.

There are better small keyboards, and you've had some good advice. Stay away from the microKontrol.

damstraversaz · Post by **damstraversaz** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:14 am

the xiosynth is really great. not expensive ,a nice midi keyboard ( like all the novation midi stuff) a very good synth and an audio card. it's possible to use it with hybrid mod ( for exemple, touch MW and touchpad for controlling hardware synth, and the other knob and buttons for midi CC ). I use it every week on stage and it's really perfect. the asio driver are very good too ( 3 ms on my system) and no crash. there is a very nice midi editor with it , and some very good synth patchs from novation. in my opinion it's really a must have

What is a good 25 key midi controller?