Hi guys.
I need to buy a keyboard to use with software on my PC. I haven't looked at this sort of thing for over 10 years so have no idea what's out there. I'd appreciate any advice you can offer.
Thanx for looking.
Best Keyboard Controller?
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- KVRer
- 24 posts since 29 Sep, 2012
depends on ur budget..if what u need is just midi controllers
there's tiny KORG Nano Series, Akai MPK series..
or big M-Audio semi-weighted or the big synth stuffs of KORG...
or you can opt for CASIO/Yamaha (basic keyboards with lots of onboard sound and USB MIDI connectivity..well that's frm my limited knowledge...maybe there's more good makers/companies out there....
there's tiny KORG Nano Series, Akai MPK series..
or big M-Audio semi-weighted or the big synth stuffs of KORG...
or you can opt for CASIO/Yamaha (basic keyboards with lots of onboard sound and USB MIDI connectivity..well that's frm my limited knowledge...maybe there's more good makers/companies out there....
BlueSpace Music @ Facebook, @ Reverbnation
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- KVRer
- 6 posts since 29 Oct, 2012 from Vancouver, Canada
Lots of options out there number of keys you want (25, 49, 61,73, 88) is the big one. Also do you do drum programing or would you use drum pads? Many manufacturers offer multiple key range options however my picks based on keys are as follows
25 - Akai MPK mini for just punching in notes. Whats the use of 25 keys for performance.
49 - M-audio Oxygen 49. not many weighted key options in this range
61-88 - the field is packed with options. narrow it down by deciding if you want weighted keys and if you need extra features like knobs and faders (if yes to the latter ckech out novations stuff with the auto map or the axiom pro. programming the knobs and faders sucks)
25 - Akai MPK mini for just punching in notes. Whats the use of 25 keys for performance.
49 - M-audio Oxygen 49. not many weighted key options in this range
61-88 - the field is packed with options. narrow it down by deciding if you want weighted keys and if you need extra features like knobs and faders (if yes to the latter ckech out novations stuff with the auto map or the axiom pro. programming the knobs and faders sucks)
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- KVRAF
- 2268 posts since 9 Mar, 2009 from Copenhagen, Denmark
Do you play? Because if you do it usually limits the options a whole lot. It seems that many of these controllers aren't meant for playing given their keybed quality (or rather, lack of). As a player, I'd say 61 keys minimum.
I'd rather get something decent to begin with than having to replace stuff all the time.
If you want weighted keys, great build, lots of knobs and faders etc, it will cost you. it's all a matter of what you plan to do.
I have no dedicated controller keyboard myself, as I use a Kurzweil PC3x so I wouldn't know for sure what to look for. However, I'm content with the M-Audio hardware as a whole. The M-Audio Venom synth I own seem sturdy enough and knobs are pretty good too, given the fact that the whole synth made of plastic. The Venom keys are decent too for non weighted ones, although no match for my old DX7
I suppose their controllers would match the build and key quality of the Venom? If I was on the market for a controller I'd check the M-Audio line up
I'd rather get something decent to begin with than having to replace stuff all the time.
If you want weighted keys, great build, lots of knobs and faders etc, it will cost you. it's all a matter of what you plan to do.
I have no dedicated controller keyboard myself, as I use a Kurzweil PC3x so I wouldn't know for sure what to look for. However, I'm content with the M-Audio hardware as a whole. The M-Audio Venom synth I own seem sturdy enough and knobs are pretty good too, given the fact that the whole synth made of plastic. The Venom keys are decent too for non weighted ones, although no match for my old DX7
I suppose their controllers would match the build and key quality of the Venom? If I was on the market for a controller I'd check the M-Audio line up
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- KVRian
- 610 posts since 6 Mar, 2005 from USA
After a lot of looking, I use an Axiom 61. Love it. As a live keys player it has a great feel, plenty of switches to control various volumes and modulations, and 8 drum pads that I use as midi switches to trigger backing sounds in real-time (e.g. the jet taking off at the start of the Beatles "Back in the USSR"). I've traveled across the country with it many times...only once had it break (and that was because I hit a slider switch pretty hard when I dropped it).