KVR Audio

original flipper · Post by **original flipper** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:41 pm

Hi

Its hard work helping someone source all the 'Right' bits for a music set-up!

Controller keyboards-I am thinking Edirol PCR30 or Evolution MK449c - they both can work via usb and appear to have lots of tweak potential.

The info at the suppliers site does say something about possible usb card issues with the Edirol PCR30 though!

Any thoughts - bad experiences - anyone?

Thanks.

Flipper.

Jaybez · Post by **Jaybez** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:55 pm

I have an evolution keyboard and I detest it, build quality is terrible. It is an old one though so maybe they've gotten better these days

twister · Post by **twister** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 5:29 pm

From two examples you've listed, it looks like you are looking for 32- 49-key midi keyboard? Personally, I use Oxygen 8 and I couldn't be happier with it. I had it for over a year and the build quality of it still surprises me. You can not even imagine how many times I dropped it while carrying around with laptop. Still works like a brand new, and 8 assignable knobs and 1 slider is more than enough controls, at least for me. Of course, all these new Evolution (owned by M-Audio anyway) keyboards are very flexible with configuration where you can save all your settings and even Sys-ex dump it on a computer for further editing. But, for a very basic, mobile and durable midi controller - Oxy 8 gets my vote.

original flipper · Post by **original flipper** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 6:28 pm

Hi

Although not for me, the keyboard will be placed in a semi-permanent place-so I tend to think that for mapping samples or playing some two hand chords it might be preferable.

Flipper.

DHR53 · Post by **DHR53** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 7:01 pm

The Edirol stuff is built like a tank compared to the other stuff... Much better quality than the MAudio, and the Evolution (which is now MAudio)... Easier to program too...I've had both, my PCR-30 has not missed a beat since I purchased it... (year ago)! Highly recommended...

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 7:08 pm

Ugh, Oxygen 8. I stopped liking it within 2 seconds after playing it. Feels very cheap. Remote 25 has a much superior build quality, but then again, it has a superior price too.

Of course, it comes down to what you get used to really.

Devon

shamann · Post by **shamann** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 7:14 pm

I had a look in a shop recently at the keyboard controllers. Why do so many of them have such springy keys? Felt like a toy.

Sorry, flipper, I can't help, as I've not found what I'm looking for yet.

Cheers,
Steve

Wopelka · Post by **Wopelka** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 7:32 pm

For a 2 octaves with audio engine i tend to believe that Novation ReMOTE 25 Audio might be the right horse...

if someone has got this beast, could he tell us how good it is (latency and stuff)?

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 8:08 pm

Wopelka wrote:For a 2 octaves with audio engine i tend to believe that Novation ReMOTE 25 Audio might be the right horse...

if someone has got this beast, could he tell us how good it is (latency and stuff)?

I did a review for the Remote 25 Audio. Nice board. Audio engine is nice and quick. Good low latency, although I'd have to look back at my notes again for how low it went. 3ms I believe? Solid feeling keyboard, good feel for the sliders, knobs twist firmly, feels like it's going to hold up for years to come, quite honestly.

What else would you like to know?

Devon

SuitcaseOfLizards · Post by **SuitcaseOfLizards** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 8:18 pm

If you're a keyboard player at all, you'll probably want something a little larger than 49 keys. I have the Edirol PCR80 and I'm very happy with it! 61 keys, 8 knobs, 8 sliders, user memory.. all yummy! Key feel is your basic unweighted synth feel, though - acceptable but nothing to write home about. Works fine with Tracktion and Orion Platinum, my two hosts. The sliders are great, I use 'em to tweak Rhino while I'm playing (heh heh).

Mine's wired to a MIDI port so I have no idea about any possible USB issues.

If this thing broke I'd buy another, I'm that happy with it! Although 76 keys would be nice, if I can get the knobs and sliders as well (hee hee).

waveriderarts · Post by **waveriderarts** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:41 pm

Uses a PCR30 with USB... but my USB is on the motherboard. But works perfect.

Wopelka · Post by **Wopelka** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:49 pm

thanks Devon,

DevonB wrote:What else would you like to know?

enough for me, i'm alredy convinced...

just one thing: do you think we can safely go on stage with it and a laptop?

original flipper · Post by **original flipper** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:50 pm

Hi

PCR30 sounds like the jobbie - this is not for me - but for a youngster into making a rackett who has no musical appreciation/respect - so he will not need/deserve the vestiges of an extende/enhanced enviroment- in other words 'he aint gettin the exta 30 odd keys".

Flipper.

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:09 pm

Wopelka wrote:thanks Devon,

DevonB wrote:What else would you like to know?
enough for me, i'm alredy convinced...

just one thing: do you think we can safely go on stage with it and a laptop?

Ya, I think so. I wouldn't drop it, it still has plastic parts, but I think this could hold up to some abuse though. Really overall, it's a great board, esp for a laptop rig, and you need a soundcard upgrade. The inputs gave me -66dB of noise on silence with a mic tied to it. Not bad at all for something that has so much else already built in.

Devon

MaxC · Post by **MaxC** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 2:27 am

original flipper wrote:The info at the suppliers site does say something about possible usb card issues with the Edirol PCR30 though!

Any thoughts - bad experiences - anyone?

I just bought the PCR30 and I'm running it through a cheap USB card i picked up for like $6 on eBay and I haven't had any issues so far. I admittedly haven't used it extensively, but so far so good. One thing to remember though is that the factory preset does not map some of the knobs/sliders to midi controller channels, so don't be surprised when some of them appear not to work. You just have to install the software editor and make a custom controller map and upload it to the PCR30.

Controller keyboard recommendations.