KVR Audio

zircon · Post by **zircon** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:22 pm

I currently use an M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 as my controller @ my home studio. It's good, but there are a few issues;

* It's really bulky and heavy
* I don't use the knobs/sliders 99% of the time
* No onboard sounds
* The action is pretty good, but LOUD - makes annoying clicking noises

So I'm thinking of selling it and picking up something smaller and more compact. My budget is $500-600. It seems like the Korg X-50 might be my best bet:

* It has onboard sounds
* It has USB connectivity for MIDI and editing, and I believe can function as a plugin
* It's really light, small, and compact
* Handles to make it easier to carry

But I've gotten conflicting reports about the action. I'd get the 61-key version if anything, which would make it harder for me to practice "real" piano pieces, but going back to synth action as opposed to weighted would make studio work a little easier.

Anyone have any experience with this? The sound demos and feature list really sounds great, but I'm still unclear on the action, durability, and USB connectivity.

zircon · Post by **zircon** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:59 am

I bit the bullet and got one of these. I've been using it disconnected from my computer just to explore the preset banks and... it's AMAZING!!!! Best $600 I have ever spent on music gear. The preset quality is just unreal, it's light, sleek, and has solid action. Virtually every patch is extraordinarily inspiring. I'm not even halfway through all the combis (much less the individual programs) and I'm totally blown away.

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:04 am

It's very similar to my microX in a lot of ways and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. The only negative is the way the VSTi plugin works. Every time you load a song that uses it, it takes about 20 seconds or so to sync with the hardware. There is no way I could use it live but in the studio it is less of an issue. I also find the multi-page layout of the software editor barely any better than programming from the front panel so I never use it.

taijiguy · Post by **taijiguy** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:58 am

zircon wrote:I bit the bullet and got one of these. I've been using it disconnected from my computer just to explore the preset banks and... it's AMAZING!!!! Best $600 I have ever spent on music gear. The preset quality is just unreal, it's light, sleek, and has solid action. Virtually every patch is extraordinarily inspiring. I'm not even halfway through all the combis (much less the individual programs) and I'm totally blown away.

I've been looking at this keyboard lately, but have been balking because of the key action. Is it as bad as some people have been saying? It certainly sounds good, based on the NAMM videos.

zircon · Post by **zircon** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:50 am

Well, I haven't owned a lot of keyboards... I have a simple Casio, an Edirol PCR-30, and an M-Audio Keystation 88. In terms of action it is closest to the PCR-30 - solid synth action. It doesn't feel as cheap as the Casio, it doesn't make as much noise as the springy Keystation, but it's definitely not weighted and if you're looking for a realistic feel you will be disappointed. Haven't used the VSTi functionality yet, but the editors are pretty easy to navigate thanks to the large screen and multiple nav controls (inc/dec, page up/page down, scroll wheel, directional controller)

I emphasize again... the sounds ROCK. I'm only having two problems right now. One is that I can't get my M-Audio MP-2 sustain pedal to work properly. There's no "Sustain Pedal" port, just two assignable pedal control ports and a damper input. I can't figure out how to configure just a simple "Hold" pedal. The other problem is that it seems to be very quiet in my Presonus Firebox, but since it sounded fine when I hooked it up direct to my headphones, I suspect this may be a problem w/ my interface.

musikmachine · Post by **musikmachine** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:59 am

zircon wrote:I emphasize again... the sounds ROCK. I'm only having two problems right now. One is that I can't get my M-Audio MP-2 sustain pedal to work properly. There's no "Sustain Pedal" port, just two assignable pedal control ports and a damper input. I can't figure out how to configure just a simple "Hold" pedal. The other problem is that it seems to be very quiet in my Presonus Firebox, but since it sounded fine when I hooked it up direct to my headphones, I suspect this may be a problem w/ my interface.

I have the same issue with my microX!Very loud on the headphones but very quiet on the main outs..