KVR Audio

jtstatic · Post by **jtstatic** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 6:29 am

Ok, so time to buy a new MIDI controller keyboard since my old is starting to act funny (mod wheel goes crazy, midi cable connectivity weak, lcd goes black sometimes). I'm also tempted about USB-connectivity so there would be no longer need for wallwart PSU.. Here's what I've thought of so far:

Edirol - PCR50 (looks cool and I've heard the keys feel ok to play but I read somewhere the knobs don't rotate freely since there is a "stopper" at the middle)

Evolution MK449 C (looks a bit toy'ish and I've no idea what it feels like to play, has lots of little buttons though

)

KORG - microKONTROL (a lot of nice features like velocity sensitive drumpads and I've heard it's easy to work with, the minikeys are a big minus though although I'm not exactly a piano player)

MIDIMAN - RADIUM 49 (looks ok but I've hear bad things about the build quality)

Novation reMote 49-key version (looks almost perfect but from what I've heard it will cost an arm and leg).

so if anyone has any experience with these your input would be highly appreciated..

quincy · Post by **quincy** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 9:28 am

I'm not a keyboard player as such, but i can recommend the Evolution MK-449C, the rotary knobs feel very smooth and the sliders are a godsend for mix automation. And its a lot of keyboard for the money, at least it is here in the UK.

Good luck finding what you want

jtstatic · Post by **jtstatic** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 10:04 am

Thank you very much for this information quincy.. the knobs and sliders are probably more important to me than the feel of the keyboard anyway and the price is very nice indeed for what you get. I'll put this as a plus for evolution. Too bad I can't test it myself here since local music shop only has radium and edirol, hope they get the new evolution models soon.

jtstatic · Post by **jtstatic** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:17 am

what, no more comments?? ah well, gotta try to make my own mind.

beeswaks · Post by **beeswaks** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 1:34 pm

jtstatic wrote: Edirol - PCR50 (looks cool and I've heard the keys feel ok to play but I read somewhere the knobs don't rotate freely since there is a "stopper" at the middle)

the stopper makes much more sense when you're using the pcr knobs as rotary (incremental) encoders.. other than that, it's a pretty nice controller for the price.
feels like a toy in every aspect but it does the job quite all right and the pcr editor makes the assignments a lot easier, if you don't mind having to do bulk midi dumps.

it's fantastic with ableton live, too

electro · Post by **electro** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 1:41 pm

Don't you wish someone would make a sturdy 88key semi-weighted controller with polyphonic aftertouch?

iDavid · Post by **iDavid** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 2:50 pm

Just bought a Edirol PCR-80. Seemed put together really well. I'm going to set it up in the next few hours and I'll get back to you. I am replacing a Midi-man Keystation 61 which I was LESS than pleased with... bad quality build.

Lava · Post by **Lava** » Sat Mar 06, 2004 12:28 am

I do mostly programming so I don't need that many keys, but every now and again I'll do a shitty shit solo, so I settled on 49 keys and the PCR-50.

iDavid · Post by **iDavid** » Sat Mar 06, 2004 8:59 am

Ok,
After a day of the PCR-80, I am VERY impressed.
1. The drivers work!
2. Built well
3. Has pre-made templets to control SX or Sonar

I just converted the Kirk Hunter Solo Strings (with new Hal fxps), which uses the mod well to switch between layers. I like this little "stick" over the wheel when calling up the layers. I didn't think I would, but I am quite pleased.

Col.G · Post by **Col.G** » Sat Mar 06, 2004 10:18 am

I have a Creative Prodikeyes that I bought pretty much as a joke. You would be surprised at how well this piece of shit works.
You can all start making fun of me now.

WilliamK · Post by **WilliamK** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 10:43 pm

Col.G wrote:I have a Creative Prodikeyes that I bought pretty much as a joke. You would be surprised at how well this piece of shit works.
You can all start making fun of me now.

In the words of Nelson: HA HA !

Wk

MrMenace · Post by **MrMenace** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 10:56 pm

William,
I have used the m-audio oxygen before getting the Edirol PCR-50.
I love the way the keys feel when playing on the PCR-50. As far as the click stop on the knobs, it is there but such a slight bump that it shouldn't be too much of a nuisiance.

The one thing I have noticed is that since there isn't a seperate mod wheel and pitch wheel, some programs don't recognize the modulation signal from the controller.

I really like the way it plays.

Dennis

WilliamK · Post by **WilliamK** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 10:58 pm

Thanks bud. Isn't Edirol a Roland division?

Wk

MrMenace · Post by **MrMenace** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:43 pm

WilliamK wrote:Thanks bud. Isn't Edirol a Roland division?

Wk

Yes it is.

Dennis

Kaih · Post by **Kaih** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:03 am

I recently purchased the PCR-50, and i am VERY pleased with it indeed.
As for the stopper, it can get in the way when trying to make a slow filtersweep etc. you will get a noticable stop in the movement, wich is clearly audible if not carefull. However, i solved this by PULLING the knobs upward while turning, that way the stopper isnt noticable at all, thus creating a smooth movement and sound.

Happy hunting

PS: I also do a bit of beatmixing in Traktor 2.5, and use the rotary knobs for EQ and gain, and having those stoppers are actually an advandtage there, for resetting EQ's...

37-49-key midi controllers, opinions?