KVR Audio

psprint · Post by **psprint** » Fri May 20, 2022 12:48 pm

I want to try to compose a song and I would like to do it on the keyboard / piano keyboard (and not through a tracker - this is the only way I know from the Amiga / Protracker times) and I only have 100 USD. What equipment should I use? It should cooperate with the computer, which means MIDI interface, am I thinking correctly? Maybe USB has replaced MIDI today? Overall, I would not like to crash into a toy for children, but I would also not like a clear MIDI / USB keyboard-only device, because I think some goodies/features (some faders etc.) can help stimulate creativity.

PS. I'm thinking of using Reaper DAW program.

wakax · Post by **wakax** » Fri May 20, 2022 1:00 pm

yes - nowadays we use most of the times midi via usb:)

at 100 usd you dont have many options.
go for
Nektar SE49
or Nektar Impact GX 49
or Nektar SE61

or what you can afford from these ppl.
https://nektartech.com/products/

the rest is way more expensive...

also check this modern tracker
https://www.renoise.com/

wakax · Post by **wakax** » Fri May 20, 2022 1:02 pm

also read:
https://www.musicradar.com/news/best-ch ... -keyboards
https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-bes ... -keyboards

psprint · Post by **psprint** » Sat May 21, 2022 8:15 am

wakax wrote: ↑Fri May 20, 2022 1:00 pm yes - nowadays we use most of the times midi via usb:)

at 100 usd you dont have many options.
go for
Nektar SE4
or Nektar Impact GX 49
or Nektar SE61

or what you can afford from these ppl.
https://nektartech.com/products/

the rest is way more expensive...

also check this modern tracker
https://www.renoise.com/

Thanks. I'm waving between gx49 and acorn masterkey 49. The difference between them is that nektar has 8 assignable buttons while acorn 4 assignable rotating potentiometers. The second looks more appealing but I'm unsure. Which one to choose?

psprint · Post by **psprint** » Sat May 21, 2022 10:38 am

I wonder what next gadget to compose music could be for me to purchase? I currently own only a DAC - FiiO e10k Olympus II and I'm not even sure if I'll make any use of it when I'll be composing

psprint · Post by **psprint** » Sun May 22, 2022 7:46 am

And what's wrong with acorn? It has 4 assignable potentiometers while Nectar with a comparable price 8 assignable buttons. Are buttons more useful maybe?

mixer9 · Post by **mixer9** » Tue May 24, 2022 6:03 pm

Another nice feature of the Nektars is beginner-friendly DAW integration.

Biome_Digital · Post by **Biome_Digital** » Tue May 24, 2022 6:11 pm

psprint wrote: ↑Fri May 20, 2022 12:48 pm I want to try to compose a song and I would like to do it on the keyboard / piano keyboard (and not through a tracker - this is the only way I know from the Amiga / Protracker times) and I only have 100 USD. What equipment should I use? It should cooperate with the computer, which means MIDI interface, am I thinking correctly? Maybe USB has replaced MIDI today? Overall, I would not like to crash into a toy for children, but I would also not like a clear MIDI / USB keyboard-only device, because I think some goodies/features (some faders etc.) can help stimulate creativity.

PS. I'm thinking of using Reaper DAW program.

I'd be looking at Nektar Impact

Lu PsY FeR · Post by **Lu PsY FeR** » Fri May 27, 2022 9:59 pm

i like arturia products like - minilab mk2 or keystep

r3coil · Post by **r3coil** » Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:10 am

I picked up a Nektar LX61+ and haven't been disappointed. Great size keyboard at a great price.

blatto · Post by **blatto** » Thu Oct 06, 2022 1:11 pm

I bought Arturia KeyStep 37 couple of months a go and I'm enjoying it. Good for the price. There is also the cheaper version with less knobs and keys etc. If your budget is tight, maybe try finding something used.

ATS · Post by **ATS** » Fri Oct 07, 2022 12:34 am

Why do you feel that this is not worth putting more money towards?

SomethingSomeone · Post by **SomethingSomeone** » Fri Oct 07, 2022 4:06 pm

I was looking for something smaller for "traveling", I got the Keystation 49 MK3 and have been more than impressed by it. Was only $100. It's a 49 key, semi weighted. Basic controllers...pitch/mod. Keys feel really nice for the price. Touch is sensitive, sometimes too sensitive. I need to edit some velocities in the piano roll because the touch is never perfect, but for what it is I would recommend it to anyone. Keys seem to be official size also. They have some weight and don't feel like a cheap toy midi controller

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Fri Oct 07, 2022 4:22 pm

Arturia Keystep is a great little midi/USB keyboard. Has it's own sequencer built in. It has mini-keys, but is no toy.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arturia-430201 ... 6906&psc=1

mixyguy2 · Post by **mixyguy2** » Sat Oct 08, 2022 1:09 am

r3coil wrote: ↑Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:10 am I picked up a Nektar LX61+ and haven't been disappointed. Great size keyboard at a great price.

And about double what the OP said he could afford...Nektar in general is probably the way to go for an inexpensive keyboard though.

What cheap and not-toy keyboard for beginner?