Midi controller and module or midi controller and laptop/software?

WATYF · 23rd October 2007

Hi there. I'm trying to help my dad purchase a keyboard. He's a missionary in Africa and needs something with a decent feature-set, but he also has the problem of being... well... in Africa. So anyway, instead of dropping 2 grand on a keyboard that might get busted to bits, we decided it might be smarter to get a cheaper midi controller and a more expensive module. That way if someone breaks the keyboard, the module (which can always stay in a road case) won't be lost as well.

Anyway... right now we're looking at something like an M-Audio Axiom 61 and a Motif ES.

But then he mentioned that he would like a sequencer too. Well, the keyboards (like the Motif) have that built in, but not the modules... so I'd have to get something ELSE to function as a sequencer...

OR... I could get some software to do it all... function as the sound bank AND the sequencer, forgoing the module completely. He already has a laptop that could server as the host for the software.

This is primarily for live performance, btw, but may get used for some recording.

So my question is... what's the smarter move. Get a controller and a module and get something else (if so, what??) for sequencing.

Or buy a controller and some software that will server as a "module" and a "sequencer" in one?

If you think I should go the software route, what software would you recommend?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

WATYF

synthoid · 24th October 2007

An Apple laptop running Logic Studio would give your dad a great set of sounds, great sequencer, and a good live performance environment for a very reasonable sum. A laptop is fairly easy to protect when you're overseas: they are small, the power supplies are pretty robust, and since relatively more people have them than have, say, sound modules, it's easier to get them serviced if they do need repair.

-synthoid

rawdigits · 24th October 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by synthoid

An Apple laptop running Logic Studio would give your dad a great set of sounds, great sequencer, and a good live performance environment for a very reasonable sum. A laptop is fairly easy to protect when you're overseas: they are small, the power supplies are pretty robust, and since relatively more people have them than have, say, sound modules, it's easier to get them serviced if they do need repair.

-synthoid

+1

worldsinflux · 16th May 2009

I use mainstage with absynth 4 and massive for live shows and it's done me well. It's incredible what MIDI controllers can do. Especially the m-audio.

23rd October 2007	#1
WATYF Gear maniac Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Smiling back at you... Posts: 248 Thread Starter	Midi controller and module or midi controller and laptop/software? Hi there. I'm trying to help my dad purchase a keyboard. He's a missionary in Africa and needs something with a decent feature-set, but he also has the problem of being... well... in Africa. So anyway, instead of dropping 2 grand on a keyboard that might get busted to bits, we decided it might be smarter to get a cheaper midi controller and a more expensive module. That way if someone breaks the keyboard, the module (which can always stay in a road case) won't be lost as well. Anyway... right now we're looking at something like an M-Audio Axiom 61 and a Motif ES. But then he mentioned that he would like a sequencer too. Well, the keyboards (like the Motif) have that built in, but not the modules... so I'd have to get something ELSE to function as a sequencer... OR... I could get some software to do it all... function as the sound bank AND the sequencer, forgoing the module completely. He already has a laptop that could server as the host for the software. This is primarily for live performance, btw, but may get used for some recording. So my question is... what's the smarter move. Get a controller and a module and get something else (if so, what??) for sequencing. Or buy a controller and some software that will server as a "module" and a "sequencer" in one? If you think I should go the software route, what software would you recommend? Any help is appreciated. Thanks. WATYF

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best Midi Controller	gracejames	Low End Theory	18	1st April 2007 08:06 PM
NEW MIDI CONTROLLER	Sobe	Music computers	5	11th December 2006 10:08 AM
best x/y(/z?) midi controller	Sirocco	So much gear, so little time!	0	23rd February 2006 01:06 AM
MIDI controller	Junkie	Music computers	0	10th December 2005 10:26 AM

24th October 2007	#2
synthoid Lives for gear Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2,791	An Apple laptop running Logic Studio would give your dad a great set of sounds, great sequencer, and a good live performance environment for a very reasonable sum. A laptop is fairly easy to protect when you're overseas: they are small, the power supplies are pretty robust, and since relatively more people have them than have, say, sound modules, it's easier to get them serviced if they do need repair. -synthoid

16th May 2009	#4
worldsinflux Gear interested Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 8	I use mainstage with absynth 4 and massive for live shows and it's done me well. It's incredible what MIDI controllers can do. Especially the m-audio.