cheap, small, semi-weighted controller?

Terminus Est · 14th May 2008

I would have thought this would be a very, very easy thing to find because I could care less about gadgets and frills . . . but I've actually read a TON of terrible reviews about midi-controllers, even the simple ones with few functions.

I play and record mostly live oriented music but I use a lot of midi to help work on (you could say "compose" if you want to gussy it up) my songs when it's too much of a pain to be plugging instruments in and out and/or to then mic them.

Seriously, just something cheap, small, semi-weighted with full-sized keys(would prefer less than 61 keys, probably want more than 25 but even those would be acceptable) and after-touch that I can move around and plop on my desk for nights when I feel like hammering out some stuff in my room instead of the control room.

I almost feel dumb asking about this but after reading so many reviews of items that broke, had terrible drivers or a complete lack of company support, I guess I'll actually have to be a bit careful.

I'm assuming that you can't find anything that's fully weighted for less than quite a few hundred dollars, no?

Any recommendations?

Jazzpunk · 14th May 2008

I've had a Novation Remote 61 for years and have had zero issues with it. Great action and very solid build. As it's been replaced with the SL series you should be able to pick up a used one fairly cheap.

Bhang · 14th May 2008

Getting the semi weighted part is not hard, but the problem is that most current controllers are built like total crap. I'm in the same boat. I have a slew of controllers including a remote SL 61. Pile of crap if you ask me. works ... sometimes. knobs are crap and the drum pads are useless, not to mention the thing is way expensive.

Out of all the controllers I have tested my fav is the Alesis photon. Don't mess with the audio on it ... thats crap, but the thing is build beautifully and the knobs are buttery smooth. not to mention a very sexy back lit mod and pitch wheel that fade nice red as you move the wheels. The only thing it does not have that you mentioned you want is aftertouch. Sorry. I would not touch any of the other ones except the new Akai one but that one is also very expensive.
They are blowing out some photons at musicians friend for uner $200

hope this helps

Terminus Est · 15th May 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzpunk

I've had a Novation Remote 61 for years and have had zero issues with it. Great action and very solid build. As it's been replaced with the SL series you should be able to pick up a used one fairly cheap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhang

Getting the semi weighted part is not hard, but the problem is that most current controllers are built like total crap. I'm in the same boat. I have a slew of controllers including a remote SL 61. Pile of crap if you ask me. works ... sometimes. knobs are crap and the drum pads are useless, not to mention the thing is way expensive.

Out of all the controllers I have tested my fav is the Alesis photon. Don't mess with the audio on it ... thats crap, but the thing is build beautifully and the knobs are buttery smooth. not to mention a very sexy back lit mod and pitch wheel that fade nice red as you move the wheels. The only thing it does not have that you mentioned you want is aftertouch. Sorry. I would not touch any of the other ones except the new Akai one but that one is also very expensive.
They are blowing out some photons at musicians friend for uner $200

hope this helps

Thanks guys. I'm really surprised at how many trashy midi controllers there are out there. Of all the random pieces of gear I've needed to buy this is the one that I thought would be no sweat. I don't need fancy sounds. I don't need ANYTHING really, other than something that is conveniently sized and functional (semi-weighted and aftertouch are the only "luxuries" I want). Maybe I'll have to settle for no after touch.

plaid_emu · 15th May 2008

Try the E-MU Xboard 49.

I was VERY impressed by the solid action on this when I played one in Sam Ash. The knobs, pitch and mod wheels were just as nice. It's not expensive and it's also got aftertouch.

E-MU Systems - Xboard 49 USB/MIDI Controller
Emu Xboard 49 49 Key MIDI Controller at AmericanMusical.com

If I knew how nice this thing was, I wouldn't have spent $600 on the Remote 61 SL.

kingofswing · 15th May 2008

I love using my M Audio Axiom 25. I own over 9 synths, but use this as my go-to controller.

Nice chunky keys, semi weighted, has pads and is very robust in build. I use mine for synth bass, drums, pads, basic chords, and anything else that needs some weight on the keys.

Movendi · 15th May 2008

Yea i was considering getting a novation 61 but for the money it's not worth it for the cheap feel of knobs and faders made from plastic. Although the key action feels nice it's not enough to warrant its price.

I was thinking maybe just get some synth with usb midi in it. Have no clue in that regard.

Nord Electro 2 looks interesting, anyone know experienced it?

Bhang · 15th May 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingofswing

I love using my M Audio Axiom 25. I own over 9 synths, but use this as my go-to controller.

Nice chunky keys, semi weighted, has pads and is very robust in build. I use mine for synth bass, drums, pads, basic chords, and anything else that needs some weight on the keys.

This was the next controller I was looking at and it is nice. I just hate stepped encoders so it isn't for me. But, I do believe it has aftertouch.

It is a shame that it is so hard to find a well built controller these days

14th May 2008	#1
Terminus Est Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 75 Thread Starter	cheap, small, semi-weighted controller? I would have thought this would be a very, very easy thing to find because I could care less about gadgets and frills . . . but I've actually read a TON of terrible reviews about midi-controllers, even the simple ones with few functions. I play and record mostly live oriented music but I use a lot of midi to help work on (you could say "compose" if you want to gussy it up) my songs when it's too much of a pain to be plugging instruments in and out and/or to then mic them. Seriously, just something cheap, small, semi-weighted with full-sized keys(would prefer less than 61 keys, probably want more than 25 but even those would be acceptable) and after-touch that I can move around and plop on my desk for nights when I feel like hammering out some stuff in my room instead of the control room. I almost feel dumb asking about this but after reading so many reviews of items that broke, had terrible drivers or a complete lack of company support, I guess I'll actually have to be a bit careful. I'm assuming that you can't find anything that's fully weighted for less than quite a few hundred dollars, no? Any recommendations?

14th May 2008	#3
Bhang Gear addict Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 459	Getting the semi weighted part is not hard, but the problem is that most current controllers are built like total crap. I'm in the same boat. I have a slew of controllers including a remote SL 61. Pile of crap if you ask me. works ... sometimes. knobs are crap and the drum pads are useless, not to mention the thing is way expensive. Out of all the controllers I have tested my fav is the Alesis photon. Don't mess with the audio on it ... thats crap, but the thing is build beautifully and the knobs are buttery smooth. not to mention a very sexy back lit mod and pitch wheel that fade nice red as you move the wheels. The only thing it does not have that you mentioned you want is aftertouch. Sorry. I would not touch any of the other ones except the new Akai one but that one is also very expensive. They are blowing out some photons at musicians friend for uner $200 hope this helps __________________ Gear FreQ

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14th May 2008	#2
Jazzpunk Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,781	I've had a Novation Remote 61 for years and have had zero issues with it. Great action and very solid build. As it's been replaced with the SL series you should be able to pick up a used one fairly cheap.

15th May 2008	#5
plaid_emu Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southwest Ohio, USA Posts: 1,171	Try the E-MU Xboard 49. I was VERY impressed by the solid action on this when I played one in Sam Ash. The knobs, pitch and mod wheels were just as nice. It's not expensive and it's also got aftertouch. E-MU Systems - Xboard 49 USB/MIDI Controller Emu Xboard 49 49 Key MIDI Controller at AmericanMusical.com If I knew how nice this thing was, I wouldn't have spent $600 on the Remote 61 SL.

15th May 2008	#6
kingofswing Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,129	I love using my M Audio Axiom 25. I own over 9 synths, but use this as my go-to controller. Nice chunky keys, semi weighted, has pads and is very robust in build. I use mine for synth bass, drums, pads, basic chords, and anything else that needs some weight on the keys.

15th May 2008	#7
Movendi Gear interested Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 22	Yea i was considering getting a novation 61 but for the money it's not worth it for the cheap feel of knobs and faders made from plastic. Although the key action feels nice it's not enough to warrant its price. I was thinking maybe just get some synth with usb midi in it. Have no clue in that regard. Nord Electro 2 looks interesting, anyone know experienced it?