Midi controllers: All-in-one or Multiple Controllers Setup?

[Koumanchu]

dfegad Just wanted to throw that guy in there to start out.

Hey everyone,

This is my first post here on gearslutz. I've used it alot in the past to get some advice, but I am in a bind right now and I wanted to get some more specific feedback.

I have been looking at a lot of this new breed of all-in-one midi controllers, including the Axiom Pro, Novation MK2, Akai MPK61, Cakewalk A-500 pro, and some others. It seems like these all look good and dandy on paper, but when it comes down to it there's always something wrong. I went GC and had a chance to check out the Axiom pro and the mpk61, the axiom actually felt pretty nice, the mpk keys way to stiff and the pads way to mushy for my liking (although i heard you can ghetto rig the mpk to tighten up the pads). I hear the build quality and the hypercontrol for the axiom isnt the best, the Novation is simply way to expensive, and there doesnt seem to be much on the Cakewalk pro review-wise at all.

Anyways, I was wondering if you guys think it would be a better idea to just forget this kind of solution and just get controllers dedicated to their craft. Ex. just a Korg Padkontrol for the pads, a simple keybed with some knobs and sliders for keys, and a APC40 for everything else. It seems like when u add up the prices of these 3 seperate controllers, you'd be paying slightly more for dedicated tried and true products rather than the all in 1 half ass solution. Just wanted to know if thats the route any of yall took, or if you guys have any of the all-in-1 controllers mentioned above (or anything similar) and want to weigh in and tell me otherwise.

Thanks everyone

One more time for closure dfegad

[mpeddle]

I completely agree with you. I tried using an axiom 49, then an axiom pro, then an mpk and felt equally unsatisfied by each option. Now I use an old Alesis Qs8 for the nice, weighted keys (and convenient, non-software piano sound for when I want to just sit down and play immediately). I also use NI Maschine, although I've found that I actually don't really like the Ableton Live/NI Maschine hybrid...it feels clunky and disconnected.

I might want to trade Maschine for an MPD 32 and keep it all in Ableton and just use my MPC1000 when I have a limited-options mood.

-M

[tagpass]

I've been looking for a new compact keyboard controller as well, and can definitely see what you're saying. (I also require an actual MIDI In/Out jack, which also limits the selection, since not all the controllers have them!)

However, I *do* have the padKONTROL already -- have been using it for years -- and it is very nice. The pads are not mushy at all, even after years of use, and I still prefer them over any other pad controller I've tried.

For the Cakewalk ones, they're basically re-badged Edirol controllers, so you can seek out some reviews of the Edirol PCR series to get an idea of what they're about. Several years ago I had an Edirol PCR-A30 (MIDI controller with audio interface... wish I held onto that!), and the keybed was great, but the sliders felt cheap, and the Roland pitch/mod stick is not necessarily ideal for a general purpose controller, since some synths/sample libraries require you to "hold" the modwheel position (i.e. Garritan, Sonic Charge Synplant, etc.). I understand that the last generation of PCR controllers from Edirol (the ones that are now badged "Cakewalk") had improved sliders and an overall "better" feel, but I've not yet laid hands on one to see for myself.

[nightscope]

Originally Posted by Koumanchu

Anyways, I was wondering if you guys think it would be a better idea to just forget this kind of solution and just get controllers dedicated to their craft. Ex. just a Korg Padkontrol for the pads, a simple keybed with some knobs and sliders for keys, and a APC40 for everything else. It seems like when u add up the prices of these 3 seperate controllers, you'd be paying slightly more for dedicated tried and true products rather than the all in 1 half ass solution. Just wanted to know if thats the route any of yall took, or if you guys have any of the all-in-1 controllers mentioned above (or anything similar) and want to weigh in and tell me otherwise.

Get lots!!

ns

PS dfegad