Best midi controller for Logic? Axiom Pro vs. Novation sl?

[xgman]

I think what we need to see now is a new product that responds to many of the complaints. I see nothing really new worth considering has come out since this thread started though. I have the SL MK2 61 and it's ok, but the keys are noisy and the top plastic surface is anything but flat. More like rolling hills. . . . I know they can do better in this price range.

[Polarelch]

Maybe the Akai Max49 will be a worthy controller keyboard.
Did anyone try the Icon Qcon?

[Phillip]

yeah regarding the noisy keybed on the novation sl mk2 61... Most of the noise from what I can tell is from the loose plastic that goes along the front just beneath the keybed. I'm gonna unscrew the screws on the bottom of the front and put a strip of weather stripping or something to dampen the rattle. If you squeeze the seam along the front it helps a lot, so my fix should work wonders. I'll report back after i do it. I like the key action though. Automap can go straight to hell.

[OCDaveWilcox]

Originally Posted by Phillip

yeah regarding the noisy keybed on the novation sl mk2 61... Most of the noise from what I can tell is from the loose plastic that goes along the front just beneath the keybed. I'm gonna unscrew the screws on the bottom of the front and put a strip of weather stripping or something to dampen the rattle. If you squeeze the seam along the front it helps a lot, so my fix should work wonders. I'll report back after i do it. I like the key action though. Automap can go straight to hell.

Did you do this? did it work? It sounds and feels like a cheap piece of crap.

[Analog Prophet]

Originally Posted by 007

Those new white Axiom Pros are said to be the most incredible controllers out there, especially in regards to Auto-mapping.

And the keyboard response too. When it comes toAxiom controllers I have the Axiom Pro25 that replaced a stolen Axiom 25 (1st gen) and Axiom (1st gen) 61. Tried out about every controller before the purchase and I'm not regret the Axiom controllers.

The only flip side with the Pro is that the automap/interface not always is so intuitive and simple as the promo videos from M-audio, but still really nice. But the key response and the key bed of the Pro is even better than the standard Axiom, that still is very good

[Tha_SkyWalker]

So many mixed reviews its amazing lol

[Mr. Varaldo]

I am also looking at a good 61-key controller for my Mac-Logic setup (I use a Roland A-800Pro for my PC-Sonar setup).

The fact is that for electronic styles I think, semi-weighted keys are an impediment rather than a help.. because they are not as fast as synth action.

If I play techno / house / trance / electro house / d 'n' b / dubstep etc. etc. , I think a very light, very fast, and - well, yes - cheap controller is arguably more fitting than an expensive semi-touch.

Semi-weighted is great to play piano, electric piano, music that requires a very precise interpretation of the various velocity levels in synths and soft synths, but for electronica?

Most of the time, you have straight, fast, full 127 bang on fixed velocity, and add expressiveness using the automation lines anyway.

That said, I'm torn. I don't know what to get. I think since I play electronic styles, and I'm very good at utilizing light synth action to play expressively anyway, I think something like an Alesis QX61 would be fine, even though the keyboard action is not great (but it's fast).

But I have to admit that the Novation line - the Impulse 61, and especially the SL mkII, have lots of great features (and I really like the action on the SL mkII).

Ah.. decisions, decisions.