Another thread on 61 key controllers

[golden beers]

does it HAVE to be 61 key?

also why not grab a classic digital synth and use that as a master.. i myself use a kurz K2000 great keybed, data slider, pitch , modulation and all importantly: oct up/down buttons. + a powerful synth
Anyone using an older synth as a master MIDI controller?

[TeeJayEe]

Thanks for the reply.

Originally Posted by golden beers

does it HAVE to be 61 key?

Not necessarily. The reason I was looking at 61 is because I intend to learn a bit of piano, and thought 49 might be a bit limiting, but 88 would be a little too big. If you guys think I could get away with smaller than 61, then I'd happily go for it.

As for the synth thing, nice idea, I hadn't considered it just because as I said, I know very little about this stuff. Again, suggestions on what you guys think would be best are welcomed. As long as it's all in the budget of £500, and suits electronic production (specifically electro and ambient stuff is what I'm into most right now) then I'm open to suggestion.

[realtrance]

Try them all out; if you're a guitarist, feel matters to you and no-one can tell you which will feel best in your hands.

They're all good, and inexpensive enough that if your choice isn't perfect (no choices are), you should have a chance to choose differently.

88 keys really isn't necessary, says this classically-trained pianist who grew up on a beautiful baby grand Steinway, unless you plan to be doing solo performances of Liszt and Rachmaninoff in concert halls or private salons.

61 may even be too many; I'm enjoying 37 and 49-key instruments these days....

[TeeJayEe]

Thanks Realtrance,

I'm pleased to hear about the 88 not being necessary, especially coming from a pianist. I'm not intending to play anything remotely classical, but I have heard it mentioned that sometimes too few keys can be restrictive. If 49 is a possibility then that's great because it frees up money to buy some other stuff.

I will try them out, but other than the feel of the keys, I don't really know what would clarify a 'good' product in terms of controllers. I've just heard some people say the Axiom Pro is badly built, the MPK has terrible keys, and I can't seem to find much out about the Impulse, but given the price I would assume it's pretty low quality too. Although the SL61 has a Fatar keyboard right? I guess the Impulse does not.

[golden beers]

i would say, the more keys the better..

[TeeJayEe]

Originally Posted by golden beers

i would say, the more keys the better..

That's what I was thinking... 'if I can afford 61, I may as well go for it'. I won't be needing to transport it around, and it's within budget.

After doing a little more online research, I think I've narrowed down to either the Novation Impulse 61, or the MPK61. The M-Audio is getting a bad rap all over for it's build quality and driver support. The Novation SL is getting a lot of praise for it's keys, although I can't clarify whether the Impulse uses the same keys, in any case, I've still no idea why the Impulse is cheaper than the SL... but I prefer the mod/pitch wheels over the joystick for sure.

The Novation is also £100 less than the MPK so that would free up £200 of budget to spend on other stuff.

Of course, if anyone can suggest a good synth to go for rather than a controller, then I'm all ears. Right now, I'm not hugely fussed on having controls as a major feature to me, I just want a decent set of keys with a nice action, and a pitch/mod wheel. Transport controls might be good too, I guess.

I know even less about synths though so I'm gonna need suggestions... same budget applies.

Is there any other gear I should look at picking up at the same time? Currently my setup is a MacBook Pro (15" 2011 model so only 1 FW, 2 USB), a MOTU 8PRE (not sure if this is good for electronic production, but IIRC it doesn't have MIDI-in) and some old Yamaha monitors (not too bad, could upgrade but no immediate rush).

So along with a midi controller, anything else I could add to my shopping list if the controller falls a bit under budget?

[TeeJayEe]

Still researching lol.

What's the general consensus on these?

STUDIOLOGIC VMK-161 PLUS - Thomann UK Cyberstore

Studiologic SL-990 Pro 88 Note Hammer Action Controller/Keyboard | DV247


Obviously with the latter I'd need a separate controller, so any suggestions on a decent one (ideally in the £150 range).

[TeeJayEe]

Ok clearing this thread up a bit after spending far too much time today researching about this stuff.

The Studiologics are apparently ok, but hammer-action which I don't particularly want, since I'm not a pianist and from my experience prefer semi-weighted. Also one only has midi-out and after checking, my interface doesn't have midi-in.

After reading a very sensible quote on here about how at the end of the day, all the £400-ish boards re going to be ultimately plasticky things with a bunch of knobs/sliders and varying key quality, I'm just gonna go try out the MPK61 and the Novation Impulse 61 and see which feels best to me. Hopefully the Novation since it's £100 cheaper.

The only reason I was initially hesitant is that the nearest store is like an hour and a half drive from me, and I at least wanted a little bit of preparation so I can call to make sure they have the ones I want.

So...

It looks like I'm gonna have £150-£200 left over in my budget. Is there anything I should pick up whilst I'm shopping, as mentioned above, I've got an interface, monitors, and a DAW, but I'd love to grab some extra hardware to play with if there's something you can recommend.

Thanks

[PhonoquO]

i would say the older the better within reason. There are many good synths by the big three between the mid to late 80's on up into the mid 90's that would be perfectly suitable. The key is try before buy; one person's opinion of what good keyboard action is is going to be much different from the next. Be prepared to have a heavier keyboard and to take up more room, but it's worth it in the long run. Many can be had for under $ 500.

[PaPi61]

You're not going to learn piano on a 61-key controller with spring action (trust me, I'm a classically-trained pianist, I know what I'm talking about.) But a 61-key controller with spring action is what you want to perform a synth solo or to play an organ.

The inevitable solution for anyone who wants to get serious: buy BOTH an 88-key controller with hammer action to play (or learn how to) piano/electric piano and to use when you need as many keys as possible AND a 61-key controller with spring action, aftertouch etc.

Consider that some old stage pianos have great hammer action but they won't cost much on the used market because their sounds are obsolete. Look into an older Roland RD series, for example. They have a better weighted keyboard than some of the high-priced dedicated controllers on the market.

[TeeJayEe]

Thanks guys.

Yeah fair points, if money was no object then I'd likely get a 88 key hammer action and then probably a 49 key controller. But right now it's probably one of the other, unless I can find an 88 worth having for £250... I dunno maybe that is enough to get both? Are there any older 88's I should look for used for £250 or less?

The only thing about an older keyboard that concerns me is the possibility of failure and difficulty/cost of repair. I'm guessing these things do break down/need servicing and when they do, it's not cheap or easy.

[PhonoquO]

Originally Posted by PaPi61

You're not going to learn piano on a 61-key controller with spring action (trust me, I'm a classically-trained pianist, I know what I'm talking about.) But a 61-key controller with spring action is what you want to perform a synth solo or to play an organ.

The inevitable solution for anyone who wants to get serious: buy BOTH an 88-key controller with hammer action to play (or learn how to) piano/electric piano and to use when you need as many keys as possible AND a 61-key controller with spring action, aftertouch etc.

Consider that some old stage pianos have great hammer action but they won't cost much on the used market because their sounds are obsolete. Look into an older Roland RD series, for example. They have a better weighted keyboard than some of the high-priced dedicated controllers on the market.

That's not true at all. I've known a few people to pick up basic piano on synth keys that are semi weighted, not floppy like organ keys. The piano theory will be more important than having hammer action keys. I keeping the cost of the keyboard down and spending the surplus on some piano lessons. Hammer action is going to cost you.

[TeeJayEe]

Sorry, this isn't a bump, I'm just back to throw more annoyance in here.

I've been looking into alternative controllers and I'm massively attracted to the MicroKorg or the Roland Gaia SH01, they look like a lot of fun and I'm guessing they could be used as controllers... but is going for one of those based on what I've said above a dumb move?

It kinda feels like the sort of thing I should buy after I've gotten a dedicated Midi keyboard/controller with more keys.

Aw man, I'm headed to the store in a week or so since I've got a meeting like one block away but I'm thinking I should leave my wallet at home... otherwise I'm gonna go nuts in there.

[Tha_SkyWalker]

So what did you end up getting? Out of curiosity?