Tour ready Midi Keyboard

[junebughunter]

In a rock band. We play lots of shows and are pretty hard on our gear. I need a 49-key midi keyboard to control rack mounted synth gear. We've killed 3 juno's, and my korg mono/poly is falling to pieces.

All I want is a tough midi keyboard with 49 keys (may consider 39, or even 61). Ability to make patch changes. Nice feeling knobs or sliders. I'd killthey felt like real potentiometers. Mod and pitch wheel.

Really, 4 to 8 knobs is all I want or need. I'd love to feel like I'm looking at a audio labratory when I see my keyboard rather than some ******* kid with a $99 m-audio keyboard in his home studio (which I may or may not have been in the past).

I'm pretty DIY capable, and not in a huge rush to finish project. Not sure how difficult it would be but I have been thinking about getting some modular synth cv to midi converter type stuff and a fatar 49-key synth board and just building it, but I need a little more guidance on how I would handle all the midi stuff. I'm no electrical engineer but I've hacked together some projects with arduinos.

[vihreamies]

I've build controllers, and used Doepfer products. detour to www.doepfer.de

For example for setup like you it could be like: Fatar keybed + Doepfer MKE + Doepfer PE.

You can get all products including the Fatar keybeds from Doepfer, and they are helpful if you feel unsecure.

Good luck!

-Vm

[kosmokrator]

I'm a pro backliner.
The only thing you really need is a GOOD case.
And a spare-keyboard. In another GOOD case.

Did I mention you need a GOOD case?

[junebughunter]

Regardless, I will absolutely have a case.

The problem is, 99.9% of the midi keyboards out there either have too many knobs and buttons, or too few. I know I'm being picking but I really just want 4-12 nice feeling knobs with min and maxes (potentiometers), mod and pitch, and patch changes.

37-49 keys.

It's shockingly difficult to find such a configuration. I would pay someone to build it for me even. and use a crappy m-audio or similar as backup.

I've done more and more research on building it myself and it is slowly seeming more feasible. For example, using something like this...

Highly Liquid: MIDI Controllers / Encoders, MIDI Decoders, MIDI Retrofits, DIY Electronics

I can build my own case or repurpose a broken synth. I just can't seem a place to source a decent keybed.

[Marcocet]

It was already said but Doepfer sells OEM Fatar keybeds.

[lucabasano]

Originally Posted by kosmokrator

I'm a pro backliner.
The only thing you really need is a GOOD case.
And a spare-keyboard. In another GOOD case.

Did I mention you need a GOOD case?

+1

I've used a very low profile roland pc130(not even sure of the real name)for more than 15 years to trigger samples,not a problem.

On the other hand,Akai mpk49 it's a solid keyboard.

Luca

[pheops]

hi all, long-time lurker..first-time poster. i hope this self serving reply does not offend....

check this out:

The Livid Omni Modular Controller » Synthtopia

coming january 2012

there will be other modules, not pictured. half-wide with 8 knobs, 4 knobs+4 buttons.

i pick up prototypes in austin later this month for a 6 week tour this fall. we have the same problem, breaking keyboards all the time. our only solution is to have duplicate controllers on hand, like kosmokrator suggested. but no case can protect a keyboard from knobs or faders from an excited musician.

at least with the modules, if you break a fader, you can replace just the module. or more likely fix it yourself with simple soldering skills.

the modules let you create a custom set of controls. i agree...always too much or not enough of the right control for what i need. this solves that.

more details and pics soon.

thanks for the bandwidth.

[junebughunter]

That's awesome. I'm gonna contact Livid and see what their deal is.

In the mean time I went ahead and built this...

MMC1000000 by Tyler | Views.fm

Need to post some pictures with it finished. The case is a bit ugly but whatever, I've now played a couple shows with it and no probs.

[The Real MC]

A lot of new MIDI controllers made these days are not road worthy. Plastic cheesey stuff designed for home studios.

I don't think you're going to find a 49 key controller that is road worthy. Step up to 61/76 keys and you're in the ballpark.

[junebughunter]

Originally Posted by The Real MC

A lot of new MIDI controllers made these days are not road worthy. Plastic cheesey stuff designed for home studios.

I don't think you're going to find a 49 key controller that is road worthy. Step up to 61/76 keys and you're in the ballpark.

Did you read any part of this thread?

[pheops]

junebughunter, that is seriously very cool. making cool stuff yourself... is the best.

[The Real MC]

Originally Posted by junebughunter

Did you read any part of this thread?

I've been gigging with MIDI controllers since 1989 with my Kurzweil MIDIBoard and it has proven road worthy without a single failure. That's 20+ years on one controller to your three dead Junos. Maybe you should refrain from knee-jerk responses when experienced people offer practical advice. My apologies for being so helpful.

[junebughunter]

Originally Posted by The Real MC

I've been gigging with MIDI controllers since 1989 with my Kurzweil MIDIBoard and it has proven road worthy without a single failure. That's 20+ years on one controller to your three dead Junos. Maybe you should refrain from knee-jerk responses when experienced people offer practical advice. My apologies for being so helpful.

I'm going to take that as a "Yes, I didn't read this thread."

But yeah man, your dick is huge.

[The Real MC]

Originally Posted by junebughunter

I'm going to take that as a "Yes, I didn't read this thread."

But yeah man, your dick is huge.

Wow. Just wow. Offer some wise words and this is the thanks I get.

Welcome to my ignore list.

Had you been a little more appreciative, I'd offer assistance from my 30+ years of DIY experience. But your arrogance did a wonderful job of blowing that out of the water. Good luck with your endeavors because I am no longer extending a helping hand.