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

[PaPi61]

Originally Posted by 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

I'd say go the separate route and build a system of controllers that fits your particular style of playing and doing things in general. IMHO there is no "all-in-one" solution for me because I have to have AT LEAST:

-- An 88-key weighted action keyboard to play piano (my main instrument)
-- A second 88-key weighted keyboard for my wife (yes, we play together as a keyboard duo)
-- A 61-key controller with aftertouch (I rarely use AT, but at least one controller should be able to handle it.)
-- A 2nd and 3rd 61-key controller (AT not necessary)
-- A couple of smaller controllers (21 to 49 keys)
-- Two plugin knob controllers (again, one for each one of us)
-- Mixing controller for DAW1
-- Mixing controller for DAW2
-- The indispensable Kore 2 controller

Remember, you can use up to 127 USB peripherals...

[sameal]

Originally Posted by PaPi61

I'd say go the separate route and build a system of controllers that fits your particular style of playing and doing things in general. IMHO there is no "all-in-one" solution for me because I have to have AT LEAST:

-- An 88-key weighted action keyboard to play piano (my main instrument)
-- A second 88-key weighted keyboard for my wife (yes, we play together as a keyboard duo)
-- A 61-key controller with aftertouch (I rarely use AT, but at least one controller should be able to handle it.)
-- A 2nd and 3rd 61-key controller (AT not necessary)
-- A couple of smaller controllers (21 to 49 keys)
-- Two plugin knob controllers (again, one for each one of us)
-- Mixing controller for DAW1
-- Mixing controller for DAW2
-- The indispensable Kore 2 controller

Remember, you can use up to 127 USB peripherals...

does your sidewalk leading to your house have keys on it?

[sameal]

i'm having a real tough time with this. the problem is, everything i come across is lacking one thing or the other.

i want a decent jogwheel. unfortunately the jl cooper cs10/2 has a wonderful jogwheel. they just don't support shit and don't care. the cheaper devices don't have........ no let me rephrase that, the AFFORDABLE devices don't have touchy motor faders, and usually don't have 100mm travel path.

i want touchy motor faders, a decent jogwheel and a transport. that's really about it. throw in lcd scribble strips for the win. then make the first device 8 channels and have expandable side cars of 8 channels for an affordable price not more then the original unit. euphonix prices are just murder.

the midi keyboards are pretty lackluster as well. except fatar. they seem to have gotten at least one controller right.

those all in one midi keyboard controller things are too cramped. usually skimping on one item or the other. i mean all this peripheral shit is about the feel, so why are you taking that away from me?

[PaPi61]

Originally Posted by sameal

does your sidewalk leading to your house have keys on it?

And I only mentioned the controllers... Keyboards in general...lots more...

i want touchy motor faders, a decent jogwheel and a transport (...)
the AFFORDABLE devices don't have touchy motor faders, and usually don't have 100mm travel path.

The Frontier Alphatrack is about $200. Single fader, yes, but it's both 100mm and touch-sensitive. And yes, it has full transport controls. No jogwheel, but the jogstrip works pretty well. Unless you need to control more than one channel at a time, it's probably your best bet.

the midi keyboards are pretty lackluster as well. except fatar. they seem to have gotten at least one controller right.

There is no one-size-fits-all keyboard controller. Weighted keys are the best to play piano and electric piano but they are a definite hindrance when playing organs or synths. You'll need at least two.

[sameal]

Originally Posted by PaPi61

And I only mentioned the controllers... Keyboards in general...lots more...

The Frontier Alphatrack is about $200. Single fader, yes, but it's both 100mm and touch-sensitive. And yes, it has full transport controls. No jogwheel, but the jogstrip works pretty well. Unless you need to control more than one channel at a time, it's probably your best bet.

There is no one-size-fits-all keyboard controller. Weighted keys are the best to play piano and electric piano but they are a definite hindrance when playing organs or synths. You'll need at least two.

i was looking at the alphatrack awhile ago. i wasn't sure about it, but pricing and performance against my second choice, the novation remote sl mkii, it really does kick it's ass. i want a 8 channel device, but in all honesty i can get away with what the alphatrack provides i think. i got it for 180 free ship! reason/record and cubase support! word!

either way, i bought it. thanks for the recommend! hope it lives up too it. seriously thinking of running the novation as well or getting a second alpha. would it work?
(in either respect it will kick the shit out of the jl cooper cs10/2.)

if they could make a multiple channel device like the alphatrack.....

the weighted keys being a hindrance on organs and whatnot throws a monkey wrench in my plan of letting go of my m-audio to make up cash for my next target midi keyboard. i dunno if it will effect me though.

[PaPi61]

The Novation doesn't have motorized faders (let alone touch-sensitive ones.) If you want something to control more than one channel at a time, you might as well save some money and get a Korg Nanokontrol. It will work nicely with you Alphatrack. I have an Alphatrack and a Tranzport working together, but I don't believe you can have two Alphatracks because they would mimic each other.

[sameal]

Originally Posted by PaPi61

The Novation doesn't have motorized faders (let alone touch-sensitive ones.) If you want something to control more than one channel at a time, you might as well save some money and get a Korg Nanokontrol. It will work nicely with you Alphatrack. I have an Alphatrack and a Tranzport working together, but I don't believe you can have two Alphatracks because they would mimic each other.

the mk II has touch sensitive faders so it says, just no motor.

and the alphatrack is back ordered 3-4 weeks, with no mention of it on the website of the people i purchased it from, and no email contact i can see. bullshit. last time i deal with them.

didn't like the tranzport because the battery thing. I'm already thinking of going back to the wire with my keyboard. it's a total battery *****.

korg's faders are too small. i heard there kinda fragile but more importantly faders are too small and featureless. i have been thinking of using them for my video rig however...