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In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89144] Thu, 23 August 2007 08:21 Go to next message
Graham Duncan is currently offline  Graham Duncan   UNITED STATES
Messages: 147
Registered: December 2008
Senior Member
Hey everyone,

Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range? I'll
be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice touch
on the Axiom.

I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get
an analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)

Thanks for your thoughts,

Graham
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89145 is a reply to message #89144] Thu, 23 August 2007 09:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Paul Artola is currently offline  Paul Artola   UNITED STATES
Messages: 161
Registered: November 2005
Senior Member
G -

A quick scan for "midi controller" on ebay shows several 49 and 61 key
models under $100. I have an Evolution 49 key controller here and I
like it alot. Not my main controller, but it sits nicely in the corner
and gets pulled out and hooked up when I need a quick keyboard fix on
my everyday pc.

- Paul Artola
Ellicott City, Maryland

On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:21:08 -0600, Graham Duncan
<graham@grahamduncan.com> wrote:

>Hey everyone,
>
>Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
>experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range? I'll
>be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice touch
>on the Axiom.
>
>I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get
>an analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>
>Thanks for your thoughts,
>
>Graham
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89146 is a reply to message #89145] Thu, 23 August 2007 10:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Aaron Allen is currently offline  Aaron Allen   UNITED STATES
Messages: 1988
Registered: May 2008
Senior Member
I have an older evo 49 key I like, and I like the CME I just picked up from
Musician's Friend as well, though it backordered and took a while to get
here. Neither of them is spongy/cheap feeling, but they are synth action,
NOT piano. As a drummer/programmer, I prefer this. I put hands on some of
the cheaper yahama & korg keys and the M Audio stuff and they all felt
spongy to me.
YMMV.

AA


"Paul Artola" <artola@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:f5erc3tro0lu09l167q71tdotf6h2n1hdh@4ax.com...
>G -
>
> A quick scan for "midi controller" on ebay shows several 49 and 61 key
> models under $100. I have an Evolution 49 key controller here and I
> like it alot. Not my main controller, but it sits nicely in the corner
> and gets pulled out and hooked up when I need a quick keyboard fix on
> my everyday pc.
>
> - Paul Artola
> Ellicott City, Maryland
>
> On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:21:08 -0600, Graham Duncan
> <graham@grahamduncan.com> wrote:
>
>>Hey everyone,
>>
>>Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
>>experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range? I'll
>>be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice touch
>>on the Axiom.
>>
>>I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get
>>an analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>>
>>Thanks for your thoughts,
>>
>>Graham
>
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89147 is a reply to message #89144] Thu, 23 August 2007 12:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chris Ludwig is currently offline  Chris Ludwig   UNITED STATES
Messages: 868
Registered: May 2006
Senior Member
Hi Graham,
The older Evolutions and the newer CME and Fatar controller aren't bad.
The CME and fatar are hard to get. I love the Novation ones but I
believe they are out of the price range you want.

Chris


Graham Duncan wrote:
> Hey everyone,
>
> Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
> experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range? I'll
> be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice touch
> on the Axiom.
>
> I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get
> an analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>
> Thanks for your thoughts,
>
> Graham

--
Chris Ludwig

ADK Pro Audio
(859) 635-5762
www.adkproaudio.com
chrisl@adkproaudio.com
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89148 is a reply to message #89147] Thu, 23 August 2007 15:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Graham Duncan is currently offline  Graham Duncan   UNITED STATES
Messages: 147
Registered: December 2008
Senior Member
I'll keep a look out I guess...

There is a $180 Novation ReMOTE 49 LE -- I wonder if it's up to the
quality of their nicer models?

Thanks everyone,

Graham

Chris Ludwig wrote:
> Hi Graham,
> The older Evolutions and the newer CME and Fatar controller aren't bad.
> The CME and fatar are hard to get. I love the Novation ones but I
> believe they are out of the price range you want.
>
> Chris
>
>
> Graham Duncan wrote:
>> Hey everyone,
>>
>> Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
>> experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range?
>> I'll be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice
>> touch on the Axiom.
>>
>> I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get
>> an analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>>
>> Thanks for your thoughts,
>>
>> Graham
>
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89158 is a reply to message #89147] Fri, 24 August 2007 09:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Graham Duncan is currently offline  Graham Duncan   UNITED STATES
Messages: 147
Registered: December 2008
Senior Member
Wow, the Novation ReMOTE SL looks amazing! Mostly for the possibilities
of regular VST control while mixing... quite the deal.

Graham

Chris Ludwig wrote:
> Hi Graham,
> The older Evolutions and the newer CME and Fatar controller aren't bad.
> The CME and fatar are hard to get. I love the Novation ones but I
> believe they are out of the price range you want.
>
> Chris
>
>
> Graham Duncan wrote:
>> Hey everyone,
>>
>> Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
>> experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range?
>> I'll be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice
>> touch on the Axiom.
>>
>> I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get
>> an analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>>
>> Thanks for your thoughts,
>>
>> Graham
>
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89162 is a reply to message #89144] Sat, 25 August 2007 17:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DJ is currently offline  DJ   FRANCE
Messages: 1124
Registered: July 2005
Senior Member
"Graham Duncan" <graham@grahamduncan.com> wrote in message
news:46cd9a72@linux...
> Hey everyone,
>
> Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
> experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range? I'll
> be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice touch on
> the Axiom.
>
> I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get an
> analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>
> Thanks for your thoughts,
>
> Graham

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeystationPro88-main.h tml
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89169 is a reply to message #89162] Sun, 26 August 2007 10:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chuck duffy is currently offline  chuck duffy
Messages: 453
Registered: July 2005
Senior Member
DJ, that keyboard is a mess :-) Have you played one? Mush mush mush city.
In fact, every single "pro" controller I tried was just a big ball of compromises.
I ended up buying an 88 key yamaha consumer digtal piano on closeout for
$500, complete with stand and keyboard. The action blows away my yamaha
acoustic upright.

For the non piano stuff (B4) I have been happy with my little edirol board.
I went through three cheap midimans that malfunctioned in various bizzare
ways.

Chuck


"DJ" <animix _ at _ animas _ dot _ net> wrote:
>
>"Graham Duncan" <graham@grahamduncan.com> wrote in message
>news:46cd9a72@linux...
>> Hey everyone,
>>
>> Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some

>> experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range? I'll

>> be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice touch
on
>> the Axiom.
>>
>> I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get
an
>> analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>>
>> Thanks for your thoughts,
>>
>> Graham
>
> http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeystationPro88-main.h tml
>
>
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89170 is a reply to message #89169] Sun, 26 August 2007 11:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dedric Terry is currently offline  Dedric Terry   UNITED STATES
Messages: 788
Registered: June 2007
Senior Member
Sounds like a very good alternative Chuck - which model did you get?

The only 88 key keyboards I like are the Yamaha CP300, CP33 and S90ES (the
CPs are fantastic stage pianos - great action), and sometimes, the Kurzweil
controllers, though the action is a bit shallow. Other Yamaha digital
pianos also have a great feel (those are just my favorites). Nothing from
Roland, Korg, M-Audio, CME, Fatar feels as playable to me.

Regards,
Dedric

"chuck duffy" <c@c.com> wrote in message news:46d1b998$1@linux...
>
> DJ, that keyboard is a mess :-) Have you played one? Mush mush mush city.
> In fact, every single "pro" controller I tried was just a big ball of
> compromises.
> I ended up buying an 88 key yamaha consumer digtal piano on closeout for
> $500, complete with stand and keyboard. The action blows away my yamaha
> acoustic upright.
>
> For the non piano stuff (B4) I have been happy with my little edirol
> board.
> I went through three cheap midimans that malfunctioned in various bizzare
> ways.
>
> Chuck
>
>
> "DJ" <animix _ at _ animas _ dot _ net> wrote:
>>
>>"Graham Duncan" <graham@grahamduncan.com> wrote in message
>>news:46cd9a72@linux...
>>> Hey everyone,
>>>
>>> Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
>
>>> experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range? I'll
>
>>> be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice touch
> on
>>> the Axiom.
>>>
>>> I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get
> an
>>> analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>>>
>>> Thanks for your thoughts,
>>>
>>> Graham
>>
>> http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeystationPro88-main.h tml
>>
>>
>
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89179 is a reply to message #89170] Mon, 27 August 2007 08:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Neil is currently offline  Neil
Messages: 1645
Registered: April 2006
Senior Member
I was playing around with a Yammy S08 the other day & to me
(not being a Piano player, so maybe I'm not the most qualified
to say) that felt VERY much like a real piano. Had some really
good Piano & Organ sounds in it, too, i thought.

Neil




"Dedric Terry" <dterry@keyofd.net> wrote:
>Sounds like a very good alternative Chuck - which model did you get?
>
>The only 88 key keyboards I like are the Yamaha CP300, CP33 and S90ES (the

>CPs are fantastic stage pianos - great action), and sometimes, the Kurzweil

>controllers, though the action is a bit shallow. Other Yamaha digital
>pianos also have a great feel (those are just my favorites). Nothing from

>Roland, Korg, M-Audio, CME, Fatar feels as playable to me.
>
>Regards,
>Dedric
>
>"chuck duffy" <c@c.com> wrote in message news:46d1b998$1@linux...
>>
>> DJ, that keyboard is a mess :-) Have you played one? Mush mush mush city.
>> In fact, every single "pro" controller I tried was just a big ball of

>> compromises.
>> I ended up buying an 88 key yamaha consumer digtal piano on closeout for
>> $500, complete with stand and keyboard. The action blows away my yamaha
>> acoustic upright.
>>
>> For the non piano stuff (B4) I have been happy with my little edirol
>> board.
>> I went through three cheap midimans that malfunctioned in various bizzare
>> ways.
>>
>> Chuck
>>
>>
>> "DJ" <animix _ at _ animas _ dot _ net> wrote:
>>>
>>>"Graham Duncan" <graham@grahamduncan.com> wrote in message
>>>news:46cd9a72@linux...
>>>> Hey everyone,
>>>>
>>>> Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
>>
>>>> experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range?
I'll
>>
>>>> be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice touch
>> on
>>>> the Axiom.
>>>>
>>>> I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd get
>> an
>>>> analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for your thoughts,
>>>>
>>>> Graham
>>>
>>> http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeystationPro88-main.h tml
>>>
>>>
>>
>
Re: In search of a cheap + decent midi keyboard controller... [message #89188 is a reply to message #89179] Mon, 27 August 2007 16:20 Go to previous message
chuck duffy is currently offline  chuck duffy
Messages: 453
Registered: July 2005
Senior Member
The version I have is a yamaha P60. They were blowing them out at Sams club
for sub 500 with bench and stand. It actually has onboard stereo speakers
and some pianos that would have been fantastic in 1999, but are a little
dated now :-) Anyway.. the action is FAR better than my realy yamaha upright.
It's an option I guess few consider cause it's not really pro, haha..

They are good for jamming if you don't want to fire up the whole rig, want
to play out on the deck, the backyard, or are too lazy to walk down to the
basement room where the real acoustic yamaha is waiting :-)

As all my playing time now is literally stolen moments it's pretty cool.....

Chuck
"Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote:
>
>I was playing around with a Yammy S08 the other day & to me
>(not being a Piano player, so maybe I'm not the most qualified
>to say) that felt VERY much like a real piano. Had some really
>good Piano & Organ sounds in it, too, i thought.
>
>Neil
>
>
>
>
>"Dedric Terry" <dterry@keyofd.net> wrote:
>>Sounds like a very good alternative Chuck - which model did you get?
>>
>>The only 88 key keyboards I like are the Yamaha CP300, CP33 and S90ES (the
>
>>CPs are fantastic stage pianos - great action), and sometimes, the Kurzweil
>
>>controllers, though the action is a bit shallow. Other Yamaha digital

>>pianos also have a great feel (those are just my favorites). Nothing from
>
>>Roland, Korg, M-Audio, CME, Fatar feels as playable to me.
>>
>>Regards,
>>Dedric
>>
>>"chuck duffy" <c@c.com> wrote in message news:46d1b998$1@linux...
>>>
>>> DJ, that keyboard is a mess :-) Have you played one? Mush mush mush
city.
>>> In fact, every single "pro" controller I tried was just a big ball of
>
>>> compromises.
>>> I ended up buying an 88 key yamaha consumer digtal piano on closeout
for
>>> $500, complete with stand and keyboard. The action blows away my yamaha
>>> acoustic upright.
>>>
>>> For the non piano stuff (B4) I have been happy with my little edirol

>>> board.
>>> I went through three cheap midimans that malfunctioned in various bizzare
>>> ways.
>>>
>>> Chuck
>>>
>>>
>>> "DJ" <animix _ at _ animas _ dot _ net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>"Graham Duncan" <graham@grahamduncan.com> wrote in message
>>>>news:46cd9a72@linux...
>>>>> Hey everyone,
>>>>>
>>>>> Right now I'm considering the M-Audio Axiom 49. Does anyone have some
>>>
>>>>> experience with the keyboard controllers in this ($120-300) range?

>I'll
>>>
>>>>> be using it for VSTi in the studio. The trigger pads are a nice touch
>>> on
>>>>> the Axiom.
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't really want to spend a lot of money on it -- if I did, I'd
get
>>> an
>>>>> analog synth or the new Rhodes when they come out. :)
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for your thoughts,
>>>>>
>>>>> Graham
>>>>
>>>> http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeystationPro88-main.h tml
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
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