Controllerkeyboards? Advice needed!

[decoys]

Which ones are you using (if you use those at all )?
I wanna have something like the Novation Nocturn, M-Audio Axiom or Cakewalk A-800 ... all models are pretty similar I guess.
The Axiom felt good in the store though ... but the nocturn has this handy quick editing mode for plugins and such. :/
opinions are more then welcome!

 

[Jind]

Which ones are you using (if you use those at all )?
I wanna have something like the Novation Nocturn, M-Audio Axiom or Cakewalk A-800 ... all models are pretty similar I guess.
The Axiom felt good in the store though ... but the nocturn has this handy quick editing mode for plugins and such. :/
opinions are more then welcome!

A while back I was looking into the Cakewalk A-800 (61 keys) as a replacement for my Edirol PCR-300 (32 keys) - the controller layout is very similar to the Edirol unit and I had read some good reviews, in the end however I decided to wait until I found a full 88 key unit that I liked. I really want the full octave range of an 88 key unit for my home use. I had a friend recommend the Akai MPK88 unit, but I've yet to go try one out.

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

I'm using a full weight 88 key controller. I want to get a small 25 key deal to have on the desk though.

Other than transport controls I think a lot of the other shit they throw on controllers isn't all that necessary (well... I could see the pads being useful).

 

[Josh Burgess]

I have the M-Audio Axiom Pro 49. Love it for the most part. Actually has a lot more features than I need out of a midi keyboad, but I like the way the keys feel, and the drum pads and such can be of some use.

 

[Matt-Steele]

M-Audio Axiom user here too. I love mine. It does more than I need it to.

 

[KeithReyn]

M-Audio Keyrig 49 user here. I love it!

 

[Audiosprite]

oxygen 61. it works. the keys feel worse than my generic yamaha psr-225gm's and i'd need to upgrade to cubase 5 to make use of its instant-mapping mixer connectivity stuff, so right now i'm not really using it to its fullest.

 

[AudioGeekZine]

Nocturn is much better than the Axiom series IMO. Automap is fucking great. You also get V-Station and Bass station VSTs for free which I use often.
I don't like the drum pads though, partly because of the layout, partly because of feel.

I'd love to try one of these http://www.akaipro.com/mpk49

 

[decoys]

Nocturn is much better than the Axiom series IMO. Automap is fucking great. You also get V-Station and Bass station VSTs for free which I use often.
I don't like the drum pads though, partly because of the layout, partly because of feel.

I'd love to try one of these http://www.akaipro.com/mpk49

hell, those akai looks sexy. but its too expensive for my actual budget, too.
but as most of you already said, i doubt that you may ever need all the features in those units. i am no pianoplayer by any means, but i guess 49 keys should be the minimum right?

 

[Skinny Viking]

I have one of those little oxygen 8 keyboard controllers but it doesn't control much of anything because I fucking suck with midi and can't understand it and can't get it to work and its cold out and the fucking wolves are chasing me

 

[decoys]

i hear you, lots of possibilies means much of confusion for me too

 

[AudioGeekZine]

That's why Automap Pro is fucking tits.
Push learn on the keyboard. touch a control in the synth or fx (must be automap wrapped), touch a knob on the controller. DONE.
Want it moved to a different knob? Drag & Drop. Done.
No menus or having to remember CC#s.

It also has a HUI mode.

The speed knob is great. turn it to move whatever control the mouse is hovering over. Push and turn to change the presets.

 

[pipaguapique]

Axiom user here...i love mine. get one

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

My 88 key is a the keystation 88 pro so pretty much identical to the axiom series minus the pads and + a fuck load more rotary encoders. But I never fucking bother mapping the rotary encoders because meh, don't wanna and don't like how they work.

The transport functions were worth doing though. I think mapping in cubase is fucking stupid easy, but that's because I took a moment to try and learn it via looking around online.

That said, all of the novation nocturn stuff looks mint.


And yeah, I would go a min of 49 key. 25 is awkward to play anything more than simple lines at a time.

 

[decoys]

yep, I thought of getting just a midikeyboard, but why not getting the extra buttons and such at the same time ...
the easyness of use is very important for me, hell, I even struggle when making a template with my korg nanokontrol.
I watched all the nocturn videos on youtube yesterday and automap concept looks quite perfect for a midi-noob like me.
otherwise, maybe I can score a used axiom on ebay though ... :/

 

[guitarguru777]

I use an AKAI LPK25 its just a little 2 octave 25 key controller. I just use it for programming drums really. For $50 new I couldn't beat it. Just plugs in via USB and it works. No setup BS.

The Axiom's are really nice. Eventually I will upgrade, but for now this is perfect.