Calling all controller owners

[Lad Down Under]

Guys,

I'm new to the computer production scene and I need a keyboard to control Ableton Live and all the soft synths I've gathered. I've reduced the choices down to 5, I'm not too concerned about the price difference between them I just want to know which would be the best choice from the experience of you guys out there.

So here's the candidates:

Akai MPK49
Edirol PCR-500
Novation Remote 49 SL
M-Audio Axiom 49
Novation Xiosynth 49(bonus of controller + added synth)

Please let me know which you would choose if you were shopping for a new keyboard controller.

Oh nearly forgot, I'll be making Electro/Techno and possibly once I've mastered Live I'll want to take it with me to DJ gigs. I'm a DJ not a keyboard player or musician.

Cheers!!

 

[alshit]

The Akai MPK49 wins, follow by Novation Remote 49SL.

 

[Lad Down Under]

Cool thanks for that man!

 

[Lad Down Under]

Hey for anyone who's interested I contacted some local resellers about the Akai and Novation and these are the current prices. For some reason the Novation is the most expensive? In Oz it's the other way around...

Akai MPK49 - $680 from Sinamex(2 week wait for stock)

Novation Remote 49SL Compact - $790 from Resolution(In Stock)

M-Audio Axiom 49 - $480 from Sinamex(In Stock)

 

[persentio]

I highly recommend the Axiom in favour of the others.

 

[iansoh]

Edirol PCR-500 and Axiom 49.

 

[Liatena]

Edirol PCR-500 , Axiom 49 are seriously craps.

are these the only controllers that you guys used thats why you recommend them??
well pardon my intrude, but i seriously feel that the axiom 49 and edirol PCR-500 does not have that good a feel and touch. You espically need those for controlling velocities.

I had tried a few, and i would definately recommend the one from novation although its pricey a little, plus! you could literally mapped every other features of your VSTi to your knobs and slides there.

after which do try to try out the AKAI 49 as well. i tried the drum pads on them and they were seriously felt like those from the MPC lines!

try to steer clear from axiom and edirol though, they might be cheap but they really aint the bang for the buck. Velocity is always a pressing issue weather are you or not a keyboardist.

few cents thoughts here.

 

[l0u5y]

juz dun get edirol. it touch sucks imo. u cant feel the keys properly and so, wont be able to play well.

 

[iansoh]

As for keyboard touch, it is a matter of getting used to your gear. Just spend more time with your gear, your fingers will get accustomed to the velocity response of the keyboard.

As for making techno/electro music, since you're not a keyboardist, I think you will be using a lot of step sequencer and loops. Touch isn't as important as if you were to be playing as say, a top 40s keyboard player playing dynamic expressive lines.

 

[spaced_]

i would prefer these for entry level:

-novation's remote sl + xio series
all the knobs & pads you can have and they come with automaps.







whichever knocks your socks mate :-D