Cheap small keyboard that goes with Sonar?

XJAPAN

New member
I wonder are they fairly cheap keyboard ( Like the creative piano+keyboard ) That can be sync with Sonar 6?

Wanted to use the drum set on the keyboard and use it to play those other instruments.

Saw a small live demo on basic functions on sonar and i'm very impressed..
 
Too bad i didnt ask them about the keyboard ( In japan and i can't speak japanese )

I see from that tiny pad you can create many songs with it. Damn tempting to make some tunes.


Sorry if i sound noob, do the sounds (eg drum kits, bass, e guitar etc ) comes from the midi controller or from Sonar? Or both ways?
 
Cheap would be the creative pc-midi. Its cheaper than most controllers and has quite a lot of keys (48). Downside is its keys are a bit small and not really too velocity sensitive.

If you have a higher budget, I would go for the 25 keys controllers from Korg or Maudio. Better sensitivity and has additional faders/knobs for mixing. Not really cheap but sufficient for getting drum and bass grooves down.
 
Damn why creative need a actual computer keyboard.

As i ask above, does the sound provided with the keyboard or sonar?


( Does any keyboard with a USB can run in sync with the software? )
 
er, i think u should read up on tweak's guide, very useful for begginners. www.tweakheadz.com

ok, now to ur question. Midi controller is like a dummy keyboard and has no sounds. In sequencers like Sonar 6, they have a few VSTs for u that has sounds, so to answer your question, yes , you can have sounds from Sonar 6. Hmm.. as for controlling your sonar interface, i think its best u do it by mouse. Hook up any midi controller to your pc (via usb or midi port), and it'll send midi signals out to your com and Your com receives the midi signal. Basically, midi is not a sound, midi is just coding and signals and instructions to put it in simple terms. You can load your VST banks in sonar, and play on ur midi controller, and u'll be able to hear them. This works by . Midi controller signal to pc -> Pc receives -> Sends signal to the sonar -> Sonar sends signal to the VST -> VST sound plays -> out to your speaker. This is to put into simple terms so that you can understand, i don't think this is an accurate explaination of the proper process (i cant explain for nuts). yea, hope this helps you in your understanding.
 
yes, the MIDI controller is just to control MIDI ... as the name implies.

so now is just about how many octave u need and whether u need a live control or not. if u just need the keyboard then it can go quite cheap depens on the brand.
 
Xjapan, first go through the new FAQ section for keyboards to get a definition of different types of keyboards.

Next, the choice of midi controllers will depend on your needs. The main question is: what are you going to use it for? You plug it into Sonar, then what comes out the other end? This is crucial to your decision.

You have a choice of - hardware modules, VSTis, softsamplers, raw loops that you put into audio etc. Even if you are going to use VSTis, the actual choice of VSTi will determine the type of controller you need. The type of music you write is also important. This will determine whether you want to get a controller with:
1. More keys or less keys,
2. Weighted or unweighted
3. More knobs or not
4. More faders or not
5. Having different controllers on it or not (like X-Y controller, mod wheels, ribbon controller)

For example, somebody running analog VSTis like those from Arturia would want a controller with lots of knobs but not necessary many keys. Those in orchestral sampling (like me) will need an 88 key, must have mod wheel and/or faders, but not necessary knobs. After answering those questions, then look for the controller that best suit your needs in terms of functions.

If you still don't know, M-audio is the best way to go.
 
1. Read the FAQ. There are suggestions to the different brands of keys/controllers.

2. Google for the sites of the names of the brands you may be interested in. Check out the different models and their specs. See which one fits your needs.

3. Tell us which one you think you may be interested in and we'll tell you where you can get them (if the info is not on their website).

As of now, we're not sure exactly which one suits your needs. You probably don't either, but that's OK (and we can help you). But you MUST first determine what you are going to use it for: what type music are you going to write, playing live or not, etc. Otherwise the range is too wide to recommend.
 
If all you want to do is bass, some drums and a few piano chords, and if you're not a pianist (and you don't care much for touch), and if it's just for fun, then Creative is sufficient for the lowest price. You probably won't touch the control knobs etc in the Oxygen8.
 
Where can I find that oxygen8? Might want to take alook myself.

For the Creative ones, I'll take a look on that too. Thanks guys!
 
if u really want that Oxygen ... I have the 49 keys.

Still in near perfect condition. Never been used for almost 5 months already. cuz now i got new synth with USB already ..... hahahaha =P

been thinking about selling it ... or not ..... pm me if u're interested ... =)

but yea ...... even I don't use the knobs .... *no money to buy program that uses it .... sigh ..... so i resolve to use normal synth ..... for now software synth is too ex for me ..... T_T"*
 
lol how much.. but i ain't gonna spend alot in this man. But 49 keys, thats freaking big for me LoL. Although i did learnt piano i also didnt use that much range of keys.
 
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