madnessman
New member
I'm looking for a MIDI keyboard controller (usb) with 61-88 semiweighted or weighted keys. Any recommendations? I'm OK with both used and new. Where should I look for keyboards? Swee Lee?
USB MIDI controller question
- Thread starter madnessman
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madnessman
New member
I just want to use it to create music using FL Studio 8 on Windows XP SP2. I might be upgrading to Windows 7 and Ableton in the future though. I'm not sure. I don't really need to many options. Basic is best!
I say semi weighted or weighted because I'm used to playing the piano and I don't really like the "feel" of most keyboards. I'll probably need more than 49 keys when recording piano songs so I guess I need a minimum of 61 keys. The axiom 61 us 379.95USD which is like... 550SGD? Seems kinda pricey. The built in pads are pretty cool though.
madnessman
New member
Does it really matter? Why would genre matter if it's just a controller? Sorry. I'm quite a noob at they whole keyboard thing.
Right now I'm trying to make Electronica and Hip Hop. I still play Classical and stuff though. So I guess I should say... I'm very diverse.
Cheez
Moderator
Yes, genre does matter. The types of controls depends on the genre. Knobs, faders, ribbon, mod wheels etc, and the number of such controllers depend on the type of genre. It also depends on the type of softsynths or hardware you intend to control it with.
Electronica - you would want more knobs than faders. The number of knobs depends on the softsynth and hardware and the programming being used. You wouldn't need too many keys - 49 to 61 may do. Endless knobs (ie you can turn them round and round in circles in either direction endlessly) are always better.
Orchestral - you would need faders and mod wheels, not knobs. Depending on the softsampler, most often times you would need mod wheels for cross-fading. Also, depending on the programming, many would use key-switching, which means you would need 88 keys since key-switching are usually programmed on the lower octaves of the keyboard. 61 or 76 keys would "miss" those range.
Some softsynths also uses key-switching, which you need to watch out for (eg Omnisphere). So you would want 88 keys.
Fully-weighted is useful if you play mainly piano. If you play organ and Hammond style, you would want unweighted. Semi-weighted is good if you are playing both and need something in between.
Graded and non-graded also depends on the type of music. For graded (lower keys heavier than higher keys), it's good for pianists. But if you are programming drums and strings, you get into difficulty with velocity inequality, if you are not used to graded keys and know how to adjust your playing properly. Programming drums/strings etc, you want the keys to be evenly weighted (ie non-graded).
Some controllers focus on controls (knobs, faders etc). Others focus on feel of the keys. So...if you are a pianist and intend to play piano sound often, the feel of the keys may be important for you to play expressively.
Choice of type of controllers, the types of controls it has, the number of controls it does etc depends a lot on which genre you are playing and what you are going to use it for. If you are diverse like me, you would still have a preference for one over the other.
Electronica - you would want more knobs than faders. The number of knobs depends on the softsynth and hardware and the programming being used. You wouldn't need too many keys - 49 to 61 may do. Endless knobs (ie you can turn them round and round in circles in either direction endlessly) are always better.
Orchestral - you would need faders and mod wheels, not knobs. Depending on the softsampler, most often times you would need mod wheels for cross-fading. Also, depending on the programming, many would use key-switching, which means you would need 88 keys since key-switching are usually programmed on the lower octaves of the keyboard. 61 or 76 keys would "miss" those range.
Some softsynths also uses key-switching, which you need to watch out for (eg Omnisphere). So you would want 88 keys.
Fully-weighted is useful if you play mainly piano. If you play organ and Hammond style, you would want unweighted. Semi-weighted is good if you are playing both and need something in between.
Graded and non-graded also depends on the type of music. For graded (lower keys heavier than higher keys), it's good for pianists. But if you are programming drums and strings, you get into difficulty with velocity inequality, if you are not used to graded keys and know how to adjust your playing properly. Programming drums/strings etc, you want the keys to be evenly weighted (ie non-graded).
Some controllers focus on controls (knobs, faders etc). Others focus on feel of the keys. So...if you are a pianist and intend to play piano sound often, the feel of the keys may be important for you to play expressively.
Choice of type of controllers, the types of controls it has, the number of controls it does etc depends a lot on which genre you are playing and what you are going to use it for. If you are diverse like me, you would still have a preference for one over the other.
madnessman
New member
Whao! Thanks for your great reponse (and sorry for replying so late). Judging from what you've written, I think I need a semi-weighted, non-graded, 61 key keyboard. One last question... What is the difference between knobs, faders, and mod wheels?
jacklepop
New member
Semi Weighted, 61-key, and non-graded? Go for the Axiom Pro/normal 61 line.
I cannot comment on other keyboards as i'm currently using the Axiom 61. Great feel to the keys. I do not play much, but program the notes into a sequencer.
As you mentioned you're currently trying to produce Electronica and Hip Hop, i can relate to you on that.
Now, to elaborate a bit on the keyboard:
The endless rotary encoders let you adjust, whatever value/settings in your software, by increment/decrement values of +1/-1 respectively when it comes to Midi. The faders are great for quickly adjusting the settings of your chosen software while the rotary knobs allow for minute adjustments.
Next, the Axiom line provides 8 pads for you to program or trigger sound fx, drum kits, and samples. The pads are what you see on some MIDI controllers which gives the user 16 pads to play with (See the M-Audio Trigger Finger).
Lastly, should you decide on making the purchase, do know that M-Audio provides a free Enigma editor for you to tweak how you want your rotary encoders to behave.
Eg:
- +1/-1 endless rotation.
- Value "A" to Value "B" in one rotation.
- "On" or "Off"
Do not forget about the assignable buttons/switches too. You can configure them to, for example, turn on/off a delay, listen to your mix in mono, turn on/off an EQ. The possibilities are truly endless.
You can however, use the Enigma editor to freely customise how you want your entire keyboard to behave as well. So feel free to consider some of my points as moot.
I cannot comment on other keyboards as i'm currently using the Axiom 61. Great feel to the keys. I do not play much, but program the notes into a sequencer.
As you mentioned you're currently trying to produce Electronica and Hip Hop, i can relate to you on that.
Now, to elaborate a bit on the keyboard:
The endless rotary encoders let you adjust, whatever value/settings in your software, by increment/decrement values of +1/-1 respectively when it comes to Midi. The faders are great for quickly adjusting the settings of your chosen software while the rotary knobs allow for minute adjustments.
Next, the Axiom line provides 8 pads for you to program or trigger sound fx, drum kits, and samples. The pads are what you see on some MIDI controllers which gives the user 16 pads to play with (See the M-Audio Trigger Finger).
Lastly, should you decide on making the purchase, do know that M-Audio provides a free Enigma editor for you to tweak how you want your rotary encoders to behave.
Eg:
- +1/-1 endless rotation.
- Value "A" to Value "B" in one rotation.
- "On" or "Off"
Do not forget about the assignable buttons/switches too. You can configure them to, for example, turn on/off a delay, listen to your mix in mono, turn on/off an EQ. The possibilities are truly endless.
You can however, use the Enigma editor to freely customise how you want your entire keyboard to behave as well. So feel free to consider some of my points as moot.
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