Avid Pro Audio Community

Avid Pro Audio Community

How to Join & Post  •  Community Terms of Use  •  Help Us Help You

Knowledge Base Search  •  Community Search  •  Learn & Support


Avid Home Page

Go Back   Avid Pro Audio Community > Pro Tools Software > Virtual Instruments

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-03-2021, 06:29 PM
JCBigler's Avatar
JCBigler JCBigler is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 3,044
Default I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

I'm interested in buying a MIDI keyboard controller. I don't want to spend a lot and don't need a full synth or sequencer workstation etc... It's only use will be for virtual instruments.

I'd like a 61 key unit, with some sort of drum pads on it for extra versatility.

Been looking at the offerings from Novation, Alesis, M-Audio, Korg, Akai, etc... I'd like to spend no more than about $350, $400 at the upper end. Are there any real differences in quality or usability at this level?

Musically, I'm most interested in organ type sounds, like B3 stuff, 61 key would be fine at this point. But I could consider an 88-key if there's something that's really good for traditional piano playing.

I'm also considering just getting an EWI USB, since I'm a saxophone player and it seems like I should have one anyway.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
__________________
Justice C. Bigler
www.justicebigler.com

Lenovo P50: quad-core i7-6820hq, 64GB, 2TB SSD, Win 10 Pro / Protools Ultimate 2023.6 / HD|Native-TB
2018 MacBook Pro: six-core i9, 32GB, 1TB, Monterey / Protools Studio 2023.6, / DVS / DAR, L-ISA Studio

Home/mobile: Focusrite Red 8Pre+HD32R / Clarett 4Pre
Road/hotel: Roland OctaCaputre / Apogee One
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-03-2021, 06:57 PM
Sardi Sardi is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Perth
Posts: 2,989
Default Re: I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

The differences will be in the key bed and quality of the pads, sliders, knobs etc. Some have integration with SW like the NI keyboards.

Best bet is to go to a shop (if you can) and have a play on some of them. I’m not a piano player by any means, but even I can tell the difference between the feel of some key beds. Everyone is different in what they find acceptable.

There’s a lot to choose from and they all will offer similar features. Just comes down to what’s best for you really.

Sorry if that doesn’t help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-04-2021, 04:37 AM
musicman691 musicman691 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: The Sopranos State (NJ)
Posts: 19,136
Default Re: I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

Not going to say what to buy but will mention a couple of companies to NOT buy from: Arturia and M-Audio. The quality & longevity just aren't there. Personal experience on both.
__________________
Jack
See profile for system details
iMac dead & retired as of 11/4/17

QAPLA!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-06-2021, 03:26 PM
JCBigler's Avatar
JCBigler JCBigler is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 3,044
Default Re: I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

So I'm looking at maybe the Novation Impulse 61. Anyone have experience with this unit?

Does anyone know if it's possible to map the faders as the draw bars for organ stops?
__________________
Justice C. Bigler
www.justicebigler.com

Lenovo P50: quad-core i7-6820hq, 64GB, 2TB SSD, Win 10 Pro / Protools Ultimate 2023.6 / HD|Native-TB
2018 MacBook Pro: six-core i9, 32GB, 1TB, Monterey / Protools Studio 2023.6, / DVS / DAR, L-ISA Studio

Home/mobile: Focusrite Red 8Pre+HD32R / Clarett 4Pre
Road/hotel: Roland OctaCaputre / Apogee One
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-06-2021, 03:46 PM
JFreak's Avatar
JFreak JFreak is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tampere, Finland
Posts: 24,853
Default Re: I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

I have Novation Launchkey and it has all you need for about 285 euros.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JCBigler View Post
Does anyone know if it's possible to map the faders as the draw bars for organ stops?
At least the Novation Launchkey can do it, plus the master volume can be mapped as the 9th draw bar
__________________
Janne
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-06-2021, 03:58 PM
JCBigler's Avatar
JCBigler JCBigler is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 3,044
Default Re: I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

Quote:
Originally Posted by JFreak View Post
I have Novation Launchkey and it has all you need for about 285 euros.

At least the Novation Launchkey can do it, plus the master volume can be mapped as the 9th draw bar
That's good to know. I was looking at the Launchkey series also. But it looked like the Impulse had a better build quality, maybe?
__________________
Justice C. Bigler
www.justicebigler.com

Lenovo P50: quad-core i7-6820hq, 64GB, 2TB SSD, Win 10 Pro / Protools Ultimate 2023.6 / HD|Native-TB
2018 MacBook Pro: six-core i9, 32GB, 1TB, Monterey / Protools Studio 2023.6, / DVS / DAR, L-ISA Studio

Home/mobile: Focusrite Red 8Pre+HD32R / Clarett 4Pre
Road/hotel: Roland OctaCaputre / Apogee One
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-06-2021, 04:09 PM
JFreak's Avatar
JFreak JFreak is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tampere, Finland
Posts: 24,853
Default Re: I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

Impulse is semi-weighed. If it helps you in piano playing, that is worth something. But nothing wrong with Launchkey which has normal synth keys.
__________________
Janne
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-07-2021, 07:20 AM
EGS's Avatar
EGS EGS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 3,691
Default Re: I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

I need an upgrade. Suggestions for 88 key weighted hammer controller? Convincing feel for acoustic pianists? For my purposes, I don't need any on-board sounds (but if it comes with sounds that's ok too I suppose). Perhaps Kurzweil KM88 or M-Audio Hammer 88 or other? Thanks for recommendations!
__________________
Desktop build: PT 2020.5 / Win 11 / i9-11900K @ 5.1GHz / 64GB / 4TB NVMe PCIe 4 / Gigabyte Z590 Vision D / PreSonus 2626
Laptop: PT 2020.5 / Win 11 / i5-12500H / 16GB / 1TB NVMe / Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Pro / U-PHORIA UMC1820
Ancient/Legacy (still works!): PT 5 & 6 / OS9 & OSX / Mac G4 / DIGI 001
Click for audio/video demo
Click for resume

Last edited by EGS; 09-07-2021 at 07:48 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-07-2021, 09:23 AM
musicman691 musicman691 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: The Sopranos State (NJ)
Posts: 19,136
Default Re: I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

Quote:
Originally Posted by EGS View Post
I need an upgrade. Suggestions for 88 key weighted hammer controller? Convincing feel for acoustic pianists? For my purposes, I don't need any on-board sounds (but if it comes with sounds that's ok too I suppose). Perhaps Kurzweil KM88 or M-Audio Hammer 88 or other? Thanks for recommendations!
Any Kurzweil is good. Another to look at are the 88 key 'boards from NI as they use Fatar keybeds. Stay away from the M-Audio keyboards as they don't last nor do the ones from Arturia.
__________________
Jack
See profile for system details
iMac dead & retired as of 11/4/17

QAPLA!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-07-2021, 09:25 AM
EGS's Avatar
EGS EGS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 3,691
Default Re: I want to buy a MIDI keyboard controller

Quote:
Originally Posted by musicman691 View Post
Any Kurzweil is good. Another to look at are the 88 key 'boards from NI as they use Fatar keybeds. Stay away from the M-Audio keyboards as they don't last nor do the ones from Arturia.
How about Studiologic SL88 Studio?
__________________
Desktop build: PT 2020.5 / Win 11 / i9-11900K @ 5.1GHz / 64GB / 4TB NVMe PCIe 4 / Gigabyte Z590 Vision D / PreSonus 2626
Laptop: PT 2020.5 / Win 11 / i5-12500H / 16GB / 1TB NVMe / Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Pro / U-PHORIA UMC1820
Ancient/Legacy (still works!): PT 5 & 6 / OS9 & OSX / Mac G4 / DIGI 001
Click for audio/video demo
Click for resume

Last edited by EGS; 09-07-2021 at 10:32 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
original midi device associated with midi controller m keyboard could not be located willl3 Windows 1 09-23-2017 05:29 PM
Best Midi keyboard controller for PT 10? LoveSharp Pro Tools 10 3 02-06-2016 10:45 PM
Using my PC's keyboard as MIDI controller Mike1983 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 3 09-27-2009 11:58 PM
USB MIDI Keyboard Controller CharlieX 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 1 12-13-2007 05:55 AM
Midi keyboard and controller? pertrot 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 0 09-03-2007 08:21 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:36 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Forum Hosted By: URLJet.com