controller keyboards

[guthrie]

What's the best MIDI controller keyboard I can buy for under £150?

[Fishybob]

What do you need?!

Full size key range? Weighted keys? Any synth knobs??

[guthrie]

A couple of octaves would do, weighted keys would be nice. Would mainly be using it to control soft synths and maybe a sound module, so i guess knobs would be good. I'm just in the process of setting up my first PC recording system after years of using four tracks so any advice on this would be great.

[Fishybob]

For a simple midi keyboard (semi weighted) these are great!
Maudio Keystation 61 ES
I have one now and love it. Really simple but does exactly what I need it for.


For less keys and more knobs
http://www.millennium-music.co.uk/ho...id=KEY%2FSYNTH
or
http://www.millennium-music.co.uk/ho..._id=MIDICONTRO

[guthrie]

I quite like the look of both but i'm trying to fit everything into a budget, so the Maudio one looks favorite! I'm also wondering about an Edirol UA-25 interface, I want something which i can connect guitars, mics etc through so this looks good but i'm a bit unsure as to whether i need to connect this through a decent soundcard on the PC or whether the interface houses all the A/C converters? Basically can i plug a guitar into the box and recor directly to cubase without going through another soundcard? Any ideas on this or any other suggestions for a interface? Would i be better off with a PCI sound card and breakout box?

[Fishybob]

The signal goes directly into your computer via USB... no need to go into a soundcard. I've not used a unit like this myself so unsure whether you need a soundcard to monitor the mix... anyone else???