Need a *good* keyboard controller

[chipwits]

I need a MIDI keyboard controller but don't know what to get. Can spend up to $500. It doesn't need to play samples since I use soundfonts/samples on the computer for this.

I would like something that feels close to a piano but not necessarily weighted that heavily. Of course I need all the gizmos like modulation wheel and whatever else.

James

[altitude909]

For a little more (599) you should be able to get a CME UF-8, which is 88 key and weighted.

Otherwise, a Novation Remote 61 is 499 (what I use)

[swacula]

i have the korg 49e its 399 and its really good

[biggestmuff]

Originally Posted by altitude909

For a little more (599) you should be able to get a CME UF-8, which is 88 key and weighted.

Any drawbacks to this controller? I was considering purchasing one of these. Have you used one?

[Atterion]

Originally Posted by biggestmuff

Any drawbacks to this controller? I was considering purchasing one of these. Have you used one?

I've played both the UF-8 and the UF-7 and they both kick @ss!!! Easily clear winners. The Novation Remotes have a nice feel to them, and loads of control. Either would be a good choice, but since you want hammer-action, then go with the UF-8, or the UF-7 which is semi-weighted, and has a real nice balance between synth and piano feel (without the hammer-action of course, and ONLY 76 keys......).

[biggestmuff]

do you have any experience with the transport controls on it? I'll be using it with Sonar 4PE.

[Atterion]

Well I pushed the buttons anyway. They felt tactile enough. The ones I tried weren't hooked up to a sequencer or recorder, but MIDI transport control is pretty universal, so it shouldn't be a problem, and like I said they had a nice feel to them.