Ready to Buy USB Controller. Have a Question.

[T-guns]

Hi all, I have finally settled down to my PC based recording rig. I picked up a few good deals from Craiglist/eBay and now run a Firewire - Cubase based rig (so much easier than my old digital 8-track).

I am planning to get a USB controller for MIDI sequencing and have 2 options. I read SOME POSTS on here to try figure this out on my own, but haven't quite found the combination I was looking for. One thing I need is the pads to trigger drums (used to a drum machine for my hardware recording days).

Anyway, here's my options:

- Akai MPK49 - $400
OR
- M-audio Keystation Pro 88 with a Korg PadKontrol - $400 used for both

The Akai has everything all in 1 unit and seems to be highly thought of here, but the M-audio/Korg combo seems like it will have more flexibility. The main issues I read about these are: "The M-audio doesn't have pads" (taken care of with the Korg) and "The Korg hasn't got enough sliders and knobs" (more than made up for on the M-audio). Also the M-audio doesn't have an arpeggiator (not even sure what this is or how I would use it yet).

Would running 2 USB controllers be a nightmare? Is anyone running the Keystation Pro 88 with a PadKontrol? I have the $400 and am ready to buy either one.

Any advise would be helpful.

[antichef]

I've run other M-audio keyboards (the O2, and the Keystation forty-something) alongside a Korg PadKontrol, using two USB ports. I haven't had any issues.

Note that, depending on the software, it can be tricky to assign each device to a different track in the DAW and get the both to record in isolation to the assigned tracks. I suppose you'd have the same trouble if you were able to assign different midi channels to the pad and the keys on that other unit (and you may well be able to do that - I don't know). I finally was able to get it to work in Logic, but it wasn't very straightforward.

I really like the PadKontrol, btw.

Are those units all new?

[T-guns]

The Akai would be new.

The Korg and Keystation are used, but used once and still in the original packaging. ($250 for the M-audio Keystation Pro 88 & $150 for the Korg PadKontrol).

BTW, the software is Cubase SX3. Maybe in the future I might pick up Reason 4.0 and run it in Cubase via Cubase's add-in stuff.

[jarrydee]

Originally Posted by antichef

I've run other M-audio keyboards (the O2, and the Keystation forty-something) alongside a Korg PadKontrol, using two USB ports. I haven't had any issues.

Note that, depending on the software, it can be tricky to assign each device to a different track in the DAW and get the both to record in isolation to the assigned tracks. I suppose you'd have the same trouble if you were able to assign different midi channels to the pad and the keys on that other unit (and you may well be able to do that - I don't know). I finally was able to get it to work in Logic, but it wasn't very straightforward.

I really like the PadKontrol, btw.

Are those units all new?

+1..I have a m-audio oxygen and a 88 key station and both work great!!!