midi controller + sound modules

[gb9]

instead of buying a superhero keyboard ive decided to get a midi controller and a sound module (or two, or whatever)
as for the midi controller, does it really matter which one i get? i mean its just keys right? hows the Roland PC-180???

for the sound module, ill let you know what im looking for
i dont REALLY need drums, i can handle that, i guess if it has some cool percussion it wouldnt be so bad but drums is not the main event here
what i REALLY need is noises, sound effects, strings, i love the rhodes and old school keyboards, wierd spaced out stuff, being able to mess with the sounds would be cool too....does this sound like i need the Plant PHATT one from E-mu?? for some reason im a lil iffy on that one, are there any other sound modules that seem like what im looking for???

[LAZI]

Not just keys my man... You got pitch bend, modulation, after touch, controller data, Program changes, octaves, and some more nice to have options. All this may not mean much to you now but when you want to do something and realize your controller doesn't do it or is a pain in the ass to do it then the dollars start to make sense.

Just curious... What about sequencer? Software maybe? Can make a difference in some cases...

The "or whatever" says to me that you are just down to spend to satisfy our immediate needs but you really should research your buy and make sure it meets your needs... Both immediate and long term because 3 years from now when you realize were you want to be next... I don't think you'll want you older gear to be on EBAY.

I have the old Planet Phatt and it really picking and choosing with that piece. I have managed to lace a few nice keys, organs, and mos def on the sub basses... I don't know much about the newer EMU lines but they seem to be popular and if it's twice as good as the old Phatt then it sholud be pretty dope. Ask about that on the HIP HOP board maybe...

[Gunther]

If you just want cool sounds and such an option would be to get an older (but fully functional) analog synth and a decent guitar effects processor.
This wont give you things like screams or car crashes (unless your really goot at programing your synth!) but it will give you all those cool, phat keyboard sounds. Its also easy to use.
I havent looked into new analog synths, but maybe you can go that way too.


For other sound effects you would want a sampler or even just a sound effect CD (or both, used together). You could even go with a software sampler and do everything on your PC. But its nice to be able to take your keyboard on location to record effects.

[gb9]

maybe more information would help
im not using a computer, i have an MPC-2000XL, and i wanted a keyboard with a bunch of sounds but now i want to just get a midi controller and get the sounds separately......How good is the Roland PC-180 in your opinion? what are its advantages and limitations? should i really get something better? anyone?

would i be able to load sounds into the controller in any format? like would i be able to use sounds from CDs on the keyboard? or will i just be using sound modules

any feedback on the Planet Phatt would be appreciated, and any other recommendations for sound modules with the type of sounds i described above would also be really helpful

thanks to those who responded

(and yea that guitar effects processor idea sounds interesting)

[gb9]

a sound module just fell in my lap (dont ask)
its the Roland JV-1010
havent used it yet (i cant, i still need the midi controller) but i did some research on it and it gets really good reviews and stuff (anyone have on here? what do you think?)
BUT
i also searched for what people said about it around here and i read some people say its better to just go for the JV-1080
what do you guys think?
i mean i COULD sell this one and then put out the extra for the 1080, should i??

[gb9]

do you think i should just keep this JV-1010 (since its already here and i didnt pay for it) and buy a different sound module to work next to it? like to give me a wide variety and supply of sounds
does that sound like a good idea?

[gb9]

aaaah man
im lookin around for midi controllers and i realize that i need one with midi out AND midi in and for some reason the ones im finding dont have midi in!!!
in order to use it with my mpc i believe i need that midi in
WHAT DO I DO?!

[alfalfa]

Why do you need a midi controller with a midi in???

[gb9]

i thought since im using it with an MPC-2000XL i need that out AND in, at least thats how the manual for the mpc says

[alfalfa]

I thought you would connect the midi out of the controller to the midi in of the MPC. Then connect the midi out of the MPC to the midi in of your sound module (I am assuming the MPC is some kind of midi sequencer).

[gb9]

im no pro lol so i guess your right
only reason i thought i needed the IN was because i borrowed a keyboard from a friend a while back and the way it all worked was that i had two midi cables, one going out of the mpc into the keyboard and the other going out of the keyboard and into the mpc.......but i would think your right, with the module it would probably work that way

[alfalfa]

That was probably because the keyboard was performing the functions of controller and sound source. The controller needs a midi out, the sound source (whether it be a module or keyboard) needs a midi in. Good luck in finding a controller.

[gb9]

THANKS!

[LAZI]

I use a JV1010 and there are a few things i don't like about it but it is nice and simple sounds. A JV1080 would be nicer with better sound and more expansion options. With where you are now I think the 1010 will get you somewhere. Might out grow it kinda fast though...

You don't need to have midi input on your controller with the setup you're talking about... All the controller does is send midi data to your sequncer for your sequencer to respond and send that data to your sound source. Almost any keybaord with midi out can work as a controller...