The right MIDI-controller...

[Ghazi]

I'm in the market for a MIDI-controller to use with a setup that is solely for the creation of Hip-Hop instrumentals. I've looked at everything from a Radium, to a Juno-106. I've also looked at the AX series by AKAI. Anyone have personal opinions on this subject? Any feedback is appreciated, thanks.

[LAZI]

What's your setup?

Almost any midi keyboard can shoot a few midi notes into a sequencer but the question is if you need any other midi data to be be sent from the controller. If not then you can hit the pawn shop and grab a old casio with midi out for the $30 to tap notes. But you may want some sliders on that piece to give you some hands on faders for your daw or something. Also... What's your skill level on the keys? Even if it's pitiful you may plan to learn to play a full 88 keys one day. 61 and 49 has been cool with me for tapping out beats though. You may have space issues... Maybe you should think about killing 2 birds with one shot i you need more sounds. Do you need some more sounds to boot? Last but most inportant... What are you spending?

Fools around here got enough junk to help you make a good choice so figure what you need and somebody should point you in the right direction. Wish I knew about this spot when I was spending.

Think about it some and hit back..

[Scinx]

Thats a real good piece there LAZI...which got me thinking...what are the normal controls found on Midi Controllers and what do they do?
I was thinking of getting an Evolution 249C controller but dont know if I even need the bells and whistles..I prolly could do fine with just a midi keyboard (like casio) acting as a controller...

So what do the normal/standard effects included in Midi Controllers do...why would I need any of them? What are they useful for.

[Hard Vibes]

I would recomend the radium.

My friend just bought it and it is very easy to install (USB) and to use.

Currently hes working on fruity with it and he keeps telling me how mad it is.

But if you do hip hop etc.. You dont really need a midi keyboard.

Than i would recommend the Phat Boy midi controller.

Ciao

[LAZI]

Data- depending on the number of keys a should cover 88 notes. Smaller controllers will have a octave switch.)

This is about you'd get with a cheapo CASIO...Well you get some ceesy sounds. If you lucky some other crap that means nothing. General midi program changes maybe....

CONTROLLER (standard)

Note Data...

Volume- volume for each midi channel.

Pitch Bend- If you see one finger wheel then it's usually gonna be the pitch bend.

Modulation/assignable- If you see 2 finger wheels then one will be this and te other for ptich bend. Most can be reassigned to handle any controller data like volume or efx sends or whatever. It's a gang of controllers and some vary in responce depending on the instrument or sound source you use.

Program Change- This is the Instrument sound you'd be playing.. You can send a signal from your controller to your sequncer that will change to that sound on in your midi sound source. At the least 128 general midi sounds but most should allow for tapping all the banks.

That's the basic stuff you'd expect to find on a controller keybaord. Some add a few tricks and all but most just send midi data.

Now you got the souped up controllers like the a RADIUM with 8 sliders and/or knobs that will send anything from volume controls to a daw to set parameters in a sofware synth. Depends on how you set it up and with the driver software they can do a ton of crap.