cheap midi controller for Reason

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47ronin

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I plan on using Reason to make some tracks....I need a basic midicontroller...I dont need anyother sounds in the keyboard....can someone reccomend an inexpensive 49 key controller with decent midi....

also, will i need a seperate midi interface with this setup?

thanks in advance,

47ronin
 
Going to recommend somthing here...

You will hear that Radio Shat is not the place to buy anything. ANYTHING! Well, here's at least one exception.

Get yourself a cheap Casio knockoff from RS. Some Optimus keyboards will fit on your desk, have midi in and out, and cost around $100 or less.

They come with sounds and all that, but they suck. I got it for the same reason that you should. I needed a controller. Buy a dedicated one and you'll spend just as much or more for less keys or half size keys and no sounds at all.

Of course, if you need a mod wheel or pitch bender, you'll be better off buying a cheap student keyboard from Guitar Center or Sammy's. Still probably less than a dedicated controller.

:D

If you insist on an actual controller (there are purists out there) I noticed that there was a sale for at Guitar Center for a small half size one at around $75. I didn't notice the brand, just happened to see them stacked like cordwood against the counter.

Good luck.
 
Roland Evolution MK 49 I think. 49 keys, transpose, two wheels, etc, about $120
 
47ronin said:
I plan on using Reason to make some tracks....I need a basic midicontroller...I dont need anyother sounds in the keyboard....can someone reccomend an inexpensive 49 key controller with decent midi....
Click to expand...

The KaySound MK-4902 is floating around for $129.99 ($250 list)in a lot of places (Musician's Friend has them at that price and so did GC).

They are a 49-key pure MIDI controller with standard-size keys, programmable pressure and velocity curves, 109-key transposition, pitch blend and modulation wheels, supports all assignable MIDI controller bank changes, stores user programs, etc., blah.

I haven't gotten one of these yet, but it seems to be about the best low-end way to get a decent MIDI controller.

If you get one, let m know what you think.
 
If you need a MIDI controller, I'd go with one of the two listed below. They are both highly rated. I have the Evolution and it is works great. If I was going to buy again, though, I'd probably go with the new Roland. Here's some info from their web sites:


Roland PC-70: ($150) 49-full sized velocity sensitive keys with pitch bend, modulation wheel, and LED readout. The PC-70 has a new sleek design in metallic silver, and is perfect for use with any GM/GS compatible sound module or synthesizer. Includes a power supply, MIDI cable, and sustain pedal

http://edirol.plands.com/shop/prod-gateway.ddp?itemcode=362178

Evolution MK-149: ($110)

The Evolution Music Creator 49 is the number one selling MIDI controller keyboard and software package in the world. Winner of 7 top magazine awards, the Music Creator 49 is now established as the most popular choice when it comes to PC music making.
The keyboard has 49 full size, touch sensitive keys, pitchbend and modulation wheels, volume slider, program and voice change buttons, memory buttons and a 3 digit LED display. The modulation wheel is assignable to all standard MIDI controllers.

Our number one selling MIDI controller keyboard and software package has everything you need. An impressive keyboard and an incredible software pack which includes the powerful MIDI/Audio sequencer Sound Studio, plus a connecting cable that hooks up to your PC's soundcard which powers the keyboard as well.

http://www.evolution.co.uk/
 
Bongo, I got the Kaysound MK 4902 right here. Actually, I think the Kaysound and the Roland I mentioned are the same keyboard, at least they look the same in photos. I think I paid about $ 120. It does what it does, you plug it in and it works just like you would think. I have knocked mine on the floor a few times, seems to be rock solid. For the money, I say YES.
 
Thank you all for the information!

One more question....with these keyboards will I need any midi interface? I have a G3 400 mhz powermac. I plan on getting a new PCI sound card...can i plug the controller straight into the soundcard.....also what soundcard would you reccomend for recording one instrument at a time...say a guitar and bass and reason for drums and weird sounds...i want to do kind of psychedelic pop like the cure and cocteau twins.....can i get the vocals, guitar, and reason tracks all into something like logic gold? This might not be the right forum for all these questions but thanks for the help...

47ronin
 
DavidK said:
Bongo, I got the Kaysound MK 4902 right here. Actually, I think the Kaysound and the Roland I mentioned are the same keyboard, at least they look the same in photos. I think I paid about $ 120. It does what it does, you plug it in and it works just like you would think. I have knocked mine on the floor a few times, seems to be rock solid. For the money, I say YES.
Click to expand...

Yep, looks like a low-glamour, high-value solution to me. When I need it, I think I'll probably pick one up. I haven't seen a better deal anywhere for the same basic functions.
 
Evolution MK-149 = KaySound MK-4902

tdukex said:
If you need a MIDI controller, I'd go with one of the two listed below. They are both highly rated. I have the Evolution and it is works great. If I was going to buy again, though, I'd probably go with the new Roland. Here's some info from their web sites:


Roland PC-70: ($150) 49-full sized velocity sensitive keys with pitch bend, modulation wheel, and LED readout. The PC-70 has a new sleek design in metallic silver, and is perfect for use with any GM/GS compatible sound module or synthesizer. Includes a power supply, MIDI cable, and sustain pedal

http://edirol.plands.com/shop/prod-gateway.ddp?itemcode=362178

Evolution MK-149: ($110)

Our number one selling MIDI controller keyboard and software package has everything you need. An impressive keyboard and an incredible software pack which includes the powerful MIDI/Audio sequencer Sound Studio, plus a connecting cable that hooks up to your PC's soundcard which powers the keyboard as well.

http://www.evolution.co.uk/
Click to expand...

Turns out that the KaySound MK-4902 and the Evolution MK-149 are the identical item. I believe that the MK-149 has a couple of accessories that the KaySound MK-4902 does not, but the controllers are the very same except for the nametag. The same item is sold under numerous names and brands besides these around the world.

I can't find one for the $115 stated in your quote, however.

Here's another review of the controller, which I shall definitely bag as soon as I find the best price:

http://www.sound-music.com/evolution/mk149.htm
 
You will need a midi interface of some sort to do anything midi. If you have a soundblaster card, you can get a midi-joystick cable for $15, that will plug into the soundblaster joystick card and play the general midi sounds that come with SB.

You can also use one Sound Module/Synth as well. Some soundcards have midi, some don't. My Darla24 card doesnt, so I use a midisport 2x2 usb interface ( I have two sound modules).
It runs about $75, works great. The Darla24 is about $260, it might be good if you are doing recording one instrument at a time.
 
DavidK said:
You will need a midi interface of some sort to do anything midi. If you have a soundblaster card, you can get a midi-joystick cable for $15, that will plug into the soundblaster joystick card and play the general midi sounds that come with SB.
Click to expand...

The Evolution MK-149 version of this controller comes with a MIDI-Joystick cable, which is a nice bonus.

The best price I've come up with is from Jack's, $111 and change, plus $5. Shipping maybe paid, depending on where you are.
 
Yes, it came with the cord and software. And yes, it took a couple of weeks. That tells me they have to get them from another supplier.
 
tdukex said:
Yes, it came with the cord and software. And yes, it took a couple of weeks. That tells me they have to get them from another supplier.
Click to expand...

So does Jack's.
 
sustain pedal

I noticed that the Roland comes with a sustain pedal and the evolution doesn't.

I have a question:

If you use a sustain pedal, such as the one that comes with the roland, in a MIDI setup, how is the sustain pedal data recognized?

Is it recognized as a "Pedal" event or does the sustain pedal simply delay the release signal of the depressed key(s)?

(Does that make sense? My English is slowly but surely deteriorating)
 
I'm no expert, but here is what I read from the book "MIDI For The Professional."

A sustain pedal is a "Switch" controller. It is either "on" or "off" (a value of either 0 or 127). It retains the sustain portion of a sound's envelope on all notes played, until turned off.
 
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