Keyboard for Drum Samples (Virtual Drums)

[adam79]

I'm selling my VDrums in favor of a Keyboard to play Virtual Drums. If I want to physically play the drums I have a Pearl kit my friend gave me. Anyways, now to my question....

I'm looking for recommendations on a keyboard to buy to perform the above task. I don't really care if it's full size or mini. Price is my biggest factor. I'll be using the programs that came with Pro Tools 12: AIR and XPand II. I'm not looking for professional quality. I just wanna add drums/percussion to some demos and get the basic point of the songs across.

Thanks in advance for the advice,

-Adam

 

[BroKen_H]

Just about anything that has decent touch sensitivity. Nektar Impact, Akai MPK or Arturia MiniLab are both under $100. You could also opt for pads, like the Korg Nanopad or the Sampson Graphite.

 

[Xcaliber]

I have an Arturia Beatstep which is a really cool little controller with 16 pads. It's $99 too. I also have an Akai LPK25, but I like to tap the pads better than hit keys. The Beatstep has velocity sensitive pads and, as an added bonus, has a step sequencer built in. I thought that would be fun to play with, but I haven't found a use for it yet.

 

[adam79]

The Beatstep looks cool. I was seriously looking at the Akai MPK Mini Mk2, but heard that it's pads r crap. It be nice to have a key/pad combo unit, like the MPK.

Also, anyone familiar w/ Xpand2? I have that available for download via PT12 purchase. That has drum samples, right? It also has that AIR software, but I'm not familiar w/ what it is.

Thanks

 

[Xcaliber]

The pads on the Beatstep are awesome. Super sensitive and responsive. I understand wanting an all-in-one unit though.

M-Audio makes one too, but I don't know if it's any good. I have an old MPD16 and the pads suck. Have to really hit hard to get them to register...which is why I bought the Beatstep.

I don't know anything about Xpand2 so I can't comment.

 

[BroKen_H]

Yes, be careful with AKAI pads, their "sensitivity" is 1 at the bottom of the pad to 127 at the top. It's not how hard you hit it, but where...My experience with the MPD18

 

[Xcaliber]

Yes, be careful with AKAI pads, their "sensitivity" is 1 at the bottom of the pad to 127 at the top. It's not how hard you hit it, but where...My experience with the MPD18

I'm gonna test mine out when I get home!

 

[adam79]

Anyone try the Novation Launchkey (either mini or 25)? Are the pads better (than the Akai)? I haven't read one positive when the Akai pads are mentioned. I have read great reviews of the unit as a whole (MPK Mini Mk2).
That Beatstep unit mentioned above looks rad, but I want a key/pad combo. Plus I'd like to keep it in the $100 range...definitely gonna buy used.
Thanks for the help!