Keystation 61es vs Radium 61

[boyceman]

I'm considering the keystation 61es and the radium 61. So far the differences I can see is the keystation has semi-weighted keys and is velocity sensitive, and the radium has more knobs and sliders. Is there any other big difference?
I need a controller for laying down drums, bass, and extra sounds. The music I like to write is rock / alt rock. I like the idea of velocity sensitive and weighted keys, but the picture for the keystation has only a could sliders on it. Do I need more? I'm not a skilled musician or keyboard player but would like something that I won't outgrow in a short period of time.
My price range is ~ $250.
I would also consider a real keyboard but for my low $250 price range I figured a controller is the way to go. I like the idea of being able to load different keyboard modules to maximize the different sounds I can get.
I have a brand new computer and sonar 3, a delta 1010 and a mg 12/4 yamaha mixer.

Thanks much!

boyceman

 

[boyceman]

Seems silly to reply to my own post, but I had another thought.

Do they make keyboards that are both a controller and a real keyboard with sound built in? Might be the best of both worlds, not sure if something like that exists.

 

[Quasar]

You won't get both assignable controller features plus decent on board sounds for anything like $250.

What is it that you wish to do? If you want to play software-based synths and sound samples, then a controller is definitely the way to go. I just ordered an Evolution MK 461c for $259:

http://www.audiomidi.com/common/cfm/product.cfm?pid=4327

I'm no expert, but after reading about it I have high hopes.

But if you want an arranger or workstation keyboard that has its own sounds, you pretty much get what you pay for.

Michael

 

[Atterion]

I have a Radium 61 and Oxygen 8. They both are velocity sensitive. You can set the the minimum velocity level with the data slider. It is pretty easy to setup. My only to gripes with it are these:

1. The velocity response is a little weak sometimes, But the keys have pretty nice action.

2. In order to perform a program change (On external module) you have to hit the SELECT button (which shuts off keyboard input), followed by pressing a key to select Program Change, followed by any number of keys (they act as data entry keys) to actually change the program, and then hit the SELECT key that you hit in the first place, which is fiddly at best, because it seems over sensitive, it often puts you back into edit mode when trying to exit edit mode. So if you plan on doing a lot of changes like this, you'de best of looking for something with a dedicated keypad.
However choosing from the RADIUM presets is a breeze.

3. Although the RADIUM does feature aftertouch, it is only in the form of a Control Message (i.e. the keyboard isn't Poly-Aftertouch capable, whereas you could increase/decrease the response by the amount of pressure you put on the keys, instead the keyboard outputs the same aftertouch value everytime. You can assign the output level similar to Program Changes. By default the RADIUM doesn't transmit aftertouch but you can choose between 0-127. If aftertouch is important to you, you can assign it to a slider, and control it from there.

Not quite as good as higher-end controllers, but for $200 it is still a good board. And it weighs like 7 pounds. The Oxygen 8 only weighs 3!!!