M-Audio KeyStudio 49i w/audio interface or other Keyboards?

  • Thread starter Thread starter eunicorn
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eunicorn

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Hey All,

I need some help picking a keyboard to play around with recording my own music (keyboard/vocals).

The M-Audio keystudio 49 seems ideal because of the built in audio interface that I can plug a microphone directly into. I found it for ~$210.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeyStudio49i.html

My biggest question is whether it'd be better to get a separate audio interface for my microphone and a cheaper keyboard like the Keyrig M-Audio 49 ~$100
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeyRig49.html
or
Keystudio 49 ~$100 (What's the difference between this keyboard and the keyrig?)
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeyStudio.html
or the Behringer UMX61~$150 (Though I have no idea how to use those knobs)
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--BEHUMX61
or whether the all in one option is a good way to go.

What do you think of the M-Audio keystudio keyboard and audio interface function? Am I better off going with a separate audio interface (or getting a usb microphone)? If so, which keyboard would you recommend?

Thank you!!
 
I'd go with the seperate components. You might have problems , let's say, with the audio part and have to send or take it back, with seperate components you would still have the midi portion to play with. I'd start with just the midi keyboard - they are all about the same in that price range. Once I got the keyboard configured and functioning properly with computer, drivers, software and recording capabilities then I'd look at the audio portion.
 
The m-audio keyboards do not have velocity-sensitive keys. The keystudio and keyrig do not have built-in sounds.

Do you already know how to play keyboards? If not, then a 49-key may work fine as a learning device - start cheap, decide if you want to go further, then move up to a keyboard with more features.
If you already know how to play - is a 49-key keyboard going to be enough for what you plan on doing? Even 61 keys can be limiting if you have played on a full 88-key piano.

Do you ever want to play the keyboard without a computer going? If so, make sure you get one that has built-in sounds and amp/speakers.
 
mjbphotos said:
The m-audio keyboards do not have velocity-sensitive keys. The keystudio and keyrig do not have built-in sounds.

Do you already know how to play keyboards? If not, then a 49-key may work fine as a learning device - start cheap, decide if you want to go further, then move up to a keyboard with more features.
If you already know how to play - is a 49-key keyboard going to be enough for what you plan on doing? Even 61 keys can be limiting if you have played on a full 88-key piano.

Do you ever want to play the keyboard without a computer going? If so, make sure you get one that has built-in sounds and amp/speakers.
Click to expand...

+1 for what he said about the size - make sure you don't limit yourself if you don't have to. Sounds and modules can be mixed and matched and changed indefinitely in time, as long as you have a controller keyboard you're happy with then you'll be fine. Get the biggest (i.e. most keys) you can fit in your space and afford, and if you can pay for weighted keys, you might want to consider that.

Just one thing to correct from mjb's post. Both of those M-Audio's you mentioned DO have velocity sensitive keys. He's right that the keyrig doesn't have built in sounds. What the keystudio has over the keyrig is that it does have one built-in sampled instrument, being a piano, and also has a small audio interface built-in. If the very limited 2x2 interface that's built in is all you need, then go for that. However, if you think you'll need to get a bigger/better interface in the long run, or you already have something else, then get the keyrig and use it to control software sound modules in your PC. The keystudio might be helpful in SOME cases, but most of the time I'd say it's a bit of a gimic.
 
Alot depends on where you're at, what you got, and what you want. When I got my first controller all I wanted to do was trigger midi sounds in from my soundblaster card. It was back before midi used the usb port - you had to run thru the serial or printer port. At any rate I couldn't get it to work right. But now some 10 years later with usb and some decent soft just leave this on 24/7 for practicing piano. It's a no hassle rig that provides a basic piano sound and I don't think I should have to power up my studio to play some elemantery midi piano stuff
 
Thank you everyone. I do play the piano but I don't think I'll need anything too big. Still deciding!
 
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