M-Audio Radium vs. Oxygen vs. E-mu Xboard

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lunar_special

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I looking to get into MIDI and synthesis for mostly rock music recording. I've been recording audio on my PC for many years, but the only MIDI I've done has been with a Roland TD-8 based electronic kit. I want to be able to add some "reasonably realistic" strings or brass to my mixes... and also play around with some crazy analog-sounding stuff. I'm new to the world of keyboards and synths, but I am thinking what would best suit my needs is a midi-controller and some software synth (I'm thinking Cakewalk Dimension Pro) that can work with SONAR.

With all that in mind, can someone tell me, in practical terms, what the difference is in the Radium vs Oxygen vs Xboard controllers is? Do you think those would meet my needs stated above? Why is the Oxygen more expensive than the Radium? I'm thinking I'll get either a 49 or 61 key version.... in that price range, I don't mind paying more as long as I get more out of the product... is there someting better I should be considering?

I know thats a lot of questions and I appreciate your patience very much as I am a noob when it comes to keys and synths, even though I've been doing digital audio for years.

Also any thoughts on Dimension Pro are welcomed... Thanks! :cool:
 
lunar_special said:
Also any thoughts on Dimension Pro are welcomed
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Taking this one first, the Dimension Pro is a solid, modern soft synth that will give you good sounds right out of the box as well as being deep enough so that you will be able to use it for years as your knowledge of synthesis grows.

As far as your controller question goes, go to a store that has all the major brands and see which one feels best to you. They all have advantages and disadvantages, and in my humble opinion you should short-list the CME controllers --- LINK --- like this one.

61 vs 49 keys is a matter of personal preference. I get by just fine with a 49 key controller, but I'm mostly a guitar player.



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While I love the Axioms for having so much control, and eight pad triggers, I think the best feeling controllers are the Emu ones. They have the feel of a high end synth, while the M-Audio ones feel pretty cheap. I've never played an M Audio board that had good response. I own the the Oxygen and the Keystation Pro 88 and I despise the feel on both of them, but I love the control they offer, so I keep them. Just my 2 cents
 
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