R
Room 9
New member
Any thoughts on purchase of a MIDI controller? What to look for? My budget is 100-200 bux, but could go higher if need be. Thanks.
D
dintymoore
Guest
I've been using the M-Audio Evolution ones for a few years. They are built like Bic-lighters but they have lots of features and are light for gigs. I'm using an MK-461C.
For me, I need big mod/pitch wheels and 61 notes is what I prefer. I don't need weighted keys, I actually like the plastic crappy feel of the Evolution keyboards - it's ridiculously fast and can do very short notes.
I had to buy a few keys that broke off, and I ended up buying an old one for parts, but I probably use mine more than most people would.
I use the Mac freebie MidiPipe to set the parameters that my Evolution operates at. It gives much better control than the keyboards onboard controls.
I always buy used off of Craigslist or eBay if I can. If you're not particular, any ol' keyboard with MIDI will work.
For me, I need big mod/pitch wheels and 61 notes is what I prefer. I don't need weighted keys, I actually like the plastic crappy feel of the Evolution keyboards - it's ridiculously fast and can do very short notes.
I had to buy a few keys that broke off, and I ended up buying an old one for parts, but I probably use mine more than most people would.
I use the Mac freebie MidiPipe to set the parameters that my Evolution operates at. It gives much better control than the keyboards onboard controls.
I always buy used off of Craigslist or eBay if I can. If you're not particular, any ol' keyboard with MIDI will work.
grimtraveller
If only for a moment.....
Mais oui, mon ami !
If you use VSTs, I personally think a MIDI keyboard is the way to go though I'm sure there are other ways too. I guess that's what I've gotten used to and they're not expensive - unless you want them to be. I went to see this guy in his studio a couple of months back and he was showing me what could be done in Cubase and he just used a mouse. But I couldn't be bothered with all that. I'm not knocking it because it's another way and increases one's scope, I guess. But I enjoy playing music and much as the technological aspect interests me, it's important that I always keep a musical aspect in there. Playing a MIDI keyboard has taught me so much about learning different expressions for different instruments. For example, playing a sitar requires a different approach to playing the tenor sax, which in turn requires a different approach to the violin, which is different to the bagpipes etc. I use the CME M-Key with 49 notes. You can go up a couple more octaves on it if you really need to.
There's lots of stuff that I haven't even begun to tap with the MIDI controller but I would recommend one to anyone. For simpletons like myself it's been like decayed teeth to a poor dentist !
If you use VSTs, I personally think a MIDI keyboard is the way to go though I'm sure there are other ways too. I guess that's what I've gotten used to and they're not expensive - unless you want them to be. I went to see this guy in his studio a couple of months back and he was showing me what could be done in Cubase and he just used a mouse. But I couldn't be bothered with all that. I'm not knocking it because it's another way and increases one's scope, I guess. But I enjoy playing music and much as the technological aspect interests me, it's important that I always keep a musical aspect in there. Playing a MIDI keyboard has taught me so much about learning different expressions for different instruments. For example, playing a sitar requires a different approach to playing the tenor sax, which in turn requires a different approach to the violin, which is different to the bagpipes etc. I use the CME M-Key with 49 notes. You can go up a couple more octaves on it if you really need to.
There's lots of stuff that I haven't even begun to tap with the MIDI controller but I would recommend one to anyone. For simpletons like myself it's been like decayed teeth to a poor dentist !
R
Room 9
New member
Decaying teeth...love the imagery and I welcome the insight. Thx
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