Please help me choose a controller

[Springo]

Here is what I am looking for - 1) A controller that has knobs and sliders that I can use with Reason 3.0 and a couple of other programs. 2) An onboard keyboard. I do not need a large one but I would like to be able to compose in at least E and A. 3) Price range of approximately $150-250 is the target for now. I have considered the following, among others.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MK449C-main.html
http://edirol.com/products/info/pcr50.html
http://www.arbitermt.co.uk/index_cme.htm (The UF5 model)
http://korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=KONTROL49&category_id=1


I also looked a couple of nice M-Audio units that had audio interfaces. I really like this one but I am not sure if I need it
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Ozonic-main.html
I do not travel with my setup, and do not own a laptop. My setup is based at my house, and I already have an Audigy 2 Platinum with the audio drive inputs, as well as a Guitar Port with an instrument line input. Would I benefit from an audio interface in any way? They said something about an advantage to recording if you have the audio interface, but I'm not sure what they mean by that.

And, if I was not going to use the keyboard, I like the looks of this Edirol unit
http://edirol.com/products/info/ur80.html Which brings me to the question of
how often do you guys compose with, or otherwise use, keyboards? I am no keyboard wizard but I can stay in key and in time, and compose with one. But I am not sure how necessary one is, because as a newbie I don't know these sort of things. Maybe you set set the key and then adjust it real time with a parameter? And unless you are a dedicated keyboard player, maybe you don't really need it? Although I have a feeling that I will want one. But I totally do not know, so please help!

THANKS!

 

[Springo]

I've narrowed it down to these two. I can't really tell which one is better for me. I think that the M-Audio will have more advanced programming and memory features and be easier for a newbie like myself to learn as well as having some nice features like drawbar mode ; whereas the CME has semi-weighted keys, dedicated chunky transport controls (I like that feature), and other high end features for a low price such as aftertouch support, breath controller input, and metal construction. The price is about the same with the CME about $20 more.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MK449C-main.html

http://www.arbitermt.co.uk/index_cme.htm (UF5 model)

 

[fraserhutch]

Do a search in the Keyboard forum - there are many excellent replies to this question there.

 

[Springo]

I haven't gotten much help or opinions in any of the threads - not complaining though. But it's led me to doing more and more research. I'm now fairly stuck on a Novation X-Station 25 and plan to purchase one. Dang that budget sure shot up quickly...

 

[Canobliss]

I'm now fairly stuck on a Novation X-Station 25 and plan to purchase one. Dang that budget sure shot up quickly...

If your main purpose is for controlling software synths, get the Novation Remote 25, 49, 61 they are midi controllers and are far cheaper than the x-stations. It is designed specifically for software synths like reason and comes with templates for all of the modules in Reason.

 

[travelin travis]

I have an edirol pcr-30. it does what I want and have had no problems out of it yet. I use it for Reason, Sonar, and BFD (I hate BFD). Reason makes things pretty damn easy.....right click a button or knob on your screen, up comes a little menu with "learn" mode. move a slider or knob or press a key or button on the edirol. thats it. functions programmed. no need for pre made templates. just setup all your knobs, faders, etc. and save the session for using as a custom template.