Small MIDI keyboard, with built in sounds? Does it even exist?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SlowerHand
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SlowerHand

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I'm looking for a small portable MIDI controller type 25-key keyboard, but so far I've only found pure MIDI controllers. I want one with built-in sounds, so that the keyboard is a standalone instrument, should I for whatever reason not have access to a computer etc.

Any ideas? Does this even exist?
 
What about the crapper Casio types you see on Craigslist for $10? If they have MIDI out they'd work but the don't have controllers... Casio did make one that took off in the 80's that had a pitch wheel. Like most synths, those Casio's did have about 3 sounds out of 300 that were good... the cheezy organ sounds were often great.

As far as modern ones... nope. It seems like only a matter of time before some company makes one you can dump softsynths in.

I use a Roland SC-8850 module and I have a SC-8820 that was basically the same. Roland did make a SK-500 which only has 1 fader and is 49 keys, but it does have great sounds built in, probably the closest thing you'll find (and good luck finding one!). Here it is: http://www.synthman.com/roland/134960.html
 
If you dont want to go the cheap Casio/Yamaha route,
you could pick up a $300 netbook and run soundfonts or other vst's with
a usb keyboard cheaper than a purpose-built keyboard.

I've been running Reaper on my Toshiba NB-205 with a M-Audio Keystation49usb
and it rocks as a portable music maker/vacation daw. Several dozen tracks easily.
For even more simplicity you could just run a free vst host (I use Toybear's Minihost).
By the way, my netbook has a 9-hour battery life so you can go all day with 'em....
 
computers and MIDI controllers

Speaking of, I need to look into this too, TimObrien. I'm contemplating upgrading my Kurzweil K2500XS and fixing my Novation Supernova II due to static, and I'll have to lay out about $3,700, I figure. I have known about using Laptops live in gigs, but for whatever reason, just have not investigated it as much as I should have. Strange, too, since I'm so into computers.
 
yeah thats what was holding me back :)


damn I wish i hadnt seen it....priced an ipod touch (I hate i pods) and whats actually available software wise...i have to have one, im going to take it to the pub! lol
 
Your choice depends upon what type of sounds you want.

You can get a 37-key Korg microKorg XL keyboard/controller for around $499 US and has 128 sounds, a vocoder, and a USB connection so you don't even have to have another MIDI interface when used with a computer. But, this one has a slant toward electronica/house/techno. Also check out the microKorg and the R3 (probably the most flexible out of the Korg lot as far as different styles/sounds).

There's also the Novation Xio25, a 25-key polyphonic synth and controller. But, again, this one is a virtual analogue type synth and has a slant toward techno. Also check out the Novation UltraNova.

The Alesis Micron 37-key mini-synth would be another less flexible option. Again, this is an analogue type synth really designed for techno/electronica/etc.

It seems that several options exist in the small package/techno realm, but fewer options are available when looking for general sounds for all around production with natural sounding patches such as piano, strings, guitar, etc. This might require the separate sound module/rack mounted module that others were referring to as a real solution. But, the mini-synths/controllers mentioned might get you working portably.
 
Oops, I totally forgot about the Korg microX and that's probably the most flexible of all the mini keyboards with the broadest sound set! Check it out. 25-keys, great sound set courtesy of the Triton's HI Synthesis sound engine, and a powerful little keyboard. The sounds may be a little dated since they mostly come from an 8+ year old workstation, but it is that powerful and can double as a good little controller on the go.
 
dintymoore said:
What about the crapper Casio types you see on Craigslist for $10? If they have MIDI out they'd work but the don't have controllers... Casio did make one that took off in the 80's that had a pitch wheel. Like most synths, those Casio's did have about 3 sounds out of 300 that were good... the cheezy organ sounds were often great.
Click to expand...

The ones with hundreds of sounds were romplers. The CZ-101 and HT-600 were real synthesizers. But they weren't velocity sensitive, and the keys were mid-sized, so not ideal for a controller.
 
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