Synthesiser or Controller Keyboard

[Krakit]

I simply prefer to have the actual keyboard as opposed to the module. I feel that each keyboard has it's own character, the feel of the keys, the pitch bend, and each keyboard has different controllers... some have ribbon strips some have knobs etc... So for each project I try to use a different keyboard from the last one... that way I end up with something completely different from the last project.

But all of these things are available on MIDI controllers, plus you aren't locked into one particular configuration over another.

Some keyboards use a joystick type of pitch bend/modulation controller (for example). You'd be locked into using that particular interface with the sounds that come out of that keyboard.

By using controllers instead, you can decide to use wheels instead. A weighted action over a synth action. As long as new controllers come out every year, the varieties are literally endless.

Suppose you buy a keyboard that isn't particularly suited to glissando but has a really good Hammond sound, you'd have to "make do" with the best organ smeers that you can wrestle out of it, but with a module, you can pick the best keyboard for the job.

It's like buying a camera with a permenant lens on it. You'll never get to use telephoto or wide angle without buying another entire camera. You'll always have to make due with the same lens all the time. I can't see how that would be preferable.

You state that

So for each project I try to use a different keyboard from the last one... that way I end up with something completely different from the last project.

Well, I don't see how locking yourself into the same keyboard for a particular sound generator lends itself to this philosophy. It seems to be just the opposite to me. Instead of giving yourself infinite options, you've actually locked yourself into just one.

Carl

 

[Trak]

Krakit,

You seem to be looking at it as though there's some absolute science involved. I'm simply not a rack guy, and I like the different feel of different keyboards.

 

[TexRoadkill]

That question is like what do you prefer- mixers or channel strips. The advantages to each is obvious. It's usually convenience vs. flexibility.

The hardest part of any large midi setup is the intial setup. Once you have everything working together backup everything so you can always restore the systems to their best settings.

I used to tech for a classical/new age keyboard player and he had this mammoth Wakeman'esqe rig. I always had our default channel assignments, patches and everything on PCM cards for each keyboard so even if we replaced one with a rental unit we were ready to go right out of the box.

No matter what route you go its a good idea to develop your own method for storing sounds and banks. If you copy the basic General Midi method for patches or make your own system than you know on any keyboard or module you have that your Pianos are always in the 10's, basses in the 20's, etc. Then when you want to audition different sounds you can easily pick the right group of patches without even looking at the rack.

 

[subtractor]

Don't fuck around... Get synths. Nothing beats a real instrument. Modules are definitely the way to go after 2 or 3 boards are aquired. But if it's your first one do yourself a favor and get a nice synth. Unless you po...

 

[Krakit]

Don't fuck around... Get synths. Nothing beats a real instrument. Modules are definitely the way to go after 2 or 3 boards are aquired. But if it's your first one do yourself a favor and get a nice synth. Unless you po...

If there is a module equivilant to any synth, buy it instead. All modules are just as good as the dedicated keyboard variety, some are better. Being stuck with a keyboard is a DRAWBACK not an enhancement. Paying EXTRA for this DRAWBACK is preposterous.

Carl

 

[subtractor]

Carl, the question is "controller or keyboard"...
Why do you like modules? Because you already have how many keyboards? And why do you like it that way? Because you have a variety of keyboard types with different action and sizes... Right?
I agree. Modules are just fine. If you have something to control them with.
Now would you trade the feel of your various synths for some crappy light weight controller?

If you don't have a controller of any sort, I recommend using a synth a the controller. Once you have 2 or 3 sets of keys for controlling with, then buy modules...

 

[sacredparadigm]

gotta throw in my 2 cents on this:

i have never liked modules and would always prefer the keyboard version for one reason only:

having everything in front of me. i am thinking more about live playing. being able to adjust every parameter, not just what your controller can hangle. i understand that controllers are getting more complex (more knobs, sliders, and such). but it's still not enough. and honestly, for most controllers- all you can do is just hit the keys, that's 20% of the fun of synthesizers. the other 80% is messing with knobs.

 

[SonicAlbert]

It's really a question of practicality. I use the controler/module setup by necessity. I have five keyboards, two of them controllers and three of them synths. The synths sit unused in the garage except for the times when I can get away with a 61 note controller at a gig. The rest of the time I take my Roland A70 on gigs, thanks to it's 76 keys. The 88 note controller stays in the studio at all times.

The issue of practicality is a very real one for me. I play shows of a fairly wide variety, in different theaters and on tour too. I need to be able to mix and match synths to suit the job. I also need to be able to transport as small and light a keyboard rig to each gig as possible. If it's a question of taking an XV-88, PK-6, and Kurzweil K2500 keyboards *or* an XV-5080, Proteus 2000, and K2500R, I'll take the rack version 100% of the time. It's hard enough getting through airports these days, without travelling with numerous large keyboard ATA cases.

In addition, there's a lot of programming advantages to using a controller/module setup. It allows the modules to function as one big synth, freely layering and splitting between the various modules within one patch on the controller. Programming tricks are possible that are not if using dedicated keyboards for every sound.

In my studio I use a master controller with modules as well. The controller is patched through the computer sequencer (Digital Performer), and echoed to whatever synth is selected in the tracks window. Addressing each synth is as easy as selecting the appropriate track in DP. I never have to take my hand off the keyboard except to hit the cursor buttons up or down to select tracks. This is very fast and efficient. Cabling is also a lot easier and neater, since it can be hidden behind the racks.

Also, I can have a lot of synths in front of me, not something possible if using keyboards. For example, as I sit here I have 9 synths within arms reach, directly in front of my playing position. This actually makes editing easier, as modules have editing interfaces too, just like their keyboard counterparts. It's not necessary to use the controller to attempt to edit the synth. I never do that, always use the module interface itself.

Finally, there is the issue of space. I simply do not have the space for multiple keyboards in my studio. There's a workflow that I want to achieve, and it would not be possible to achieve that with the room filled with keyboards. I currently have 18 synth modules in my studio, and obviously that would be a lot of keyboards. Overall, in a large midi setup, the controller/module route is the only way to go unless you really have a lot of space to play with and like moving around your room a lot.

It's also a matter of habit. Some people just like to associate the keyboard with the sound. The touch of the keyboard is as important to them as the sound, and is part of the creativity. I understand that.

However, I would have to say that every keyboard module that I've played responds to midi just as well as if it was the keyboard version. There's no difference in that regard.

Using the DX7 as an example is also not really fair, as that was *very* early midi and is well known for having that limitation. Most if not all professional keyboards since then, including the DX7II, transmit the full 0-127 and controller 7.

To sum up, I don't think this is really an issue for people to get upset about, as it is so much a matter of personal taste and practicality. It's not like one is better than the other, only that one is better than the other for different situations and for different work habits.