Which MIDI controller/keyboard?

  • Thread starter Thread starter drathbun
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drathbun

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I'm going to purchase a MIDI controller / keyboard and I have my eye on a couple of Edirol models. I've been using a 300lb (j/k) 15 year old Yamaha PF2000 88 key keyboard that I'm happy to get out of my space (I'll play it in the other room when I want to tinkle a bit - I'm not a keyboard player really).

So I'm looking for a very small footprint MIDI controller for my desk. I'm unsure of the pros and cons of some of the features between:

Edirol PCR-M1

and

Edirol PCR-1

The PCR-M1 has an optional AC adapter so the unit doesn't draw power from the USB port. I think this may be a feature I need with all the USB stuff I have hanging out of my notebook (Flash Drive, M-Audio Audiophile, optical mouse, media reader, dongle for a graphics program). But the M1 lacks the audio output of the PCR-1. Edirol says the M1 replaces the audio output with a bunch of MIDI features that make it more comparible to the larger PCR units like the PCR-50 and PCR-80. Is that worth the tradeoff?

I'm a relative newcomer to MIDI so I'm unsure of the difference in the MIDI features of each unit. For my own recording, I just need to create background pads, synth strings and simple drum patterns.

However, I am embarking on a research project looking at linking lighting controllers to digital audio playback for theatrical performances (I'm a theatre professor). I'm working on a project over the next year to link automated moving light consoles (Strand 520i) to a Yamaha DM2000 digital mixer with Tascam Minidiscs and/or hard disk playback. The lighting consoles can be triggered from the mixer with MIDI and/or SMPTE time code and vica-versa. I have a WYSIWYG (stage lighting realization software) front end on the lighting consoles and would like to see how Sonar can help in the editing of the event handling.

Perhaps this is too much information. I would appreciate this forum's usually sage advice about the advantages or disadvantage of these two models in any event. Thanks!
 
I would suggest the former flagship, Roland SK-88 Pro. If your laptop has a serial port, you can use it's included serial port cable that allows 32 channel midi(replaces the Midi cable if wanted). You need to use the AC adaptor though. I have a brand new one for sale, if you are interested.
Also, you would do much better getting a dedicated audio card instead of some
cheap input in a keyboard. I suggest the defacto standard, M-audio Audiophile
2496($99).
 
Well, I don't think the Roland SK-88 Pro can be considered as a "small MIDI-controller".

drathbun, you would get better responses in the MIDI-forum, I think. ;)
 
I like the M-Audio controllers

I had an M-Audio Oxygen 8 which I liked very much. If you aren't a big keyboard player and don't need things like weighted keys and aftertouch, then this is an inexpensive, easy to use, effective solution. It was perfect for triggering soft synths.

I liked it so much I bought the Radium 61, which is essentially the same thing with more sliders and keys. The downside of the Oxygen 8 is you get only 2 octaves. The Radium 49 is an intermediate option (4 octaves)

They have a new model, the O2, which is like the Oxygen 8 but lighter and smaller. This may be the one for you.

If you already have an Audiophile, you don't need the audio inputs that come on some keyboards. I would agree that you are better using dedicated audio hardware for that sort of thing.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I've ordered an Edirol PCRM-1 MIDI controller/keyboard. I have a full 88 weighted key keyboard if I want to play piano (which I just dabble at anyway). The PCRM-1 is so small and thin, it is the perfect size for my desktop and seems to have all the bells and whistles I need for a MIDI controller.

It should arrive next week with my upgrade to Sonar 4.0!
 
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