Which Midi Controller Should I buy.

J

justanotherjo

New member
I want to buy a Midi controller primarily for use with the rhythm machine and bass sequencer built into my Boss 1600CD multi-track. I’m looking for something small and compact that may, when I have a computer that’s not so old and temperamental, also be used for computer based applications. I plan to buy a decent synth/sequencer/sampler in the not so distant future.

I think I’ve narrowed it down to either the Edirol PCR-M30 32-Key MIDI or the M-Audio Axiom 25 25-Key USB MIDI. Any thoughts on these?

Here are links for further reference:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Edirol-PCRM30-32Key-MIDI-Controller?sku=705372
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Axiom-25-25Key-USB-MIDI-Controller?sku=706313

Thanks,

Joe.
 
Go with the M-Audio Axiom but order it by phone, not online.

Get the name of the person you talk to, and his or her supervisor in case you need to complain.

They say in the Musicians Fiend listing that they're 'in stock' but the Fiends will happily take your money and leave you dangling. The Axioms are hot right now and there a guy on this very board who's been waiting for his since March.

(Which may have been resolved by now, considering it's June...)
 
ssscientist said:
Go with the M-Audio Axiom but order it by phone, not online.

Get the name of the person you talk to, and his or her supervisor in case you need to complain.

They say in the Musicians Fiend listing that they're 'in stock' but the Fiends will happily take your money and leave you dangling. The Axioms are hot right now and there a guy on this very board who's been waiting for his since March.

(Which may have been resolved by now, considering it's June...)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. My local music store a couple in stock so I will probably pick it up there. The prices are comparable.

Joe.
 
ssscientist said:
Go with the M-Audio Axiom but order it by phone, not online.

Get the name of the person you talk to, and his or her supervisor in case you need to complain.

They say in the Musicians Fiend listing that they're 'in stock' but the Fiends will happily take your money and leave you dangling. The Axioms are hot right now and there a guy on this very board who's been waiting for his since March.

(Which may have been resolved by now, considering it's June...)
Click to expand...

What's wrong with the Edirol? Or, why would you pick the Axiom over it?
 
TravisinFlorida said:
What's wrong with the Edirol? Or, why would you pick the Axiom over it?
Click to expand...
IMHO, the Axiom has a better feeling keyboard. It also adds aftertouch for more expression and control over whatever is on the other end of the midi wire.

It also has eight handy pads for banging on, it's own editor/librarian and Ableton's Live Lite --- the 4 audio track, 4 midi track version of the great Ableton Live...

On the downside I don't like endless knobs in this context, and the Axiom has those.

On balance though it's pros are enough to outweigh it's cons and give it my pick over the Edirol.

In my humble opinion, of course...


:D
 
Axiom...25....61

It says on M-audio's site that the Axiom 25's are shipping so you may be in luck there...

For me...The Axiom 61's are shipping at the end of June...because of a huge demand and they have to manufacture more, that is according to the email I received from them....which when translated means,

We announced and promoted these units 2 month's before we should have......
 
earle said:
It says on M-audio's site that the Axiom 25's are shipping so you may be in luck there...

For me...The Axiom 61's are shipping at the end of June...because of a huge demand and they have to manufacture more, that is according to the email I received from them....which when translated means,

We announced and promoted these units 2 month's before we should have......
Click to expand...

Which also translates to: "we wanted to establish the impression that these products are in high demand so we announced and heavily promoted a small initial run to create a 'buzz' around the product." Marketing 101.

I experienced the same thing with Boss last week. I attended a clinic/sales pitch for the BR1600CD at which the home recording specialist trotted out the BR600. The store had one in stock and it would probably be two-three months before they were manufactured and shipped again. It did seem like a decent unit though.

The problem I'm having is that I would like to try the Edirol and the Axiom sidee-by-side but the stores that I can get to only have stock of one or the other.

I think I've decided on the Axiom, though, because of the drum pads and I'll primarily be using the unit to program drum loops. The weighted keys also factored into my decision.

The only thing the Edirol unit seems to have that the Axiom does not is sliders. The Axiom had a few other features that seem useful--though as a novice to Midi, I'm not sure exactly what I need. I know I won't be able to use most of the features with the BR1600. So in the end, as ssscientist suggest, it becomes a balancing act, and I think the Axiom wins.

Any comments on the reliability or quality of the products? I'm usually very happy with the quality of Roland products, though I have little experience with their Edirol line. I also have little experience with M-Audio.

Joe
 
You might have luck trying both of them out at Long & Mcquade in Burlington, they probably carry both of those units.

As for Roland they've been ok with me, I bought a VG-8 when they first came out....no problems yet
 
Just got the PCR-M50, unfortunately I got the demo model for a great price (last one in the shop) and it has some issues with some of the keys not working. I called the guy from the shop and he said he will get it replaced in a couple days when the new stock comes in; he also said he would do it for the same price:)

Anyways, I have played the Edirol for a couple of days (avoiding those shitty keys and I think its nice to play, the knobs and sliders and the buttons all work very well and feel pretty comfortable. I would have probably preferred to get Ableton packaged instead of Sonar but hey, I never use the (light) software thats bundled anyway.

I don’t know about buying from the net or over the phone; when I buy a new piece of gear I go down my local music shop, pitch a tent in there and tell the guy, "hey! I'm not leaving until I'm 100% sure about this thing".

On a funny note:) You should have seen my gf when I told here it doesn’t actually play any sound lol.

Try before you buy!

Cheers

Michael.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top