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TIGSource ForumsDeveloperAudioNeed suggestions for getting a midi keyboard
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EasterlyArt
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« on: March 15, 2015, 10:30:03 PM »

So after being on the struggle bus for nearly four years, I am finally looking into getting a midi keyboard to hook up to my maschine so I can finally compose music without having to slam my fingers on a beat pad. My budget is kind of limited to under $150 at the moment, and under $100 would be wonderful! I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something that has a midi in/out and the pitch/mod wheels. Don't suppose any of you know a couple of good models I could look into? Thanks!
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« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2015, 11:20:32 PM »

If you're just starting out, you could pick up an M-Audio KeyStation used on either Ebay or Craigslist. There's different sizes available. I have the tiny ones in the studio, but I only use those for triggering, not playing - i play on the QS8 in the studio. The nice thing about the M-Audio controllers is that they usually have USB interface as well as regular 9pin DIN midi.

I actually prefer something that isn't hollow and plasticy feeling, so I myself run with an Alesis QS8 full weighted 88keys with piano  hammmeraction. Then again I'm a keyboard player, and use it heavily for plahying in my music.

It really depends on your needs as to what features to look out for in a keyboard. I also prefer full sized keyboards to those short stubby 32keys, 49 or 63 keys. Those are good for triggering samples, but suck the life out of improv / composition when you run out of notes to play.


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EasterlyArt
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« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2015, 03:27:30 AM »


Thank you! That does help a little bit with giving me a better direction of brands and kind of keyboards to look for. Full weighted keys does sounds like something I would desire, and possibly would raise my price cap for. I grew up with a piano in my house, and no light weight plastic keys could ever compare to the sort of euphoric feeling of the actual thing. Not to mention it would probably give me a better sense of control for certain sounds that are sensitive to velocity.

While doing searches for midi keyboards, I noticed many of the current models only have midi out with usb, and I'm looking for midi in and out because of how I would like my Maschine is set up to work. Kind of hard to weed out a lot of these other keyboards, or find a comprehensive list of ones that have the specs I need.

My ideal for getting the keyboard is so I can not only mess around with composing melodies with synths, but to also mess with guitar sounds like bass when I make funk songs. Kills me when I want to make a good bass line and I have to just stare down at those 16 pads of doom haha. The subtlety of how the bass guitar sound I have is nice, ranging in it's sound based on velocity. 49 or 63 may be a good place for me to start looking, but 88 keys does sound tempting.
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Díoltas
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« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2015, 07:40:38 AM »

It depends what you're playing. I love having a full size electric piano with weighted keys for when I actually want to play piano or some orchestral instruments that require some dynamics. I don't like playing drums and other heavy stuff on it though so I'm looking to get something cheap and cheerful for bashing on as well. I used to have a technics and now have a Yamaha p-60 and they both have the 5pin MIDI in and out. no USB though. Older models tended to have the 5pin midi and usually have both in and out by default so you might find something second hand to suit you better. Brand new these things can cost upwards of 1000euro but there;s always bargains to be found out there. Well worth investing in imo if you want something decent to play on. By the way electric pianos even with weighted keys still never feel quite the same as a real piano Wink but it's as close as you'll get hehe

Edit: reading this back now I think I went on a bit of a tangeant to the OP's question. sorry! I guess what you can take from this is to maybe save up a bit more cash and invest in something that does everything you want rather than settling for what you can get your hands on right now Smiley
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EasterlyArt
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« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2015, 01:41:16 PM »

I guess what you can take from this is to maybe save up a bit more cash and invest in something that does everything you want rather than settling for what you can get your hands on right now Smiley

Sounds like a good idea. Thank you!
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« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2015, 07:38:10 PM »

Check what's available on your local Craigslist, see if that stuff meets your needs. [:
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SanctusAudio
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« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2015, 09:45:09 AM »

So after being on the struggle bus for nearly four years, I am finally looking into getting a midi keyboard to hook up to my maschine so I can finally compose music without having to slam my fingers on a beat pad. My budget is kind of limited to under $150 at the moment, and under $100 would be wonderful! I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something that has a midi in/out and the pitch/mod wheels. Don't suppose any of you know a couple of good models I could look into? Thanks!

I suggest an "Oxygen49". AMAZING midi controller.(Its what i use). If I remember correctly, it was 150 when I bought it. Pitch wheel, Mod wheel, Multiple knobs/levers to assign whatever functions you want. Control of octave range/volume/stop,play, pause, record ect.. I really can't say enough good things about it. I use flstudio and have not had problem 1 with it. You plug it into your computer via Usb and then play, its as simple as that!
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MoritzPGKatz
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« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2015, 06:34:23 AM »

Hey,

Get a used one!
New ones for 100-150 bucks are pretty much trash and you'll buy twice.

If you're looking for good value for your small budget and have your focus on a good key response (which I advise):
Best advice I can give is to try and get one with a Fatar keyboard - like Studiologic, Novation or Doepfer.

You can always add encoders, faders and buttons to taste with additional gadgets like Korg's nanoPAD or one of the Behringer control stations (BCR/BCF2000) which are surprisingly sturdy for Behringer's reputation.

If you're looking for good knobs to fiddle with and want an okay 49-key board, get something like an E-MU Xboard49 (mine has been running flawlessly for ten years in the old project studio).
Maybe you can find a newer one by Akai or Novation with endless/lighted encoders, those are nice to have. I wouldn't give too much thought to flashy features like Automap though.

In my experience M-Audio and Alesis have proven bad choices in this product segment.
Rolands are nice, but they always put the Mod Wheel and Pitch Bend on one little joystick and I'm no fan of it.

Just some thoughts on this - Best of luck!

Cheers,
Moritz
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« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2015, 04:59:02 PM »

I suggest you the M-Audio Keystation 49 MkII. It just works. Don't get anything fancy!
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EasterlyArt
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« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2015, 05:54:29 AM »

After looking around at many options, and looking at everyone's suggestions, there was one option that was kind of right under my nose the whole time. Apparently Native Instruments created a keyboard that integrates with it's programs. The downside is that if I go for that I'm going to be biting one hell of a huge bullet and dumping a ton of cash on it. Though when I first got my Maschine, it wasn't cheap by any means. I feel like this particular keyboard will work will with the work flow I am familiar with when using Maschine, so making the transition should be nearly seamless.

Thank you everyone who has given suggestions. If I don't end up getting enough to throw at a Komplete Keyboard, I'll most likely go for one of the keyboards listed in this thread.
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« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2015, 06:39:13 AM »

And I'm back already to say that my mac is too old to handle the Komplete Kontrol S Series keyboards haha Tongue

Damn NI hating on Snowleopard.
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« Reply #11 on: April 08, 2015, 01:29:30 PM »

That's a nice find actually. Hadn't seen that keyboard before and I'm looking for a keyboard at the moment to go with my electric piano. Looks like it may be overly complex for what I need though ^^. Still though....tempting... if nothing else then just to play around with  Cheesy
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EasterlyArt
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« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2015, 04:37:17 AM »

That's a nice find actually. Hadn't seen that keyboard before and I'm looking for a keyboard at the moment to go with my electric piano. Looks like it may be overly complex for what I need though ^^. Still though....tempting... if nothing else then just to play around with  Cheesy

It really is, especially for me. Just stinks that I need OSX 10.8 and up for it. I ended up finding that the Akai MPK249 is right up my alley for what I'm looking for. Specs seem to be good, despite the price being double what I am looking for. Though I think it would be worth it to save $400 and never have to spend another dime for a good number of years.
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