Entry level Midi Controller/Keyboard?

[TwwIX]

For the musicians here among us. Could you please suggest me a good entry level Midi Controller. I have been fooling around with Fruity Loops for a while now and i am enjoying it immensely. I have always been passionate about music. Especially when it comes to classical, instrumental and electronic music. The fusion of these three genres has always fascinated me. I never really convinced myself to try out a musical instrument or anything of the like though. I don't know, i blame laziness and lack of self esteem.
Anyway, i really want to start dedicating myself to this and i'd be grateful if you can give me any pointers. Thanks.

 

[Vegeta897]

Super cheap desperation: http://www.zzounds.com/item--KORNANOKEY

Cheapest 49: http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOKEYRIG49

25 w/ knobs: http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOKEYRIG25

25 w/ more knobs and quality: http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU7700

49 w/ more knobs and quality: http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU7705

I own that last one there, it's a great board.

I personally couldn't live with less than 49 keys.

 

[Viperidae]

Whatever you do, don't go for semi- or fully weighted unless you're spending over $700. The keys tend to be a lot looser, and I've found entire keyboards can get unstable because of lack of heaviness.

 

[TwwIX]

Thx for replying this quickly.

Which brands should i look out for?

I hear that M-Audio and Korg make good products.

Also, what do i need to look out for on a midi keyboard? (Knobs, controllers, octaves etc.)

Cheers!

 

[Vegeta897]

Behringer is probably the only brand you might want to shy away from, if you can.

Edirol is probably the top brand and thus most expensive.

The features of a controller are entirely up to you.

4 octaves (49 keys) I would say is the minimum. And unless your a piano-fag like viper, you don't need any more than that. I'd only go with 25 if you need something compact or do not expect to use it for more than simply helping your creative process in coming up with melodies/chords. You really cut the cost by cutting your octaves, and can boost up on other features or a more quality brand instead.

I actually have found that I almost never use the knobs on my board. I would only ever use them if there was some automation I wanted to record that would be best done live, as opposed to drawing it in the program directly. Or if I was having some kind of software jam session, which I don't really do ever. Same goes for sliders, though having a set of those if you're into live mixing would be nice.

Drum pads is a less common feature among the cheap boards, but I sure wish I had some on mine. Drumming with the keys is not bad at all though. I'd only consider pads necessary if you are into finger drumming.

 

[TwwIX]

How does this one compare to the Emu one? http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOOXYGEN49
Besides the knobs.

 

[Viperidae]

Don't buy into Edirol if you can. Featurewise they're identical to cheaper keyboards, and I think in fact they have worse ergonomics (their knobs are stiff as hell and made out of hard rubber = slip in your fingers). The only advantage is they're built a little stronger.

4 octaves (49 keys) I would say is the minimum. And unless your a piano-fag like viper, you don't need any more than that. I'd only go with 25 if you need something compact or do not expect to use it for more than simply helping your creative process in coming up with melodies/chords. You really cut the cost by cutting your octaves, and can boost up on other features or a more quality brand instead.

You mean maximum, not minimum. And I'd only want >49 if it were fully weighted.

The Oxygen seems to be cheaper, that's it. Most of the stuff like 'on the fly integration' and all the software programming is useless bullshit you'll never use. The main difference you'll find is the feel of the keys and their action.

Best recommendation is to go to a store that has them on display and try them. Qonfused has an Oxygen too, and even made a review of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6hduQZQ-nY Maybe he'll drop a word after having it for 2 years?

 

[TwwIX]

Cool. Thanks for sharing the video. Yeah, i am definitely gonna go see if i can find a store that sells either one of them. I think Best Buy sells some M-Audio controllers. Hopefully there's a good music store around here somewhere. I just moved. Anyway, i've checked out a few videos of both of the controllers and neither one of them seem to be as intimidating as i thought they would be.

By the way, if you have any others tips to share such as software other hardware related or websites that i should check out, please do. Thank You.

 

[Vegeta897]

Assuming you don't have a pro audio card, you'll want to download ASIO4ALL, which is an audio driver that you should use with whatever music software you work with. ASIO drivers let you reduce the latency between you hitting a key on your board and the computer receiving that info and playing the sound. Or something like that. The latency from using normal audio card drivers is usually very noticeable and horrible to work with.

http://www.asio4all.com/

Buying a pro audio card (look on ZZounds) is a good idea if you have the money and plan on doing more with software music creating.

Viper and I have the M-Audio Audiophile 2496.

 

[Viperidae]

Wtf no, I have the 192.

 

[TCfromBN]

Novation.

Though, not exactly entry level, they make some quality products.