MIDI Controller - Some Questions

Malice

I'm looking to pick up a MIDI controller keyboard. I suppose my first question is what one would be recommended? I've seen a few recommendations for the M-Audio Oxygen series on other forums so the next question I have is whether there is much of a difference between the 49 and 61 key versions (apart from the extra keys obviously ) For anyone that has used both, do you find yourself using the extra keys? I'm just concerned that saving a few quid and going for the smaller version will end up coming back to bite me but at the same time I'm not sure if it's worth paying more for keys I'll never use.

Rockshamrover

Malice_ wrote: »

I'm looking to pick up a MIDI controller keyboard. I suppose my first question is what one would be recommended? I've seen a few recommendations for the M-Audio Oxygen series on other forums so the next question I have is whether there is much of a difference between the 49 and 61 key versions (apart from the extra keys obviously ) For anyone that has used both, do you find yourself using the extra keys? I'm just concerned that saving a few quid and going for the smaller version will end up coming back to bite me but at the same time I'm not sure if it's worth paying more for keys I'll never use.

I have a 49 key Novation midi keyboard and it's great. I tried the M-Audio ones but I just didn't like them.

49 keys is more than enough if you are just using it for recording. The 61 is probably for actual keyboard players. They look great but it's probably five foot long so space is a big consideration.

dyer

the extra keys give you extra octaves, or more range so to speak.

im keen to pick up an e-mu when ive got the cash to spare

http://www.emu.com/products/category.asp?category=532

Malice

Rockshamrover wrote: »

I have a 49 key Novation midi keyboard and it's great. I tried the M-Audio ones but I just didn't like them.

49 keys is more than enough if you are just using it for recording. The 61 is probably for actual keyboard players. They look great but it's probably five foot long so space is a big consideration.

Do you have a link for that Novation keyboard? I don't see a 49 key one on Thomann. Space isn't a factor for me as I have a nice big room to put the keyboard in . As for playing versus recording, I'd like to do both.

dyer wrote: »

im keen to pick up an e-mu when ive got the cash to spare

http://www.emu.com/products/category.asp?category=532

That looks a bit pricey. I'm guessing part of the price is the "Proteus X2 Streaming Sound Module" that comes with it. I will just be using it with specific VSTs so paying for a sound module I'll probably never use doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

dyer

the 49 key of each is 189 dollars afaik

i checked the specs of that m-audio oxygen, doesnt seem to mention aftertouch anywhere?

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.main&ID=ffd1ae78da2bfd6bbc80180f03c27d56&showing=specs

Malice

dyer wrote: »

the 49 key of each is 189 dollars afaik

i checked the specs of that m-audio oxygen, doesnt seem to mention aftertouch anywhere?

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.main&ID=ffd1ae78da2bfd6bbc80180f03c27d56&showing=specs

Wikipedia is handy sometimes. I had no idea what aftertouch was in the context of keyboards.

On electronic keyboards and synthesizers, pressure sensitivity is sometimes called aftertouch. The aftertouch sensors detect whether the musician is continuing to exert pressure after the initial strike of the key. The aftertouch feature allows keyboard players to change the tone or sound of a note after it is struck, the way that singers, wind players, or bowed instrument players can do. On some keyboards, sounds or synth voices have a preset pressure sensitivity effect, such as a swell in volume (mimicking a popular idiomatic style of vocal performance with melodies) or the addition of vibrato. On some keyboards, the player can select which effects are applied when aftertouch is detected. This allows a performer to custom-tailor the effect that they desire. It may also facilitate the imitation of various non-keyboard instruments. For example, a keyboardist who wishes to imitate the sound of a heavy metal guitar solo could use a distortion guitar sound, and then set the aftertouch feature to apply a pitch bend to the note.

Considering I'd no idea what it was 5 minutes ago I'm not sure it's all that important but I could well be wrong.

Rockshamrover

Hi Malice,

Here's the link to the current model,I have the older one.

This one has aftertouch. Very important for expressiveness I believe:)

http://www.novationmusic.com/products/midi_controller/sl_mkii

Doge

It depends on what type of music you wish to play malice.

For something like jazz and classical you'd need more than 49,
but for electronic music its more than enough imo.

A 49-key keyboard fits nicely in the pull out drawer for computer keyboards on most desks too.

Malice

waveform wrote: »

It depends on what type of music you wish to play malice.

For something like jazz and classical you'd need more than 49,
but for electronic music its more than enough imo.

A 49-key keyboard fits nicely in the pull out drawer for computer keyboards on most desks too.

Good point. I'm not a fan of jazz so I certainly won't be playing any of that. I doubt I'd be playing much classical either. As for keeping the keyboard on a desk, I had envisioned sticking it on a stand as my desk doesn't have a pull out keyboard drawer.