MIDI Keyboard for Radias-R

Blankman8503 · Post by **Blankman8503** » Sun May 01, 2011 7:11 pm

I'm looking for a new keyboard to control run through Ableton to control my Radias-R, EMX-1 synths, and Ableton synths. Presently I am using a 33 key keyboard and I would like to get a larger one. I would like one with 49 or more keys, preferably 61 or 88, and easy to change MIDI channels to switch between my synths. I'm not horribly concerned with knobs and faders because it will be mostly controlling hardware and I have an APC40 for controlling ableton synths, though I'm sure i'd find uses for such controls if i had them.

So my questions is what recommendations would people make for a keyboard to meet these requirements? I feel like I should get one with aftertouch so as to be able to take advantage of the radias's capability for that, but is it something that I should really care about?

DaniH · Post by **DaniH** » Sun May 01, 2011 9:09 pm

Any thing from M-Audio I say. I love the midi controllers they have. Oxygen, Radium, and Axiom are all really great.

Novation Remote, Akai MPK, and M-Audio Axiom MKII and Axiom PRO offer auto-mapping/hyper-control so setting up is as easy as plugging in and you're ready.

zalo · Post by **zalo** » Mon May 02, 2011 3:29 pm

For M Audio, only the Axiom line has Aftertouch, not the Oxygen.

I have heard great things about the CME Z-Key and VX v2.

Also the Studiologic VMK-88 Plus.

acemonvw · Post by **acemonvw** » Wed May 04, 2011 1:55 pm

I went through the same thing when I got the radias. I asked around here and now I can't find the forum page.

It was suggested to me to get a keyboard that was at least 61 keys, had velocity and aftertouch, and was a synth already so you get extra sounds.

I bought a used Korg 01/wfd for $225 which had all of those things and it's an amazing keyboard/ROMpler and was much cheaper than most of the MIDI controllers out there. I will say, the Arturia Laboratory keyboard (the new model) looks really nice and has aftertouch.

I liked aftertouch, but... I rarely use it. It's not hard to setup and is pretty cool, but it's just one of those things that's neat but I haven't found a good time to use it.

The keyboard that was suggested to me was the Korg Karma, it's a red-bodied Korg workstation that's fairly nice, but was quite expensive. If I were you, I would look on craigslist or eBay and see if you can find a good old analog synth like the Roland Juno-106 (I don't have it, but I want it) or an FM synth like the Roland D-50. I think a classic synth like the D-50 or the Yamaha DX7 would be a pretty nice controller for your radias and it would give you a lot of different sounds to use. Sometimes you can find some cheap models on craigslist, eBay seems to have much higher prices. But that's certainly dependent on what you're looking for and at what time you're looking for it.

The nice thing about the radias is that you can easily plug in a controller via MIDI and then use the USB output on the radias to USB input in your computer and then you don't need to buy a MIDI to USB cable.

Those are just my thoughts. Hope that helps.

acemonvw · Post by **acemonvw** » Wed May 04, 2011 2:26 pm

Also, I found a Radias keyboard and bought it because I think the Radias just looks way cooler seated in it's own keyboard... but it doesn't have aftertouch and it's hard to find.

Oh, and another reason I got the Korg 01/w. It's deeper (or wider?) than some of the other synth's that I mentioned and you're able to just have the radias sit on top of the 01/w.

zalo · Post by **zalo** » Wed May 04, 2011 4:32 pm

There was a low starting juno 106 on ebay when I checked yesterday, ends in a couple days. You man want to check that out if you are in the states.

Blankman8503 · Post by **Blankman8503** » Thu May 05, 2011 3:17 am

Between my EMX-1, Radias, Ableton, and Reason I really am not in need of more sounds and because it will be used in production it seems like it would be a pain in the ass to try and use it as a stand alone and a MIDI controller, especially since thats why I'm trying to get a new one, to free my R3 up for use or to be able to get rid of it and get another rack mount synth, like a virus or moog; those dreams are far away though.

I greatly appreciate the input and will for sure think about it. Feel free to try and convince me that its pragmatic to go for a stand alone synth to get more sounds. Because we would all love more I think but its a question of practicality and expenditure of resources. I also don't know if I want to radically change my setup by adding another synth. I also don't play my synths live with my solo stuff but sequence them, so a 61+ key kb would be a huge thing to have to have on stage with me and travel with. My R3 doesn't even go out with me except when my band plays, which hasn't happened in over a year.

@acemonvw - that's why I asked about aftertouch - because it seems to be more rare on keyboards and more expensive and I wondered if I would miss it. Before I make a decision I think I need to get ahold of a kb with aftertouch so I can see if its something I'd miss.