---MIDI CONTROLLER----

[jojo]

Okay guys, here's the shimmy....

I'm getting a midi controller to tide me over while my Extreme is in the shop for a couple of weeks (don't ask me why so long) to get the start/stop and rec buttons replaced because they wore out.

Anyway, I kind of needed a midi controller to begin with (so I can write and record on the go). It will be going into a backpack with a space for a laptop in the back.

http://www.targus.com/ca/product_details.asp?sku=TCG650
(Oh how I wish I had my MacBook Pro now..but soon enough)

A guy at guitar center offered to hook me up with a sweet little deal:

My choices:
A nice little M-Audio Oxygen 8 25-key for $110
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Oxygen8-main.html
I like the 8 because it's an industry standard (even BT uses one, if I remember correctly) and it's at such a sweet price.. Remember: that's only 10 dollars more than the K25 at retail price!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An M-Audio O2 25-key (low-profile keys. EXTREMELY thin) for $80 something.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/M ... -main.html
The only thing I really hate about the O2 is the lack of a pitch-bend/mod wheel. It has digitally-controlled buttons for that. Imagine doing a nasty synth bend with a pitch-bender you have little control over. Though I haven't had the chance to hear that pitch-bender button in action..I need to do that tomorrow....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Korg K25 Midi controller for $99 or less (they'll give me a deal at GC).

http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_pro ... egory_id=8
I love the joystick!!!!! AWESOME! Even doubles as a mouse!
BUT: NO Value display and only 2 knobs (I'm a cubase beginner, so I guess that is adequate).
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

SO: WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

[jojo]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their lack of participation in this poll! I'm glad to see that I can depend on everyone to help each other out on this site.

Seriously... not cool, guys.. We're supposed to be helping each other out.

Thanks to the person that actually voted.



















Oh, and not that you guys give a $#!t, but I got an Oxygen 8 v2 (v2!!) for $120 with tax! Not bad! Came to $151 with the insurance at GC. FANTASTIC! I LOVE THAT 'BOARD!

[Pilgrim]

Jojo,
I voted having read your first post, but not the second. Just passing by. . .
I would choose the Korg K25 if you need full sized black 'n whites.

It might be the most durable.
I have a KorgKontrol (small keys) and use the black 'n whites only as "switches".
I use it with Sonar and Ableton LIVE!5 and have been really pounding on it for almost a year now and it still holds up . I transport it several times a month, 100 miles wrapped with large PC notebook and either clean or dirty clothes (depends upon direction, West = dirty, East = clean ) in a duffle across passenger seat.
I do not gig though but for portable, use another 49key with full sized keys (Yamaha CBX-K2, wheels and one slider all programmable from the keyboard only, large 2 character LCD.)

I would prefer the KorgKontrol 49 even at price for one unit convenience AND the joy-stick!!

My absolute favorite studio controller is a Kurzweil K2500s (76 key, 8 sliders, 16 channel MIDI, buttons, etc., a great B-3 and a few other nice sounds as well).
About to ADD an OASYS-76 !

I see you got the 8. Not much comment but results under extreme physical abuse are really mixed (Ableton forum).
Probably great for studio though. . .

Pilgrim

[Daz]

Not my area unfortunately ... there was no option for "no clue"

Daz.

[RiotNrrd]

I can't respond because I know nothing about the smaller breed of midi controllers. My StudioLogic SL-990 Pro is waaay too big and heavy to fit in a backpack.

[eddy awada]

the thing that I don't understand about those Midi controllers is that none of them comes with a numeric pads to change patches with, if you want to use it in a studio, then fine but for live I find othe standard synth to be more suitable, such as this one that I us picked up from EBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWN:IT

[Pilgrim]

the thing that I don't understand about those Midi controllers is that none of them comes with a numeric pads to change patches with, if you want to use it in a studio, then fine but for live I find othe standard synth to be more suitable, such as this one that I us picked up from EBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWN:IT

My Yamaha CBX-k3 will send Patch changes and will select banks before.
The keys are used to enter numbers (everything in fact is entered by keys).
I believe that the Korg KorgKontrol will send program changes also.

Neither has a numerical pad (ten key) but why if the keys can be used.
I suspect that most controllers will send program changes.

Pilgrim

[eddy awada]

Neither has a numerical pad (ten key) but why if the keys can be used.
I suspect that most controllers will send program changes.

as I said, all controller can send patch changes, but I'm saying for live playing it sucks to have to use the keyboard for that, it's really not practical

[MartinHines]

My answer would be "it depends".

When I compare the "first generation" Oxygen 8 to the "second gen" O2:
-- the O2 is slightly wider, but shorter in height and depth
-- the O2 has keys that only travel half-depth due to its short height
-- the O2 has more controllers, but it gives up the actual wheels for pitch bend and modulation

Their retail prices are identical, so the trade-off depends on the "normal keys and wheels" versus "more buttons and thinner".

The Korg K25 is listed at nearly 19.5 inches wide (3" wider than Oxygen 8 and 2" wider than O2). I don't know how well this would fit in a backpack. The K25 also doesn't appear to have as many physical controllers, although that multi-function joystick probably supports multiple controllers.

I would suggest testing them out to see which one seems best for you.

You might want to look closely at your "bag", given you want it to hold both a specific laptop and controller. I see that M-Audio has some bags that specifically are designed to hold both (they appear to be taller than a normal backpack):
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=pro ... ID=gigbags

Finally, to REALLY throw you off, here is a list of most of the available controller keyboards. If you plan to use this controller past your "few weeks" you might want to consider a controller with a built-in audio interface or one with more features:
http://www.audiomidi.com/master.cfm?CID=262

For example, if I were looking for a "long term" 25 key controller, I might look at:
-- M-Audio Axiom 25:
http://www.audiomidi.com/Axiom-25-P7638.aspx

-- Novation Remote SL 25:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ReMOTEsl25/

[baldo]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their lack of participation in this poll! I'm glad to see that I can depend on everyone to help each other out on this site.

Seriously... not cool, guys.. We're supposed to be helping each other out.

Thanks to the person that actually voted.

jojo,

r u out there?

[baldo]

jojo,

do you hear we?

[John Hendry]

jojo, look out! I just realized that this midi controller Topic post was written back in 2006.....are you still out there?

Here comes an echo...I use a Fatar 2001 and prefer Fatar's non-graded action used in the StudioLogic SL-990 Pro RiotNrrd uses as well...or used back in 2006....

Only problem with it is it has no polyphonic after touch.....do you hear "we" Korg?

Hay baldo!

"do you hear we?" JFH^^ LOL
_________________
"character is what you do when no one is watching"

That's good....well said, very well said actually. I missed you calling card. Look below when it's your turn..... Same "thing" said differently adding a bit of time to it...I guess there is someone out there after all when "all" is said and done.