Back to Music front pageBack to CDM community forum indexBack to Motion front page
FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups  
Log in
Loading..
Username:   Password:
Create Digital Noise Forum Index  »  Hardware  »  Favorite MIDI controller?
 This forum is locked: you cannot post, reply to, or edit topics.   This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.
Page 1 of 5    Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next

Favorite MIDI controller?
Author Message
Doc
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 6:54 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 9 Location: CT
Figured I'd get a sense of what other people are using - I keep it pretty simple, Oxygen8 with a newly puchased Trigger Finger.
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
PeterKirn
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:01 pm Reply with quote
Site Admin Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 822 Location: New York, NY
You know, my favorite controller du jour is currently the Edirol PCR-M80. I'll try to get a review together soon once the new site is up, but after some kind of lame Edirol gear, I think this one feels great. It finally has a real Roland feel to it, which makes a lot of its competitors (ahem, not naming names) just feel cheap. But it's like $220 street for 61 keys. None of those slick new automap features or LCD screens to show what knob you're using, but I kind of feel like, if it feels good, I'll tape on the labels if I have to. Wink

Anyone else tried the new Edirol gear?

Also hoping I can get my hands on the new Korg padKontrol; it felt terrific at NAMM.
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
thesimplicity
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:03 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 122 Location: Tucson, AZ
SR-16s and Oxygen8s for me.
I'd like to get a nice fully-weighed keyboard or a decent step-sequencer... but I'd also like a mansion, a private chef, and a trophy wife. What I have may not be the best, but it sends a MIDI signal and that's good enough for me.

How do you like the Trigger Finger? I've had my eye on it for a while... have you used it at all outside of a digital environment (e.g., MIDI-out and not USB)?
Back to top View user's profile Send private message
Doc
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:06 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 9 Location: CT
PeterKirn wrote:

Also hoping I can get my hands on the new Korg padKontrol; it felt terrific at NAMM.


See its sentences like this that make me itchy to return my TriggerFinger - just how effective is that roll feature. I saw the video, but if it's really THAT easy to do, I might have to bring the TriggerFinger back to guitar center (not my favorite place to shop but you can haggle)
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
Doc
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:07 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 9 Location: CT
thesimplicity wrote:
SR-16s and Oxygen8s for me.
I'd like to get a nice fully-weighed keyboard or a decent step-sequencer... but I'd also like a mansion, a private chef, and a trophy wife. What I have may not be the best, but it sends a MIDI signal and that's good enough for me.

How do you like the Trigger Finger? I've had my eye on it for a while... have you used it at all outside of a digital environment (e.g., MIDI-out and not USB)?


Right now i'm using Trigger Finger strictly for Ableton Live 5 and Kontakt, but I will say that I don't like the Enigma Software that much and actually prefer to set it up using just the controller itself.
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
PeterKirn
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:10 pm Reply with quote
Site Admin Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 822 Location: New York, NY
Hmm, fully-weighted . . . yeah, I'm trying to decide one to upgrade to from an Alesis QS8 (which has an okay Fatar mechanism). Check out the Yamaha P80/P90, Kawai MP4, Roland RD-300, 700sx (pricey but great), and the new StudioLogics.

I've used the Trigger Finger for MIDI with no problem. It's pretty easy to program onboard or with the editor software. And it has this great mount for a mic stand, which is terrific. I'm just tempted because the new Korg seems to have tighter pads. Smile

Doc? (especially since you said you were thinking of trading yours in?)
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
thompsotd
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:10 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 87 Location: West Palm Beach
I just had a friend asking for advice on a 25 key controller. I pointed him toward Edirol. I have an oxygen that I traveled with for a few weeks a couple of years ago. It is pretty bulky--doesn't really fit in a laptop bag. I have since gotten a couple of other controllers, but wish I had gotten one of those thin Edirols. I think the size factor is huge when you work and perform on a laptop in a variety of places. I for one don't see much of a need for semi-weighted keys on a two octave keyboard.

Another thing that the m-audio products lack (except the new one?) is endless rotary encoders. I would love to see them on ALL interfaces!!

Tim
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Doc
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:11 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 9 Location: CT
PeterKirn wrote:


Doc? (especially since you said you were thinking of trading yours in?)


I'm just tempted by new gear Very Happy Not to mention the video of that roll feature Shocked
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
niall
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:37 am Reply with quote
Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 6 Location: chicago
i still think the peavey pc1600x is a godsend. i wouldn't mind picking up a pad-based controller to replace my emu px7 {or maybe just another command station}.

_________________
yours,
niall.
my studio.
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
thesimplicity
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:52 am Reply with quote
Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 122 Location: Tucson, AZ
PeterKirn wrote:
Hmm, fully-weighted . . . yeah, I'm trying to decide one to upgrade to from an Alesis QS8 (which has an okay Fatar mechanism). Check out the Yamaha P80/P90, Kawai MP4, Roland RD-300, 700sx (pricey but great), and the new StudioLogics.
Oh man, the RD700SX... I tried one at a Guitar Center and my reaction was "this is the single best keyboard controller I have ever used." It actually felt like a piano. It was just beautiful. Then I saw the price tag and my heart sunk. If I ever have the cash to blow on a weighed controller, that will be the one.

Somewhat on topic: anyone have any advice on good controller/sequencer combos? Every one I look at seems to skimp on either the controller or the sequencer. I'd love something that combines the control surface of the Trigger Finger with a great onboard sequencer (without blowing all my cash on a full MPC).
Back to top View user's profile Send private message
niall
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:56 am Reply with quote
Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 6 Location: chicago
as a sequencer and controller, i recommend an emu command station {px7, mp7, xl7}, unreservedly. insanely deep midi sequencing, terrific build quality and chunky pads aside, you get s/pdif i/o, a surfeit of analogue i/o {which also act as inserts}, 32 channels of midi and polyphonic aftertouch.


Last edited by niall on Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:07 am; edited 1 time in total
_________________
yours,
niall.
my studio.
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
funnelbc
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:28 am Reply with quote
Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 48 Location: Melbourne, Australia
I had an oxygen 8. For the money they're extremely good value.

I now have a microkontrol. The big thing that gets me about this is that the keys feel pretty crappy. The quality of the knobs isn't brilliant feeling either.

I like it, but at that price bracket maybe my money could of been spent better elsewhere.

Not sure really.

_________________
Buy Me a Pony!
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
BassTooth
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:27 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 30 Location: Bordentown, New Jersey
novation remote sl rocks. tons of knobs to twiddle.transport controls. x/y controller. pitch/mod joystick. 8 touchpads. semi-weighted keys with aftertouch. pricey. yes.

_________________
http://www.last.fm/user/basstooth
Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
protobob
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:56 am Reply with quote
Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 1
I use an Edirol PCR-M30 and a BCR2000. I have Roland U-20 that I use as a midi keyboard (don't use the sounds on it much). The edirol is mostly used for triggering clips in Live. I love the endless rotary controllers on the BCR2000. Hard for me to give recommendations though, I use only the barest functionality of these products.
Back to top View user's profile Send private message
Esrom Cole
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:57 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Blytheville, AR
I've been eyeballing the M-Audio Axiom25. All but decided on it, hard to find reviews though. Anyone had any experience with one? I like the 8 pads as well as keys. My focus was keep it compact, and get the most out of it. The knobs help but i had an Evolution XSession in mind for that. The cool crossfader looks like itd help too.
Back to top View user's profile Send private message
 
    Display posts from previous:  
This forum is locked: you cannot post, reply to, or edit topics.   This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.
Page 1 of 5    Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
All times are GMT - 4 Hours
The time now is Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:24 am
Create Digital Noise Forum Index
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
phpBB © 2001, 2006 phpBB GroupNB2 Limited Release by Mike Lothar © 2004, 2006