Midi Keyboard/controll er

[Xyresic]

Need some general advice from anyone who owns a decent MIDI input keyboard/synthesiser/controller.
I've been contemplating buying one of the aforementioned devices, more and more it's becoming apparent to me that my qwerty keyboard/mouse setup isn't giving me enough control over my productions (automation isn't THAT good, let's be srs...) and I want to be able to record chords that have more than three notes (stupid key-press limit >_>). I've been eyeing a few Axiom keyboards lately, they actually look pretty good, even if a bit pricey. Does anyone else have any good recommendations? Preferably something with at least 2 1/2 octaves and velocity sensitivity (do they even make boards without that anymore?). Nothing too expensive, $750 is probably the limit...

[merlin]

At 3/31/11 02:40 AM, crapatflash wrote: Need some general advice from anyone who owns a decent MIDI input keyboard/synthesiser/controller.
I've been contemplating buying one of the aforementioned devices, more and more it's becoming apparent to me that my qwerty keyboard/mouse setup isn't giving me enough control over my productions (automation isn't THAT good, let's be srs...) and I want to be able to record chords that have more than three notes (stupid key-press limit >_>). I've been eyeing a few Axiom keyboards lately, they actually look pretty good, even if a bit pricey. Does anyone else have any good recommendations? Preferably something with at least 2 1/2 octaves and velocity sensitivity (do they even make boards without that anymore?). Nothing too expensive, $750 is probably the limit...

Jesus, dude, $750 is a HUGE amount to spend on your first midi controller. I got myself THIS one as a gift to me, and the ONLY think I can say I don't like about it is that I wish I opted for one with semi-weighted keys. It works great for automation, obviously 61 keys, fits nicely on my desk, and portable as hell. I've even performed live on it, using my DAW as the staffs, assigning automation to the bells and whistles, pop in a $17 sustain petal, and you're jammin'.

Spend the rest of your money on a mixer, mic, speakers, or buy me this VOCODER I can't afford.

[midimachine]

Yeah skip the AXIOM 61, get a Carillon Control61 (NOT eControl, which has no programmable knobs). It's basically a rebranded Oxygen 61 (so it's not shit) and it's cheap as chips.

If you're keen on buying upscale I'd go with an Akai MPK61 rather than an AXIOM, it's more controllable and (imo) way better looking.

of course you could save money either way and settle for a 49 key version (49 keys is still very useful)

[midimachine]

Okay whoaaaaa if you don't mind spending $750 you could just as easily get a really cheap 61-key midi keyboard with no knobs (e.g. Carillon eControl) AND a CME Bitstream-3X. They're built like a tank and they can probably automate your entire DAW.

I have the new "ivory" version which is pretty much the same except the front panel looks like a TR-909, hah.