Keyboard Vs. Midi Controller

[pTrepid]

I'm getting Reason, and I was wondering whether I should get a MIDI Keyboard Controller, or just a MIDI compatible Keyboard from BestBuy?

I'm looking at either the Edirol 61-Key or the Yamaha 61-Key from Best Buy.

After looking through them, I'm thinking the $189 Yamaha is the most suiting, not only because I can practice while not at my computer, but also because of the touch-sensitivity and weighted keys. Also I can get it today instead of 1-2 weeks. :)

Now for my questions:

As a beginner in Reason, will the Keyboard have enough customization for me? I really don't know where I would need more than the pitch slider, but I haven't seen more than a few demos for Reason, so I don't know much about it.

And will the sound quality of the keyboard be noticeably lower than the controller? I'd imagine not since the keyboard's from Yamaha, but I is no expertise.

I'm going to BestBuy later today, so a few quick opinions would be helpful. :)

[SineRider]

Hmm, its kind of personal choice, me thinks.

You really only need a midi controller when working with reason, all the sounds are in the computer as opposed to the keyboard. But if you want to be able to practice off the computer or just play around, you would probably want the keyboard instead of the midi controller.

If your going to be working with Reason its good to have some kind of controller. The Yamaha doesn't have much for buttons except the pitch bend. If you really want to get into the nitty gritty with Reason, I would suggest getting the midi controller instead. but most of the things can be done by mouse instead of the knobs and sliders.

I guess it comes down to your preference, if you want knobs and sliders, or want to be able to work away from the computer.

[DavidOrr]

At 12/26/06 06:44 PM, SineRider wrote: Hmm, its kind of personal choice, me thinks.

You really only need a midi controller when working with reason, all the sounds are in the computer as opposed to the keyboard. But if you want to be able to practice off the computer or just play around, you would probably want the keyboard instead of the midi controller.

If your going to be working with Reason its good to have some kind of controller. The Yamaha doesn't have much for buttons except the pitch bend. If you really want to get into the nitty gritty with Reason, I would suggest getting the midi controller instead. but most of the things can be done by mouse instead of the knobs and sliders.

I guess it comes down to your preference, if you want knobs and sliders, or want to be able to work away from the computer.

Well said. I don't think that the Yamaha is weighted. For $189, I don't think a single keyboard out there exists with weighted keys.

I have both a regular keyboard and a midi controller with knobs and such, but I rarely find myself using the knobs and sliders on the controller. Some people enjoy having a hands-on experience when writing music and automating parameters like volume and pitch, but I prefer to write it all in manually.

[JonH2O]

At 12/26/06 04:27 PM, CoryLehan wrote: And will the sound quality of the keyboard be noticeably lower than the controller?

MIDI data is MIDI data..It'd be exactly the same.

[pTrepid]

Weill I went with the controller mostly because it seems more convenient with so many knobs and switches. Also it came with the USB Cable, and I found it elsewhere for under $200, plus no shipping cost and no tax XD. The keyboard ended up being over $250 with the cable and tax.

I also forgot I had to get a sustain pedal. I can't believe how expensive they are! They're just a pressure-sensitive piece of plastic, they probably cost less than $3 to make, but we get charged $25 for a cheap one!

Oh well, thanks for the help everyone!