It looks like I am always looking for a decent MIDI controller to buy. I've changed quite a few, in various sizes (anything from 32 to 61 keys). Some of them were good, others not so much. Most had quite good capabilities in terms of controlling software and DAWs but plenty failed in other aspects.
Here is a list of what I had so far. I have given most of them to friends now.
- Oxygen Pro Mini. Not bad for the price / size. Black keys are 'unplayable'. Ok I know you can't expect to play in any sensible way on this so it's passable. But it had software bugs (stuck notes etc). Screen way too small and basic.
- Oxygen Pro 61 keys. Semi-weighted but a bit on the 'cheap' side. Still the action was good for the price. Aftertouch needed a LOT of pressure.
- Novation Launchkey 37. Very nice keybed! Keybed feel is very important to me, if I can't stand it I will never use it. Somewhat bulky considering only 37 keys. Painless Cubase integration a bonus. For a time I considered getting the 49 or 61 key version.
- And while I was trying to decide, Arturia released the Essential MK3 and I got the 49 key version. Which I gave up almost immediately because of the awful keybed mushy feeling. But there lots to like in this keyboard, like the good display, amazing integration with Arturia's Analog Lab (included) etc.
Currently I only have the Keystep 37 (which is excellent, and is a keeper). But I will probably go for a 61 keys controller in the next few months. Will use it on my GAIA2 (which has excellent keybed but 37 keys only) and also on software instruments (I have Korg Wavestate/Opsix VSTs among other things, and Roland cloud subscription).
Today, Arturia released the 49/61 MK3 premium (non-essential) one:
I am seriously considering this (which hopefully has a much better keybed) and the Korg Keystage (full polyphonic aftertouch, great integration with Wavestate / Opsix VSTs etc). Seem to be similarly priced also.
So what do you think about these, and do you have a favorite controller?
Here is a list of what I had so far. I have given most of them to friends now.
- Oxygen Pro Mini. Not bad for the price / size. Black keys are 'unplayable'. Ok I know you can't expect to play in any sensible way on this so it's passable. But it had software bugs (stuck notes etc). Screen way too small and basic.
- Oxygen Pro 61 keys. Semi-weighted but a bit on the 'cheap' side. Still the action was good for the price. Aftertouch needed a LOT of pressure.
- Novation Launchkey 37. Very nice keybed! Keybed feel is very important to me, if I can't stand it I will never use it. Somewhat bulky considering only 37 keys. Painless Cubase integration a bonus. For a time I considered getting the 49 or 61 key version.
- And while I was trying to decide, Arturia released the Essential MK3 and I got the 49 key version. Which I gave up almost immediately because of the awful keybed mushy feeling. But there lots to like in this keyboard, like the good display, amazing integration with Arturia's Analog Lab (included) etc.
Currently I only have the Keystep 37 (which is excellent, and is a keeper). But I will probably go for a 61 keys controller in the next few months. Will use it on my GAIA2 (which has excellent keybed but 37 keys only) and also on software instruments (I have Korg Wavestate/Opsix VSTs among other things, and Roland cloud subscription).
Today, Arturia released the 49/61 MK3 premium (non-essential) one:
I am seriously considering this (which hopefully has a much better keybed) and the Korg Keystage (full polyphonic aftertouch, great integration with Wavestate / Opsix VSTs etc). Seem to be similarly priced also.
So what do you think about these, and do you have a favorite controller?
Statistics: Posted by sonic2000gr — Tue Aug 27, 2024 7:50 pm