Which Midi Keybord Should I Get ?

i was gona get the m audio axiom pro 49 but after i saw the m audio synth venum i get lost coz i start thinking that i can also use the venum as a midi controller for other software and use it own software if i want to use it as a synth

what do you think guys , which one should i go with ?:S

 

As far as MIDI keyboard recommendations, it's very hard to make blanket recommendations. It's as if you're walking in here telling us "I need to buy a car, which one should I get?" You will have to be much more specific about the features you need and your price point, because every controller is different.

 

ok, ill go with the axiom pro 49, im not a profesional or even good player on midi keybord

i should stay with 49 keys or i go with 61 key ?

 

I'm in the same boat, but here's my specifications:

I want a 61 key, semi-weighted, with mod/pitch wheels.
I already have Maschine so is it necessary to buy a keyboard with pads?
Also, what are all the knobs and faders for?
As of right now, I use ONLY Maschine soft/hardware for making beats.
Installing Komplete 7 right now as I type.
So once again, what would I need the knobs and faders for?

If they are unneeded, I guess I will just buy a simple midi keyboard with mod wheels.
And if that is the case, which ones are the best? My budget is $400.

Sorry to steal your thread OP, maybe I'll get some replies to help you as well, tho.

 

its ok , the knobs and faders are for ableton live or logic pro use
to control the channels by the faders

im not a professional keybord or even good one on it ( i dont know notes at all), what do u suggest me the 49 or the 61 ?

 

I've only began learning the keyboard myself (about one month now). I've managed to learn all the scales and chords within it, you should too, it helps ALOT when making music bro. But anyway, I only have this 61 cheap keyboard I took from my little sister lol but it's a good amount of keys to learn on. I don't think I would like a 49 key. Go with a 61, it's not that much more expensive than the 49s, you'll need it as you learn to play the keyboard.

I was thinking about the MPK61.. but if I won't be needing the fader and knobs then I'm just going to go with a simple MIDI keyboard that has a mod/pitch wheel because I need that (my current keyboard does not have it).

I just don't know which BRAND of MIDI keyboards to get.

 

You can't go wrong with the M-Audio brand. I have the Axiom 61 and love it. Even more because i picked it up used for $160.00.
It has 9 sliders that are essential for controlling organ drawbars, knobs and wheels in all the right places. It's a solid controller IMO. Also, 49 keys is too limited for what I do.

 

61 keys

Go with 61 keys. I have a 49 key one and sometimes I can not get to the key switches unless I either change octaves or set up my drum pads (MPD18) for those lower notes. You will not have this problem with 61 keys. I’m also a M-Audio fan.

Good luck.

 

get a m-audio keystation .... you wont need axion and those other top range ones unless you like fancy buttons and knobs. also they feel totally different to a keystation. i find the action very quite tense, mostly if you wanted to play something feeling like a piano... if you want ease of use get something that feels very light and synth like...

id be keen to know what you end up getting...
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mate you wont be needing a mpk61 unless you feel the need to be using some pads and paying for akai.... those keyboards do however have really nice feeling keys...

 

I think the Axiom pro has some of the best feeling keys I've used. I've gone through EMU's, Novation's, Akai's, CME's, and the best I have used are definitely the Axiom pro.
I like the way the keys shoot back up into your fingers with some force and weight.

I'm not a trained pianist or keyboard player but I've been banging around on them long enough to have pretty good dexterity in playing the keyboard.

As far as how many keys you need depends completely on your usage. If you are making orchestral music then I think 88 or 61 would be prefered.
If you're making electronic music and just need to bang out some melody ideas then 49 or even 25 would be sufficient leaving you space on your desktop for other equipment.

Good luck!

Cheers,
~Airyck~

 

the axiom pro is only good for a piano feel... the snap to the keys is like the weight sorta more lingered to a piano... if you want to be playing organs, synth stuff, then get a less weighted feeling keyboard. trust me you will be able to do alot more

 

What do you think about Novation sl mk2. I've read some good reviews on its keybed and faders.

If you use Mashcine, then you already have those knobs and faders. Otherwise, they may be handy to have in your keys.

 

electronic dance music , 49 or 61 key ?

 

Whatever type of music, go for the most keys you can afford and have room for.
Consider you may want to use keyswitches, zones, splits etc.

 

umm i would prob hit up a 61...

to be on my personal opinion i hate anything novation does other than the sl controller , and the super nova. and bass station etc.. these days i couldnt care a less what they are up to... trust me man m-audio make the best midi controllers... the only other step up from an m-audio is like a fatar... but thats cash you prob dont need. or a doepfer...

m-audio all the way mate... so many top studios and work hose crazy cats are jigging the m-audio.,.. go by that idea not by silly talk
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umm dude trust me 61 note... all the top synths have 61... nord. waldorf, virus. all 61... if 49 was great then ppl would use it, thats why its 61... 49 is just for ur key switching home user 2 dollar bedroom dude, if u wanna be real get a 61... they arnt even that much of a step up.. trust me man even an m-audio oxygen 61 is gunna be better than what most keys u find... dude if u really wanna be crazy a ****ing behringer is going to be just what u need

 

I have loved my mpk49 from day1

 

Novation sl comes with fatar keybed and is, I think, generally considered stronger than m-audio.

See the broken key in the video comparison:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W3fBrB72Ww"]YouTube - M-Audio AXiom Pro vs Novation SL MK2[/ame]

 

axiom pro 61 in my country cost 850 $ guys help me how to get it for lower price ? and the 49 for 700 $

can i ship it from usa to middle east ? for lower price ?

 

well, i would not get an m-audio axiom again. i have the axiom 61 and well it is sort of more like a toy than a professional instrument.

the key action, while it is better than the yamaha and about the same a the akai, except the akai 88 which has great piano like action, is just okay. they made the keys look like piano style, rather than synth style and list is as piano like, but it is not where near... the keys velocity is not very consistent, some keys are a lot louder than others if you hit them with the exact same force: so forget about performance on it or doing live takes that you are not going to go back and correct it.

no the really bad part. the controller knobs are the worst. they are useless.
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XDeeJay,

i'll sell you my axiom for $190 US plus shipping.. lol

but i would go with the novation one someone mentioned, that is what i am going to do..

oh the good on the axiom

the pads are fine, the screen is large, ... that's about it..
the rest if just okay.. and the assigment on it sucks..

the akai is a much better controller.

and the novation has much better keys and is easy to assign.