Budget keyboard controllers

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yellowcake64
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2016/11/29 12:08:24 (permalink)

Budget keyboard controllers

Hi all, 
I know I'm not going to get anything too meteoric at this price point but I'm looking for a budget 49 keyboard controller. Loads of products out there but the Alesis Q49 seems as good as any. £59 on Amazon here in the UK. Don't really need bells and whistles and loads of controls, just something that behaves well with SPLAT and has a reasonable keyboard action. 
 
One complaint I've heard quite a bit with these low end keyboards is that the velocity curve can be a bit naff out of the box. Is this something that can be adjusted within Sonar? Many thanks.  
 
Dave 

Yellowcake
Sonar Platinum; Core i7 4790K Quad core 16GB DDR 3 RAM; Windows 10 (64-bit); Tascam US-4x4 interface; Roland Juno D synth; KRK Rokit 6 monitors; V-Amp2; V-Amp Bass.
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    chuckebaby
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    Re: Budget keyboard controllers 2016/11/29 13:10:35 (permalink)
    I went with an M audio Oxygen 49 a few years back.
    The new ones are even better (they have tap pads)
    It has volume sliders, Control knobs (for sends or panning)
    Lets you control Sonars controls as well as being a decent Keyboard.
     
    Best buy just might be the lowest price out there at 142.99
    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/m-audio-oxygen-mkiv-49-key-usb-midi-keyboard-controller/4844107.p?skuId=4844107&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=f5e674d5-8297-4145-bd47-6ac61ba63fc2&ksprof_id=3&ksaffcode=pg218887&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2&gclid=Cj0KEQiA6_TBBRDInaPjhcelt5oBEiQApPeTFx9IHooGPqFmFSMOfjMBzeDKd9qHTO_bpNCSjZeeaVgaApYu8P8HAQ

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    yellowcake64
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    Re: Budget keyboard controllers 2016/11/29 13:15:46 (permalink)
    Thanks Chuck but probably a bit too elaborate for my needs. Don't need sliders or pads - just a basic keyboard. I'm trying to keep the price under about £70 ($90).
     
    Dave

    Yellowcake
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    abacab
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    Re: Budget keyboard controllers 2016/11/29 14:12:58 (permalink)
    yellowcake64
    Hi all, 
    I know I'm not going to get anything too meteoric at this price point but I'm looking for a budget 49 keyboard controller. Loads of products out there but the Alesis Q49 seems as good as any. £59 on Amazon here in the UK. Don't really need bells and whistles and loads of controls, just something that behaves well with SPLAT and has a reasonable keyboard action. 
     
    One complaint I've heard quite a bit with these low end keyboards is that the velocity curve can be a bit naff out of the box. Is this something that can be adjusted within Sonar? Many thanks.  
     
    Dave 


     
    Some VST instruments have a velocity curve you can tweak.  Not sure you will get an editor to configure the keyboard response with.

    I just noticed that there is a similar 49 key controller by the same company, inMusic Brands (Alesis, M-Audio, AIR, SONiVOX, & others), for a similar price point with slightly differing features and software bundle.  $79 USD.
     
    M-Audio Keystation 49 II https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IWWZAM6/ref=dp_cerb_3
     
    Similar layout, but no 5-pin MIDI DIN output, just USB.  Adds a basic DAW transport control (Start, Stop, Record).
     
    Both keyboard bundles include Ableton Live Lite. 
     
    The Alesis Q49 has Ableton Live Lite and Ignite by AIR software included. But bundles may vary by retailer, always best to check. Just going by the product description on Amazon here.
     
    The M-Audio Keystation 49 II has:
    • Ableton Live Lite, a powerful music performance and creation software
    • SONiVOX Eighty-Eight Ensemble, a virtual piano instrument that captures a 9-foot CD327 Steinway piano
    • AIR Music Tech Xpand!2, a multitimbral all-in-one workstation

    DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ... 
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    Jesse G
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    Re: Budget keyboard controllers 2016/11/29 14:36:12 (permalink)
    Try the Alesis V49 49-key USB MIDI Controller.  At $129.99 and you get a Alesis Control Hub free via mail-in-rebate until Dec 31.
     
    See the rebate form https://media.sweetwater.com/store/pdf/Alesis_ControlHub_20161231.pdf
     
    Alesis V49 at Sweetwater.com

    Peace,
    Jesse G. A fisher of men  <><
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    abacab
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    Re: Budget keyboard controllers 2016/11/29 15:32:20 (permalink)
    Jesse G
    you get a Alesis Control Hub free via mail-in-rebate



    I get that the control hub could be cool if you needed an extra 5-pin MIDI hookup, or a headphone amp, but I don't grasp how the audio monitor works with your audio interface.  If it's USB, does it install it's own audio drivers on your PC?  I looked for a manual on their website. but came up empty ...

    DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ... 
    #6
    DrLumen
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    Re: Budget keyboard controllers 2016/11/29 16:00:26 (permalink)
    The cheapest Alesis/M-Audio are ok. I believe they are the same keyboards just different branding.  They don't have velocity curve settings but you can tweak the gain of the vsti to help it some. Using the gain is not really a 'curve' setting but an offset to a linear ramp. The keyboards also do not have aftertouch.
     
    I would suggest to not discount ones with the extra buttons and knobs. I have the Alesis Q88 and found it is a lot easier to have transport controls and track controls within easy reach, hence the nanoKorg. I'm looking at another mini controller of some sort to control vsti settings or effects. Or I may get another keyboard that has the extra controls like the one Chucke linked. Although, if I go for another keyboard it would be something like the Roland A800.

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