best controller for the $

djayers1


I know this is probably an area with lots of different and strong opinions, so I hope my question isn't too broad. Dollars are an issue, but I don't want to buy junk either. I'm not a great keyboard player, but do play a little (if that makes any difference). I'd like to find something with at least 76 keys. Thanks.

First question is whether you prefer weighted (Hammer) like a piano, or semi-weighted or non-weighted action (like (most) hardware synths or an organ like the B3).  
 

The M-Audio Oxygen and Keystation series probably offer the best bang for the buck. They aren't amazing but they set up quite easily and work. I'm pretty sure they are all semi weighted keys. M-Audio's nicer stuff is the Axiom series and not much more expensive for what you get so that's probably something to look into (more controls, better keys, stuff like that).

I picked up an Oxygen 25 just for basic input. I didn't even need to install drivers and the keys mapped instantly. The key action is a little... uh... different than what I was expecting so you might want to head down to the music shop to try one out. Some people report that the M-Audio drivers sometimes won't let go of Sonar when you go to close it but I haven't experienced that and you can just go into the Windows Task Manager to stop the there if it does happen.

Other than that AKAI is good but pricier then of course there is Roland stuff but that's way more expensive. Korg is good but Korg stuff is kind of a pain to mess around with as far as installation and figuring out how to work with them.

aaaaand there is always Alesis. I've never used there stuff but it's cheap and a few folks here said they are pretty good.

I'll shut up now. ;-)

My 25 does so I'm assuming it will. Just google them on Amazon, Sweetwater, Musicians Friend, ZZounds, etc... Lots of info and reviews on those sites as well as good prices if you are in the US. I ended up buying mine from my usual brick and mortar retailer because I'm in Canada and these things tend to be more expensive online up here which is annoying and it's easier for me to return to these guys if something goes wrong.

Like I said though the keys are a little odd feeling if that's a concern. It is more than usable though. Cheers.

djayers1


I assume that the Oxigen 61 does (velocity sensitive keys with after touch)?

I have the Oxygen 61 and it does have velocity sensitive keys with after touch. Very nice controller, especially for the price, but not weighted.
You tend to pay quite a bit more for real weighted action, and you really do get what you pay for in this respect.
I have heard very good things about the Oxygen 88 which is weighted action and reasonably priced - 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/m-audio-oxygen-88-midi-controller#review


I have an older Casio 88 key hammer action controller that is ok, but not really "piano" action either - If you really want piano action, I think it is important to try them out for yourself before you buy, as it really makes a big difference. Hopefully something you'll live with for a while. That said, I use it exclusively for piano samples in Kontakt or True Pianos. In my opinion you can't play non-electric piano with a synth action keyboard.

That said - I like the oxygen 61 for what it is. I wore one out (the older series 61) a year or so ago, and liked it so much I bought another one. The new series is lighter and less robust but has stood up well. It is my primary controller for all of my synths (I also have a 25 key Novation).
Hope this helps.

Brando

djayers1


I assume that the Oxigen 61 does (velocity sensitive keys with after touch)?

I have the Oxygen 61 and it does have velocity sensitive keys with after touch. Very nice controller, especially for the price, but not weighted.
You tend to pay quite a bit more for real weighted action, and you really do get what you pay for in this respect.
I have heard very good things about the Oxygen 88 which is weighted action and reasonably priced - 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/m-audio-oxygen-88-midi-controller#review


I have an older Casio 88 key hammer action controller that is ok, but not really "piano" action either - If you really want piano action, I think it is important to try them out for yourself before you buy, as it really makes a big difference. Hopefully something you'll live with for a while. That said, I use it exclusively for piano samples in Kontakt or True Pianos. In my opinion you can't play non-electric piano with a synth action keyboard.

That said - I like the oxygen 61 for what it is. I wore one out (the older series 61) a year or so ago, and liked it so much I bought another one. The new series is lighter and less robust but has stood up well. It is my primary controller for all of my synths (I also have a 25 key Novation).
Hope this helps.

My God, how I hate it when you click on the thumbnail photo of a product on a retailer's website to "zoom in," and you get this zoomed in view in the same space that you scroll around. Who am I, Sherlock freaking Holmes? Why not just have a hi-res popup of the whole enlarged photo? Why why why?

maudio axiom series  semi-weighted with aftertouch. contrary to the post above nothing in the oxygen series has aftertouch. axioms also have pads. they can store ten progams that you can switch between for doing things like changing cc numbers the sliders and knobs control. ten is ok but if youre going to be doing live stuff with multiple soft synths it might be limited. novation makes awesome controllers as well 

Thanks for all the good and detailed info!