New toy in the house...

Just got an Alesis Q61 keyboard controller. http://www.alesis.com/q61 It is just the right size and if it does what I want it will be perfect. I don't intend to try DAW control with it I just want to trigger and play soft synths. Being new, I think it will do the job... I hope. It seems to have enough synth controls and has pitch mod jog wheels rather than a joystick. No aftertouch but I have a Yamaha synth workstation I can use if I need aftertouch for something besides, I play keys just good enough to get by. I'll be mostly using it for piano and drums, maybe some Hammond or Rhodes sounds. I know aftertouch is a big deal for keyboard players but I am not sure I will miss it, I hope not.
 
I got this is for mobility and ease of use. At only 150 bucks, fits my budget too!
Anyway, I am happy with it so far but I just unboxed it... fingers crossed (that makes it hard to play).
 

 
Julien

Hope you enjoy it.
 
Did you get a strap?

:-)

There is a sequencer, lots of knobs, virtual drawbars, etc, etc... on my Yamaha. I never figured it out. Actually my first piece, when I decided to try to record something along with my guitar was a Yamaha QY-70... I never did figure it out, I finally sold it. That was one frustrating little box. I also have a 25 key O2 controller that I carry if I travel, it has more knobs and such but I just never use them. I set up the synth wo what I want and punk some drums or a little piano or something. I really try to keep it simple because with complex comes PRICE. The more I learn to do, the less I will be satisfied with and the more I will think I need and the more I will spend... then I'll look back to the simple and think... I didn't need all this.  
I have a really strong tendency to take anything simple and make it as complicated as it can get... after thousands of dollars in Guitar Center and Sweetwater therapy, I have learned to just keep it simple... just smile and wave. To be satisfied with what I have because if I am not, I will not be satisfied with anything I get. 
I blame the internet (and Bapu of course).
Until I got online I was convinced that my Peavey Delta Blues was a really great top line amp. All I needed was it and my Strat. Now, I wish I had it back... I like my other amps but it really does not matter too much what I play through, I always sound like me. I think it is the same with keys and synths, I'm going to tune in what I like no matter what I use. Hey, a velocity slider, a mod wheel, and pitch wheel.. and a sustain pedal are really all I want or need with this. A USB cable would have been nice too. I'll recheck the box, it was supossed to be in there, maybe it is in one of the foam thingys.
 
J

Found the USB cable in one of the foam protectors in the box. Says on the box I get free Sonitus virtual instruments... they are Roland, right? I guess that is good unless I already have them which don't really matter.
I got a bag of candy with it too!!!
 
J

Congrats Julien on the new toy!
 
I have the it's big older brother the QS7.1 and use it in the same way as you do. I got mine about 13 yrs ago and I'm really happy with it (has some very useful internal synth sounds too). I only wish the keys were fully weighted, but even with my limited key banging, it's still in excellent condition.
 
 

Thanks for the kudos... Rain, that you have one makes me feel better about it. I think it will be Saturday before I can get time to use it.
I fixed up a used Casio WK-1630 today with a new PS for my grandkids... that thing has some sweet organ sounds. The guitar sounds have major suckage but there are some nice sounds, the piano is OK too. They like it!
 
J