ULTRABRA
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88 key midi controller suggestions
I'm in the market for an 88 key midi controller, with weighted keys, and sliders to control midi cc and soft synths in Sonar.
There does not seem much to choose from out there - can anyone recommend?
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Wookiee
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/27 13:35:54
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azslow3
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/27 13:42:53
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TerraSin
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/27 14:54:35
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Depends how much you want to spend. My next one is going to be Physis K4. Right now I use a Yamaha KX8.
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DragonBlood
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/27 15:38:43
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Wookiee
This looks quite nice.
Video reviews say the drum pads dont function properly on it and hitting them once, triggers them twice. Just a heads up.
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robert_e_bone
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/27 17:54:07
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I have two controllers, one is a 61 note Axiom Pro, with all kinds of sliders and knobs and pads and such, and the other is a simple 88-note controller with only a pitch wheel and a mod wheel.
I thought about getting a more sophisticated 88-note controller, but really the 61-note controller does all that I could really ever need, and I found a GREAT price for my 88-note controller. It is an M-Audio Key Station 88. It only cost me $119. I LOVE IT.
If budget isn't a primary concern for you, then I suppose one of the ones posted by others above would work well for you. I was just offering a different perspective on the whole thing.
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ULTRABRA
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/29 08:14:26
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Thanks guys for the helpful suggestions.
I don't want to pay for any additional sounds, my initial aim was to get something primarily becuase it had a good quality keyboard, but also have the sliders/knobs for live midi edititing. Seems the choices for that are on fingers of one hand. The M-Audio Oxygen 88 probably isn't quality enough, and the only other option seems to be the Akai MPK88. Though Imight look into those various Studiologic options.
Or, then again, there is the possibilit for a midi keyboard focusing on key quality + seperate midi keyless controller ...
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azslow3
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/29 16:00:07
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If you are looking for piano like keys (and "weighted keys" requirements make no big sense otherwise), the distance from Kawai RM3 Grand II (may be comparable with Fatar TP/40wood, but I have no experience with it) to all other actions in the list is huge. Unfortunately, actions which are between these 2 categories (Roland, Yamaha GH and Kawai RH) are not available as MIDI only.
In case that can be important for your, notice the weight difference.
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TerraSin
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/29 21:08:56
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azslow3
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/30 07:38:00
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TerraSin
Yamaha makes some of the best graded piano action keys.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Y...mp;hash=item3cf1558f24
I agree with the first part, but the example is wrong. KX has GHS action (entry level, the same as in P95). Yamaha has GHS, GH and NW. But in addition, they have Nu and N series and they have to avoid "in house" competition. That way NW can not be "too good". Kawai has no such problem, so they could put everything they have into RM (previous top, they have GF now).
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Rbh
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/30 21:26:04
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I have an Alesis QS 8.1 . You can buy them used for between 300.00 and 500.00 . It has a Fatar tp 20 key bed which is weighted and hammer action. It has 4 sliders that are assignable. It's a decent controller but it a little lacking in the velocity scaling...only like 3 or 4 scales and I can't find a software nor electrical scaling for the aftertouch on it.. My other main controller is a Kurzweil Midi board - great because it has real poly aftertouch. but only 2 assignable sliders and a few button assignments. Very old school but very well made.
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jeffb63
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/31 05:16:42
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I'm loving the key action on my Roland A-88 but no sliders.
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Paul P
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/31 09:10:43
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jeffb63
I'm loving the key action on my Roland A-88 but no sliders.
I wonder if the A-88 combined with the Nectar Panorama P1 would be a good setup. Nectar doesn't mention Sonar, but wouldn't basic midi and transport control work ok ?
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jeffb63
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/01/31 17:58:42
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Paul P
jeffb63
I'm loving the key action on my Roland A-88 but no sliders.
I wonder if the A-88 combined with the Nectar Panorama P1 would be a good setup.
Nectar doesn't mention Sonar, but wouldn't basic midi and transport control work ok ?
Looks interesting.
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azslow3
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/02/01 10:08:13
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Paul P
jeffb63
I'm loving the key action on my Roland A-88 but no sliders.
I wonder if the A-88
It looks like I have to correct my previous post since A-88 has Roland "standard" action. I personally have not touched it assuming it has Alpha II, but that is not the case.
combined with the Nectar Panorama P1 would be a good setup.
It can be used with SONAR using ACT MIDI + Generic surface plug-ins combination. With all related limitations.
Sonar 8LE -> Platinum infinity, REAPER, Windows 10 pro GA-EP35-DS3L, E7500, 4GB, GTX 1050 Ti, 2x500GB RME Babyface Pro (M-Audio Audiophile Firewire/410, VS-20), Kawai CN43, TD-11, Roland A500S, Akai MPK Mini, Keystation Pro, etc. www.azslow.com - Control Surface Integration Platform for SONAR, ReaCWP, AOSC and other accessibility tools
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jeffb63
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/02/01 12:18:05
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88 keys (Ivory Feel-G keyboard with Escapement) on the A-88.
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Cactus Music
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/02/01 12:33:44
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Check out today's Stupid deal of the Day at Musicians Freind, A Casio 88 key for $300. Don't knock Casio. They make solid Piano's that are as good as any brand. Don't judge them by the home keyboards. This link will expire http://www.musiciansfrien...p=true&src=3TP3DRR
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slartabartfast
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/02/01 12:35:13
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The Studiologic controllers are reportedly similar to a piano action, but they do not have a lot of controllers built in (sliders etc). Might consider getting a good keyboard for input and using a MIDI control surface for mixing, unless you plan to be doing keys and sliders at the same time in performance. The price might not be much higher than a keyboard with all the gizmos. Or maybe this?: http://www.musiciansfrien...uvGmwcMCFYWFfgody3YAIw
post edited by slartabartfast - 2015/02/01 12:49:03
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jeffb63
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/02/01 13:09:59
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slartabartfast
The Studiologic controllers are reportedly similar to a piano action, but they do not have a lot of controllers built in (sliders etc). Might consider getting a good keyboard for input and using a MIDI control surface for mixing, unless you plan to be doing keys and sliders at the same time in performance. The price might not be much higher than a keyboard with all the gizmos.
Or maybe this?:
http://www.musiciansfrien...uvGmwcMCFYWFfgody3YAIw
I considered the VMK-188 Plus but It's weight of 21Kg put me off compared to the A-88 at 15.9Kg. Not an issue if you only want it for studio use but I use mine live and I'm not getting any younger! I use a Korg Nanokontrol 2 for knobs and sliders. Fits in my back pocket. 
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Vastman
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Re: 88 key midi controller suggestions
2015/02/02 21:40:05
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Nektar Panorama series is pretty sweet but they have not developed any Sonar templates yet... The Nektar LX series DOES have Sonar templates and they work well (I have an LX 61)
The Panorama is a much deeper instrument and supposedly they are working on templates for various DAWS... Started with reason, and have added several since them. Apparently they did look at Sonar and will be doing so for it at some point in the future.
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