Hi,
 
I am in the market for my first keyboard controller and quite liked the look of the Akai Advance 61. Has anyone got experience of using this with Cakewalk Sonar? How easy is it to setup? What alternatives to the Akai would you recommend?
 
I predominantly use cakewalk just for editing my recordings so I am not an advanced user. Can anyone recommend a good way of improving my skills with the software (books, videos, etc).
 
Thanks guys!
 
Terra

I have just bought a Native Instruments S61. The main advantage comes when you use a lot of NI VSTis. The light guide mapping of keyboard zones for Kontakt instruments was the main selling point for me.

The Akai may be a better bet if you don't use Native Instruments or Arturia VSTi s

A further thought. Go for at least a 61 note board. You will eventually find shorter boards frustratingly limiting.

Hi Glyn,
 
Yes I definitely want at least a 61, I have a piano here and so I don't think I could go down to one of those tiny ones.
 
I'll be honest I don't have a preference on VSTs (VSTis?) this is my first foray into digital music, so I don't even know the terminology. I play piano, vocals, violin and acoustic guitar mainly and use a BR-800 and cakewalk to arrange basic audio tracks. I'm not even a beginner, I'm a pre-beginner lol.
 
Thanks for the feedback I'll take a look at the Native Instruments one, I haven't made any decisions yet so it is good to get some different views!
 
Terra

There is a thread in the Hardware forum in the studio section. There is quite a bit of discussion on pros and cons.

Oh wow, now I am really confused, what a fantastic piece of kit. It is a bit more by the time you have bought the software I guess but it also looks like you get a lot of options too. Presuming you bought the Komplete 10 software? What is the workflow like between that and Cakewalk?

A VSTi (VST instrument) is a software instrument that communicates with a DAW (like SONAR) using the VST protocol developed by Steinberg. I tend to use the VI (virtual instrument) acronym instead, because it also includes the standalone version of virtual instruments (like Addictive Drums 2) in addition to the plugin (VST) version.
 
You don't mention which version of SONAR you have (Artist, Producer or Platinum?), so I don't know what VIs and FX (effects) you have. Take a look at my post in this thread (re SONAR training):
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3358449
 
I don't want to complicate things too much, but you will find many VIs require NI's Kontakt application. NI has a number of other applications upon which vendors build VIs. Each of those NI applicaitons has a stupid single license price. That's why many people wind up buying Komplete or Komplete Ultimate (I have K9U; K10 is the currently shipping version). Plus, Ultimate comes on a USB hard drive, which saves a LOT of downloading.
 
If you don't see yourself acquiring K10 or K10U (or K11, whenever that ships), then the NI keyboard controller may not be the best choice. Since you're a piano player, you may want to focus on the keyboard itself (its action). I have a Nektar Panorama P6 (61 keys) and really like it. I use the controller parts of it from time to time, but I play it every day. My recommendation would be to make sure that you get a keyboard with semi-weighted action. Otherwise, you'll wind up with something much more organ-like.
 
SONAR is not the most hospitable host (pun intended) when it comes to dealing with MIDI controllers, and you're not going to be doing any sound design, so I don't think the controller component of the keyboard will be as important to you as the keyboard action itself (and the quality of the driver, of course!).

Hi TheMaartian,
 
I have Sonar LE atm but was planning the upgrade to professional I have already costed that in. Thanks for the link I have been checking out some of the sonar university videos (doh didn't see them).
 
I think the s61 needs K10 so I am factoring that in as part of the price too. I guess as a piano player I am really impressed with the demos I am hearing on the included instruments (I think there are 3 different piano ones). I'm probably never going to be churning out dubstep :-) so like you said I am not going to be doing much sound design (but who knows).
 
I think the s61 has really caught my eye, but I will try both and see how they feel first. I think I favour the text under the controls rather than on a separate screen. It will be parked in front of a huge computer screen anyway. I also like the light colour on the keys matching to the screen interfaces, seems very intuitive for it to work that way.
 
I see a lot of shops are still stocking the one that doesn't come with K10 Select (cutdown version), I might see if I can find someone with the latest package and then I can get the cross grade package update later and split the cost over a couple of months. I'll have a dig around...
 
This is tricky as I know so little about the subject, but you guys have really helped and given me other options, Thanks!
 
Terra
 
 

TerraTkai
 
I think the s61 has really caught my eye, but I will try both and see how they feel first. I think I favour the text under the controls rather than on a separate screen. It will be parked in front of a huge computer screen anyway. I also like the light colour on the keys matching to the screen interfaces, seems very intuitive for it to work that way.
 

The text under the control encoders is a great idea. A seperate screen would be useful for browsing but I think the lables are more useful.
 
If you are a piano player you may prefer a hammer action board. The S88 has piano style keys. I would have gone for the 88 but I wanted "synth" style keys.
 
Komplete is a beast and contains a mass of stuff, great value for money even if you will only use half of it. It contains the full version of Kontakt which opens up a world of sampled instruments. There are many good free and cheap libraries available, as well as ones costing megabucks.
 
The instruments included in Komplete Select may be enough to get you going with a view to upgrading to Komplet at a later date. 

Hi Glyn,
 
While I would love the S88 I just don't have room. Even the S61 is a bit of a squeeze for the spot I picked out.
 
I'm sure it will be fine but I am off out to the music store tomorrow to try them out and should have a better idea after then. I will hopefully get to try the S88 too and see if I "need" to make some more room lol.
 
Terra