What would you get for a control surface?

I have been using sonar for about 2 1/2 years. Now that i have been using a daw for that long I am noticing more and more how I would like to have real knobs, faders, and drum pads to work with instead of just a mouse. I already have an old Yamaha keyboard that is plugged into sonar via midi/usb. However, I really want a good drum pad, knobs, and fader control surface. I have looked at the impulse and axiom. The impulse's knobs don't feel great, but the axiom's keys stick (and doesn't have good drum pads). I also looked at the akai LDP 8 but noticed that the drum pads are not responsive enough. Then I looked at the MPD 26 but I would also like to have motorized faders. Bottom line, I want a keyboard with faders, good drum pads, and control knobs (with mod wheel). Or the same thing just in a portable design without keys. I looked at machine, but it doesn't have faders. The keyboard part isn't necessary but I would like to have everything in once place if I used it live. I would rather have one keyboard do everything instead of a few pieces of equipment. Any ideas?

I got the Impulse 49, within around 6 months with very little usage, 2 pads no longer light up and 1 button under the fader. Only reason I have not returned it is because I can't be bothered....and the fact that I am using more analogue gear now, that it is becoming redundant (well, only used for controlling some soft synths, of which I can do with any of my other synths)

laugh all you want... I use a collection of real dinosaurs for controllers, thus far I haven't been able find replacements for any of them that offer any real benefits...

Keyboard #1 - Roland/Rhodes MK-80 - love the feel, the only other keyboard that comes close, for me, is the old Korg SGD-1, and that's even larger, heavier, and maybe more obscure. The only thing I do not like about the MK-80 is the controllers, never did like Roland style pitchbend and mod controllers though.

Keyboard #2 - I'm still switching between an Oberheim xK and an Ensoniq EPS Classic. THe EPS has poly aftertouch, which can be really cool, but I'm not really a good enough keyboard player to take advantage of it. I like the feel, but I don't like having to boot from a floppy. The Oberheim offers about every feature you can imagine, but mine is starting to get flaky.

Drum Pads - Roland Octopad, the original one. I do need to do something better than this, but haven't found anything that really works well.

Alternate Drum Pads - I still love my SCI Drumtracks for pounding out drum parts, so I still use it.

Guitar-to-MIDI - mostly I use an IVL Pitchrider 7000, driven from a Roland GR-300. It works pretty well, but it is getting a little long in the tooth. I also have a Yamaha G10/G10c, which I use from time to time. I really hate the controller, but I have to admit, it is close to flawless when it comes to tracking.

Moving Faders - I love my StudioMix, yes it's only 8 faders, but it just works. If I had a ton of cash left after upgrading all my libraries and computer I might upgrade to something a bit more modern...

Other Controllers - I have a Yamaha MCS-2, which provides a very useful pitch and mod wheel, two footswitches, two foot controllers, and a breath controller input. Can't believe I was smart enough to keep this<G>! I also use a Lexicon MC2, which was their remote control for the LXP line of processors. I still use the processors too<G>!

The newest member of the team is a Kore2 controller, which I use to twiddle knobs. I have been considering trading it for a Novation Zero, cause I like the idea of the scribble strips, but that's about the only thing this does not do well. This replaced a pair of JLCooper MIDIFaders.

Yes, it's a mess, but it gets the job done, for me, maybe there'll be an idea or two for someone else..

I will keep my eyes open for deals...

in the meantime, I think $600 is unrealistic on the seller's part. $100 might be a bit low, but it is getting a bit long in the tooth I suppose, so you might get lucky. I paid $250 for mine several years ago, I think Cakewalk had discontinued it by then, but it might have still been current, I can't recall. It has served me well ever since.

There was a cool little utility that let you map all the controls any way you wanted, but since I got the Kore2 I stopped using it, and I can't find a copy right now. If I do I'll post it, it was freeware.

There is also a company selling an upgraded ROM that looks interesting. It has not been a priority for me yet, but in re-reading the description today I may pull the trigger on that shortly.

one other link that you might enjoy is the original EM review.

Happy hunting!

After looking again I figured to no go with Novation or Roland. M-Audio seems like a good idea but every review states that it has problems with its execution of what it says it can do. I'm going with Akai LDP8 and as far as a keyboard for a live situation, I figured I have a good enough one now, and I just wont need one for a long time. I would like faders, but motorized doesn't come in an "all in one package" with knobs, pads, and keys, so I decided that when I'm ready I'll get my own mixing console like presonous studio live. But for now I really wanted drum pads and knobs. The LDP8 is portable and generally has positive reviews so I am sticking with that decision. Plus its only $50 on Amazon, every other solution costs a lot more and does not offer everything I want.

Free opened for Blind Faith at the LA Forum in '69.
The crowd was anxious to see Clapton, as was I (missed Cream on their swings thru LA).
It took all of 2 two songs and he and Rodgers had me seduced.
Far and away the best performance of the night (and I'm a Winwood fan).

Tom

my apologies to the OP

DAW Control surface = SSL Nucleus
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/nucleus/




Piano Keyboard with SONAR = Cakewalk A 800 pro
http://www.roland.com/products/en/A-800PRO/