amiller
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Which Controller
So, I have the Roland A-500 PRO (49 keys) and for the most part I like it. I recently purchased Ivory II and was thinking I could use another octave set of keys. Do I get the Roland A-800 PRO (61 keys,) or do you guys recommend something else?
RAWK!!! . SONAR Platinum: 2017.10
System specs: Purrrfect Audio: http://www.studiocat.com/open_cart/ • Case Silent Mid Tower • Power-Supply 600w quiet • Haswell CPU 4790k @ 4.4GHz • RAM 32GB DDR3/1600 • OS drive 1TB HD • Audio drive 2TB HD • Samples drive 1 3TB HD • Burner 24x DVD/RW • Video HD4600 • Add TI chipset Firewire For all others • Operating System Windows 10 x64 Home Edition . MOTU 828 mkII . Lucid 9624 A/D . Millennia HV-3b pre . Dual 24" Widescreen Monitors
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Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
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Re: Which Controller
2015/04/19 18:17:49
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I depends on what you like ;-)
If you are totally happy with the A-500 PRO you could simply swap it for the 800 and it would be plug and play - ready to go ...
I got the A-800 PRO and although I like it for the straight forward way it integrates with Sonar (transport, faders, ACT, etc) and thus gives you another way to control Sonar from the keyboard, I don't like the light weight plastic feel of keys too much ... therefore I got myself another keyboard with heavier keys that gets closer to a piano feel for about the same amount that the A-800 PRO costs ... so if you want a different feel as an alternative, then go for something else and keep your A-500 as the Sonar controller
GOOD TUNES LAST FOREVER +++ Visit the Rehab +++ DAW: Platinum/X3e, win10 64 bit, i7-3930K (6x3.2GHz), Asus Sabertooth X79, 32 GB DDR3 1600MHz, ATI HD 5450, 120 GB SSD OCZ Agility3, 2x 1TB WD HDD SATA 600 Audio-Interface: 2x MOTU 1248 AVB, Focusrite OctoPre, (Roland Octa-Capture) Control-Surface: VS-700C VSTi: WAVES, NI K10u, FabFilter, IK, ... (too many really)
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amiller
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Re: Which Controller
2015/04/20 08:58:16
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RAWK!!! . SONAR Platinum: 2017.10
System specs: Purrrfect Audio: http://www.studiocat.com/open_cart/ • Case Silent Mid Tower • Power-Supply 600w quiet • Haswell CPU 4790k @ 4.4GHz • RAM 32GB DDR3/1600 • OS drive 1TB HD • Audio drive 2TB HD • Samples drive 1 3TB HD • Burner 24x DVD/RW • Video HD4600 • Add TI chipset Firewire For all others • Operating System Windows 10 x64 Home Edition . MOTU 828 mkII . Lucid 9624 A/D . Millennia HV-3b pre . Dual 24" Widescreen Monitors
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Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
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Re: Which Controller
2015/04/20 13:24:48
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amiller
Well, what did you get?
I got an A-PRO 800 plus a smaller older noname MIDI keyboard (with no extra functionality) stacked on top in the control room ...then a Yamaha P-35 B (~400€), which is the above mentioned one with heavier keys (graded hammers) for recording more piano-ish parts in the live room (and also for stage use as it is lightweight and rather cheap compared to other stage piano solutions) ... and a Kawai MP 10 piano for proper piano work and composing (I really love the Kawai but it's expensive and heavy)
GOOD TUNES LAST FOREVER +++ Visit the Rehab +++ DAW: Platinum/X3e, win10 64 bit, i7-3930K (6x3.2GHz), Asus Sabertooth X79, 32 GB DDR3 1600MHz, ATI HD 5450, 120 GB SSD OCZ Agility3, 2x 1TB WD HDD SATA 600 Audio-Interface: 2x MOTU 1248 AVB, Focusrite OctoPre, (Roland Octa-Capture) Control-Surface: VS-700C VSTi: WAVES, NI K10u, FabFilter, IK, ... (too many really)
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amiller
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Re: Which Controller
2015/04/20 13:56:17
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RAWK!!! . SONAR Platinum: 2017.10
System specs: Purrrfect Audio: http://www.studiocat.com/open_cart/ • Case Silent Mid Tower • Power-Supply 600w quiet • Haswell CPU 4790k @ 4.4GHz • RAM 32GB DDR3/1600 • OS drive 1TB HD • Audio drive 2TB HD • Samples drive 1 3TB HD • Burner 24x DVD/RW • Video HD4600 • Add TI chipset Firewire For all others • Operating System Windows 10 x64 Home Edition . MOTU 828 mkII . Lucid 9624 A/D . Millennia HV-3b pre . Dual 24" Widescreen Monitors
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MondoArt
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Re: Which Controller
2015/04/21 14:18:53
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I just tried out the Impact LX61 - a different keybed than the LX88, but FWIW, I returned the LX61 to the store - I found it too clicky, and playing it just didn't allow me to control dynamics the way I'm used to. It felt cheap. I'm holding out for the new Akai Advanced 61 now.
If I had the space for an 88-key, I'd probably try out the LX88 - it seems ideal, for no other reason than it's the only 88-key I've seen that doesn't have piano weighted keys.
Neel Songwriter/Producer neelmodi.com Sonar Platinum | Intel i5 | Windows 10 Home | Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 | Akai Advance 61 | NI Komplete 10
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azslow3
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Re: Which Controller
2015/04/21 15:51:36
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To play piano, the best solution is to play on weighted keys. It is somehow possible to play on other, but I suggest to visit some store which has them all. Without "reference requirement" (which exists for weighted actions), everyone produce whatever they want, in terms of feeling and size (length). And they all are different, only you can decide what is the "best compromise".
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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FCCfirstclass
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Re: Which Controller
2015/04/23 10:13:04
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My 800 Pro works just fine. Having the extra octave is vey helpful. However, you could try a different synth and use it with the 500.
Win 10 Pro x64, 32Gb DDR3 ram, Sonar Platinum, Cubase 9.5, Mackie MCU Pro, Cakewalk VS 100, Roland Octa-Capture, A 800 Pro, Carver M-1.5t amp & C4000 pre amp, various mics, drums and brass instruments. And away we go!
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Sempai45
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Re: Which Controller
2015/04/24 21:52:18
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I'm in the process of swapping out my existing midi keyboards. Sold my A-300 and replaced it with an NI Kontrol S49 (I use Native Instruments). Also, going to be selling my Axiom Air 61 for the Akai Advance 61 soon. So, I think both the Akai and NI (if you own Komplete 9 or 10) are good keyboards. Also, I hear very good things about the Akai MPK249 and the MPK261. Both integrate well with Sonar. YMMV
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fantini
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Re: Which Controller
2015/05/21 17:30:09
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The Novation Impulse 61 might be one to consider. The keys are semi-weighted and it's a pleasure to play.
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