I think I need a MIDI keyboard, suggestions?

Does anybody have a suggestion on a MIDI keyboard? After tinkering with a melody on my cheap Radio Shack keyboard and having to individually build the notes in the piano roll during a recent project, I have realized the importance of having a good MIDI keyboard. I'm thinking this one, as it's in a good price range and 25 keys seems like it should work for me: http://www.musiciansfrien...yboard-midi-controller Thoughts? Suggestions?

Take a look at the Akai and M-Audio stuff too.

Yup the M Audio stuff is really nice. The best thing to do is go to a local music store and try a few out to see which feel best.

Alesis is kind of budget gear and for a 25 key device an M-Audio wouldn't cost much more. I'm looking to purchase one myself. Check it out... http://www.musiciansfrien...5--usb-midi-controller If you have more money to spend though check the M-Audio Axiam stuff or as I said Akai.

ugh... I meant Axiom. Stupid forum software wouldn't let me edit my post.

Salt Panic


Does anybody have a suggestion on a MIDI keyboard?
Thoughts? Suggestions?
 
 

Here's my thoughts.
You didn't scrimp on your DAW(X1 Producer).
Your controller will be far more significant than you may realize now. It is your one interface with a huge possibility of virtual instruments. While 25 keys may be usable, it does limit your range, and you may find that you need to do frequent octave shifts on the keyboard. A 49 key controller will cover the full range of almost all instruments, excluding piano and organ.
The difference in price is small compared to the benefit of those two additional octaves.
If budget is a consideration, check out Sweetwater. You can split the purchase over three payments, which helps make a larger purchase easier to swallow.
As far as Alesis goes, yes, they do appeal to the budget minded market.
That said, I have faith in most of their products. I have beat the living crap out of my Alesis drums for over a year.
I just got word that my Control Pad is shipping today, and I love my monitors. I'm not really sold on their mixers, though.
If I were in your shoes, I would take a hard look at the M-Audio Oxygen 49 and the Alesis QX49.
The Axioms are definitely nice, but may be a bit spendy. As are the Roland/Cakewalk A-Pro series, which I really like.
Remember, you are buying an instrument. Get something that you can love and it will love you back.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I have never purchased anything Alesis before, but it has good reviews on all the sites. I have M-Audio monitor speakers and I've been pleased with them. I used to have an M-Audio USB interface, but wasn't too happy with that. I guess you never tell, right. Thanks for the input. I'm going to keep doing research. I'm not much of a keyboard player, but I need to throw in some little fills and melodies sometimes and I just need something simple.

I'm looking for something cheap & cheerful and the Alesis QX25 ticks all the boxes that are relevant to me

I like Alesis a lot, totally forgot they had decent MIDI controllers. My first keyboard rompler was an Alesis QS 6.1. I miss it and remember the keys feeling great. Definitely a good buy!

Well, I'm going to have to wait a little bit on this purchase as I upgraded to Producer Expanded and bought 3 effects for the ProChannel! Thanks for the input; I'm really leaning towards the Alesis. Hopefully soon I can get it!

41 notes is sort of a bare minimum for playing piano or keyboard parts, I guess you can keep one finger on the octave button. I have an M-audio Axiom with 25 notes and I just cannot play it. It's fine for drum parts and little noodles. But. I still use my very old Roland P100 42 note most days. Defiantly you want to try one for feel first if you can.

Keyboards with less than 88 keys are okay for dinking around but if you start using samples that take advantage of key switching you'll soon be buying a full 88.

Speaking of Alesis

... Alesis is about to sell their own Vortex 'keytar' version of the ax-synth MIDI (that geeky $1200 Roland ketar) ... for about $250 street ... in September.

That will be a must-have MIDI for me ... though I currently have the Roland ax-synth MIDI (for stage and toying).