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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 52
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 52 |
I am looking for advice on choosing a midi keyboard to play the melody. My needs are very simple.
Easy to install is important along with a small footprint.
Thanks
Ron
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
HI Have a look at M Audio. They do a 32 key mini , and 49 and 61 Mk 3 keystation The Also do the Oxygen 49 and 61 MK IV. These have 6 drum pads as well as. 9 sliders and 8 rotary encoders. https://www.m-audio.com/products/browse/category/keyboards-and-controllersI have one from Novation, the Impulse 61 I believe this has a slightly bigger foot print If you are tight for foot print go for one of the first two keystations as without all the drum pads and gizmos they are smaller back to front Mike
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,513
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,513 |
Lots of choices. I use an iRig Keys 37, because I have more than two octaves in a still-small footprint.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,809
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,809 |
Actually, any midi keyboard will do that job. I have 2 synths in my studio. Both are midi capable and have been used for different projects depending on the need.
Things to consider....
number of keys. I would recommend a 61 key as a minimum. You might not think you need that many but there will come a time when you will want that many.
Touch sensitive. The harder you press the louder and more aggressive the note is played. Like a real piano and adds that human feel to the playing.
Weighted keys. Weighted keys more closely resemble the feel of a real piano vs the "nothing behind it" feel of many synths. Each has its advantages.
A few places not to overlook in your search to buy a keyboard controller. Yard sales, pawn shops, and want ads for sale. Everybody has one of these laying around that they don't play with and will often sell it in really good shape for way less than the music store. Unless you really need the brand new, with a warrantee, in the original box.... don't buy it from a music store unless that's the way you roll.
The 2 I got.... one was given to me absolutely free and the other I bought lightly used from the keyboard player in our house band when she left the band. I think she was asking half price of it new.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Ron, since you're forum name is Keyboard I assume you're a keys player as I am. Personally, I don't care if a controller is weighted or not. For gigging I'm mostly a B3 guy anyway but I have a grand piano in my living room.
Any stage keyboard can be used as a midi controller but if you're strictly talking about a home studio with a small desk then sure, pick up whatever minimum size fits your space. If all you're going to do is enter single note melody's a 25 key is probably fine. But, if you're a good player and you want to control a high end synth library you'll need more than that along with all the knobs and faders you can get. Tell us more about what kind of player you are and what you want to do.
I totally agree with Herb, buy used. Been doing that all my life, I've never bought a new keyboard ever. Used controllers are all over Craigslist, and online retail websites like Guitar Center, Reverb, Sweetwater, etc.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,497
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,497 |
Right, I agree with JazzMammal; used can be the way to go with a word of caution. Be careful of how the condition is described. My "like new" could be your worst nightmare.
Case in point, I got a new-to-me Yamaha Montage from Guitar Center. They described it as "like new". When it came in from their store in RI, one of the control knobs was missing and the unit had a long crack on the end and a lifted face plate. I rejected that one and ordered another from their store in AL. That one was also described as "like new"...and it really was! No dents, no dings, no dust, not a scratch anywhere!
Do some homework on what your interested in. Look up the owners manual on line and get familiar with how it works so you can give the once-over when it arrives. Order from a reputable dealer with a money back guarantee if you don't like it. Have it sent to their store, not your home. Be there when it arrives. Unpack it with their rep standing by. Very closely examine it. Have them hook it up. Plug it and check out all the keys, features, displays, buttons, sliders what have you.
With all this CoVid stuff going on and the near complete shutdown of all live music, this could be an ideal time to pick up a bargain.
You can save a lot of money by buying used, but be careful, don't buy someone else's problem.
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730 |
I have a 49 key native instruments komplete controller. I also have an Akai mini 25 found that to be a tad restrictive. I’m find the 49 key to be perfect for me. Plus I love the native instruments software sounds. I find that the keyboard integrated nicely into the systems I use Band in a Box, Logic X and Studio one.
Whi”e I agree with Herb and Bob, on getting great deals with used gear. Sometimes it works out better to buy new IF you get some nice content with the package. With the native instruments units some nice sounds come packaged. I have a good friend who has bought several licenses for NI libraries and he gave me a license. So I have almost everything they make, but if I just had what the bundle it would be some nice stuff.
Bottom line if you already have a ton of sound libraries used rocks, but if not sometimes new gets you started.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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