• Looking for a good, portable MIDI controller.
    11 replies, posted
I've been a pianist for a while, and while I enjoy it, I want to try some other things. Midi has always interested me, and I see things like Jon Coulton's Zendrum (Whose products start at $999), and I just can't help but feel like I could do something with it. I'm wondering what cheaper alternatives there are. Basically, I'm looking for only a few features: 1. Portability. I don't mind if it needs its own strap or something, but I'd like it to be just as, or slightly more portable than, say, a small guitar. 2. Built-in MIDI processing. Basically, I want to be able to put sounds [I]onto[/I] the device, and then hopefully use audio output to play them through a speaker. 3. Interface with a lot of options, but doesn't get too cluttered. I think a 4x4 grid, plus output options would suit me fine enough, but I'm new to the world of Midi, so I'm not quite sure what there is, interface-wise. 4. Price. The cheaper the better. I'm not a rich man, but I've got enough to afford a decent instrument. I'm hoping something packaged with the features I'm interested in could be found for only a few hundred, or less. If not, well...I have to start somewhere. Correct me if I'm making bad assumptions here, but if you have a good, portable controller, I'd like a recommendation. Thanks!
To make sure you understand midi I suggest reading this thread. [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1111609[/url] -Do you want to be able to hook it up to your computer? -Do you want to be able to play the keyboard without hooking it up to anything? -How many keys? -What kind of sound quality are you looking for? -What kind of sounds are you looking for?
[QUOTE=Pepin;32310632]To make sure you understand midi I suggest reading this thread. [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1111609[/url] -Do you want to be able to hook it up to your computer? -Do you want to be able to play the keyboard without hooking it up to anything? -How many keys? -What kind of sound quality are you looking for? -What kind of sounds are you looking for?[/QUOTE] Well, I do want to be able to hook it up to my computer, yes. I also want to be able to add my own sounds. As for keys, I've seen 4x4 button grids that look like they'd suit me fine. Sound quality...Decent, obviously, but I'll take anything that doesn't sound like it belongs in a broken christmas gift speaker. Also, a few options for tweaking the sound on the device would be nice. Treble, bass, maybe pitch.
[QUOTE=Gamegeneral;32314725]Well, I do want to be able to hook it up to my computer, yes. I also want to be able to add my own sounds. As for keys, I've seen 4x4 button grids that look like they'd suit me fine. Sound quality...Decent, obviously, but I'll take anything that doesn't sound like it belongs in a broken christmas gift speaker.[/QUOTE] You are looking for a synthesiser or sampler with midi capabilities. Midi keyboards can not play sounds by themselves, they just send note and velocity data and whatnot Have you looked at the microkorg XL? It has small keys though [editline]16th September 2011[/editline] With a synthesiser, the sound quality really depends on you. You can make your own sounds, but it takes a bit of practice.
[QUOTE=Croix;32314766]You are looking for a synthesiser or sampler with midi capabilities. Midi keyboards can not play sounds by themselves, they just send note and velocity data and whatnot Have you looked at the microkorg XL? It has small keys though [editline]16th September 2011[/editline] With a synthesiser, the sound quality really depends on you. You can make your own sounds, but it takes a bit of practice.[/QUOTE] That's not quite what I'm looking for. I have a Midi capable keyboard, I'm looking for something more along the lines of a drum-box or something similar, but with the ability to make custom sounds for it, or import them from my PC. Upon some inspection, a sampler IS closer to what I'm looking for.
Something like this? [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tiioy0KRpWg[/url]
AKAI LPK25 Its simple, small, and its real cheap [img]http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/musical_instruments/detail-page/akai-LPK25-front_face-900.jpg[/img] I got one last year an i love it!
[QUOTE=RomanTheOmen;32330623]AKAI LPK25 Its simple, small, and its real cheap [img]http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/musical_instruments/detail-page/akai-LPK25-front_face-900.jpg[/img] I got one last year an i love it![/QUOTE] He already had a MIDI capable keyboard.
Get a sl mk2 like i have [img]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop_image/product/40795-novation-sl25-mk-ii-large.jpg[/img] It isn't too big its around low/medium size.
[QUOTE=skifer;32334199]Get a sl mk2 like i have [img]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop_image/product/40795-novation-sl25-mk-ii-large.jpg[/img] It isn't too big its around low/medium size.[/QUOTE] This is still just a midikeyboard, what he wants is a sampler. The sl mkii is pretty cool though, I'd want the desktop model
The korg microsampler has features very parallel to what I want, actually. You guys are actually helping me a lot here. Because I'm learning what I do and don't need in this. So far, I've determined that the device should be able to play the sounds itself, (Or at least through an audio out), and a keyboard setup is acceptable, but not what I want. I'm looking for pads, not keys. And going through all the research is also making me rethink my approach. Best to start out small, I would think. It's a new, but similar field. Doesn't mean I'll get it right off the bat.
[QUOTE=Gamegeneral;32388092]The korg microsampler has features very parallel to what I want, actually. You guys are actually helping me a lot here. Because I'm learning what I do and don't need in this. So far, I've determined that the device should be able to play the sounds itself, (Or at least through an audio out), and a keyboard setup is acceptable, but not what I want. I'm looking for pads, not keys. And going through all the research is also making me rethink my approach. Best to start out small, I would think. It's a new, but similar field. Doesn't mean I'll get it right off the bat.[/QUOTE] Akai MPC, there are lots of models. Look it up
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