Choosing my first MIDI controller

[zugu]

I've recently become interested in learning how to operate DAW software. Many people pointed me toward Propellerhead Reason, so I downloaded a trial and it sure looks like fun. There are a lot of Reason tutorials on the internets, but most of them assume the user already has a MIDI keyboard controller.

There are a lot of cheap keyboard controllers on the market, but I don't know what to choose. 25 keys controllers usually have lots of knobs and even drum pads, while 37 or 49 key controllers don't. As a noob, what's better for me? More keys or more knobs?

[Antwon]

For a beginner a mix of knobs and buttons would be the best thing, as you can assign them to whatever you want. You don't wanna get something that's pretty much all buttons and then discover that you'd really like to use knob-controlled effects in your music production. Stuff like pitch modulation etc. would always be useful and are fun to use live. Makes you feel like a c00l DJ d00d
One with a drum pad would be cool (since presumably you can assign any sound to it, not just preset drums), but then again I would say that since I play drums.

[zugu]

So I guess I'll get this:

[url=http://www.akaipro.com/mpkmini][img]http://www.akaipro.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/22/f9d1d3ca342f93e261dfb0f46e15446a/medium/mpkmini_angle_med.png[/img][/url]

instead of this:

[url=http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeyRig49.html][img]http://www.m-audio.com/images/global/product_pics/big/keyrig_49_v2008.jpg[/img][/url]

Anyone advising me to do the other way around?

Edit: I think I'll get the M-Audio keyboard, along with this Akai pad:

[url=http://www.akaipro.com/lpd8][img]http://www.akaipro.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/21/f0ec32fd6aee9df17c98daf09f47ad21/large/lpd8_web_large.png[/img][/url]

[The Janitor]

[url]http://www.johnrofrano.com/tutorials/bomemousekeyboard.htm[/url]

I'd recommend checking that out first. Truth be told you don't NEED a keyboard.
A lot of producer I look up to just use software, it does help if you have problems with creativity however. But let yourself become very acquainted with the software first before you buy.

That akai controller would be of a lot of use for recording automation or if you feel comfortable drumming on pads rather than auditioning everything.

This is just my personal opinion though. The best thing to do if you are planning on buying for sure would be to go around to various stores in your area if you can and try them out.
Just make sure you definitely get what you want. A guitarist one convinced me to buy a piece of shit $800 keyboard when I was first starting out and all I wanted was a midi controller.

[Rediscover]

[IMG]http://rekkerd.org/img/articles/akai_mpk25.jpg[/IMG]

akai mpk25, my first midi controller

its amazing

get it, its only like 150

[zugu]

[QUOTE=Rediscover;34602532]

akai mpk25, my first midi controller

its amazing

get it, its only like 150[/QUOTE]

Agreed, except that it's double the price of the MPK Mini where I live.

[ethandennis]

What do you want to do with it. Using it for use inputting drum beats, if its just for that. korg has small drum pad for 60 dallors. [URL="http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/nanoPAD2bk/"]http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/nanoPAD2bk/[/URL]

if you know enough about keys the MPK mini would be the best choice for the price.

[JoshJosh117]

[QUOTE=zugu;34602094]

[URL="http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeyRig49.html"][IMG]http://www.m-audio.com/images/global/product_pics/big/keyrig_49_v2008.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[/QUOTE]

I have that keyboard, which is fine (but no pads/knobs as you have said, obviously).

[duckboy38]

[QUOTE=JoshJosh117;34716937]I have that keyboard, which is fine (but no pads/knobs as you have said, obviously).[/QUOTE]

I have the same thing, it's my first and only MIDI controller. Honestly, i don't see much of a need for the knobs/pads n' shit... If anything they're an optional feature, i mean you can mix everything virtually. If you have the money though, I suppose it's nice to have.

[thisispain]

knobs are good if you need to use something that needs a lot of MIDI input.

[peterson]

Alesis Q25

[Turboweevil]

[QUOTE=zugu;34602094][url=http://www.akaipro.com/mpkmini][img]http://www.akaipro.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/22/f9d1d3ca342f93e261dfb0f46e15446a/medium/mpkmini_angle_med.png[/img][/url]
[/QUOTE]

This is what I got as my first. I can recommend it.