Guys really appreciate the time you took to write me all those feedbacks, As i said i'm mainly going to use it almost only with Kontakt, but here's what i really think, as @Qrchack mentioned, i defensively think that the M-Audio here beats the rest in design terms, also i like the fact that the Pitch and Modulation wheel, are on the left, but that wont be a real problem, and my final choice wont be based on how it looks but how it can make my life mush easier... I, 100% prefers the Faders over the Knobs, as the Akai Advanced have none is really, quite disappointing... less points to the Advanced also, i heard that the VIP software uses iLok, if that's true the Advanced is out of the pic. The MPK has Boths Faders and Knobs wish is quite good and handy, but as i just said Fader>Knobs for me so... While i do like how the Axiom looks, i don't like the fact the i have to Map and go through the trouble to make everything work as i want, wish is bad compared to the MPK, wish from what i'm reading is almost needs none (correct me if i'm wrong) and one last thing, i'll repeat this if i really had the Choice i would have gone with the S88 from Native Instrument hands down, no second thoughts. again i appreciate your Help!
know it's not in your finalists.. but also worth a look.. I settled on the A800 Pro for the features..and the cool joytick modulator.. plenty of knobs and faders https://www.roland.com/global/products/a-800pro/ Last edited by a moderator: Jun 25, 2017
I would say the advance would work the best with Kontakt. THe MPK261 works good with Kontakt but I think the Advance will most likely work better.
do you say this with first-hand experience? the reason i ask is that i have read several reviews on sweetwater and amazon from people who returned their advance because they could not make it work well with kontakt. if you have hands on experience using the advance with kontakt, then your opinion is appreciated.
We in Western Europe and lots of places on tbe US and Canada should be humblely grateful for our access to literally a wealth of gear, for just about anything that we want and can afford is readily accessible and can be played with or returned on a whim and ordered as simple as pie. Friends like @MrLyannMusic might have three stores to buy gear in Tunis but the pickings are slim, not anywhere near top quality stuff and super expensive, like by a factor of three compared to prices that we are used to seeing. Unless one is loaded and can ship in pro audio gear with the toll taxes that are commanded, the average Jane and John are pretty much stuck with stuff from M-Audio as the level of quality. Forget about trying to find something quality from Germany, the US or even Australia like Rode mics. I visited all three websites that MrLyannMusic has a chance to order things from and it was slim pickings at best. We have become complacent and downright spoiled if we can't get stuff yesterday. We are lucky, lucky and luckier still and should try not to forget this on a moment to moment basis.
I would say this based on you tube reviews. I was looking for a controller to replace my Roland D-50 keyboard. I am not a pro keyboard player so I asked pro keyboard players here. I wanted a reasonable controller like you. All recommended the mpk-261 and the advance if I wanted more. I can tell you I really like the mpk-261 over the advance. I like that it has more pads and more knobs and sliders than the advance. My major concern was keyboard feel. The people in here told me to get a fatar based keyboard for a good feel. Again I am not disappointed in the MPK-261 it well worth the money I spent on it.
@MrLyannMusic I visited that website and considering what is your ideal controller, I think Axiom 61 is a good option for you. I noticed another model from M-Audio, Code 61, is on sale. I don't know much about it but with a quick googling it looks like a newer and probably a higher end controller from M-Audio. http://www.musicplus.tn/keyboards/c...code-61-clavier-maitre-61-notes-usb-midi.html Last edited: Jul 2, 2017
And what if you buy something? You also don't have these days where you still can send it back if it's not like what you had expected? Trying before buying is mostly not a option in my country aswell. But in my country we have at least 30 days not good money back warranty. Last edited: Jul 3, 2017
I voted up for the Advance for its big knobs and nice design,but I have never played with it.M-Audio Keyboards have not good users feedback for what I rode on the web. Like Herr-Dur said , the Roland A800 has cool features and is cheap.Maybe you could order it to your certified reseller if you like it ? Maybe my future keyboard.I just don't like the pitch and modwheel.I have an Edirol keyboard with the same knob and it's not handy. The best of the best in terms of features , if I had enough money , is for me by far the Native Instrument Komplete Kontrol. Last edited: Jul 3, 2017
since your using it with Kontakt mainly Komplete Kontrol is the only one that really will make your life easier. you should really spend your time and try everything to get one of these even if it costs way more. i have 2 keyboards from M-audio: an ancient Keystation 88 pro which is decent and everything works as it should then the axiom 25, pads and encoders complete trash, not usable at all. lots of problems all over the place with this one crappy keys but do their job to play in some notes from Akai i have the Apc 40, excellent product, best encoders from NI i have 4 various controllers and a machine, but not a keyboard, love NI yes its a keyboard/controller but the software behind it means a lot as well and nothing beats NI in that regard if theres no way to get KK, (which i still emphasize you to do ) i would take the Advance, the VIP software sounds promising, could be a similar experience like the KK if it works like it should (edit1) seems to work well with kontakt (edit2) ofc the best choice is the S88 but it costs an arm and a leg, about 1000 bucks here (edit3) M-audio sucks donkey Shlong Last edited by a moderator: Jul 3, 2017
as long as the device works as intended (nothing wrong with the hardware) you can't... as i said before, i wanted to go with the Native Keyboard, but it is unavailable in my country, and ordering one will cost me a fortune, taxes and currency... also i don't like the big knobs on the advance, and not having faders? not an option! Shipping is possible if you use international shipping method, what's impossible, is money transfer, as a normal citizen, i'm not able and i don't have a way to send money out of the country, only possible if you're a parent, and you're sending money to your child, who studies out of the country.... the Native Instruments Keyboard, costs a 3 months salary, of an above average, worker here, totally not possible to try, also most of the stores here, don't offer you keyboards to try, as if it is opened wont be able to sell it... only few do, and not all products.
