I currently have a Nektar Impact LX 61+ and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, but just feel like I do not connect with it. I previously had the Nektar Impact LX 88 and have previously had a Korg Kontrol 49. I didn't particularly connect with any of them, so am guessing I'm either stifling my workflow somewhere without realising or that I'm just not a keyboard kind of guy.

The music I am mostly doing at the moment is dark techno, but do stray into making film score-like music at times, where a keyboard can be handy due to use of Kontakt libraries and so on. However, I just don't find keyboards inspiring. I think it is partly cos I hate MIDI mapping with a passion so unless it auto-maps for me, I don't tend to bother....but that might just be my laziness and need to get my ass in gear as I am having similar issues with a Behringer BCR2000!

Anybody got any suggestions for a MIDI keyboard controller that may inspire, and ideally something 25 to 49 key max, purely because of lack of use so don't want it taking up my studio space more than it needs to!

 

I empathise greatly with what you said, Bunford. Most of the MIDI keyboards are really hard to adjust. I know absolutely nobody who bought a MIDI keyboard with knobs and faders and use its whole potential. Why? Because it is a PITA to setup, in-fucking-deed.

I can recommend you to look up some of the Novation Remotes. I find it *relatively* easy to set up for different plugins to work with. The [buggy] editor is quite a help, no matter its buginess. Maybe you could use the automap feature, too. I don't like it nor need it.

I love the keybed and real-time control on it. I'm very fond of this Remote-37 MIDI keyboard as you can really control your performance nicely with it and get great visual feedback, too. I love the joystick, touchpad is a bit of hit and miss [you have to press it hard], drumpads are nowhere near my MPD32, but all in all it is a really nice solo performance controller MIDI keyboard. I still can't think of a better one. Plus this older one has two LCD screens that really help to navigate all the controls easily.

Speaking of more modern MIDI controllers, maybe new NI and AKAI controllers would be nice, too? I haven't been able to try any, so far.

 

If you use Kontakt and don't like doing the mapping part, maybe invest in the Komplete Kontrol, it's a little more expensive than a regular key but it's really nice to use with NI product (it also work with some other brand who got a partnership with NI)

 

Budget?

 

I can only speak for the Akai controllers since I own two of them, Max49 and Advance 49. I liked the Max49 because the keybed was better than the MPK49, but never used the CV out or the touch strips as they were finicky and the though supporting MCU/HUI there werent enough controls to make them usable (like bank left/right). Other than that, the arp was great, the pads were great, and had transport controls.

Next I got an Advance 49, Keybed was even better, the large pads feel excellent and the large encoders are buttery smooth. I dont use VIP because I find it silly to load all my plugins in a wrapper, and not all the presets have been made for it, I could see how it can be great in a live scenario but in the studio its useless.

My recommendation if you were to go with Akai would be the MPK249, it has a ton of features and controls without any gimmicks, the keybed is great and the pads too.

 

Roland A300 (500 or 800) Pro good choise.

 

korg micro kontrol is a nice keyboard controller

 

"Everything" except M-Audio!

 

The Akai MPK261 is 2nd to None and I have played the Kontrol which is mostly hype and overpriced.

 

Last edited: Feb 22, 2018

I concur!!! Behringer has now become a more reputable brand

repeat do not buy the M_AUDIO under any circumstance

 

Heh..

Im using an M audio Oxygen 8.

Personally its not been problematic at all..
..
Agree Wth Sinwave....I rarely bother to assign/Map out midi cc either..
Certainly not to the true scope availiable.

 

With Novation Remote it takes about half an hour to map the controls of a simpler synth like "The Legend". You start the editor, enter the CC numbers and write out the names, send the patch to the keyboard and you're finished. I wonder why there is not more of these pre-mapped patches available for download. However it does come with all Arturia [that I don't use], Korg Legacy [that I love] and Novation VST synths [that I'm not really fond of].

hmmm Sinwave... sounds cool

 

One of the items I had been looking at was the Novation Remote MK2 Zero or 25 key.

 

Yeah, not all libraries map out unless they have the NI partnership and nks files though. Plus they are pretty steep. Nice, but steep.

 

Don't wanna be spending too much because if it's a keyboard it probably won't get much use.

 

This reminded me that I did have an Amazing MPK49 years and years ago. Had similar issues, but did use the pads for laying drums etc, but it had a weird 3 x 4 pad setup or something from what I remember

 

Anybody here moved to a no-keyboard setup? That is something like a Maschine or Push and no keyboard?

 

I've used a Launchpad-s with 3rd party software inside Fl Studio 11 a while back which gave it Push like capabilities. Great fun and cheap nowadays. I've just bought a Maschine Mikro Mk2 to use in a similar way but can't get it to work properly. Also a Beatstep. I just like getting stoned and wacking things I suppose.

 

Fl 12 has native support for the custom scale function for the launchpads. I'm curious to see what the Maschine Mikro will be like when i set it up properly.

 

In my opinion the pads on the original MPK were horrible, rock hard and basically just on off buttons, the MPK2 is great and has a 4x4 layout.