Oh for sure I'd use a stable version most definitely. Have you seen that mpc keyboard stem sepeartion vidoes? It's freaking amazing

 

I would advise against the MPC 37 unless you like the MPC workflow. The keys feel cheap, screen is pretty pointless. Drum pads are okay. I've gone through my fair share of cheap desktop midi controllers, at the end of the day, it really comes down to how you plan on using it. If I were you, I would save a little more and go for a 37 key HADRWARE synth and use that as your midi controller as well. Something with full size keys, not the toy piano variety.

 

anyone have one of these? lol supposely this is japans best selling synth

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q7WU7L...c-45aa-8dae-c6f180404a1f&aref=PLowWyQmGG&th=1

Otamatone Deluxe Electronic Musical Instrument for Adults Portable Synthesizer Digital Electric Music from Japan by Cube/Maywa Denki Cool Stuff Gifts, Black [English Manual]

 

Using a hardware synth as your keyboard controller is not the best idea either. Any nice synth is going to cost more than a controller. Forgetting all the issues like maybe needing actual midi i/o ports to connect a non-usb synth to, or that your DAW will have aditional mapping and routing features, midi learn sometimes being a pain; you get to the simple issue of wear and tear. You are beating up a synth to play other soundsources in your daw, needlessly. Midi controllers are almost "disposable", where repairing a real synth can be difficult, expensive, and that even heads into parts availability depending on the age of the synth. The first time you have to repair a synth will probably cost as much as a new controller.

Most "hardware synths" do not have the best keybeds, and neither do controllers. With a controller, you can easily just pick another make/model if you want a different keybed of some kind. With a synth, almost every variant of that same synth is going to have the same keys.

 

To each their own. I didn't think the conversation was about needing a midi controller that is "disposable". I find playing a hardware synth with good keys to be far more inspiring than a cheap piece of plastic (which I've used many over the years and they all served me well). I'm not worried about normal wear and tear on my 37 key. Most of the 37 key hardware synths are going to have midi USB so that's not really a concern. I wouldn't buy one that doesn't for the purpose of using it as a midi controller.. I have many hardware synths and have never had to repair any of them (knock on wood). Perhaps you have a more aggressive playing style

Of course, the simpler option would be buying a dedicated midi keyboard (especially as a first purchase), but I personally enjoy using a hardware synth for my midi playing needs. Maybe someone might find that interesting

 

Unless you are going to drop "the B word", let me know which 37 key synth you are suggesting.

 

I want the MPC apability and being that the Akai mpc 37key has that and 37 keys is ideal for me. I've always been a drummer, I have the ear for music though I can nearly play and isolate anything I hear if I have the capabilty too.

 

watch this video at 12:40 you'll see how easy he uses the mpc software on the device to remove stems.

 

I've got the Akai MPK 49. For me 49 is the minimum, but the keyboard is not that great, It's software has to be reset frequently, the sliders don't work properly, nor do the dial knobs. It emits occasional midi notes and CC info on it's own too frequently.
When I can I will have to get it fixed or buy a different keyboard.

 

Haha no def not the B word. Right now, I'm using a Modal Electronics Argon8. It's certainly bigger than a standard 37-midi keyboard but small enough that I can place it on my desk in front of me. The build quality is good. I was actually surprised with some of the sounds I was getting out of it compared to more expensive synths that I own but it could easily be over-kill for a midi-controller depending on the setup

 

You tricked us buster! You said up to 400 and now you are up for something that costs 900 lol.
Now, i don't see the point in getting a "real" MPC. Unless you travel much. To utilize the MPC daw soft, all you need is a controller like the AKAI MPK249 and a comp. I get it that the bling of a brand new independent portable unit can be dazzling. But i see no need for a standalone MPC machine and all the extra cost, you 'd better off spending the rest of your money beefing up your comp, speaking about the studio always. The MPK also works nicely with other daws too like Abl. Live.

 

Damn, what DAW are you using?

 

LOL right, until I laid eyes on it.
I have to have that MPC software for sure. I was thinking of getting the MPK249 but eveyone was saying not to.

 

@toothpick Modal Electronics Argon is $750-ish on sale. Has a Fatar keybed but it is Fatar TP9/S, which is one of the cheapest ones they make. It has a 4 direction joystick instead of a mod and pitch wheel, and no ribbon controller. Are the knobs endless? They do not exactly look robust. Step sequencer software looks pretty nice. Is it external power source only, or can it also use usb-only for power?

It is 8 voice polyphonic, but is mono-timbral. Looks alright. Hydrasynth Explorer is also 37 keys and 200 bucks cheaper. Arturia Minifreak is in the same lane. They are all still about double the price of a capable controller. Playing two-handed on a 37 key controller is not fun, or even 49. That depends on the user.

 

reaper. I only use the keys on the akai, everything else I can do in reaper. My next keyboard wont have sliders and knobs that's for sure.

 

https://doepfer.de/lmk2.htm
https://www.akaipro.com/mpd32

 

Well, the MPK is sort of old atm and supposedly there is more new keyboards out there that will offer more apart from control, in terms of auto chord generation, versatile articulate arpeggiator etc. like the new Novation. Still, the MPK has all basic controls needed on it and if you want to work with the MPC soft it is well suited.
Btw, i didn't know you were a drummer. I thought you were a dj/producer. Np.
Laters m8

 

are there maybe uh, the folding ones

 

long faders are nice, but it depends what you are using them for. In the Arturia System V packages, its for tweaking params on the synths, so the short sliders are fine for that. I've never tried using it as a mixing surface, but its supposed to work with Ableton, so one of these days..

 

Ah I see, yea it definiteIy is. I remember wanting one way back I never could commit though. I'm kind of weird like I want the best of the best of something and I do my research only to find out something else is better. Yea I used to DJ a bit and make remixes, but I've played drums since I was like maybe 12 or 13 something like that, I was also in the high school band. Thats been years I probably couldn't even read sheet music anymore if I tried.

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2025 at 5:08 AM