Which midi controller should I buy? I know nothing about controllers. I don't plan to use any hardware. I only plan to hook up the controller to my computer. I don't plan to do any recording either. I only use VST at this moment. Right now I am not using a DAW. I am using stand alone plugins in finale 2014 like komplete 8 ultimate refx nexus omnisphere etc. Will these controllers work for finale 2014 and stand alone plugins in it?

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ImpactLX61

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Oxygen-61

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Launchkey61

This one is also a lot more expensive. Does the extra money comes with more features? Do I really need more features or a more expensive controller for what I am trying to do?

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MPK261

 

Hi Jonathan

If you feel more confortable with Keys, this options are fine. I like Novation products, but the others are good too. But if you play Guitar, I can easily recomend the Fishman TriplePlay Wireless MIDI Controller, because is just amazing. The best product of NAMM 2012.

Here is other options (but very $$$$$ ones...):

http://www.hakenaudio.com/Continuum/

Roli - SeaBoard"]https://www.roli.com/seaboard/[/color]

 

hi this looks ok

http://www.m-audio.com/products/view/oxygen-61

if you look around you will get a old verson
for under 100 euro on ebay ect,

nexus and omnisphere are not standalone plugins
so you will need a daw to run them in
or you can download this.

http://www.hermannseib.com/english/savihost.htm

but you would be alot better of getting a daw
in the long run as its easer to use a midi keyboard with one.
fl studio would be my first choice as its easy to use
and there are lots of vids on youtube about how to set it up
to work with midi controllers.

happy music making.

 

I have had great experience with both an Arturia Keylsb 49 and an M-Audio Axiom 49 mkII. What DAW are you planning on using? If you aren't planning on using Ableton, the launchkey is kind of a waste. What do you intend to do with it? What features are important to you?

 

I've heard some people saying about the Oxygen 61 (the new Mark IV, your second link), that it has a lot better keys than before, even better than the other keyboards in its price range. About AKAI, they used to make great midi keyboards, but i've heard their last seriers are kinda crappy, more like a downgrade from the ex-MPKs.
About Impact, i have no clue about and Launchkey, keys feeling-wise it's not that nice, a lot of people don't like the keys not even on the more expensive models such as Novation SLMk2 series. I had a chance to work on the SLmk2 61 for a few months once i was temporary working in a studio and i must tell you it was kinda ok, but not that great and sometimes felt weird to play especially on the dense-velocity virtual instruments. But anyway, back on topic, i would buy the Oxygen Mark IV, for its keys feeling improvement.
That's just my opinion though,

Cheers.

 

Hi,

Even I was contemplating on a new keyboard. But i was thinking about the new ones....any views on these?
Korg Taktile
Nektar Panorama
Now the Native Instruments Kontrol ones

and lastly, the cheapest option which has good reviews....the CME XKey. Seems they have done away with the normal embedded in frame keys and so keys are bigger and supposedly much more responsive....what say?

 

Thank you everyone, I don't know what DAW I plan to use yet. I currently have cubase 5, but I haven't really used it. I write all my music in finale 2014 because it's easier for me to read staff. In the future I might just import the midi into a DAW. I need a DAW that's easy to use, that has good midi cabaility, since I will only be using VST and it needs to also be able to display in staff, because without staff I get confused.

Also I notice these controllers have the same amount of buttons but certain brand still cost more than others. If they have the same amount of buttons, do they do the same thing? Do I really need to buy more expensive controllers? Also When it says DAW integration support does that mean it only works with DAWs or does it work with finale 2014 and other plugins like refx nexus omnisphere komplete 8 etc? Also I know what velocity sensitive and semi-weighted is but what does synth-weighted mean?

I notice the above links do not work, so here it is again.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ImpactLX61

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Oxygen-61

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Launchkey61

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MPK261

 

I own the launchkey49, which is just a smaller version of the one you mentioned. It's ok, the build quality is generally good although I have to admit some of the keys already started to clack. It is very targeted for the use with ableton live and the integration with ableton is good. two rows of triggerpads don't knock your socks of when it comes to performing with ableton but it's a start.
The triggerpads are touch sensitive what means you can use them as drumpads (which I don't).
It has one major drawback: it doesn't have program change buttons. That means you can't step through presets using designated keys on the keyboard, you have to go through them by clicking your mouse.
I cannot say how much more time consuming and annoying this is and I wouldn't buy it again just because of the lack of these keys.

M-Audio's oxygen controllers are very mature and probably worth their money. Up to date I never had any M-Audio products that sucked.

 

Personally i think you are going about this back to front.

First find out what software you will be using.
Second, work out what you cant do with that software easily with what you currently have.
third, find out which controller works best with your daw and fills in the missing bits to aid your workflow.

Remember, some controllers are specifically made to work well with certain DAW's and others will work with just about any DAW but will not be as tightly integrated into a DAW's workflow.

 

zones....see how many each has
(zones=separate midi channel outputs and setups)

 

Your best bet is yo get a cheap m audio or alesis I purchased a m audio axiom with all the bells and whistles and hated it..then if it breaks or something goes wrong your not out $500