Decent old synth to use as controller?
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- emulatorloo
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Decent old synth to use as controller?
I've got a second home with a small set-up, right now I am using a Roland D-50 as a MIDI controller. Playing soft synths, Kontakt, etc.
I just don't feel like I am getting much in the way of dynamics.
Not wanting to spend a lot of money, maybe $300 plus. I am thinking a Yamaha SY series might be good? Any suggestions appreciated,
I just don't feel like I am getting much in the way of dynamics.
Not wanting to spend a lot of money, maybe $300 plus. I am thinking a Yamaha SY series might be good? Any suggestions appreciated,
- Dwetmaster
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
If you could find a used yamaha KX8, you'd be in business...
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DP8.04, Bidule, M5 3, Ethno 2, BPM 1.5 Kontakt4, BFD2, SD2, Omnisphere, Wave Arts P-S5, Altiverb7, PSP VW & OldTimer, VB3, Ivory 2 Grand, True Pianos, Ozone 5, Reason 4, AmpliTube3, Bla bla bla...
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- stubbsonic
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
I assume you've played around with velocity curve settings in the D-50? It should have pretty good dynamics as a controller.
M1 MBP; OS 12, FF800, DP 11.3, Kontakt 7, Reaktor 6, PC3K7, K2661S, iPad6, Godin XTSA, Two Ibanez 5 string basses (1 fretted, 1 fretless), FM3, SY-1000, etc.
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- Shooshie
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
Before you commit to a keyboard, get out your MIDI Monitor (by Snoize), and give it a little test. See if you can get every velocity from 1 through 127, or at least hit enough of them to be sure that the rest are also possible. Some older MIDI keyboards only did a handful of velocities. Others may do them, but are very sensitive, and it may be hard to get some ranges.
Shooshie
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- emulatorloo
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
I've been digging through the manual and haven't found a way to change the velocity curve. Looks like it may be fixed?stubbsonic wrote:I assume you've played around with velocity curve settings in the D-50? It should have pretty good dynamics as a controller.
Shooshie: MIDI monitor, wow! Thanks for the tip. I am seeing a range of velocities, from 0 up to 127.
What I am thinking is it may be my playing style, I am mostly used to semi-weighted or weighted keys. Seems like D-50 is synth action. Maybe I will try to adapt playing styled and see what happens.
This may be what I end up doing. Looks like slim pickings for those on eBay. I see a more Roland A series controllers seems like.Dwetmaster wrote:If you could find a used yamaha KX8, you'd be in business...
Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
Don't forget the DP Change Velocity plug.
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- monkey man
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
Greg! You're alive!
Great to see you, man.
I too thought a Yammy SY might be cool, if for no other reason than the facts that they're Yammy-made and have sliders, although I've no idea how configurable said controls are.
What about that Yammy analogue-modelling keyboard? Forgotten what it was called, but it had usable sounds (unique, cutting / biting) and a shedload of knobs etc. I'd be willing to bet that the actual keyboard on the SY would've been better 'though, based on the intended use.
Great to see you, man.
I too thought a Yammy SY might be cool, if for no other reason than the facts that they're Yammy-made and have sliders, although I've no idea how configurable said controls are.
What about that Yammy analogue-modelling keyboard? Forgotten what it was called, but it had usable sounds (unique, cutting / biting) and a shedload of knobs etc. I'd be willing to bet that the actual keyboard on the SY would've been better 'though, based on the intended use.
Mac 2012 12C Cheese Grater, OSX 10.13.6
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- stubbsonic
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
Like many keyboards, I like a little more resistant, heft, weight, to my keys, but not as heavy as the older piano/hammer keyboards which always felt way too heavy and sluggish to me.
A synth action keyboard (especially the D-50) should be able to give you the dynamics you want, but it might not give you the feel you want.
A synth action keyboard (especially the D-50) should be able to give you the dynamics you want, but it might not give you the feel you want.
M1 MBP; OS 12, FF800, DP 11.3, Kontakt 7, Reaktor 6, PC3K7, K2661S, iPad6, Godin XTSA, Two Ibanez 5 string basses (1 fretted, 1 fretless), FM3, SY-1000, etc.
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
I'd be a little wary of older Yamaha keyboards. The key actions can get what I call tired. I have an original Motif 7 that has some keys that are very inconsistent in how they respond and snoize bears that out. It's a synth-action keybed. And some of those old Yamaha weighted action keybeds would also wear out quickly (in addition to being inconsistent from the factory).emulatorloo wrote:I've been digging through the manual and haven't found a way to change the velocity curve. Looks like it may be fixed?stubbsonic wrote:I assume you've played around with velocity curve settings in the D-50? It should have pretty good dynamics as a controller.
Shooshie: MIDI monitor, wow! Thanks for the tip. I am seeing a range of velocities, from 0 up to 127.
What I am thinking is it may be my playing style, I am mostly used to semi-weighted or weighted keys. Seems like D-50 is synth action. Maybe I will try to adapt playing styled and see what happens.
This may be what I end up doing. Looks like slim pickings for those on eBay. I see a more Roland A series controllers seems like.Dwetmaster wrote:If you could find a used yamaha KX8, you'd be in business...
- HCMarkus
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
Love the action on my Yamaha S90ES, plus the internal sounds are very useable and it has BC input. Use the D50 to play organ and synth sounds for a more authentic feel.
- emulatorloo
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
Hey everybody, thanks a million. You all gave me a lot to think about and here's what I decided to do.
While I'm out here this trip, I'm going to take HCMarkus' advice about using the D-50 for synth and organ parts. Just going to focus on synth-based tracks. So far, so good!
That being said, I'd rather have a semi-weighted keyboard out here. When I go home in a week, I'll check the keyboard collection for semi-weighted keys and see what I could stand to leave out here. I originally chose the D-50 to leave out here, because I have a D-550 at home.
Eventually I may want to get a Roland A-30 off of eBay. Semi weighted, 76 keys. (musicman691, appreciate you steering me away from the Yamaha SY's)
You guys are great!
This is what it boils down to, I think. I'm just more comfortable playing a semi-weighted or weighted keyboard.stubbsonic wrote:A synth action keyboard (especially the D-50) should be able to give you the dynamics you want, but it might not give you the feel you want.
While I'm out here this trip, I'm going to take HCMarkus' advice about using the D-50 for synth and organ parts. Just going to focus on synth-based tracks. So far, so good!
That being said, I'd rather have a semi-weighted keyboard out here. When I go home in a week, I'll check the keyboard collection for semi-weighted keys and see what I could stand to leave out here. I originally chose the D-50 to leave out here, because I have a D-550 at home.
Eventually I may want to get a Roland A-30 off of eBay. Semi weighted, 76 keys. (musicman691, appreciate you steering me away from the Yamaha SY's)
You guys are great!
- emulatorloo
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
Thanks, buddy! And right back at you. I lurk a fair amount but have been keeping my big fat mouth shut.monkey man wrote:Greg! You're alive!
Great to see you, man.
- monkey man
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Re: Decent old synth to use as controller?
Self-depreciation. At least your premium payments will be less.emulatorloo wrote:Thanks, buddy! And right back at you. I lurk a fair amount but have been keeping my big fat mouth shut.
Hope you're OK and haven't depreciated too much, Greg.
Mac 2012 12C Cheese Grater, OSX 10.13.6
MOTU DP8.07, MachFive 3.2.1, MIDI Express XT, 24I/O
Novation, Yamaha & Roland Synths, Guitar & Bass, Kemper Rack
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