Need reccomendations on a 61 key MIDI controller
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Here's where to talk about preamps, cables, microphones, monitors, etc.
Here's where to talk about preamps, cables, microphones, monitors, etc.
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The Sinner
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:56 am
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: in and confined to my body
Need reccomendations on a 61 key MIDI controller
Ok i am finally getting rid of my POS m-audio keystation 49e. I absolutely hate the action on it (classical piano player). So far i am looking at the EMU Xboard 61, any other reccomendations? Main considerations are the action (so i don't have to spend time adjusting velocities) -as close to a piano as possible and some decent feautres and a good price. I will not buy anything m-audio ever again.
If you are looking to be as close to a real piano, You should look for fully weighted keys. However most controllers of this type lean towards 88 keys.
Keyboard action is a touchy subject... What one person loves another person hates. Also two different units of the exact same product can feel completely different. This is also true of real pianos. There was a time several years back when a few of my brothers and some friends between them had about 5 or 6 Kurzweil MIDI Boards (Same model 88 Key weighted controller). Every one of them felt completely different.
Funny you mentioned the M-Audio Keystation 49e... I had one myself and I kind of "liked" the action and response it had, but I wanted 88 keys so I bought the keystation 88es (the 88 key version of the 49e). Unfortunately I don't particularly like the response of the 88es. It is hard to get it into the higher velocities. I find myself having to insert the change velocity plugin into the MIDI tracks in Performer. This was not a problem with the 49e I had.
If action is really important to you, I would only purchase one where you can physically try the "actual unit" you are going to buy.
Keyboard action is a touchy subject... What one person loves another person hates. Also two different units of the exact same product can feel completely different. This is also true of real pianos. There was a time several years back when a few of my brothers and some friends between them had about 5 or 6 Kurzweil MIDI Boards (Same model 88 Key weighted controller). Every one of them felt completely different.
Funny you mentioned the M-Audio Keystation 49e... I had one myself and I kind of "liked" the action and response it had, but I wanted 88 keys so I bought the keystation 88es (the 88 key version of the 49e). Unfortunately I don't particularly like the response of the 88es. It is hard to get it into the higher velocities. I find myself having to insert the change velocity plugin into the MIDI tracks in Performer. This was not a problem with the 49e I had.
If action is really important to you, I would only purchase one where you can physically try the "actual unit" you are going to buy.
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standingwave
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:26 am
- Primary DAW OS: Unspecified
I bought a Yamaha P-70 (OK so it's 88 keys) a few weeks ago for £399 (that's about $750). For piano action it beat everything by miles. It's absolutely a different class to similarly priced keyboards. I tried the Keystation 88 Pro, which is a bit cheaper admitedly, and the keys felt like wilted celery - just awful! (But obviously great for synths and lots of MIDI knobs/ faders etc).
The Yamaha P-70 has a very, very realistic piano feel with full weighted hammer action without any knobs or faders, just really great action and very consistant MIDI output. I use VSL and wondered if such a 'weighty' action would be so good for some instruments but having used it for a couple of weeks I find imputing ANY part a much more musical experience. Velocities are dynamic AND consistant, if you see what I mean!
Another similar keyboard I tried the CME UF8, again not in same league as P-70 but better than Keystation.
I think Yamaha use the same action on all their P series - there might be a 61 key model but I doubt it. I suggest you try one out just for comparison if nothing else. I am still in keyboard heaven with mine - and as it has decent onboard piano/harp/organ/vibraphone etc sounds you can route the output to your desk/interface and have a piano there all the time for tinkering when loading DP projects or bouncing or whatever....
OK I'll shut up about it now
The Yamaha P-70 has a very, very realistic piano feel with full weighted hammer action without any knobs or faders, just really great action and very consistant MIDI output. I use VSL and wondered if such a 'weighty' action would be so good for some instruments but having used it for a couple of weeks I find imputing ANY part a much more musical experience. Velocities are dynamic AND consistant, if you see what I mean!
Another similar keyboard I tried the CME UF8, again not in same league as P-70 but better than Keystation.
I think Yamaha use the same action on all their P series - there might be a 61 key model but I doubt it. I suggest you try one out just for comparison if nothing else. I am still in keyboard heaven with mine - and as it has decent onboard piano/harp/organ/vibraphone etc sounds you can route the output to your desk/interface and have a piano there all the time for tinkering when loading DP projects or bouncing or whatever....
OK I'll shut up about it now
Just an FYI, the P series do not all have the same action.
In fact, the P70 exhibits lighter action than its successor, the P60.
I believe this is a result of cost-cutting at Yamaha, considering the new P70 is $150 cheaper than the P60 was.
Having said that, I agree. The P70 is a terrific value.
But if really high quality action is what you seek, perhaps take a look at the CME VX8. I mentioned this in another thread, but hey... knowledge is power.
And having mentioned the VX8, I must also mention it costs an arm and a leg (relatively speaking... $999 vs. $599 for a P70).
In fact, the P70 exhibits lighter action than its successor, the P60.
I believe this is a result of cost-cutting at Yamaha, considering the new P70 is $150 cheaper than the P60 was.
Having said that, I agree. The P70 is a terrific value.
But if really high quality action is what you seek, perhaps take a look at the CME VX8. I mentioned this in another thread, but hey... knowledge is power.
And having mentioned the VX8, I must also mention it costs an arm and a leg (relatively speaking... $999 vs. $599 for a P70).