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Any success using this as a keyboard controller? Any other suggestions?

dosuna11 wrote:Any success using this as a keyboard controller? Any other suggestions?

Don't buy it.

It's probably OK for a live gig, but not as a primary studio controller.
Even with it's 4 adjustable velocity settings, I find that it's velocity output is scaled too high.

When playing at a medium velocity it tends to transmit in the low 100s.

I spend much more time than I should editing velocities once a section has been recorded.

Why am I still using it?...haven't found an alternative yet except for in the 2,000 price range.

I'm open to suggestions as well.

Buzz

Agree. I would suggest something like a Kurzweil PC2. GReat feel and lots of programmable 'stuff.' I use an M-Audio 88es, but ONLY for notation entry. I wouldn't trust the keyboard to enter realtime for any critical performance.

i have the Keystation Pro 88. and i suggest as well ,looking elsewhere,the keyboard feel is not great and it needs to be reset(MIDI) too much.................but it is cheap
KG

Concur! A hunk of junk. It's nice to have all those faders and knobs and buttons but I ended up going back to my old PC-88. The velocity sensitivity is better on the Kurtzweil. The M-Audio stuff always feels so cheap. The CME stuff looks cool but I've read too many bad reviews to go for it. I wish more companies would put the controls (LCD, faders,etc..) to the left hand side of the keyboard so that you could put your computer keyboard on top middle of the controller for easier access.

Never had to reset mine..and I rather like mine

I had the 61 note version of this. For about a week. I did not like the feel of the keyboard very much. Kinda springy, and not in a good way. I upgraded to the Axiom. Wow. The keyboard feels fantastic to me (I also own a Yamaha C7 and a Hammond B3, for reference). It's fun to play, and has lots of knobs and sliders that always seem to be mapped to something useful. It has eight drum machine-style pads, which are handy for percussion parts. Plus, it has aftertouch. The 61-note version was $285. at Amazon. For me, it's a keeper.

pcm wrote:I had the 61 note version of this. For about a week. I did not like the feel of the keyboard very much. Kinda springy, and not in a good way. I upgraded to the Axiom. Wow. The keyboard feels fantastic to me (I also own a Yamaha C7 and a Hammond B3, for reference). It's fun to play, and has lots of knobs and sliders that always seem to be mapped to something useful. It has eight drum machine-style pads, which are handy for percussion parts. Plus, it has aftertouch. The 61-note version was $285. at Amazon. For me, it's a keeper.

Does it map the same velocity settings as Buzzsmith and the rest are finding?

pcm wrote:I upgraded to the Axiom. Wow.

I recently snagged me an Axiom 61 and I love it as well -- especially those little touch pads! The keyboard DOES still feel a bit plasticky, however -- but then, well it IS made out of plastic.... I can live with it.

There are numerous velocity curve settings (at least 9 that I can remember, perhaps more, without looking at the manual) which can be adapted to just about anyone's playing style. I'm a pianist so I tend to play plastic keyboards a bit on the heavy side... plus I'm very picky about velocities... but the Axiom doesn't disappoint. It obviously can't replace a high quality 88 weighted-key action keyboard, but as a general purpose keyboard controller I think it's great.

What was most gratifying is when I first hooked it up and opened Live 6, which is a MIDI Controller's Dream Come True. Everything just worked, like "out of the box" ... Killer.

I use an old Roland A-90. It's very good, but it has too many controls on the top, so it's difficult to balance a computer keyboard there. Finally I mounted some velcro on it and on a mac keyboard, which keeps it in place. But it's still hard to find a place for a mouse or trackball.

But the keyboard action is good, and that ultimately is the most important thing.

So is there anything for a master controller that isn't in the price range of the PC-2?? I have an Axoim 25 now and is works nicely, but I really would like 88 or 76 keys in front of me. Anything around $500-800?

guyreilly wrote:So is there anything for a master controller that isn't in the price range of the PC-2?? I have an Axoim 25 now and is works nicely, but I really would like 88 or 76 keys in front of me. Anything around $500-800?

You might like to check out a PC88 on eBay. As a controller it is exactly like a PC2. Well, almost. I think the velocity is better implemented.

Yamaha P 70 is around $600 or less

I love mine - great action /response

no sliders/knobs/mod wheel though

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:

guyreilly wrote:So is there anything for a master controller that isn't in the price range of the PC-2?? I have an Axoim 25 now and is works nicely, but I really would like 88 or 76 keys in front of me. Anything around $500-800?

You might like to check out a PC88 on eBay. As a controller it is exactly like a PC2. Well, almost. I think the velocity is better implemented.

Is this an M Audio Product?

dosuna11 wrote:

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:

guyreilly wrote:So is there anything for a master controller that isn't in the price range of the PC-2?? I have an Axoim 25 now and is works nicely, but I really would like 88 or 76 keys in front of me. Anything around $500-800?

You might like to check out a PC88 on eBay. As a controller it is exactly like a PC2. Well, almost. I think the velocity is better implemented.

Is this an M Audio Product?

Kurzweil - lots of great sounds as well.