Midi Controller advice?

[Killjingle]

I have really started to get into MIDI and VST instruments. I dont particularly care for plotting dots on graphs in sequencing charts in CUBASE 4. I would prefer to play along with the track and record it in.

What do u recommend for (recording) tracking with a DAW? How many keys do u think is necessary (25, 61 or 88)? Is the weighted keys necessary to make it feel like a good keyboard? I can play some keyboard; but I am by no stretch of the imagination a keyboardist. Do u like drumpads more than the keyboard types when recording drums? Do u prefer the USB hookup vs just old fashioned MIDI I/O?

Look forward to good info.


Chad

[BloodyFingers]

I guess it depends on what vsti your going to use. I use ez drummer and Cakewalk. Great drum program if thats what your looking to do. They are alot of fun to jam with and record songs with. If your going to use syth module vsti's then you would want a nice usb keyboard. If you have not seen ez drummer work give me pm and I will show you what it can do.

[lonewolf]

I have used Powertracks Pro for midi sequencing since the '80s. They have continually improved it and added multitrack digital audio recording and a drum sequencing program called Realdrums that generates midi drums from recorded tracks. It is also much more intuitive than other programs like Cakewalk/Sonar that seemingly use Morse code. No dots & dashes. Oh yeah...don't forget the notation capability.

$49. $69 if you want the whole Realdrum library.

http://www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm

A 3-octave 37-key USB keyboard should cover all your bases (unless you plan on writing some piano concertos). Weighted keys are only there for pianists. They actually slow down the key movement and get in the way of midi drum recording. You have probably done drum rolls with 2 fingers on a single key--that doesn't work very well with weighted keys.

Velocity sensitivity is a must have. After-touch is a cool feature, but is more useful by Rick Wakeman types for celestial synth sounds when chording during live shows. I don't recommend it for sequencing because it often adds extraneous, useless midi data to your recording if you inadvertently vary the key pressure while holding a note or chord.

As for midi I/O...you need an interface for midi, but USB is already there. Most USB keyboards will also provide an external midi I/O for other outboard equipment, so you are actually killing 2 birds with 1 stone with USB. USB also powers the keyboard, which is also nice. If you want to use a USB keyboard as a controller for a midi module without your computer, you will need one that will also accept a wall wart power supply.

Edit: Most keyboards' lowest note is a C. If you plan on using low B along with relatively high notes for bass guitar recording, you may want to go to a 49 key 4-octave keyboard or find a 38 or 39 key whose lowest note is a B (I don't think they make them.)

[faceoffmuzik]

I prefer a 61 key with non-weighted keys. I would assume someone actually trained in piano would want weighted keys, I don't like them. I would much, much rather use pads than keys for prog'ing drums.

Nothing wrong with the small (<30 keys) ones because you can just bank down to the lower octaves with the push of a button.

Probably the best way to go (IMHO) would be to get a controller that has both keys and the pads like those ones M-audio and CME make. They aren't that much cake either.

Like Lonewolf said, most midi interfaces are USB now anyway, so why use a usb interface then hook the midi up the controller if you can just go straight usb outta the controller?

[Banned]

i prefer the 49 Key M-Audio Controller. I love mine. its usb too.