controller keyboards

[Mash-up]

hi, im currently using my kork trinity as a master keyboard, i thought about getting a stand alone controller for my studio.

does anyone have any experience of using one along with their virus in particular?

just want to know if there is any real benefits from having a seperate controller?

also had a look at the korg microkontrol, not sure if the mini keys would be a total turn off though.

[Merlot]

also had a look at the korg microkontrol, not sure if the mini keys would be a total turn off though.

Korg is announcing a 49 regular size key version of the microkontrol at NAMM. I would hold off for that one. It also comes with a boatload of templates for controlling your softsynths so you wont have to program your own.

[Merlot]

Was just thinking if you are going to have a TI, there is no sense in having knobs to control softsynths since the TI can do it. Buy if you are going to control your sequencers mixer with the sliders, then go for it.

[Bjorktribe]

Try M-Audio's Key Station Pro 88. It's the best I've seen for the price. 88 hammer action keys about 30 knobs 9 sliders, a nice display, it just goes on.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KeystationPro88/

And it's only 500 dollars! a 25 key board is about 150 and has way less features. M Audio has a good thing here.

[jasedee]

I would just use the Trinity....Why the need for another bit of kit?

Think about it, is this something you really need???? Maybe you would be better off getting something else...

You can have alot of stuff in your studio, or just a few bits of really important kit. Try to get only what you need

Good luck!

[Wandering Kid]

agreed. it doesnt sound as if you really *need* an external midi keyboard and i can think of alot of things that you may want to plough that spare cash into instead. *grin*

[Juho L]

Korg is announcing a 49 regular size key version of the microkontrol at NAMM. I would hold off for that one. It also comes with a boatload of templates for controlling your softsynths so you wont have to program your own.

It's really annoying that every manufacturer only release these useless small keyboards. It's probably not long until there's only one key controllers for hardhouse and hardtrance producers like on that April's fool joke in Future Music.

I want a 76 key controller keyboard (61 keys is also ok in an emergency) with plenty of knobs and sliders. Why there aren't any?!

[Tomer=Trance]

with full wighted keys please.

[Juho L]

with full wighted keys please.

You mean 61 or 76 with full weighted keyboard? What's the point in that? ?hih. That M-audio is good weighted. But I'd like to see smaller semi-weighted keyboards, or maybe even waterfall ones... Affordable 76 waterfall key controller with knobs & sliders would be too good to be true.

[Mash-up]

thanks for the replys, to be honest my studio is packed full of gear as it is.
but a couple of things have been buggin me of late.
i want to start using the trinity as a sound module again.
for some daft reason, the trinity gives me a few problems when trying to use it as a controller and a sound source at the same time.

i find the whole thing freezes up from time to time, when flicking through midi tracks, only happens now and again, but is annoying.

secondly, i liked the sound of setting up a smaller controller keyboard, and having it easily accessible right in front of me, so i can program stuff, right from my comfy chair.

the korg fitted the bill for this, and at under 200 quid, would not be a problem financialy.

but again not sure about the mini keys.
good point though on this being useful for controlling soft synths, something i dont use much, but maybe i would if i had a controller for them.

[Merlot]

found the korg full size here.

http://www.korg.co.jp/Product/Synthesizer/KONTROL49/

[Merlot]

Here is a rough translation. Check out all the pregrammed softsynths:

Translation of page




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"Performance characteristic (Performance)" of the MIDI controller, "creativity (Creativity)", "operativity (Operation)" thorough three sides pursuit. Loading the keyboard of the total 40 systematic thing controller groups and 4 octave standard size which include the new on-board vector joystick and the like, onto the lightweight compact body of the beautiful design forum. Furthermore popularity it is high even in the collection, the MIDI studio controller KONTROL49 which the bundle did the wave station software synthesizer, evolved indomitably.
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It can assign MIDI message simply and can control, 4 octaves, 49 key velocity corresponding standard keyboard on-board USB-MIDI controllers & the keyboard.

Sound of legend , from collection wave station software synthesizer bundle.

Loading the vector joystick which can control the parameter of 2 types intuitively know.

8 encoder /8 slider equipment which equip 3 color back light attachments LCD in each, are easy to operate easyly to see.

The velocity corresponding 16 trigger pad which can assign, all MIDI messages such as MIDI control change/bank selection/program change/system exclusive message. 12 sets, as a scene retention possibility.

Each scene, each encoder/name editing functional loading which can acquire optional name to the slider.

The pitch bending wheel and the modulation wheel equipment which raise the expression power of performance.

To have the pedal terminal, foot switch & pedal terminal, smooth control is possible even with the foot.

Attachment editing of scene program/assign/customization editor librarian software.

Templet scene data attachment of typical sequencer software and software synthesizer. (It equips MIDI in x 1/out x2, also MIDI interface function is complete.

USB bus power correspondence.

It was refined beautiful design and lightweight compact body.

MacOS X, Windows XP correspondence.

preponderant controller group of 40 systems which scratch creativity and raise.


In the velocity corresponding 16 trigger pad, 8 encoder /8 sliders and the pedal terminal etc. which it is easy to use, anew equipping the total 40 systematic thing controller including the vector joystick, pitch & the modulation wheel and two switches etc.. With the controller which is superior in functionality and expression power, music production/performance is supported.


The vector joystick which raises expression power.


Approximately left and right (X, Y) control change equipping the vector joystick which is assign possible in each direction. Moving freely, because it can control two parameters simultaneously, it can utilize mixed of the WAVESTATION software synthesizer of KORG Legacy Collection which the bundle it has done/ function in the maximum. In addition, the intuitively know effect control like the effect processor KAOSS PROPELLANT-ACTUATED DEVICE of by assigning the effect parameter of 2 kinds, becomes possible e.g., the delay time of delay effect in X direction, delay depth is assigned in Y direction.

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?Product information: KAOSS PROPELLANT-ACTUATED DEVICE

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The velocity corresponding 16 trigger pad which is superior in performance characteristic and operativity.


MIDI note message it assigns MIDI control change, loading the unique velocity corresponding 16 trigger pad which answers ramming down the various sounds which begin drum sound in the preeminent use impression.


Being one-touch setting of controller assign of 12 sets which memory are done (the scene), according to the software which we would like to control in on,/off and the substance of gliding of the transport control and the software synthesizer of DAW to change, it has colorful function e.g., it is possible. With KONTROL49, furthermore we have strengthened MESSAGE mode, assigning bank selection and program change and system exclusive message etc. in eight triggers pad, retention every of scene is possible. It can output complicated system exclusive message and the like instantaneously.


Visibility preeminent LCD equipped 8 encoder /8 sliders.


It assigns MIDI control change and RPN/NRPN, DAW (the digital audio work station) equipping the encoder which does, the real time control of various parameters such as filter and envelope of level and the pan and the software synthesizer. Each encoder/in the slider parameter name and visibility preeminent 3 color back light equipped LCD loading which can indicate the value.


Optional name the register name editing functional loading which is possible.


With the name editing function which is loaded anew, each scene, each encoder/the name which is attached to the slider optionally in the LCD section indicatory possibility. Input of name editing can do input with three methods of the ramming down, the slider and the encoder with the trigger pad.


Controller assign function furthermore completeness.


With KONTROL49, it reaches the point where by the main encoder it can assign bank selection and program change other than tempo controlling, can do the program change of the software synthesizer and the external sound source simply. In addition, assign possible switch of program change and MIDI control change two equipment.


Furthermore, loading the pedal terminal and the switch terminal which correspond to flexible in external pedals connection. The effect which it assigns it is fast selective possibility.






Loading performance characteristic greedy pursuit and 4 octave standard keyboards.


As for KONTROL49, loading the control group which is necessary for computer based music production/performance, standard keyboard 49 key type of popular USB-MIDI controller microKONTROL (velocity correspondence). The synthesizer of which the top artist of the world regularly uses/adopting the keyboard which it is on-board onto the music work station. In addition, in synthesizer performance it loads the controller of pitch and the modulation which cannot be missed, expresses also the delicate nuance of the software synthesizer and the like. It performs in the use impression of being superior, can do control. Already, the prejudice which exceeds the mere MIDI controller, pursues to also repelling feeling is here.


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?Sensational debut was carried out, the wave station software synthesizer of the package and the collection which the name machine of legend the to software are converted that way the bundle. Using the vector joystick which it is on-board onto KONTROL49, mix/ functional operation and wave sequence function same as the hardware model reappearance possibility. Wave station it is the strongest combination which can utilize the advanced vector synthesis system in full. The wave station software synthesizer loads the all factory pre-setting program of the series of the wave station hardware model (550 performances, 385 patches). With Macintosh/Windows single unit use as stand alone from the first also use of VST/Audio Units plug in in corresponding host application environment is possible.

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?Product information: collection




Editor librarian software attachment of editor functional equipment.



On the computer simply compilation/"the scene" attachment the editor functional equipped librarian software which can manage. In the setting picture which is easy to know, you can edit the scene/you can assign/you can customize simply. In addition, increasing in quantity also the templet scene which corresponds to the typical music production software and the software synthesizer etc. substantially, because it has equipped, obtaining KONTROL49, it is possible directly to introduce into your own system.

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Manufacturer
Product
The number of scenes

Ableton
Live 2
1

Applied Acoustics Systems
Lounge Lizard EP-2
1

Arturia
Minimoog V
CS-80V
Moog modular V

1
2
2

Emagic
Logic Pro/Express
ES 1
ES 2
ES Ensemble
ES Mono
ES Poly
EVOC 20
EXS 24 mkII
EVB 3
EVD 6
EVP 73
EVP 88
EXSP 24
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

GMEDIA
ImpOSCar
M-Tron
Oddity
1
1
1

IK Multimedia
SampleTank
SampleTank 2 Korg Edition

1
1

KORG
Wave station
MS-20
Polysix
LegacyCell
Electribe A&R mkII
MicroKORG
MS2000/R
3
1
1
1
1
1
1

MOTU
MachFive
Digital Performer 4
1
1

Native Instruments
FM7
PRO-53
B4
Battery
Elektrik Piano
VOKATOR
1
1
1
1
1
1

Propellerhead
Reason Mixer
Dr.Rex
Malstrom
NN 19
NN-XT
ReDrum
Subtractor
6
1
1
1
1
3
1

Spectrasonics
Atmosphere
Stylus
Trilogy
1
1
1

Steinberg
CubaseSX/SL
A1
Groove Agent
HALion
Hypersonic
Virtual Guitarist
Attack
PPG Wave 2.V
8
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

UltimateSoundBank
PLUGSOUND
1
1

* Company name and product name of statement are trade mark or registered
trade mark of each company in this chart.





Demonstration version of the software whose popularity is high the bundle.


Real demonstration version of 4 softwareof Applied Acoustics Systemscorporation Lounge Lizard EP-2 demo, sampler plug in software IK Multimediacorporation SampleTankof popularity 2 Korg Edition, can create smooth vocoder soundNative Instruments corporation VOKATOR demo and the fixed turn Propellerhead corporation Reasonof the work stationsoftware which 2.5 demo have established reputation with sound the bundle is done. Because with KONTROL49 you prepare also these templet scenes, it is possible to control directly with KONTROL49 without setting finely.

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In regard to the software license agreement of the demonstration software, in regard to agreement, please use for the provision which the each software manufacturer provides. Because as for these software because of demonstration version, the each software manufacturer, (Inc.) either , does not support such as the inquiry regarding usage, please acknowledge beforehand. Concerning the information of version up of the demonstration software and the purchase of full version, please view each company web sight.




It strengthens also USB bus power correspondence and MIDI interface performance.



Computer and USB you just connect it operates. The AC adapter (attachment) from it corresponds to also power source supply. The MIDI-OUT terminal increases to two, strengthens also interface performance.

KONTROL49: Main specification


Controller
49 key velocity corresponding keyboards (velocity curve setting possibility of 8 types), rotary encoder x 8, the main encoder and slider x 8, velocity corresponding pad x 16, the vector joystick (the MIDI control change which differs to X direction and Y direction assign possibility), PITCH (+ direction, - the MIDI message which differs to direction assign possibility), MOD and the switch ?2

Display
Main display - 8 letters (8 x 5 dots) 3 color back light/write equipped LCD module, sub display x 8 - 8 letters (8 x 5 dots) 3 color back light/write equipped LCD module, tempo LED for MIDI clock transmission

Memory
User memory x 12, global memory x1

Connected terminal
Pedal terminal, switch terminal, MIDI IN terminal and MIDI OUT terminal x 2, USB terminal and power source terminal (DC9V)

Power source
USB bus power source system (at the time of USB terminal use), DC9V (AC adapter)

Consumed electric current
At the time of USB bus power source use: Approximately 350mA (maximum 450mA), at the time of AC adapter use: Approximately 450mA (maximum 500mA)

External size
730 (W) x319 (D) x86 (H) mm

Weight
4.9kg

Accessory
AC adapter and USB cable, CD-ROM (KONTROL49 editor librarian software for Mac OS X/Windows XP, templet scene data and KORG USB-MIDI Driver for Windows XP recording, wave station software synthesizer and demonstration software), name seat & seal for trigger pad



KONTROL49: Hardware requirement


Correspondence OS
Macintosh
After the Mac OS X 10.2

Corresponding computer
USB port loading Apple Macintosh which satisfies the hardware requirement of MacOS X


Windows
Correspondence OS
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition/Professional

Corresponding computer
USB port loading PC which satisfies the hardware requirement of Windows XP (USB-Host Controller recommendation of the Intel corporation)

[SpaceMunkie]

I DO NOT recommend getting an Edirol.
I've had an Edirol PCR-50 for a little over a year and just about half of the keys have gone out. So I'm looking for a good controller too.

By the way, hows the TI's controller interface gonna work?
Are you going to be able to make a patch for each module you want to control? So you can say, control 16 different pieces of gear at the same time. Or is there going to be some kind of control mode you have to switch to? The first would be really cool. I'd hold off on getting a new controller and wait for the TI to ship.