Members thebinge Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 Looking for a cheap MIDI controller that I can use in my upstairs bedroom to hook up to a sound module. Don't feel like hauling my QS8 up the stairs every time I need to figure out parts or chords from recordings! Would 49 keys be enough or should I get a 61-key model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cheungaryk Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 Would 49 keys be enough or should I get a 61-key model? You should answer this question yourself, depending on how much range you need for your music. For me, 49 keys should be good enough just for figuring out chords and play simple piano parts (although I use a 25-key just for portability). As for a cheap MIDI controller, define cheap please. There are some M-audio controllers (like keystation 61es) that you can pick up for less than $200 and they are decent to play with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mate_stubb Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 M-Audio is junk, stay away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chando Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 I suggest the 49 key E-MU. amazing and cheap. Looks a little bland(don't they all?). Just stick a nice red on black Metallica sticker and you'll be fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cheungaryk Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 well if the OP has a bigger budget, then I would suggest novation stuff which I use. Emu xboard is also nice but has been discontinued. M-audio is obviously not as good, but it makes cheap and usable boards. Keystation 61es was my first controller, it wasn't all that great but hey it was usable and served me well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zzzxtreme Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 Get a CZ1000 or something cheap like that. even better quality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ekeys Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 M-Audio is junk, stay away. If you buy the entry level stuff, yes, However the axiom line is very good and popular. You can pick up used axioms at a good price since the axiom generation 2 is out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members djwayne Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 I'm very happy with my M-Audio Keystation 88es. $199 for an 88 note keyboard ?? You can't beat it. I'll never go back to a 49 or 61 note board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thebinge Posted October 27, 2010 Author Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 I suggest the 49 key E-MU. amazing and cheap. Looks a little bland(don't they all?). Just stick a nice red on black Metallica sticker and you'll be fine Is that the XBoard model you're talking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thebinge Posted October 27, 2010 Author Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 M-audio is obviously not as good, but it makes cheap and usable boards. Keystation 61es was my first controller, it wasn't all that great but hey it was usable and served me well. Looks like the 49-key M-Audio ES series go for around $40-50 on Ebay. Now that's cheap! I'm a pianist so having 88 keys would be ideal, but I think 49 would probably be enough just for figuring out chords and tricky passages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chando Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 Is that the XBoard model you're talking about? yes yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gordonwiebe Posted October 27, 2010 Members Share Posted October 27, 2010 xboard feels great and is great... and has aftertouch! You don't find that in a budget controller often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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