Members mfergel Posted June 8, 2006 Members Share Posted June 8, 2006 Looking to add a small USB controller for my VST's in Project 5 and Fruity Loops. Read a number of different reviews so I've decided against Edirol (they appear to break down based on reviews). I don't need much more than a small controller. Would like aftertouch. The Photon appears to have some great features but many of the reviews mention problems with the USB drivers (I'm on Windows XP). The Axiom gets some good reviews but they also mention the pads seem to only work if you hit them dead center. Anyone have experience with these units? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Awake77 Posted June 8, 2006 Members Share Posted June 8, 2006 They both seem about the same in quality. Ive played with an Axiom25 before and it seems pretty solid, not nearly as cheap feeling as an Oxygen8 or something similar. Honestly, I would save up and get the Novation Remote SL 25. It costs about twice as much as the Axiom, but its build quality and features make it worth the extra investment, IMHO: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ReMOTEsl25/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Lozada Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Originally posted by mfergel ... but they also mention the pads seem to only work if you hit them dead center. Anyone have experience with these units? I do have an Axiom 25 -which may not surprise anyone, since I work for the company - and that is not accurate. The pads are not as programmable as in the Trigger Finger, but it is kinda the same sensor -without the pressure sensitivity- and no, it is not that you have tp hit them dead center. ... it is not "that" portable when comparing its size against other 25 noters! so if size matters, this one is a big baby, for good or bad. Photon 25 is lighter AND run on batteries. For some, that is great news. I love the original Oxy8 since it runs on batteries and I can play my old QY10 on a plane. A better comparison might be -MIDI wise- against the Photon X25 instead of the 25 since X25 have encoders -endless knobs- and the cool Axyz controller and the PLUS that it has Audio I/O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sinner6 Posted June 8, 2006 Members Share Posted June 8, 2006 These look great but what about the slewing issue mentioned on the sweetwater page linked above. It seems the parameters have a smoothing algorithm applied to them....or is this old news? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mfergel Posted June 8, 2006 Author Members Share Posted June 8, 2006 Don't really need portability (so batteries aren't an issue). I just want something that will fit on my desk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rogerramjet Posted June 8, 2006 Members Share Posted June 8, 2006 I use a Photon X25 and I haven't had any problems with drivers with XP. I use Cubase, Reason, Sonar and lots of plug-ins. As far as audio meets latency this thing is great. I play synth plug-ins using the Photon's MIDI capability and hear them play back through the 24 bit audio playback. It feels very natural and I like the higher quality audio from the Photon over my laptop. The drivers seem pretty robust. The control capability on this keyboard is very nice and the key action is definitely better than my old Oxygen 8. I drag my Photon with me on trips all over the place and it's never crapped out on me yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mfergel Posted June 9, 2006 Author Members Share Posted June 9, 2006 Well, I ordered an X25. Primarily because American Musical had one for $159 plus free shipping so I figured at $40 off, I'd give it a shot. If it sucks, I send it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Lozada Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Originally posted by mfergel Well, I ordered an X25. Primarily because American Musical had one for $159 plus free shipping so I figured at $40 off, I'd give it a shot. If it sucks, I send it back. I guess you made a good purchase. Audio + MIDI + Portability. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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