Keyboards

WaywornMmmmm · Post by **WaywornMmmmm** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:18 pm

I've been thinking about getting a "keyboard" but I really have no clue what to get. I've been searching online, and it says that there are synths and midi controlers. Which would one would you recommend, along with a model, for my uses?

-Only used on computer
-Only used for recording
-Pretty good sound ( Is sound dependent upon the keyboard or recording program?)

Also, would I need other things such as adapters or new software? Right now I have software called Cubase LE.

If anyone experienced in this field could help out, that would be great.

-Thanks

HPDarkness · Post by **HPDarkness** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:27 pm

I've been playing for about a year. I recommend the MicroKORG, It was my first. I'm still using it. It's very user friendly, includes everything for a starter, and is awesome. It's pretty affordable too.

microKORG

Once you learn the basics of synthesis, sky is the limit with this baby. Of course, beginners will have trouble at first with editing sounds, but once you get the hang of it you will be making these amazing sounds all over the place. Right of the box, the 128 flawless pre-set sounds will astound you. Whether a hobbyist, a band in need of an synth on a low budget, and everything in bewteen. This sythezier will blow all others away within its class.

WaywornMmmmm · Post by **WaywornMmmmm** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:36 pm

It looks like a great instrument, but i forgot to mention my price range is about $100-$200. I will consider this though. Seems like a good deal.

HPDarkness · Post by **HPDarkness** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:56 pm

Hmm... Well you could try to find a used one. But I'd recommend that one. Maybe ask for money this X-mas?

Toastable · Post by **Toastable** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:07 pm

M-Audio Oxygen v2 two octave MIDI controller. - $140

Get Reason 4.0 and the world of producing is limitless.

BEEF!!! · Post by **BEEF!!!** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:11 pm

Chances are, you won't get a decent synth for the price range you are looking at. Would be better off just using a midi controller and some software on your computer. My personal favorite is Reason.
I however strongly suggest to maybe scrape together enough money for the microKORG. I own one and it is a great synth/midi controller for that price.

WaywornMmmmm · Post by **WaywornMmmmm** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:09 pm

Right know, I'm leaning toward the microKORG for x-mas. I just want to get some things straight.
It works with XP Media Center edition.
It is a synth (like the moog).
I can hook it into a usb port of my computer and it will be compatible with Cubase LE.
After I record something, I can then change what instrument it will sound like in Cubase such as: I record it as an organ sound, and then decide it would sound better as strings.

-Thanks

BEEF!!! · Post by **BEEF!!!** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:23 pm

WaywornMmmmm wrote:Right know, I'm leaning toward the microKORG for x-mas. I just want to get some things straight.
It works with XP Media Center edition.
It is a synth (like the moog).
I can hook it into a usb port of my computer and it will be compatible with Cubase LE.
After I record something, I can then change what instrument it will sound like in Cubase such as: I record it as an organ sound, and then decide it would sound better as strings.

-Thanks

1.) Yes
2.) Yes
3.) You will need some way to connect the midi cables to your computer either via USB or another way.
4.) Yes

WaywornMmmmm · Post by **WaywornMmmmm** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:33 pm

For #3, the keyboard comes with a midi in-out cable which could be connected into my computer's sound card and I could record from there. I also could buy an adapter and record through the usb. If this is correct, which one would be better, or is there even a difference?

BEEF!!! · Post by **BEEF!!!** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:08 pm

WaywornMmmmm wrote:For #3, the keyboard comes with a midi in-out cable which could be connected into my computer's sound card and I could record from there. I also could buy an adapter and record through the usb. If this is correct, which one would be better, or is there even a difference?

That's how I currently have my mK running into my system (through SC). It works perfectly fine.

Senor_Grunt · Post by **Senor_Grunt** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:56 pm

HPDarkness1 wrote:Hmm... Well you could try to find a used one. But I'd recommend that one. Maybe ask for money this X-mas?

Or he could just ask for the keyboard for Christmas.

If you get one, and get tired of it, don't throw it away. Mod it to be outputed into a singing tesla coil.

SHOUTrvb · Post by **SHOUTrvb** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:52 pm

I've got an older fully-functional Yamaha midi keyboard with 2 built-in amps, but it's nothing to a quality synth (this being that it's not its purpose). However, my M-Audio 49 with the right software works quite well for what I want to accomplish. Still, it has to use software to achieve its best quality (Live 6.0.1).

HPDarkness · Post by **HPDarkness** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:59 am

My friend uses M-Audio, He says they are really good. I have been looking at a lot of their software. It seems really nice.

WaywornMmmmm · Post by **WaywornMmmmm** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:57 am

Well, after a trip to my local music store, they recomended the Korg MicroKONTROL and the Korg KONTROL49. After returning home, it appears that the microkontrol is not in my best interests, so now I am between the kontrol49 and the microKORG. From what I can tell, the kontrol can be programmed more than the micro, but the micro has a vocorder and you can run other instruments through it. It also seems better as a synth.
Which one would you recomend for me?

-Thanks

BEEF!!! · Post by **BEEF!!!** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 4:58 pm

WaywornMmmmm wrote:Well, after a trip to my local music store, they recomended the Korg MicroKONTROL and the Korg KONTROL49. After returning home, it appears that the microkontrol is not in my best interests, so now I am between the kontrol49 and the microKORG. From what I can tell, the kontrol can be programmed more than the micro, but the micro has a vocorder and you can run other instruments through it. It also seems better as a synth.
Which one would you recomend for me?

-Thanks

Well, look at it this way. With the KONTROL, you would all ways need to be plugged into something else to make sounds via midi. The mK doubles as a synth and a midi controller.
It's whatever you think you're gonna use it the most for. The mK is great for me because I can use it to mess on around in Reason with. Then when I need to head out and play at a show I can just take it with me without my desktop or a laptop.
If you're looking just to use it at home and always have it plugged into your computer, then the KONTROL might be better for you.
You just gotta think about what you'd do with it.

WaywornMmmmm · Post by **WaywornMmmmm** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:44 am

Thanks for all the help guys. At the moment, my parents want me to consider getting a keyboard with regular keys. For people with the micro, how difficult would you say it is to play because of the size?

-Thanks

HPDarkness · Post by **HPDarkness** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:49 pm

The microKORG is my first keyboard ever. It's very simple to use, and great for beginners. The keys are fine, they are good size. It's just basically Half of a regular keyboard. It's actually very easy to play, and hit the keys. Once you learn how to use it (Which was relatively fast, for me.) You'll love it.

I have never played the piano/keyboard before. I used the mK at a music store and loved it. I was always a guitar person, but after the mK I can't go back to guitar. Keyboard is just better.

BEEF!!! · Post by **BEEF!!!** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:58 pm

WaywornMmmmm wrote:Thanks for all the help guys. At the moment, my parents want me to consider getting a keyboard with regular keys. For people with the micro, how difficult would you say it is to play because of the size?

-Thanks

Depends what you want to use it for once again. The smaller keys I find are actually better for what I use it for. It's good for playing chords and fast synth stuff because I can jump around the octaves with out covering too much area.
So unless you're actually gonna be playing the piano like doing intense classical pieces, I think this will be the keyboard for you. (Even still, I made a nice classical-ish improv song on my mK running into Reason. If you would like to hear then send me an email)