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 Forum index » Instruments and Equipment » MIDI Controllers and Interfaces
The Obligitory "What Should I get?" Question
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Landmime



Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Lexington, KY

PostPosted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:00 pm    Post subject: The Obligitory "What Should I get?" Question
Subject description: Which controller should I get?
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Greetings, all. A few friends and I are planning on recording some music over Spring Break (early April) and I've been searching around for a few weeks for a MIDI controller. I've found a few different solutions and was wondering if I could have your expert opinions on them.

1. Edirol PCR-M80

2. M-Audio Axiom 61

3. My current keyboard coupled with a Behringer BCR 2000

Now a few notes about what I need. I'll mainly be playing organ and synth style sounds (you know, the funky stuff Wink) with this keyboard, so I won't be using it for any drum sort of things (got a real live drummer for that). Also, I am a real nerd and absolutely love knobs, buttons, wheels, sliders, and anything else that lets me mess with the sound while I'm playing. Another note: I am a poor high school student and paying more than $300 would probably make me poop my pants; I might be able to handle a hit of $350, but it would hurt pretty bad.

Some side things: does anyone know about the quality of the new Axiom line? Is the key sticking problem as bad as people make it out to be on the PCR-80s? If so, would you happen to know if it has been remedied in the PCR-M80s? Would the third setup I mentioned actually work?

I would like to have another keyboard MIDI controller because after we record, our group will probably play some gigs, so I could switch between a piano sound and a synth on the fly, instead of fooling with dastardly settings and such. I thank you for any advice you may have to offer.
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mosc
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

welcome

What are you going to use for a sound module with the MIDI controller? The Behringer is great if the synth can send the controller the status of the CCs. That way the BCR2000 can be set to the starting condition of the patches or presets you are using.

I don't like the action on the PCR line of controllers, but that is strictly a matter of personal taste. You may think it's great for your playing technique. I've never tried an Axiom controller.

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Kassen
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Option 3 sounds by far like the most sensible one to me.

If you already have a keyboard you like then companies like Edirol and especially M-audio would be paying to take a step back.

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Landmime



Joined: Feb 27, 2006
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Location: Lexington, KY

PostPosted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

mosc wrote:

What are you going to use for a sound module with the MIDI controller? The Behringer is great if the synth can send the controller the status of the CCs. That way the BCR2000 can be set to the starting condition of the patches or presets you are using.


I'm not quite sure what you're asking, as I'm not quite aquainted with all of the language associated with MIDI yet. The only thing I can do is to ask you to explain what you're asking in slightly more basic terms and with the acronyms spelled out or check out the features page for my current keyboard (Yamaha DGX 500).

Again, thank you. I am thinking of leaning towards the BCR-2000.
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mosc
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Your Yamaha has a sound generator (synthesizer, or tone) module built-in. The Yamaha you have is both a controller (keyboard) and a sound module.

If you use the PCR or Axiom controller it will not produce any sounds by itself. That's what MIDI if for. The controller sends information over the MIDI interface to one or more sound modules (synthesizers) that are connected to it with MIDI cables. This MIDI information includes note on and note off information as well as continuous controller (knob) settings.

So, if you are planning on using your existing keyboard, but you want more knobs to control the sounds, the the BCR2000 is by far your best choice because 1) it have better knobs, and 2) you won't be paying for another (probably inferior) keyboard.

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Landmime



Joined: Feb 27, 2006
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Location: Lexington, KY

PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Aha! I now know. Yes, I'm going to use my Yamaha to connect to the BCR and connect the BCR to the computer. Thank you for your help.

Oh, by the way, is there anything else that I need to get besides the basic package? I'm planning on getting two 6' MIDI cables.
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mosc
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 8:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Landmime wrote:
Oh, by the way, is there anything else that I need to get besides the basic package? I'm planning on getting two 6' MIDI cables.

That should get you started.

Be sure to carefully read your Yamaha's manual and study the MIDI implimentation chart. It will identify everything you can adjust with a MIDI CC message. You can set up the BCR to control those with a knob. In a general purpose consumer keyboard like you have, I'm not sure there are a lot of adjustments you can make. I don't know. I'm just suggesting you check it out before you invest your money.

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