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My much-used Alesis QS8 keyboard has finally succumbed to old age. I am planning on getting a smaller keyboard/midi controller while I attempt to repair it. Eventually I will replace it with another piano-style controller, but I like the idea of having a more mobile option.

I would like Vel. and aftertouch, and a few knobs/sliders. 25 keys seems too small, but I will consider something in this size range based on the other features. There are many brands, M-Audio, Alesis, Novation, E-mu, etc. What are your experiences and preferences?

Thanks!
Cory

You should definitely try CME UF(5,6,7 or keyboards.
I have UF5 (49 notes), the smaller one, and I'm very happy with it.
Good response, nice look, has knobs + faders for real time parameter control, even has a drawbar mode, useful for b-2003 for example.

I'd advise you a remote 49 or 61. Many knobs, a nice lcd screen with detailed information and the keyboard has aftertouch. The xy touchpad is very cool to control cutoff/reso or even waveforms.

Beware of the cheapo ones. Lots of junk around.

Or get a second hand Acces Virus.

Thank you funkysam and Bifop for the quick replies! The b2003 features are very interesting.

Bifop, do you mean the Novation ReMOTE?

Cory

Yeah, the Novation remote 49/61.
I have the remote 25, originally as a second keyboard to carry around. I now use it all the times with the Pulsar synths. Perfect, and I made a few templates for this duo (already finished the Pro12 & Minimax and currently doing B2003 & Vectron) that I'll share soon.
I like the ability to see clearly what I'm editing even if I end up knowing the place of what is where.
Imo, the key to good usability with synth controller programming is to find a consistency across the different synth templates for the parameters. And they can widly vary across diffenrent synth genre...

For me CME!
Metal solid.
Complete.
Affordable.
Various extension chioces.
Versatile.
Expandable.

Wanted a new controller keyboard last year. Shopped around looking for decent build quality, nice action with AT, lots of control knobs etc. ......

... Ended up getting a brand new Novation KS4 for just over 300 pounds (£325 I think) from 'Academy' (now Sound Control UK)

For that sort of money, you can't beat it IMO, as your getting a really nice controller (lovely key, pitch & mod wheel action) ....
.... as well as a 4-part miltitimbral VA polysynth (almost equates to 4 x A-Stations) with xtra features thrown in.

Think about it

Yep, old synth make very good controllers.

I got an Yamaha AN1X lately for replacing a bad m-audio keyboard that i hated...

Damn! For the price of a cheap plugin, i got 61 keys with aftertouch + a kick ass synth including a programmable arpegio + 8 knob + a ribbon controller. Can't beat that

Except with the KS4 as it has MORE BANG FOR BUCKS

That KS4 does look nice.

Just noticed that novation has a Novation 25SL or something coming out. Also a 3-octave and 5-octave of that. Big difference is the display of name+value above the knobs. Nice, but quite spendy, and looks like it is really not in production yet.

See http://www.novationmusic.com/

On 2005-12-31 03:10, marcuspocus wrote:

I got an Yamaha AN1X lately for replacing a bad m-audio keyboard that i hated...

Me got an AN1X off ebay for less than 200 usd. A serious beast of a VA synth with excellent controller functions. Definately worth a consideration.

Neb

It's a tough decision between Novation and CME! I'm not sure if the minor differences in features account for the difference in price (hence, CME wins).

A question for the CME users: How are you handling the Active Sensing? The manual doesn't describe how to turn it off...do you just filter it in Scope, or do you not use the Midi In and connect through the sequencer software? Does your playing/recording style generally produce a heavy load on the Midi ports?

The Novation does not seem to produce Active Sensing. Can any users verify this?

Thanks,
Cory

Personally at the moment I'm on the lookout for an old Ensoniq keyboard, ideally an ASR10 or VFX. The Ensoniq keyboards are some of the rare beasts with polyphonic aftertouch.

Indeed,a very good feature.Little known fact, also available with update for Oberheim series of controllers. MC 3000, and desktop controller too.