13 members (Bill Draper, Fdemetrio, JAPOV, couchgrouch, ckiphen, Gary E. Andrews, Gavin Sinclair, Guy E. Trepanier, 3 invisible),
1,203
guests, and
436
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Welcome to the Just Plain Folks forums! You are currently viewing our forums as a Guest which gives you limited access to most of our discussions and to other features.
By joining our free community you will have access to post and respond to topics, communicate privately with our users (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other features. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free; so please join our community today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mutlu
by Gary E. Andrews - 04/15/24 07:08 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leafs
by Gary E. Andrews - 04/05/24 01:49 PM
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3
Casual Observer
|
OP
Casual Observer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3 |
Hello Everyone!
This is my first time posting a question so it may have been answered before but I didn't come across a similar one. Here goes...
Since my budget does not allow for a MIDI-enabled workstation (like the Kronos), would it be a good compromise to purchase a dedicated keyboard controller (it would be used in conjunction with recording software like Cubase)?
Thanks for your responses!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,941 Likes: 3
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,941 Likes: 3 |
I googled "midi keyboard controller" and came up with a few items. You could get the Alesis Q25 25-Key Keyboard Midi Controller for only $79. I can't comment on its quality, though since I have never used it. M-Audio has sub $100 25 key midi controllers also.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574
JPF Mentor
|
JPF Mentor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574 |
Hey scpoet, welcome to JPF.
I'm not a real keyboard player, but I've done a lot of midi entry with an Emu keyboard controller. I've got some of the Emu sound packages which are pretty good. I also use some of the midi sounds in Cubase and they are pretty good also. I think getting a good controller would solve you needs for a lot less than getting one of the high dollar workstations.
Just my opinion. Hope that helps.
Mike
You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash It's only music. -niteshift Mike Dunbar Music
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,221 Likes: 30
Top 20 Poster
|
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,221 Likes: 30 |
First off, welcome aboard! If you're a pianist, you won't be satisfied with anything less than 88 weighted keys for a controller. If not then 76 or 60 keys would suffice. John
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,580 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,580 Likes: 13 |
They have even smaller keyboards that have 2 octaves, give or take, and serve as an input device for online work. If you just want to get the notes in there to play with on a sequencer on a computer, there's a wide variety of options you can do with that will fit right on your desk next to your mouse and computer keyboard. If, however, you want to "play" the device like a piano, and have room for it near your computer the options explode. If you want to ever be able to use it as a stand alone instrument (to take somewhere, or play live with others) you might even want to look at a used older keyboard which might even have a full keyboard, weighted keys (or semi weighted) and also would have a full array of onboard sounds and features while still costing under a couple hundred bucks. Give us more info and we can help narrow it down for you.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463
Top 20 Poster
|
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,463 |
Good advice given already. My advice would be to save up and buy a decent midi keyboard as this is the heart of production. It will be worth spending the extra as the results are far superior to a simple midi controller. There are plent second hand on offer that compare in price to a brand new controller. Cubase is great. I use it but it is expensive piece of kit especially if you are on a limited budget and just doing home recordings. There is Reaper as an alternative that would do a reasonable job and leave you enough cash for a workstation or quality midi keyboard.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1
Top 40 Poster
|
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1 |
would it be a good compromise to purchase a dedicated keyboard controller (it would be used in conjunction with recording software like Cubase)? Absolutely yes. That's the way to do it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3
Casual Observer
|
OP
Casual Observer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3 |
Thanks for welcoming me and all the great advice, gentlemen. Settled on a Yamaha MOX6 as the master keyboard for the time being. Will look into Reaper but still leaning towards Cubase if I can manage it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3
Casual Observer
|
OP
Casual Observer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3 |
I enjoyed your article on sharkproofing oneself. You're right. The sharks are always waiting for the next meal.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831 |
Hi SCPoet:
You've already been welcomed aboard... but not by me... so, Welcome to JPF!
You've already purchased a great music making machine and I'm guessing you have some musical skills. If not, I hope you took the time to look over an Arranger Keyboard. Several manufacturers carry varying price range Arrangers. Yamaha's Tyros is probably "king of the hill" today, but things always change in the music biz, every aspect. The Tyros is a shade under $5,000. bucks. E-Bay and other used gear sites will have arranger keyboards (Korg, Roland, Yamaha and others) at prices all over the map.
I do my best to keep my music creation as simple and straightforward as possible. I don't use MIDI and I don't record multiple tracks with my digital recorder. I simply re-record as many takes as needed to get the gist of the song across as I create what I call "worktape" demos. I am fairly prolific and don't have a budget for paying real "talents" to create demos for my songs. After the "song" has been recorded into a digital recorder, I transfer the file into my PC for editing. I usually spend about as much time doing edits as I do recording.
By now, you've probably already forgotten this thread but if you have questions or I can be of assistance... just ask.
All the best to you and for your musical success.
Dave
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8
Casual Observer
|
Casual Observer
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8 |
Hi scpoet, This is an old thread but I thought I would drop something in here for anyone else who comes by. One of the best bangs for the buck keyboards out there is the Casio Privia PX-350. I did a Top 5 Home Recording Tools guide that I included it on. You can download the guide here if it's of any help. https://sundownsessionsstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Report1.pdf
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,580 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,580 Likes: 13 |
Thanks Chris... I haven't checked out a Casio keyboard in years. They're typically in the toy category, but perhaps they've put out something better?
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
We would like to keep the membership in Just Plain Folks FREE! Your donation helps support the many programs we offer including Road Trips and the Music Awards.
|
|
Forums117
Topics125,750
Posts1,161,264
Members21,470
|
Most Online37,523 Jan 25th, 2020
|
|
"When will we all, as artists, creators and facilitators learn that the so-called experts in our lives are nothing more than someone who has stepped forward and called themselves an expert?" –Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|