Best small keyboard and midi controller for Live Suite?

[johnnyvn]

I have been looking around for a midi keyboard controller that I will be using mostly with Live Suite. Only needs to be 25-30 keys. I just need something to bang out bass lines, melodies and beats. Definitely would like velocity sensitive and it would be nice to have as many assignable knobs and faders as possible. An XY controller would be an added bonus. So would a slide ribbon!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[eddiex]

AKAI MPK25...DO IT!! i have the 49...its awesome!

[alphacore]

korg nano controller I have 2 of them it's all i use with live currently..

[oddstep]

Korg microkey and a nanokontrol.

[antarktika]

That mpk looks the business, small, with drumpads, endless encoders. I'd probably get something like that if size/space were one of my concerns (my 6 midi controllers suggest otherwise) but I ended up using my numark stealth control for knobs (It had been sitting in disuse under my desk for a year before it occurred to me that I could map it's encoders to the macros), despite the fact that I have a nanokontrol (I use that for mixer duties mostly), because, uh... GET SOMETHING WITH ENDLESS ENCODERS, SERIOUSLY, the takeover modes are *okay*, but having your knobs always in tune with whatever device has focus will be a godsend. I know there are a lot of complaints about the drumpads on akai stuff, but if you're confident enough to open it up and put some electrical tape underneath the pads, that is supposed to clear up the sensitivity issues.

[simmerdown]

+1 the nanoKontrol

for price and portability the nano cant be beat, lovit

deeper than it looks too, with scene changes its got more sht going on than i can ever remember, lol

nanoKey too for potability/price...but you will you are outgrowing fast if you are real key player (which i aint)...the feel of it too is...not good, love having in my backpack on vacation though...

[antarktika]

I had a first gen nanokey, took it on vacation, popped 3 keys off within the first week. looks like they've upgraded the key design, but I still wouldn't bother with it. Yeah, nanokontrol is pretty good, I'm glad I have it, I find it's better for controlling the mixer though as opposed to devices, but, I'll say it again "endless encoders" do it!

[Tarekith]

Big plus one on the MPK25. Not the easiest to program (not hard though), but IMO the best feeling all around keyboard out.

[simmerdown]

meant to say nanoKontrol at first above...edited

had seen those remarks before about fragility of both nanos...from day one i kept em in the original bubble wrap and box...treat them like made of friggn glass, lol...no probs yet, knock knock)

waiting for an mpk to pop on craiglist...all those Xmas present collecting dust, haha

[regretfullySaid]

US Ebay has one going for 117.5 right now with an hour left.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Akai-Profession ... 1c23b8c719

Check this out
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLL-UP-SOFT-PO ... 4162a6e626

[simmerdown]

lol, nice...wear it as a scarf when not in use

and only $9.88, damn i coulda saved 20

[AceLuby]

Original Novation 25SL, I absolutely love mine, have had it for almost 3 years now, toured w/ it, and still use it as a staple to my live setup. Great little keyboard. Semi weighted keys too!

[citizenchris099]

I have a couple good ones for sale

the Akai MPK 25 is pretty rad
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280828504987?ss ... 1555.l2649

The Axiom is decent as well
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280828491375?ss ... 1555.l2649

and if your on the go an LPK25 will suit you quite nicely
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280828520415?ss ... 1555.l2649

[regretfullySaid]

Nice. No reserves?

[citizenchris099]

Nice. No reserves?

Nope...no reserves