just got a Korg Micro Kontrol

[rikhyray]

I got a Microkontrol today. And I must say that I'm not impressed at all. They keys (not pads) need so much pressure that I'd need to work out quite a bit to be able to play a tune. Who are they building this controller for? Bodybuilders? This one is going back to the dealer.

But now I have to look for alternatives: 2 to 4 octaves, mini or full size keys that are easy to play. The latter is a problem, because I don't have any shops nearby where I could try something out. In this forum I found many discussions about how drumpads feel but not about keyboards. So I need some help. Which controllers or synths would you recommend where I don't need a ton of pressure to get a key down? The keyboard itself needs to be good. Everything else doesn't matter. (Not even the price. )

You have to adjust the setting, the keys are fine, in fact better I get at keyboard ( practisitg on my piano action CME 88 couple of hours daily) I get better results with MK- it is user not the tool, in fact for some stuff it is even better then real keys. The pads are OK as switches but not for playing really. The advantage of MK is the compromise between size and having 3 octave, 2 is useless for me but with 3 and shifting lots can be done. So check the keys setting before you give up, I use it exactly for the stuff where fine touch is required rather then heavier hitting like on the weighted keys.
Alternatives are EMU, CME and Alesis, then Novation and Edirol, the last one having very compact 2 octave - PCR M, a bit unusual keys which are excellent for percussion ( since the movement is less)

[TheAnimal]

You have to adjust the setting, the keys are fine, in fact better I get at keyboard ( practisitg on my piano action CME 88 couple of hours daily) I get better results with MK- it is user not the tool, in fact for some stuff it is even better then real keys. The pads are OK as switches but not for playing really. The advantage of MK is the compromise between size and having 3 octave, 2 is useless for me but with 3 and shifting lots can be done. So check the keys setting before you give up, I use it exactly for the stuff where fine touch is required rather then heavier hitting like on the weighted keys.
Alternatives are EMU, CME and Alesis, then Novation and Edirol, the last one having very compact 2 octave - PCR M, a bit unusual keys which are excellent for percussion ( since the movement is less)

Nope, it's not a setting. The high spring load of the keys is a mechanical thing that cannot be changed (easily).

The old Casio Keyboards Milkmansound mentioned are what I was also thinking of. But which current keyboards have a comparable feeling?

[rikhyray]

Maybe your unit is defective ? My keys are very sensitive and I have it set to very soft touch since I use it for very specific things, different then the weightedkeys controller. I would like them to be springer, considered also opening and putting some rubber under them since the clack, clack gets on my nerves. Still it is the best of the compact type, specially with Reason 3.
Actually I hated mine and wanted to put it on Ebay ( pads are shit as pads and hated the keys too) but then realised what is better about it. I say better because the other are worse, there is no good controller out yet.
If Ableton will give Remote support then Kontrol 49 will be the best. Novation 49 is good but the faders and knobs are too toylike.

[rolandg]

The Micro Kontrol looks nice, but that's about it. The pads are unusable and I seem to be too weak to play the keys...

The alternatives don't look good though. If anyone stumbles upon a nice controller tell me.

I might just get an older synth and use it as a midi controller if I can't find a good replacement.

[hat]

Again, very happy with my M-Audio O2 after returning the MicroControl.

[hambone1]

Why do folks bad-mouth M-Audio? Am I missing something?

I have an M-Audio Ozonic and a pair of BX-8 monitors. I love 'em! I A/B'ed the monitors against Mackie 824s and couldn't tell a huge difference.. not enough to justify spending three times as much for the Mackies!

And the Ozonic.. 49 full-sized aftertouch-sensitive keys.. more knobs, sliders, and buttons than you know what to do with.. 4-in and out 24 bit audio (including phantom power!).. a joystick.. 10 banks of customizable controller settings.. and everything going down a single Firewire cable!

M-Audio have revolutionized the affordability of studio-quality equipment, in my humble opinion, and have helped me hugely in my VJing.

(No, I DON'T work for M-Audio! )

[TheAnimal]

Why do folks bad-mouth M-Audio? Am I missing something?

I have an M-Audio Ozonic and a pair of BX-8 monitors. I love 'em! I A/B'ed the monitors against Mackie 824s and couldn't tell a huge difference.. not enough to justify spending three times as much for the Mackies!

And the Ozonic.. 49 full-sized aftertouch-sensitive keys.. more knobs, sliders, and buttons than you know what to do with.. 4-in and out 24 bit audio (including phantom power!).. a joystick.. 10 banks of customizable controller settings.. and everything going down a single Firewire cable!

M-Audio have revolutionized the affordability of studio-quality equipment, in my humble opinion, and have helped me hugely in my VJing.

Yes, you're missed something. My question was not at all about the number of knobs or features but about the feel of the keys on the keyboard when you play.