Ready for a MIDI controller(s) for producing. Suggestions?

[B0NESY]

I'm brand spanking new to the forums and have been playing around with Ableton for a few months. Now that I'm more comfortable w/the DAW, I'd like to get a MIDI controller or two to improve my workflow. I'm not really into the whole live DJ'ing bit. I'm more into the production side of mashups and electro house. My question to you guys is... Through your experience of MIDI keyboards, drum machines, launchers, etc, what are the frontrunners in your opinion? My issue is my budget. Quality MIDIs are fairly pricey, but I don't wanna put my entire bank account into one. I've been looking into what Akai has to offer, and they appear to be of extremely good quality.

Some of the controllers at the top of my list include: Akai MPK25, APC40, APC20, and Novation's Launchpad. I can get a used MPK25 for $180 and a launchpad for $70, but I like the idea of having an MPK and and APC side-by-side so I can have faders as well.

I'm open to any suggestions you guys have, since I'm not an expert on this stuff by any means. If I'm leaving out any info that would help in determining what kind of setup I could use, let me know.

My first post and it's a doozy, but after browsing around the forums I'm sure you guys can help. Thanks

[Nx1]

ya the mpk25 is great, you will definitely want a controller with keys so you can jam, rather than just programming all notes in... I think you only really need the mpk at this point but if you wanna get the APC40 as well go for it, thatd be a good combination.

[jestermgee]

My suggestion would be to have a look at what others are using on Youtube and see if that would be suitable for you.

Most people will recommend what they own because its what they use. I personally use:

- MPD32 - Beat programming, automation and general functions such as Metrenome, Overwrite, Punch in\out etc
- Launchpad - Clip launching, extra mixer functions and jammin up ideas
- BCF2000 - Mixer controls and automation, mixing etc
- NanoKontrol - FX mixing and automation
- NanoKey - Preview keyboard for loading up presets and testing tunes before moving over to the bigger keyboard
- M-Audio MIDI Keyboard - Playin shit
- Alphatrack - Sits over at the MIDI keyboard to control stuff when away from the main desk
- iPad with TouchOSC, TouchLive, TouchAble, Griid - Because you just aren't cool without the pad... It's also usefun anywhere with Ableton

I sit in a big room and play around until ideas form though, I don't go live.

There are plenty of options for "Live" performing:

- Launchpad\s
- APC20\40
- MPD
- Maschine
- Beat Thang (???)
- Monome
- iPad

Shitloads for studio that I won't even start.

Do you need to launch clips?
Do you need to control mixer levels
Do you need Xfade capabilities?
Do you need a real-time sequencer?
Do you want to play live MIDI instruments?
Do you need to do shit with your feet to trigger things?
Do you want to improv beats on the fly?
Do you want to control lots of FX on the fly?
Do you want to NEVER touch or see the computer or mouse at all?
Will it just be you or several people rocking the system?
Would you like to sample anything into your set and loop and play it out?
Do you want gear because everyone else has it?
Do you want to look super cool playing so all the hot chicks want you?

Lots of things to consider and it is amazing how many people shell out for gear, software and stuff with no real knowledge as to why or what to do. Just last week someone posted asking "Hey, I have just got the APC40 setup and am really excited to get going... Where do you think I should start???"

Duh, At the beginning is a good idea.

If I could offer some wisdom, just start with the software and start playing with that. If you find yourself thinking "Gee, a MIDI keyboard would really help make melodies better" then look at getting one. If you find yourself tweaking a lot of knobs, then mayby something that hooks in with automation would be the way to go. Doing a lot of track mixing, maybe a fader desk is your thing. The bits I have were purchased when I had the need for them over time. I managed with Just a MIDI keyboard and headphones for over 10 years.

[bosonHavoc]

ya man i wouldn't say extremely good controllers but akai are pretty damn good.
my mpd24 and mpd32 both have small minor janky issues but i still use them just fine.

the mpk's look like good all around controllers because they have keys, pads, faders, and knobs
just purchase from some where with a good return policy so you can take it back if you don't like it

[B0NESY]

wow thanks guys. Since I'm producing, I don't think I'm going to need to lunch clips very often. If I do though, I can probably make do with just keymapping on my Mac's keyboard. The APC40 just looks like it's so much fun to use that it's tempting... As for right now, I think I'm going to grab a 25-key controller. Hopefully one with knobs and faders while staying w/in my budget. I'm looking along the lines of the MPK25 and M-audio's Axiom, but I've heard some bad things about the Axiom. I only need 25 keys since I'm not good at keyboarding at all.. haha. I'm just not sure if I'd be better off getting an all-in-one controller like the MPK, or going the mix-and-match route with something like Korg's nano series and piecemeal a setup together. As for Beat Thangs, Monomes, and iPads... they'd be nice to have, but I don't see the cost-benefit in my favor with any of those.

Jester, I've looked at Ableton tutorials, but they're all screen-captures which don't allow me to see what they're using. But then again, everyone has a different setup and I don't wanna just copy someone else's and hope it works for me. But if I'm still feeling unsure about which MIDI I need, I'll take your advice on playing around w/Ableton a little more and figure out what I could use the most. The only thing I'm sure of now is drum pads and a keyboard. Since I'm not musically trained and have no idea what a C-note is, I like to produce by ear and learn through trial and error. Knobs would be good as well since I find myself getting frustrated w/the clicking and dragging action to twist knobs through the GUI in Ableton on the fly.

[oddstep]

i like my korg microkey and nanokontrol v1. I only use other stuff for performing.

[Nx1]

wow thanks guys. Since I'm producing, I don't think I'm going to need to lunch clips very often. If I do though, I can probably make do with just keymapping on my Mac's keyboard. The APC40 just looks like it's so much fun to use that it's tempting... As for right now, I think I'm going to grab a 25-key controller. Hopefully one with knobs and faders while staying w/in my budget. I'm looking along the lines of the MPK25 and M-audio's Axiom, but I've heard some bad things about the Axiom. I only need 25 keys since I'm not good at keyboarding at all.. haha. I'm just not sure if I'd be better off getting an all-in-one controller like the MPK, or going the mix-and-match route with something like Korg's nano series and piecemeal a setup together. As for Beat Thangs, Monomes, and iPads... they'd be nice to have, but I don't see the cost-benefit in my favor with any of those.

Jester, I've looked at Ableton tutorials, but they're all screen-captures which don't allow me to see what they're using. But then again, everyone has a different setup and I don't wanna just copy someone else's and hope it works for me. But if I'm still feeling unsure about which MIDI I need, I'll take your advice on playing around w/Ableton a little more and figure out what I could use the most. The only thing I'm sure of now is drum pads and a keyboard. Since I'm not musically trained and have no idea what a C-note is, I like to produce by ear and learn through trial and error. Knobs would be good as well since I find myself getting frustrated w/the clicking and dragging action to twist knobs through the GUI in Ableton on the fly.

If your really looking to get a 25 key midi controller get the mpk25. i own one and it is great, it has all you need really, except for faders... but thats not too much of an issue because it has so many knobs. Its a very solid unit and performs wonderfully.

Do yourself a favor tho, and never think about getting anything m-audio again.. all m-audio is is a massive headache.

[dalvare1]

I have an APC 40 and an MPK25

I think its a great combo

You need something to launch clips though, if not the apc a launchpadd or similar

[B0NESY]

yea I've heard m-audio's gear is a bitch to get to register w/ableton at times. I just found a mint MPK25 on craigslist for $175 so I might jump on that. The APC40 looks amazing, but for now, I might have to make do with either my keyboard or a launchpad.

[bosonHavoc]

ya i've been very unimpressed with m-audio gear.. i have helped a few people program the axiom and hated every minute of it.
akai's gear seems allot more intuitive to program.. i'm not very fimilar with novation stuff so i couldn't say anything about that