MIDI Keyboard or Headphones?

[DickRoberts]

Hey guys,
So I have Ableton, and I'm currently learning how to use it and getting the hang of everything. My next step is to purchase a pair of headphones and a MIDI keyboard. Right now I just have a seriously shitty pair of headphones, and I really need an upgrade.

I don't have the budget for studio monitors atm, so I'm looking at a good pair of headphones (audio technica ath m50's in particular)
I am also looking at an Akai MPK 49 for the keyboard.

Anyways I was wondering what would be more important right now, headphones or the keyboard? I'm leaning towards headphones, but I just wanted your guys' opinion. So what do you think?

[jestermgee]

A rare case that levimoniz has a valid point.

If looking at headphones (especially monitors), consider your sound path a bit too. Not so much of a real issue these days but still something to consider. Headphones are all well and good for detailed work, stereo effects, fine detail effects such as reverb, echo etc but they lack in the lower end reproduction and it is hard to get your bass, drums and lower synth sounds to fit nicely when totally relying on headphones.

Honestly, you can get pretty good results from cheaper headphones and then upgrade them down the track. A MIDI keyboard will last you a while and from one to another you get the same sort of performance really so I would look at perhaps a cheap set (even second hand... AKG240 monitors are ok, well built and cheap on ebay).

[DickRoberts]

So the m50's wouldn't be a good choice then? What would you recommend?

[jestermgee]

So the m50's wouldn't be a good choice then? What would you recommend?

Didn't say that, no idea what is good. Just saying while you research what is good, get something cheap that will do and get something you know you want. Could probably get both as a start.

[oddstep]

another perspective is what are your immediate objectives? some decent head phones will help you get mix downs sounding good but on the other hand, if you're interested in playing live or exploring music theory or giving your music a less 'techy' feel then some sort of midi controller... either a keyboard or a drum pad - will make a difference to how you write music. I got a keyboard first - I thought it was more important (for me) to have a way of physically interacting with the computer, if only to stop me getting into that cycle of mouse in detail, stare at screen, listen to loop, adjust detail with mouse. if I was focussed on making techno/house I would have definitely got headphones instead - because the sound design and mix are as important to the composition as the tunes/notes/timings. ...in my opinion...

[Slightlydelic]

having an input device other than a mouse should be your absolute priority.

If you're mousing around ableton you don't know what you are missing out on.


As you plan to get both over time anyway its wise to start with what you haven't got. which I'm assuming is a controller.

[crumhorn]

A Keyboard will help you make music, decent headphones or monitors will help you get the best sound from that music.

The music comes first. Just think of all the great music you could be getting on with while you're saving up for some better headphones.

[oddstep]

that is it. a good composition with poor production is infinitely better than a good production with a poor composition

[condra]

Get a basic second-hand midi keyboard for 50 dollars, then spend everything you have left on second-hand monitors, e.g 200 dollars for a pair of BX8As or HS50ms. You need keys and monitors to make music, the knobs and faders are fun, but not essential.
Mixing on headphones sucks, and you won’t get the most out of an MPK49 until you’ve been doing this shit at least a year.

[alex1fly]

Yeah the MPK49 is a dece little controller, but it almost has TOO MANY functions. I rarely program the knobs and sliders on mine.

Almost any old keyboard will have a MIDI or USB hookup. I'm talking about starter keyboards, the ones with demo songs and stuff, that you find in pawn shops and thrift stores for $15. Their onboard sounds may be crap, but hey, they will control software instruments just the same as an MPK will. Older models may only have MIDI out, but MIDI-USB converter cables can be had for 10 bucks or so.

I'm a big fan of the Buy One Piece of Gear To Do One Function mentality. Its nice that the MPK combines the pads, keys, and sliders, but you're better off getting a keyboard for the keys, a little pad controller for the pads, etc. Good thing these days is that you can get a little 8 pad controller from M-Audio for 50 bucks or so.

This strategy also increases your mobility. Instead of shlepping around an MPK wherever you go, you can take just the pads or just the keys.