When you were starting out?

vublue24 · Post by **vublue24** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 7:06 am

Hey so I'm just starting out using Ableton and been using the built-in computer keyboard. Since I have been playing piano and guitar for about 8 years, this using my keypad feels a little odd for me. I'd like too buy a midi keyboard to get back into my "comfort zone" in a sense, but since I've only used Ableton for a month I don't want to rush into buying gear. So my question is how long did you guys familiarize yourself with the program before investing in a midi controller? Or should I just get one right now and decrease the learning curve.

Also I was wondering whether I should get a keyboard or a launchpad first. Those launchpads look pretty damn fun!

alexdecker · Post by **alexdecker** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 9:38 am

I'd say if you are a keyboard player, you should invest in a midi keyboard first. Maybe look into the M-Audio Axiom line, as they are good and budget friendly.

I myself am a pianist, and playing the keys is such a integral way for me to compose, that I really can't be without it. I own the Launchpad too, and as much as I love it, I wouldn't have no use for it in my setup, if I couldn't have laid down some tracks with the piano first.

Just my thoughts…

willdahbe · Post by **willdahbe** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:52 am

my word of advice is don't listen to anyone, and get whatever the fuck you want. end...

doghouse · Post by **doghouse** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:19 pm

If you can already play the keyboard, there is no reason to delay buying a keyboard controller.

Go to nearby dealers and try various controller boards and decide what feels good to you. Anything you buy new today will have support for Live.

Komodovaran · Post by **Komodovaran** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 5:52 pm

I've bought a dozen of different MIDI controllers and sold them all again, and I've only been using Live for like a year. Most of them as a loss. I don't want to see them as physical objects, but rather as "experiences". So what if I lose a little money? I get to try out many different kinds of controllers!

yur2die4 · Post by **yur2die4** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:30 pm

You play keyboard and guitar? Do you already own a keyboard? Does it have midi out?

If your keyboard has midi, I'd get a decent audio interface first. Then you can have a nice way to record guitar/keyboard/etc. and it should also have midi in (if it is adequate enough). You might not need midi in. Your keyboard might have usb.

I have gotten quite used to using the qwerty haha. But it probably isn't ideal. Still, all new ways of implementing notes do help wrap your head around things (I enjoy playing chromatic 4x4 pads lately).

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 1:06 am

Komodovaran wrote:I've bought a dozen of different MIDI controllers and sold them all again, and I've only been using Live for like a year. Most of them as a loss. I don't want to see them as physical objects, but rather as "experiences". So what if I lose a little money? I get to try out many different kinds of controllers!

I more or less did the same thing when I first started trying them out. Coming from nice hardware synths to midi controllers was a shock, much less really nice made controllers. Took me a long time to find the ones I like the best, even then I wish they were made better. I'll keep trying new ones until I find some that equal say the Virus TI-K in terms of build quality, then I'll be happy.

vublue24 · Post by **vublue24** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 5:36 am

It's a digital grand piano, it has a lot of effects (although very dated) and is way too big to be convenient.

I've been looking at reviews for MIDI keyboards running around 400 dollars (mostly Axiom, Akai, and Novation) or so, but at that price range I'm hearing a lot of complaints about how they keys are "flimsy" and the board itself feels cheap and unreliable. I don't have the luxury buying and testing many out since I am a 20 year old college student, so whatever I invest in is probably gonna stick with me for the long haul.

So do you guys have any suggestions of quality boards around this price range and possibly how many keys you think I should get? I was thinking 49.

A couple people have told me I should get a nocturn, launchpad, and nanokontrol and call it a day. I'm considering this cause it seems like a good value for the price.

I know this is a lot of questions I'm asking and I appreciate the feedback!

vublue24 · Post by **vublue24** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:44 am

I looked through your website and I'm definately gonna use it a lot once I get my stuff. It's looking a lot like I'm gonna get the nocturn. Will the 25 keys on the nocturn be enough too make let's say house music? Or producing hip hop music.

I am liking the nocturn+pad combo a lot after looking through your website, thanks for making it!

vublue24 · Post by **vublue24** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:11 am

Yeah, I'm more use to a full 88 keys. But since this kind of music is a whole different kind of beast I'm not sure how many I should get. I am from California supporting USA for the Olympics! I've been looking through eBay and I saw a 25 key nocturn slightly used for 80 dollars. Contemplating getting it right now, but need to figure how many keys I want first.

And what is scan?

cpyatak · Post by **cpyatak** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:43 pm

I agree with Funken, more is better (number of keys) -- up to a point. You certainly CAN produce with 25, but as a keyboard player myself, I'd say 49 is minimum, 61 is perfect. It's nice to be able to get that left hand in the mix sometimes.

I think you were on the right track with Novation ReMOTE SL MKII, AKAI or AXIOM. But I've not tried the others mentioned here. 88 keys can be unwieldy, especially in a small studio environment, and can be overkill for producing, unless you're producing full piano classical/jazz/etc.

I for one love the feel of the semi-weighted Novation ReMOTE SL keys. Also I find (and to be fair many here will disagree with me on this) that Automap is REALLY helpful for controlling Ableton AND VSTs.

Good luck, let us know what you go for!

Chris

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:57 pm

I always had issues with it not working right, or an update would make previous projects with automapped versions of the plug ins no longer open. It's a good idea, but at least when I tried it I found it more hassle than it was worth. Just me though.

H20nly · Post by **H20nly** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:09 pm

Tarekith wrote:I always had issues with it not working right, or an update would make previous projects with automapped versions of the plug ins no longer open. It's a good idea, but at least when I tried it I found it more hassle than it was worth. Just me though.

agreed.
especially with the bolded part. this can be a pain in the ass... especially if you don't use it for a while and go back or if you stop using it altogether (uninstall) and go back to a track that you created while using it - project can/will crash your host..

cpyatak · Post by **cpyatak** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:28 pm

Like I said

I have not yet run into these problems. But I find Automap really handy for the quick mapping to devices/VSTs, especially with the readout up top (better than just a single readout telling you which controller you're already moving)...

It's always worked well for me. Of course I'm not always jumping on to the latest update...seems that has it's up-sides as well as down-sides.

Chris

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