$100 to spend at Musician's friend, what should I get?

corygilbert · Post by **corygilbert** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:12 pm

I'd go triggerfinger, with what you've already got it seems it would be a bitchen addition, the padkontrol is cool too, not as many encoders though.
If you're really stumped, try shelling out for really quality connections for your studio if you don't already have some. People generally get by with the cheapest wires/cables and connections they can but really quality connections do provide some boost in audio quaility. Not tons, and it depends on where in the chain and what you've had before, but I bet if your'e like most, you've got some ghetto vcr rca's in there somewhere, unshielded guitar cables etc. Plus the good stuff tends to last a lifetime if you treat it right. my 2c

earsmack · Post by **earsmack** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:43 pm

um...you said "I've been unemployed for almost 4 months and have bought NO new toys for myself."

Why not go apply for a job @ Musician's Friend instead. Then, if you get it, you'll be able to get something EVEN COOLER with your employee discount, your $100 gift certificate plus the extra you happen to have burning a hole in your pocket.

Once you have this all set up, get a Korg PadKONTROL.

Kodama · Post by **Kodama** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:49 pm

Remote 25 LE (Should be $99 though!) if you need a new kb or KPK/MPD 24 if you want something new/inspiring (although the XY pad on the RM25LE is cool too!).

STRATEGY_510 · Post by **STRATEGY_510** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:58 am

touched1 wrote:Well here's the thing.
I've been unemployed for almost 4 months and have bought NO new toys for myself. I kind of need a confidence builder, or creative kick in the ass. Hell I'll give the credit to one of you guys if you gave me the words of wisdom to get my creative soul in motion again!!

The short list of considerations:
-Trigger Finger $149
-Novation Remote 25 $149
-Battery 3 Upgrade $119
-Extreme Isolation Headphones $89
-BFD $249 (It think)
-Guru $249

I am hoping for something tactile like the Trigger Finger, or inspiriong, like Guru, or functional, like the headphones.

I know, I know, save my money. It's been a rough couple of months, I could really use a little something new right about now.

Thanks in advance..

buy a used keyboard, something you can get greasy on like a Mirage or CZ-101.

You could even sample it into Live or something..

STRATEGY

touched1 · Post by **touched1** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:05 am

The thing is it is a $100 gift certificate for Musicians Friend only. It is just enough to buy a functional accesory or to wet my appetite for something bigger.

earsmack, go smack your ears.

I see lots of encouragement for going with one of the MPC style pad controllers.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Korg Pad Kontrol vs. the Akai MPD 24 vs. the M-Audio Trigger Finger? Keeping in mind I've all but convinced myself to spend the extra $100 and go with the Korg Pad Kontrol.....

rbmonosylabik · Post by **rbmonosylabik** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:59 am

Choosing between the PadKontrol and the MPD means choosing between pads with great response but few controls (PK) and not so great pads with more controls (MPD). The TF is said to have dead spots on the pads edges and not a very good response, but has a good amount of controls.

I'd go with the MPD, but I'm not the one with the gift certificate in hand.

Synthbuilder · Post by **Synthbuilder** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:25 am

If you have some external sound sources, guitar effects pedals are a nice way to add to their usefulness.

I think the Boss SD-1 is superb overdrive pedal. Sounds fantastic with synths and guitars.

freqn · Post by **freqn** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:30 am

nevermind.

dm_hawk · Post by **dm_hawk** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:17 pm

If you don't have a good pair of headphones, go for the sony MDR-7506 ($100). Industry standard, comfy, bulletproof, and they sound awesome.

Looks like you're pretty well set in the midi control dept., so you may want to make monitoring capability a bigger priority for now.

astroid · Post by **astroid** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:14 pm

buy groceries and sit and learn the gear you already have

Kodama · Post by **Kodama** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:16 pm

touched1 wrote: Anyone have any thoughts on the Korg Pad Kontrol vs. the Akai MPD 24 vs. the M-Audio Trigger Finger? Keeping in mind I've all but convinced myself to spend the extra $100 and go with the Korg Pad Kontrol.....

They're all cool, here's how I would break it down:

Durability:

1.) MPD-24

2.) KPK

3.) TF

Encoders:

1.) MPD

2.) TF

3.) KPK

XY Pad W/Roll:

1.) KPK all the way!

Size:

1.) MPD (Huge/Heavy-ish / Not always a bad thing)

2.) KPK Small

2 again.) TD Small

Pad Response:

1.) KPK

2.) MPD

3.) TF

I would go MPD if you don't mind it being big and want enough endless knobs to automap + 6 extra sliders, or go KPK if you want the highest quality pads in a smaller size (but with less encoders)...

touched1 · Post by **touched1** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:26 pm

Astroid, is there a "groceries" tab at Musicains Friend that I missed?

dm_hawk, already got the 7504's, thanks for the tip though.

Kodama, thanks for the great breakdown!!
I do have some deep seeded allegiance to Akai (All hail the S-900!!).

Synthbuilder, got more pedals than I need, thanks for the input though.

I like the look of the Pad Kontrol, and the X-Y pad.
I have plenty of encoders, but being able to tweak while pounding away would be fun.
The fill and flam buttons on the KPK are pretty cool....

Can I change this thread to a poll? Pad Kontrol or MPD-24??

Jesus Christo...

earsmack · Post by **earsmack** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:55 am

touched1 wrote:Can I change this thread to a poll? Pad Kontrol or MPD-24??

Search the forum for 'kontrol' or 'mpd-24' and you will find a ton of discussion on these two individually and together.

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:18 am

tricil wrote:http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid

I thought that was some kind of smart ass answer but that's one COOL link!!

touched1 · Post by **touched1** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:33 am

Tone Deft wrote:
tricil wrote:http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid
I thought that was some kind of smart ass answer but that's one COOL link!!

Yeah, I was about to flame tricl befor eI clicked the link..

Good god earsmack, you weren't kidding!! I had no idea there was such an extensive dialog on KPK vs MPD vs TF.

Trolling through it now....