compact midi keyboard recommendations?

The_Super_Ape · Post by **The_Super_Ape** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:41 pm

I'm looking to get a compact 25 key midi keyboard. Any experience or problems with different models would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

mrbook · Post by **mrbook** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:23 pm

Hey,
I have 2, the m-audio keyrig 25 and the xiosynth 25.

The M-audio is nice and very compact. Very easy to transport and I wouldn't be afraid to toss it around, since the knobs appear to be pretty solid. It is also inexpensive. The keys have a very mushy feel that bugs me a little bit, but it definitely serves its purpose.

Now, the XioSynth 25 I freaking love. It is a piece of gear that I would definitely buy again. It is a USB audio interface, midi controller and synthesizer module with a very good engine in my opinion. I've gigged with it twice with no problems at all, using it for all of its 3 functions (of course hooked up to Live). If you have the extra cash I would definitely go for it. The cons on this little keyboard are that the knobs feel a little wobbly to me and that on a dark setting, the labels are kind of hard to read. The plus to that last one is that if you use a headlamp to read the whole thing you'll look uber-geeky and will get extra points for nerdyness, like i did.

cheers!

The_Super_Ape · Post by **The_Super_Ape** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:26 pm

Thanks for the suggestions

I've currently got an Ozonic that I was using as keyboard/audio & midi interface, but having upgraded a lot of kit I only need the keys, and it's too bulky for what I now use it for.

I like the look of the Edirol PCR-M1, but I'm tempted by how cheap the m-audio keyrig & oxygen models are.

RhinoInRio · Post by **RhinoInRio** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:52 am

Xio +++1

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:22 am

I have the PCM-m1 and like it a lot for the size. Half height keys don't bother me, and it feels way better than the O2 which I had before.

kaffein · Post by **kaffein** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:27 am

Tarekith wrote:I have the PCM-m1 and like it a lot for the size. Half height keys don't bother me, and it feels way better than the O2 which I had before.

Quite neat, I didn't know it had half sized keys... Nice and compact.

I'm still thinking about picking up the Novation Remote SL 25 Compact.

Roborobo · Post by **Roborobo** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:36 am

the xiosynth is pretty cool, the keys feelzzz nice. my friend got one and i have an oxygen v2.... my controller's fucken lame.

xio all the wayyyyzzz

substance_g · Post by **substance_g** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:16 am

I was playing with an xiosynth in a shop last weekend and it looked and felt really nice. Having said that even the latest M-Audio Oxygen-8 felt way better than my old Oxygen-8 v1. One thing on the xiosynth: the pitch/mod joystick felt really strongly sprung (compared to other keyboard mod wheels/pitch bend) - is this normal on the xiosynth, or was it a display model defect?

j2j · Post by **j2j** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:40 am

I think i am about to buy one of the new Edirols...

they have cross-faders on em as well now, should be nice 4 live...

www.roland.com

creature · Post by **creature** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:32 am

I have the Novation Remove 25 SL, and it is the mutts nuts in my opinion. One of the best purchases I have made in a long while. Live integration is pretty damn good. Well it is in live 6, not tried in 7 yet.

Steve