Ableton Forum

I've used a PCR-M1 for over a year, and it is excellent for portability and it feels solid. Unfortunately, not all of the knobs on mine map midi reliably, nor all of the keys. Most of them work, but if you need all 8 knobs to work all of the time, be sure to check before the warranty expires.

Also, the mod bar and pitch bender are pretty lame. They work, but you have almost no control of the range. Here the Behringer would be better, but then you lose the portability.

Argh! What the world needs now is a PCR-M1 sized controller with a Korg-styled ribbon controller, a Novation-styled XY pad, and a fat row of pads. The options now seem ancient and somewhat pitiful, I'm afraid.

Still, I don't regret buying a PCR-M1.

dhilsabeck wrote:The axioms have a hammer action so keep that in mind.

...at least they're semi-weighted.

.m

Lo-Fi Massahkah wrote:

dhilsabeck wrote:The axioms have a hammer action so keep that in mind.

...at least they're semi-weighted.

.m

Right. I was hoping they would be a little more piano-ish when I tried one out but they're just kind of their own thing.

That's why I think its a good idea to just go and try some out. You really will know right away what feels good for you.

Bump - I get the impression there's really only the Edirol that fits the criteria - surely there must be something else comparable out there...?

It always suprises me too when there isn't a mass produced piece of midi gear that fits my needs for under $200

Went to the customer-hostile Just Music today and had a play around on the Behringer, M-Audio, Novation and CME keyboards. Didn't like the CME U-key action very much. The Behringer UMA 255 was the worst keyboard action I've ever tried. And, despite my M-Audio reservations, the nicest action - for me - was the Axiom keyboards. But the whole Axiom thing is just overkill for my needs...

Actually this cheap and nasty Miditech keyboard - http://www.miditech.de/images/2007/LOGO ... -klein.jpg - had an ok keyboard action.

Didn't think it would be so difficult...

Oh, i share the pain here! Been looking for a decent midi keyboard for the last 3 weeks now Its killing me slowly.
CME arent that bad tho, and the Axiom is also ok. Both are a bit overkill for my needs as well, as i simply only need modwheel/pitchweek and decent playable keys, thats it!
Im almost just about to buy the CME because i cant wait no more, tho i have a feeling i will regret it later.

Please let me know if u find something along those lines!

8O wrote:Bump - I get the impression there's really only the Edirol that fits the criteria - surely there must be something else comparable out there...?

not really, in the 25 key region it's all plastic crap. the noavations, probably being the "best"

the rest is horrorfying cheap rubbish.

steffensen wrote:...i simply only need modwheel/pitchweek and decent playable keys, thats it!

Exactly, exactly, exactly.

I suggest you start a company and manufacture them and I'll buy one - I think that's the only way you and I are going to get our wishes fulfilled...

I'll let you know if I get something. All I can really recommend is definitely try one out in a shop before you buy - I almost bought the CME out of frustration on Thomann, but I'm glad I went to justmusic and really tried it out and avoided that mistake...

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMKX25
i saw it in real life. it seemed really solid

p.s. integrated arpeggiator hmm.. .
not sure if it's bus powered

Yeah, they had the Yamaha KX25 in Just Music and if I remember correctly it was one of the better feeling keyboards, but still is unnecessarily large (deep) with buttons that I don't need. Am seriously considering building my own cabinet...

Integrated arp?! - then that's going on my short-list for our next tarnce-dnok live gig!

Dunno if it's bus powered, but I'll tell you what I played with in Just Music that was bus powered: NI Maschine. Impressive that even with two backlit LCD displays they've managed to keep it in the current budget. I guess the APC-40 has just a few LEDs too many...

8O wrote:Integrated arp?! - then that's going on my short-list for our next tarnce-dnok live gig!

no really. arp is good. think drum patterns in drumrack . .
as much as i look at it.. it's sweet! it suppose to fit cubase out of the box.. but i wonder if you could use it to "arm/solo/mute current track" with live... that would be a killer feature. it is kind of big though.. but it's cheap too . ..

just want to say that my axiom 49 is two years old and has 4 or 5 broken buttons. some of the pads and some of the transport controls. totally lame

Thats to be expected with m-audio gear.
Every gear ive had from them, havent worked or went bad in some way or the other, sooner or later..