Ableton Forum

Hey People,

I have decided to buy a midi controller and i want it to be a good one!! Any ideas of good first time controllers under $300. I was thinking about the Akai MPK25 but idk. I need some opinions!!!

Thanks

MPK25 is a brilliant keyboard in terms of features. Some people don’t like the keys on the AKAIs though.

I have an MPK49 and while it is very well built, the keys are a bit heavy for playing. I prefer the feel of the keys on Novation keyboards, having previously owned a Novation Remote SL37.

The Novaiton Impulse has a lot going for it.

As for keyboards.
I feel like the AKAI keyboards offer much less. People say they are built well, but if you've ever taken apart any of these things they are all pretty much equal in quality. Wether it's an APC40 or an MPK, the faders on these products are known go bad, especially at about 2 years. You can get replacements at MPCstuff.com. Not everybodys, OR ALL faders, but chances are at least 1 will stop working after a couple years.

Personally I think the Novation SL stuff is the best bet.
Keys feel better than all others in it's class.
You have WAY more on board controls.
I dont care much for Automap, but the editor has always worked fine for me.
Here's an SL61 for under 300 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Novation-ReMote ... 35bdf7ece0

As far as newer Novation keys with the Nocturn style knobs, it's good to know those knobs are crap, glitchy, and will not last over time.
I would take an older Novation keyboard over the newest ones any day.

These also have "function' buttons for fast template switching which is WAY AWESOME.

The APC40, is still a pretty great controller, besides all of it's funky built in behavior.

I say find a Novation keyboard for 100 bucks or so, then spend the rest on a launchpad and a Korg NanoKontrol. All for under 300.

I have a Novation Sl49 Compact and the keyboard part is very good to play.
The Automap controllers however haven't stood up to any real use.
After 2 years the first 2 controllers are jumpy which is annoying as Live maps from left to right automatically.
I contacted Novation and they said they treat these things seriously and then told me if I took it in to one of their pick up points they would look at it and it would be £40 per hour + parts + shipping + VAT
Serious about making money more like.
I still use the keyboard but I won't buy another Novation product.

I bought the Vestax vcm600 and can't reccomend it enough.
I prefer it to the Launchpad or Apc. It's extremely robust, looks the dogs next to the plastic cases of other makes with its brushed aluminium front. It kinda dumps on Automap a bit too plus it works with any other software.
I assume you've seen some Tom Cosm vids on Boobtube. If not it may be worth taking a look.

Dave

I can recommend the MPK line as I use the MPK49 personally. I have had absolutely no trouble with the MPK series. The pads do feel really tough at first but after playing a bit they become normal as all other pads do. Having the knobs and faders makes controlling projects increasingly easy too. The pitch and mod wheels are incredibly responsive as well.

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the replies! I've decided that im probably not going to get it though, because all i really need is some faders, knobs, and pads. Anyone know of a good model with lots faders?

P.S. I changed my mind because i just realized i had a keyboard with the word MIDI on it. So i look in the back of it and i see a midi in and out. Lol. Might as well put money towards something else than what i already have!

Hey,

This is so unrelated, but does anyone know how to do parallel compression for a groovy bassline i made?
Im thinking of making a remix of Da Funk! Lol

Thank You

Did you google or youTube "parallel compression in Ableton?"

I even think there's a preset for that which comes with Live.

get an Oxygen49. It's a midi keyboard, so honestly it doesn't matter what you get. It has 9 faders and 8 knobs. It's a little over 100 dollars.