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Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:03 pm
by ripper91
I'm after getting a MIDI keyboard for use with reason and fruity loops can anyone recommend something affordable for a beginner?

cheers

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:19 pm
by Shekul
Check out the cakewalk / M audio midi keyboards.

You don't wanna get anything too basic otherwise you'll regret it and buy something better in 4 months.

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:30 pm
by ripper91
Shekul wrote:Check out the cakewalk / M audio midi keyboards.

You don't wanna get anything too basic otherwise you'll regret it and buy something better in 4 months.
Yeah that's what I was thinking, what's the minimum I'll be looking to spend to get something worthwhile?

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:44 pm
by lowpass
Depends what you need it to do bro,

you looking just for a keyboard or are you gonna want drum pads, assignable switches etc?

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 10:09 pm
by ripper91
lowpass wrote:Depends what you need it to do bro,

you looking just for a keyboard or are you gonna want drum pads, assignable switches etc?
Not really sure if I'm going to want drum pads or assignable stitches lol like I said I'm pretty much a complete beginner :D

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 6:14 pm
by larspro
The akai lpk25 really gets the job done.. only like $60 too.

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 7:37 pm
by lowpass
ripper91 wrote:
lowpass wrote:Depends what you need it to do bro,

you looking just for a keyboard or are you gonna want drum pads, assignable switches etc?
Not really sure if I'm going to want drum pads or assignable stitches lol like I said I'm pretty much a complete beginner :D
If you're just wanting a keyboard and need more than say 2 octaves then deffo the cakewalk a500s (£130 or so)

if you just want something you can bash one key on and not really bothered about the feeling of the keys then by all means go for the lpk25 as larspro pointed out.

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:24 pm
by RandomEyez
If you are not trained to play the keyboad/piano then you may want to consider this :

http://www.akaipro.com/mpkmini

Couple of octaves and pads and knobs for assigning to midi, which will allow more creativity.

Looks smart too.

Tis on my xmas list!

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:37 pm
by legend4ry
Theres no point getting a 25 key because like someone said, after a couple of months you'll want something bigger.

http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/ ... ard--80234

^a decent size, basic - has a couple of assignable knobs if you really wanna get into that kinda stuff and under 100 quid.


P.S beginner or not it doesn't really matter what you get, when someone picks up piano they don't get taught using a kids toy do they? Just get something whats the biggest amount of keys and extras your budget can afford.

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:03 pm
by Phase Down
the M-audio oxygen 49 is nice for starter and not too expensive

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:15 pm
by therook
Phase Down wrote:the M-audio oxygen 49 is nice for starter and not too expensive
QFT. I own one and it works wonderful. Lots of sliders, knobs, pitch bend, mod wheel, and velocity sensitive keys. I picked mine up for around $119 on music123.com(great price matching btw)

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:52 pm
by daft cunt
therook wrote:
Phase Down wrote:the M-audio oxygen 49 is nice for starter and not too expensive
QFT. I own one and it works wonderful. Lots of sliders, knobs, pitch bend, mod wheel, and velocity sensitive keys. I picked mine up for around $119 on music123.com(great price matching btw)
I love my Oxygen too. Best value for money in that price range imo (~ 140 € for the 49).

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:57 pm
by daft cunt
therook wrote:I picked mine up for around $119 on music123.com(great price matching btw)
It seems the price increased during last months tho. I bought a 3rd gen 61 less than one year ago, it was 140 € now it's around 220 :o

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 3:23 pm
by therook
daft tnuc wrote:
therook wrote:I picked mine up for around $119 on music123.com(great price matching btw)
It seems the price increased during last months tho. I bought a 3rd gen 61 less than one year ago, it was 140 € now it's around 220 :o
Dang you're right! I'm sure you could find something on craigslist for really cheap as well.

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 4:13 pm
by ripper91
I'm liking the look of the Oxygen but how important are those extra octaves? Space is a bit of a concern here, I'm not all that sure I could fit the 49 anywhere.

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 4:25 pm
by Phase Down
just make space dude, my midi keyboard is laying on 2 boxes under my desk sort of going next to my knees? hard to explain but I can play easily this way and is not using any space

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 5:06 pm
by Brisance
Not really sure if I'm going to want drum pads or assignable stitches lol
Of course You want em.

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 5:31 pm
by rubiconguava
ive always regretted buying a small midi keyboard to begin with. dont do it! still need to upgrade. you need more than two octaves or jammin anythin out can be difficult... go as big as you can! plus knobs are incredibly useful.

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 1:27 pm
by skanking
I'm just starting out and looking to get an Oxygen keyboard.

I'm just interested in what you guys personally assign those sliders and knobs to?

Re: Affordable MIDI keyboard for a beginner

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:50 pm
by victor w
skanking wrote:I'm just starting out and looking to get an Oxygen keyboard.

I'm just interested in what you guys personally assign those sliders and knobs to?
Parameters within a synthesizer, like the filter cutoff, attack, release, chorus wet/dry :) , etc - anything that you twiddle with often.