MIDI / USB Keyboard

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Stuh505

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 15, 2004
Messages
488
I'm looking to get a introductory MIDI keyboard to use on my XP laptop with Reason. I was thinking about the "M-AUDIO Keystation 49e 49-Key"

My laptop does not have a MIDI in port, so I am wondering if the Keyboard would transmit over USB if I don't plug in the MIDI, or if it just uses that for power...
 
Most MIDI controllers nowadays (the keystation included) are MIDI through USB. I would recommend an Axiom over the keystation because it has more controls, should you need them later on.
 
Unless its totally out of your league... yeah... try some of the other M-Audio keyboards.
Keystation is like really, really, beginner level and as invalidbuffalo said, you might miss some of the advanced controls sometime.

And maybe its better you buy a very good introductory keyboard so you dont need to upgrade soon ;)

Now, the deal is that 49 keys... well.
I think the Keystation is around 80 bucks now?
The Axiom 49 for instance is about $~200 :p

Maybe if its not totally necessary, you could get a 25 keys one (unless you have the cash for lets say, the Axiom 49).
Like the Axiom 25 ($~170) or even the Oxygen 8 ($~120).
The thing with the Axiom is that it contains more features than the Oxygen, including pads for drum VSTs and the like.

Other options could be the E-MU Xboard 25 ($~110), the E-MU Xboard 49 (~$170) or the kinda infamous CME UF5 (~$190).

I think at least take a look at the other options out there and see their features etc...
If after that you cant just afford it, then go for the Keystation, but if you can, try and aim for higher models ;)
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Right now I am entering notes into a software synth manually with my mouse. I'm basically just looking for something to make entering notes easier, as I do not really know how to play a piano anyway. However, if I get good at it and start to take it seriously, then I will probably invest in a top of the line keyboard. But at this point, I just want something cheap and simple that works.
 
How about this monster of pure analog goodness http://www.synthesizers.com/studio110.html

OK but back on topic, if you just want to enter notes, the Keystation 49 will be all you need, but if you think you will want to have easier control over your software instruments, getting a keyboard with more controls would help a lot. I have owned several controllers, including a Keystation 88 Pro (lots of control, but the shittiest keyboard action/velocity ever!), and I found it handy to control parameters in soft synths with knobs on the keyboard instead of using a mouse to click and drag a control on the screen.
 
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